In-Basin Observations

The smallest cost… with the biggest impact.On In-Basin Observations podcast, host Bill Austin sits down with Cody Sutton, Co-Founder & CEO at Guide Energy Solutions, to unpack how completions chemistry is becoming a major performance driver.From produced water reuse to AI-powered decision-making, they dive into how smarter chemistry, tighter vendor accountability, and data-driven insights are reshaping frac outcomes.Tune in now!00:00 Conference Intro00:47 Guide Overview01:20 Founder Background03:03 Why Guide Started04:47 Chemistry Market 202606:12 Cost Pressure Opportunity08:42 Water Treatment Expansion10:21 Managing Variable Water11:36 Good Water KPIs12:34 Iron And Scaling Risks14:01 Outcome Based Partnerships15:33 Chemistry Impact Reality16:43 Predictable Accountability Wins17:25 Fast Low Cost Solutions18:03 Completions Outlook 202619:31 Bigger Jobs Reuse Pressure20:52 Market Share Consolidation22:14 AI Agents In Operations26:14 Sensors Real Time Data26:57 Surfactants Boost Recovery28:04 Tune Systems With Data29:25 Closing Thanks

At THRIVE 2026, Bill Austin sat down with Matt Wilks of ProFrac to discuss the current state of the U.S. completions market and how operators are thinking about the next phase of shale development. A key theme was the underlying tightness in pressure pumping capacity following years of fleet attrition, with the market appearing stable but lacking meaningful spare capacity. Wilks also highlighted a shift back toward recovery and well performance as efficiency gains begin to plateau, with increased focus on data, automation, and closed-loop fracturing to improve stage quality and consistency. The conversation also explored how new Permian gas takeaway capacity could unlock additional inventory and support higher activity levels into the second half of 2026.

During a recent visit to Carbo Ceramics’ office in Houston, Bill Austin sat down with Max Nikolaev to discuss how operators are reassessing completion design as U.S. shale matures. A key theme was the renewed focus on fracture conductivity and long-term well performance, particularly as supermajors take a longer-term development view of key basins. Nikolaev noted that while the industry’s shift to low-cost sand delivered clear economic benefits, operators are increasingly revisiting proppant design as tier-one inventory declines and recovery optimization becomes more important. The conversation also explored growing interest in lightweight proppants following Exxon’s recent comments, as well as how Carbo’s R&D efforts and customer-driven innovation continue to shape new applications in energy and beyond.

In this episode of the In Basin Observations Podcast (recorded live at the Permian Basin Barbecue Cookoff) Bill sits down with Caterpillar’s Collin Clark and Chris Berry. They highlight CAT’s new gas mechanical system, which nearly doubles pumping horsepower versus legacy diesel units while lowering fuel costs and emissions and running on both CNG and field gas. The discussion also covers the growing grid “power gap” from data center demand and how Caterpillar’s natural gas engines, turbines, and energy storage can be deployed behind the meter, backed by CAT’s ongoing investments in manufacturing capacity and dealer service support.

In this episode, Bill and Blake visit Texas Steel Conversion (TSC) to discuss the company’s long history in the tubular and drill-pipe markets. The conversation with Russell Werner and John Hubbard from TSC highlights how the company has expanded across multiple facilities in Southeast Texas, driving new efficiency gains in heat treatment, upsetting, and premium connection manufacturing. The team discusses volatility in both OCTG and drill-pipe pricing, the impact of tariffs on domestic producers, and how customer-driven designs are adapting to longer laterals and higher torque requirements.

Bill and John sit down with David Paradis, CEO of GD Energy Products, to discuss innovation in high-pressure pumping, the impact of tariffs, and the company’s strategy for growth across U.S. land and international markets.

