Discover how C3 Oilfield Services is revolutionizing well stimulation and remediation using propane and butane technology. In this episode of the Local Energy Podcast, we sit down with Tadd Wallace, founder of C3 Oilfield Services, to discuss his journey from small-town Texas to building one of the most innovative companies in the oil and gas industry.

Tadd shares how C3 was specifically designed to thrive during market downturns, achieving 100% utilization while many competitors struggle. Learn about the cutting-edge use of liquid propane and butane for well stimulation, how this technology solves problems like gas condensate loading and paraffin buildup, and why major operators are calling C3 to rescue wells from the plug and abandon list.

This conversation goes beyond technology to explore entrepreneurship in oil and gas, the critical generational knowledge gap in the industry, and why the shale revolution is far from over. Whether you're an operator, service company owner, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice.

KEY TOPICS COVERED:Propane and butane well stimulation technologyBuilding a downturn-resistant oilfield services companyGas condensate removal and production optimizationWorking with major operators on P&A well recoveryEntrepreneurship advice for young oil and gas professionalsThe generational knowledge gap in the industryWhy we're still in the first inning of the shale revolutionBuilding effective teams with experienced talentOpportunities for self-employment in oil and gas

ABOUT TADD WALLACE:Tadd Wallace is the founder of C3 Oilfield Services, a Houston-based company specializing in well stimulation and remediation using propane and butane technology. With a background working at companies like GasFrac and SIN Oil, Tadd developed proprietary methods for using non-damaging hydrocarbon fluids to restore production in both vertical and horizontal wells across multiple basins.

ABOUT C3 OILFIELD SERVICES:C3 Oilfield Services provides innovative well stimulation and remediation solutions using propane, butane, and other hydrocarbon solvents. The company operates across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Colorado, serving both independent operators and major oil companies. C3's technology is approved by the Texas Railroad Commission as an Enhanced Oil Recovery method, providing tax credits for operators.

ABOUT THE LOCAL ENERGY PODCAST:The Local Energy Podcast features conversations with entrepreneurs, operators, and innovators in the oil and gas industry. Hosted by Peter Brecht and Wade Spear, the show explores the people and technologies shaping the future of energy.

TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Introduction0:16 - Welcome Tadd Wallace from C3 Oilfield Services1:11 - Tadd's background and journey into oil and gas2:18 - The origin of propane/butane well stimulation technology3:08 - Building a company designed for downturn markets4:04 - C3's geographic footprint and current operations5:27 - What does a C3 unit look like?6:58 - Pumping propane: Technical challenges and solutions8:02 - Horizontal vs vertical wells8:47 - How propane works as a solvent and stimulation fluid10:15 - Gas condensate removal and production optimization12:30 - Working with major operators14:45 - Paraffin removal and heavy oil applications17:20 - Equipment and operational setup19:40 - Starting a company from scratch21:50 - Entrepreneurship in oil and gas24:23 - Why major customers are calling C325:19 - Building without a blueprint27:12 - Company culture and staying operational29:08 - The shale revolution is still in the first inning30:03 - Rod Lewis and entrepreneurship inspiration31:54 - Leveraging experienced talent in the industry34:24 - Building teams: Finding the right people35:26 - Landman TV show discussion37:21 - How to connect with C338:20 - Plug and abandon well recovery40:13 - The P&A problem and opportunities42:15 - Final thoughts and wrap-up

Calyn Taylor joins Local Energy to break down one of oil and gas's best-kept secrets: factoring. If you've ever wondered how small contractors manage cash flow when operators take 90-120 days to pay, this conversation is for you.

We dive deep into the world of invoice financing in oil and gas, exploring how factoring works, why it's different from traditional lending, and the unique challenges of collecting payment in this industry versus transportation. Calyn shares her journey from transportation factoring to the oil and gas space, and why she's now fascinated by one of the industry's biggest challenges: produced water.

From bioremediation to lithium extraction, we explore the future of produced water management and why there's no perfect solution yet—but billions of dollars waiting for whoever cracks it. Plus, Calyn shares brutally honest insights from her job search (193 applications and counting) and advice for introverts trying to break into the industry.

KEY TOPICS:✓ What factoring is and how it works in oil & gas✓ Cash flow challenges for small contractors✓ Produced water management and recycling✓ Bioremediation and emerging water technologies✓ Lithium extraction from produced water✓ Breaking into oil & gas as a young professional✓ Denver's growing oil & gas scene✓ Career advice and networking strategies

SHOW LINKS

Connect with Calyn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calyn-taylor-0306b5248/Philip Reed (Alternative Financing Expert): https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-reed-a7743096/Women's Oil & Gas Association (WOGA): https://wogacolorado.org/NAPE (North American Prospects Expo): https://napeexpo.com/summitOur Website: https://localenergy.com

