In-Basin Observations

In Basin Observations Podcast: Bill Austin recently sat down with Richard Rodriguez, Founder & CEO of ClearSync Solutions, to discuss how oil and gas companies should think about the technology increasingly underpinning modern field operations.

The conversation covered Richard’s path from NOV and Rubicon Oilfield to launching ClearSync, the growing importance of networks, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure, and why AI is now becoming a C-suite issue rather than simply an IT decision.

Richard also shared practical lessons around technology contracts, usage costs, data security and governance, along with his perspective on the growing power demands tied to AI infrastructure and the need for energy companies to adopt new technology without losing the personal relationships that remain central to the industry.

Bill Austin recently sat down with David Paterson, President & CEO of Newpark Fluids, and Nathan Snoke, SVP – Western Hemisphere, to discuss how drilling fluids are becoming increasingly critical as wells get longer, faster and more technically demanding. The conversation covers Newpark’s transformation into a focused pure-play fluids company, its investment in facilities like Monahans, the growing role of data and digital tools in drilling performance, and why customers are increasingly focused on consistency, technical expertise and local execution. David and Nathan also share their outlook for North America, international growth and how Newpark is positioning itself for the next phase of drilling efficiency.

00:00 Welcome and Setup

01:04 Meet NewPark Leaders

02:20 Drilling Market Shift

06:37 Fluids Under Pressure

09:41 What Operators Value

11:26 Carve Out and SCF

13:47 Investing in Facilities

17:52 Growth Drivers and Tech

19:52 Longer Laterals Demands

23:16 North America and Canada

27:19 Global Opportunities

30:13 Data Platform and AI

34:11 Training and Safety

38:47 Geothermal Expansion

41:11 Next Five Years Vision

44:45 Closing Thoughts

In Basin Observations Podcast: The podcast is back with Episode 65. Following our last conversation with Jason Downie of Tailwater Capital, Bill Austin recently sat down with Neal Lux, President and CEO of FET, to discuss the company’s transformation over the past five years and the strategy behind its continued outperformance.

The conversation explores FET’s “Beat the Market” philosophy, how differentiated technology and disciplined execution are driving market share gains, and why longer laterals and increasing service intensity continue to create opportunities despite a disciplined North American activity environment.

Neal also shares his perspective on international growth, offshore markets, AI-driven power demand, capital allocation, and FET’s ambitious 2030 vision.

We’ve got more In Basin Observations episodes coming. If you’re interested in joining us for a future conversation, please reach out to the DEP team.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:48 Neil Lux Background

01:57 F-E-T Today Strategy

03:23 CEO Transition Priorities

05:14 Beat the Market Explained

07:03 North America vs International

10:04 AI Power and Heat Exchangers

13:33 Customer Tech Adoption

16:29 Canada and VeriPerm Growth

18:50 Canada US Tech Ties

19:09 Veriperm US Expansion

19:51 Venezuela Reopening

20:52 Offshore Subsea Business

22:33 Defense Rescue Sub

24:39 US Land Underestimated

26:35 Balance Sheet Turnaround

29:28 M&A Strategy Criteria

31:55 F-E-T 2030 Growth Plan

33:22 Permian BBQ Cup Story

34:57 Event Culture Wrap Up

36:56 Final Thanks Closing

AI-driven power demand, LNG growth, and infrastructure bottlenecks are reshaping energy investment faster than ever.

In this episode of In-Basin Observations, Bill Austin sits down with Jason Downie, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Tailwater Capital, to discuss Tailwater’s differentiated approach across midstream, water, recycling, software, power-linked assets, and upstream energy investments.

The conversation explores major industry shifts, including upstream consolidation, natural gas infrastructure constraints, LNG-driven demand growth, rising AI-related power needs, and the increasing importance of disciplined capital allocation in today’s energy market.

00:00 Show Intro and Guest

01:14 Jason Downie Background

02:35 Why Tailwater Started

03:03 Data Driven Non Op Model

05:23 Full Immersion Value Chain

08:11 What Investors Miss

12:19 Energy Re Rating Post COVID

14:23 Macro Trend Upstream Evolution

15:05 Efficiency Gains and Inventory

19:19 Portfolio Benefits and Permian Gas

21:21 Midstream Platform Buildout

21:59 Texas Last Mile Gas Demand

23:04 LNG Logistics And Bottlenecks

24:21 Structural Gas Demand Shift

28:29 AI Power Demand Economics

29:52 Behind The Meter Boom

31:36 NIMBY Pushback And Grid Fixes

34:24 National Security And Reshoring

35:36 Why Private Ownership Wins

38:36 Geopolitical Risk Premium Wrap

In this special episode of the In Basin Observations Podcast, Bill Austin, Blake McLean and Jeff Bellman are joined by Amy Jaffe of NYU for a discussion that serves as a preview of the upcoming DEP Sonoma Executive Series.

The conversation focuses on the intersection of energy, AI, and power infrastructure, including rising electricity demand from data centers, natural gas infrastructure constraints, grid bottlenecks, and the growing overlap between the technology sector and traditional energy markets.

Fuel logistics keeps the oilfield moving, yet it’s often overlooked.

In this episode of In Basin Observations, hosts Bill Austin and John Daniel sit down with Rolfson Oil’s Jason Berger and Zach Krantz to break down the realities of fuel supply—and the impact of the Flint acquisition.

They cover:

Diesel volatility and supply risk

Centralized procurement

Automation and fuel optimization strategies

00:00 Welcome and Setup

01:22 Jason Rolfson Origin Story

03:33 Zach Flint Background

06:14 Scaling and Market Reach

06:58 Tech and Logistics Edge

10:53 Automation and Tri Fuel

13:22 Culture and Meritocracy

15:44 Selling in Procurement Era

20:34 Fueling Efficiency Demands

23:29 Customer Mix and Niches

27:49 What Customers Call Best

30:16 Hiring Standards

31:24 Retention Perks

32:14 Customer Stickiness

33:32 Dual Fuel Disruption

35:32 New Truck Tech

36:26 Diesel Price Pass Through

37:56 Supply Optionality

39:24 Record Months Drivers

42:41 Flint Acquisition Rationale

47:07 Fuel Hedging Advice

51:39 Tri Fuel Explained

54:03 CapEx And Supply Chain

55:33 Wrap Up Thanks

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 Intro

00:47 Guide Overview

01:20 Founder Background

03:03 Why Guide Started

04:47 Chemistry Market 2026

06:12 Cost Pressure Opportunity

08:42 Water Treatment Expansion

10:21 Managing Variable Water

11:36 Good Water KPIs

12:34 Iron And Scaling Risks

14:01 Outcome Based Partnerships

15:33 Chemistry Impact Reality

16:43 Predictable Accountability Wins

17:25 Fast Low Cost Solutions

18:03 Completions Outlook 2026

19:31 Bigger Jobs Reuse Pressure

20:52 Market Share Consolidation

22:14 AI Agents In Operations

26:14 Sensors Real Time Data

26:57 Surfactants Boost Recovery

28:04 Tune Systems With Data

29:25 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.