In-Basin Observations Podcast – Episode 55: Dennis Jol, CEO of AIQIn this episode, Bill and John sit down with Josh Lowery and Dennis Jol, CEO of AIQ, a joint venture between ADNOC / Presight a G42 company focused on applying artificial intelligence across the energy sector. Dennis shares how AIQ was founded to combine ADNOC’s domain expertise with G42’s technology capabilities, transforming operations through data-driven workflows and next-generation analytics. The discussion covers how AIQ has grown to deploy products across 25% of ADNOC wells and all of its drilling rigs, the development of its new Agentic AI platform, and the company’s plans to expand globally from its base in the UAE. Dennis also provides insight into how the region is positioning itself as a hub for energy technology ahead of ADIPEC 2025, where AIQ will co-host the AI Pavilion and will be the Title Sponsor of the Global Energy Soiree.

In the latest episode of the DEP In Basin Observations podcast, Bill and John sit down with Larry Bruno, Chairman & CEO of Core Laboratories, to discuss how the nearly 90-year-old company is positioning itself for the next phase of the energy cycle. Larry walks through Core’s expansion into unconventional reservoir analysis in the Middle East, the balance between offshore and onshore markets, and what rising international FIDs mean for the business. He also details how Core differentiates itself through proprietary technology, disciplined capital allocation, and a culture focused on client trust and technical excellence. Listen here: https://tr.ee/AppleDEPPodcast

In this In Basin Observations episode, Bill Austin and Sean Mitchell sit down with Mark Freeman, CEO of ProDirectional, for an in-depth discussion on the state of the directional drilling market. The conversation explores how ProDirectional is positioning itself amid shifting rig counts, what operators are asking for in today’s efficiency-driven environment, and how technology is influencing well design and execution.

This week’s episode of In Basin Observations features Dave Anderson from Barclays, who recently released a through report discussing Distributed Power. We enjoyed discussing one of the most important themes shaping the energy services landscape with Dave. As traditional grid infrastructure struggles to keep up with demand, new opportunities are emerging for OFS companies to support operators with mobile and scalable power solutions.We hit on what’s driving the shift, which players are leading the way, and why capital is starting to move in this direction. It’s a timely conversation that ties directly into what we’ve been hearing for quite some time now.

In our latest In Basin Observations podcast, DEP hosts Bill Austin and Geoff Jay sit down with John Freeman, Managing Director and Head of Energy Research at Raymond James, to discuss the firm's comprehensive Midland and Delaware Basin deep dive reports. John provides critical insights into inventory life, operator strategy, valuation trends, and evolving productivity across core acreage in the Permian. This episode offers a grounded, data-rich discussion on how capital discipline and resource scarcity are reshaping the competitive landscape in U.S. shale.

This week on In Basin Observations, Bill sits down with Vulcan Industrial President Simon Lawrie from their Houston headquarters to talk manufacturing in a market shaped by volatility and opportunity. In 2025 Vulcan is leaning into high-performance machining and customer-driven innovation. Simon shares how the company was founded, navigating tariffs, and innovation in the oilfield.SS

In this week’s episode of The DEP In-Basin Observations podcast, Bill Austin and Geoff Jay sit down with industry veteran Doug Terreson to unpack his new book, Can’t Deny It, a blend of memoir and market dissection shaped by a decades-long career in energy equity research. The conversation explores how capital discipline displaced growth-at-any-cost thinking, with Doug offering candid reflections on super mergers, the shale revolution, and the investment paradigm shift that followed.

Special Edition of The In Basin Observations Podcast Live From The Observation Deck At Thrive

Special Edition of the In Basin Observations Podcast Live from the observation deck at thrive.

Special Edition of the In Basin Observations Podcast Live from the observation deck at thrive

Unveiling Caterpillar’s new Gas Mechanical System, an innovative solution for burning 100% natural gas in frac operations, improving efficiency and power density.

Sharing Atlas’ expansion into distributed power with their acquisition of Moser Energy Systems, and how autonomous trucking is set to change the logistics of sand delivery.

Breaking down the importance of financial discipline, low debt, and steady free cash flow in an era of capital efficiency.

Special Edition of The In Basin Observations Podcast Live From The Observation Deck At Thrive

Special Edition of The In Basin Observations Podcast Live From The Observation Deck At Thrive

In the latest In-Basin Observations Podcast, John and Bill sit down with Josh Lowrey, Founder of Upright Digital, to discuss industry trends, life’s challenges, and the grit it takes to succeed.

In the latest In-Basin Observations Podcast, John and Bill sit down with Marshall Dodson, CEO of Key Energy Services, to explore the trends shaping the oil and gas sector. Some key topics include: The 2025 outlook for the industry, with a focus on market stability and efficiency; workover rig activity and how market consolidation is creating opportunities; and operational advancements, from equipment maintenance to electrification.

Join the DEP team (Bill Austin, Sean Mitchell and Blake McLean) as they sit down with Bill Herbert, author of the Daniel Energy Partners' latest report, "2025 and Beyond Outlook: Waiting for a Slow Pitch". The conversation dives into the complexities of the energy sector as we head into 2025, covering market dynamics, geopolitical uncertainties, the rise of deepwater production, and the evolving role of natural gas and power generation. The conversation was a great way to end 2024 and look into 2025.

In this episode of the Deep in Basin Observations podcast, Bill talks to Rob Connors, creator of The Crude Chronicles, a Substack that delves into the financial history of the oil and gas industry. They discuss how historical cycles in the industry relate to current trends, including capital intensity cycles in oilfield services and the potential for future oil price and production surprises. Rob provides insights into the current state of the industry, supported by data and charts, and offers predictions on where the market might head next, considering historical patterns and recent economic developments. We’ve got a couple more coming this year and as usual we welcome feedback and reach out if you'd like to join us in the future.

In the latest In Basin Observations episode, the DEP team (Blake, Sean & Bill) sat down with Luca Zanotti at their Bay City Plant to explore Tenaris and its role in the pipe manufacturing industry. To start we discuss Tenaris, its global reach and leadership in the sector. Some other key discussions include; Customer Demand & Efficiency, Market Outlook, E&P M&A, Global OCTG Demand, Technological Innovations, the Tenaris Bay City Facility, and Trade & Industry Challenges. We welcome feedback and reach out if you'd like to join us in the future.

This week, Bill and John interviewed Tony Kroschewsky, CEO of Merit Advisors, to discuss the current state of the oil and gas market and the role of Merit Advisors in providing tax consulting to the sector. Tony highlights how Merit Advisors helps clients reduce cash operating costs, the conversation also touches on the challenges and opportunities in the industry, including consolidation and maintaining efficiency amidst fluctuating commodity prices.

Welcome to the latest episode of In Basin Observations. This week the DEP team (Bill Austin, John Daniel, Geoff Jay, and Blake McLean) sit down for a roundtable discussion on key themes and insights from our recent Supply Chain Executive Series. The team dives into market sentiment, efficiency gains, and important takeaways from the event.

The latest episode of In Basin Observations has Bill and John on the road speaking with David Nemetz, CEO, and Jean Douget, VP of Unconventional Solutions at Gilmore. Over the past several years, Gilmore has been developing innovative products for the frac industry, notably including a newly designed check valve. In the conversation with Jean and David we explore the journey behind Gilmore’s latest innovations, the challenges they’ve encountered, and the impressive results they’ve achieved so far.

Geoff Jay and Bill Austin have Ted Cross from Novi Labs as our guest on the podcast this week. Ted is the VP of Product Management at Novi Labs and he frequently writes on upstream oil and gas innovation. Ted recently released a post on LinkedIn, which we thought would be a good topic for the podcast. In this episode, we’ll discuss the factors driving unconventional well performance so far this year and where he sees the rest of the year playing out. As always, please send along to anyone you think might find this episode interesting and reach out if you'd like to join us in the future. Click here for the link to the article.

This week, on the In Basin Observations podcast we decided to take one of the panels from our Telluride Executive Series a few weeks ago and turn it into a podcast. We are again featuring Travis Simmering and Dave Bosco from AMP who we had on the podcast about a year ago. For those that don't remember AMP predominantly provides mobile power solutions (turbines and recip engines) to the fracking sector, but is expanding into drilling, midstream, and production applications. The company emphasizes the importance of self-generation due to the increasing unreliability of grid power, exacerbated by insufficient generation capacity and transmission limitations. If you're interested in joining us on the show, reach out, and please share this episode with anyone you think might enjoy it. Until next time!

Welcome to the latest (much belated) episode of the in Basin Observations podcast. This week, we're joined by our guests Jackson Wheat and Jake Foster from Kerr Pumps. This episode was recorded on the road, in Telluride, Colorado, during our Telluride Executive Series. The discussion includes the origins and evolution of Kerr Pumps, the advent of the new "Vortex" fluid end product, and the company's focus on innovation and employee wellbeing. Jackson and Jake highlight the company’s growth, product differentiation, and plans to address market challenges while maintaining a strong internal focus on manufacturing excellence and employee satisfaction. Despite market consolidation and overall headwinds in the industry, Kerr Pumps has grown significantly since 2018, but was actually founded in 1946 and acquired by its current owner in 1996. Their latest product, Vortex, promises significant enhancements over the F1-X, including double the valve and seat life, reduced maintenance time, and safer operation. It has been tested for four years and is expected to eventually replace the F1-X. We apologize for any background noise, as this interview was recorded outside. But we hope you enjoy it. If you're interested in joining us later this year please let us know as we're always looking for new guests.

The DEP In Basin Observations podcast is back with a special live episode! During the THRIVE Energy conference, Leslie Beyer hosted a panel with experts Sebastian Gass (Quantum), Ben Wilson (AWS), and Colin Westmorland (Enverus) to discuss the use and impact of generative AI in the energy sector. They explored AI applications in data analysis, investment decision-making, and personal productivity, emphasizing the importance of high-quality data and workforce upskilling to leverage AI effectively. Concerns around intellectual property, cybersecurity, and potential regulation were also addressed, with an overall consensus on the transformative potential of AI in enhancing business operations and decision-making within the energy industry.

In the latest episode of the DEP In Basin Observations Podcast, Stuart Bodden, CEO of Ranger Energy Services, joins Bill and John to discuss Ranger's Q3 2023 results, the well service market, and the industry outlook for 2024. Despite industry challenges, Ranger's strategic moves over the last several years have led to improved revenue and margins. In one of our longer podcasts we explore industry consolidation trends, Ranger's M&A strategy, and challenges in the wireline business. Expectations for technological advancements and a focus on operational efficiency, emphasize Ranger's commitment to efficiency and resilience in diverse market conditions.

After a brief hiatus, the DEP In Basin Observations Podcast is back. Join us as we recap our fall activities and dive into the highlights of the recent DEP Upstream and Planning Outlook Forum. In this episode, the DEP team shares insights from the event's 12 panels, exploring a spectrum of industry-critical topics—from OCTG to Well Service, Produced Water to Frac Efficiencies, and Capital Equipment needs to Drilling Programs. Stay tuned for an informative discussion as we gear up for more episodes before the year concludes!

This week we're thrilled to have Lee Beckelman, Chief Financial Officer, and John Young, Chief Operating Officer, of Smart Sand, a frac and industrial sand supply company, join us. In this episode, we delve into a recently published white paper entitled: Hydraulic Fracturing in the Permian Basin and the Case for Northern White Sand that presents a thought-provoking analysis of the value proposition of white sand versus in-basin sand. With a specific focus on the Permian Basin, Lee and John shed light on the potential of addressing productivity concerns by reevaluating in-basin sand usage and considering a switch back to the tried-and-true Northern White Sand. Join us as we explore the nuances of sand selection, their impact on well performance, and the economic considerations that play a pivotal role in shaping operators' decisions. Follow the link to listen. Don't forget to subscribe and share it with your network - you never know who might find it informative!

DEP In Basin Observations is back with an exciting road trip to San Antonio! Bill and John hit the road first to cook some BBQ for the ClearWell Dynamics team and then to run into the AC and chat with Roe Patterson. Roe shares some insights on the workover rig market pricing, providing a unique perspective on the oilfield services market for the rest of 2023. Roe also draws from his extensive experience running both private and publicly traded companies, shedding light on the key differences and challenges associated with each. Follow the link to listen to this engaging episode on DEP In Basin Observations. Don't forget to subscribe and share it with your network - you never know who might find it informative!

The latest episode of DEP In Basin Observations is here, and this time, Bill and John hit the road to the Woodlands. Join them in a captivating conversation with Travis Simmering and Dave Bosco from Accelerated Mobile Power (AMP). Travis and Dave share their journey starting up AMP and their mission to provide the oilfield with efficient modular mobile power solutions. AMP will serve the Oil & Gas, Utility, Data Center and Temporary Emergency Power Markets with top-notch assets and contract power services. We hope you enjoy the episode, please don't forget to subscribe and share with anyone who might be interested.

The newest episode of DEP In Basin Observations is here, and this time, we hit the road to Austin, Texas. This week Bill and Sean have a captivating conversation with Bud Brigham and John Turner from Atlas Energy Solutions. Bud and John share their experiences in bringing Atlas Energy Solutions Public and shed light on their new project, The Dune Express.

In the latest episode of the DEP In-Basin Observations Podcast we sat down in Conroe, Texas with Travis Thomas, project lead for NOV's MAX Completions software application. The CTES team started this process to build MC specifically from the viewpoint of customer needs, provide in-depth graphing tools for completion ops on a well-by-well basis, and allow for local on-site hands to post live job comments to MC for off-site engineers to monitor. We had an interesting conversation with Travis. NOV will prominently feature Max Completions at NOV’s URTeC exhibition this year in Denver (June 13-15, 2023). We hope you enjoy the episode and feel free to pass along to others.

Join us for the latest episode of DEP In Basin Observations as Bill and John hit the road to Dallas, Texas. In this episode, our guest is Billy Bailey, a seasoned expert in the energy industry from BP Capital Partners. Billy shares his start in the Energy business with Boone Pickens and provides unique insights into the energy landscape.

In our latest In-Basin Observations episode John and Bill visit GR Energy Services to speak with Wayne Richards, President and CEO. Wayne shares his insights on the current state of the oil and gas industry and the impact of technology in the Oilfield. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, his insights are invaluable and we had a great time talking to him. Check out the podcast at: https://linktr.ee/inbasinobservations

The latest Daniel Energy Partners In-Basin Observations podcast features a conversation with Chris Combs, recorded back in February. Chris is the President of Grizzly Manufacturing and a veteran of the oilfield services industry. Chris visited the DEP offices, where we had the 2022 World Series on display, and discussed the evolution of electric fracking. Grizzly Manufacturing showcased its EnviroFrac unit at their facility during the recent SPE Frac conference in the woodlands and at our THRIVE conference. The conversation centers around the environmental benefits of electric fracking and how the technology has advanced over the years.

This week’s podcast features an interview with Mark Slaughter, CEO of iNet. For those not familiar with iNet, the company provides wireless broadband communications using 4G LTE and 5G technology to oil and gas and companies and importantly, was our Wi-Fi sponsor at the Permian BBQ Cook-Off. The company was formed in 2011 and today enjoys network coverage of more than 130,000 square miles in the Bakken, Niobrara, Eagle Ford, Permian, Texas Panhandle, and Kern County, California. They are also now an authorized Starlink integrator.

In this episode, our hosts Sean Mitchell and Bill Herbert sat down with Rich Kushel from Blackrock at the Daniel Energy Partners THRIVE Energy Conference in Houston to discuss his views on the energy industry, BlackRock's relationship with the industry, the current investment landscape, and his experience leading BlackRock's portfolio management group.

The DEP team sits down and recaps the THRIVE Energy Conference. Thank you to all of our friends of the industry that were able to attend and support. THRIVE has been a great success since year one and we couldn't do it without your support. Thank you and enjoy this special episode.

In this episode of the podcast, recorded live from Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, Mike Dyson and Chris Caudill of Infinity Water Solutions join Bill to discuss their backgrounds and the founding of their company. They also delve into the important role that water management plays in the energy industry, and how Infinity is helping companies optimize their water usage and reduce their environmental footprint. After the podcast was recorded, Infinity Water Solutions announced a multi-year contract with XTO Energy to manage their produced water in the Delaware basin. This is a significant achievement for the company, and it demonstrates the growing demand for water management solutions in the basin. As always thanks for listening and feel free to reach out with comments or suggestions.