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction & Technical Difficulties00:49 - Meet Calyn Taylor: Background & Career Journey02:13 - How Calyn Got Into Oil & Gas02:32 - What is Factoring? (Invoice Financing Explained)03:17 - Who Does the Collection Work?04:06 - Transportation vs. Oil & Gas Factoring Differences05:27 - The Underwriting Process for Factoring06:25 - How Long Does Factoring Take to Set Up?06:55 - Philip Reed & Other Factoring Options07:15 - How Widespread is Factoring Across Industries?08:03 - Interest Rates and Factoring Fees09:27 - Why Cash Flow Matters for Small Contractors09:30 - Systems Engineering & Calyn's Educational Path10:03 - Switching Gears: The Produced Water Problem12:32 - Bioremediation: Using Bacteria to Clean Water13:27 - Infrastructure & Coordination Challenges13:55 - Could Calyn Transition Away from Finance?14:28 - Dan Doyle & Saltwater Disposal Conversation14:57 - Wade's Take: Why Produced Water is So Challenging15:46 - The Economics of Water Disposal16:33 - Recycling Pits & Bacterial Growth Issues17:20 - Why There's No Perfect Solution (Yet)17:37 - Lithium Extraction from Produced Water18:45 - What's Next for Calyn?19:10 - Life in Denver & The Job Market19:37 - Women's Oil & Gas Association (WOGA)20:15 - The Reality of Job Hunting: 193 Applications20:44 - Advice for Introverts: Put Yourself Out There21:47 - Denver's Oil & Gas Resurgence22:18 - Water Stewardship in Colorado23:22 - Closing Thoughts & Job Search Support

ABOUT LOCAL ENERGY:Local Energy is your inside look at the oil and gas industry, hosted by Peter Brecht and Wade Spear. We bring you conversations with industry professionals about the technical details, business challenges, and innovations shaping energy production today.

Have a topic suggestion? Leave it in the comments!

#OilAndGas #Factoring #ProducedWater #EnergyIndustry #CashFlow #Bioremediation #OilAndGasFinance #Denver #CareerAdvice #InvoiceFactoring #WaterManagement #EnergyPodcast #OilAndGasJobs #Networking #LithiumExtraction #localenergy

Join hosts Peter Brecht and Wade Spear for a deep dive into oil and gas fundamentals! In this recap episode, we decode industry terms, analyze market indicators, and break down technical concepts from recent guest conversations.From tracking Ford Raptors in Midland to understanding collapsed casing, this episode covers everything you need to know about what's really happening in the oil patch. Whether you're new to the industry or a seasoned pro, you'll walk away with practical insights into drilling operations, market trends, and the unique language of oil and gas.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro & New Year Resolutions0:42 - The Raptor Index Explained3:27 - Venezuela Oil Deal: Market Impact Analysis5:06 - 2026 Outlook: Optimism vs Pessimism7:56 - Zipper Fracking Technology Breakdown9:24 - Drilling Day Rates: 2013 vs Today11:14 - Wireline Sales & Quality vs Price13:23 - Hot Stack vs Cold Stack Rigs16:10 - Making a Connection Explained16:28 - Landman TV Show Review18:08 - Wait to Wait in Oil Field Operations19:04 - Collapsed Casing, Sand Bridges & Salt Bridges21:01 - Downhole Design Process (Well Planning)24:46 - Anti-Collision & Crossing SticksKEY TOPICS:✅ Raptor Index market indicator✅ Hot stack rig operations✅ Zipper fracking efficiency✅ Downhole design & well planning✅ Casing strings (7", 5", 4.5")✅ Anti-collision planning✅ Drilling contractor insightsMENTIONED RESOURCES:Our website: https://localenergy.comUnderdog Wireline Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/inside-the-high-stakes-world-of-wireline/id1666068669?i=1000742044558NAPE Conference (February, Houston): https://napeexpo.com/summitCONNECT WITH LOCAL ENERGY:Subscribe for weekly conversations with industry experts, market analysis, and technical deep dives into oil and gas operations.#OilAndGas #Drilling #EnergyMarkets #RaptorIndex #LocalEnergy #Fracking #WellPlanning #OilPatch #EnergyIndustry #PetroleumEngineering #oilandgas #naturalresources #localenergy

Get insider insights on the 2026 oil and gas market from Chris Hedge, who spent 30 years at Chevron working across IT, pipeline management, NGL trading, and long-range analytics. In this episode, we break down Venezuela's oil crisis, U.S. production trends, and what's driving moderate oil prices through 2026.What You'll Learn:The real geopolitical strategy behind Venezuela (it's not what you think)Why U.S. oil production growth is slowing downChris's outlook for moderate prices through 2026How the efficiency plateau is affecting shale productionThe connection between OPEC, demand, and market balanceTIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Episode Introduction00:47 - Meet Chris Hedge01:47 - 30 Years at Chevron: From IT to Analytics05:30 - Why Chris Left Chevron and Landed at WoodMac06:34 - Venezuela: What's Really Happening?08:06 - The Geopolitical Oil Play vs. Resource Grab12:30 - How Venezuela's Oil Situation Affects Markets18:45 - 2026 Oil & Gas Market Outlook21:20 - Why U.S. Production Growth is Slowing24:15 - Production vs. Demand: What to Expect27:37 - The Efficiency Plateau in U.S. Shale28:52 - Resources to Follow & Wrap-UpABOUT CHRIS HEDGE:Chris Hedge brings 30 years of oil and gas experience from Chevron, where he built trading functions, ran long-range analytics, and provided investment analysis for executives and board members. After Chevron, he worked at Wood Mackenzie running their liquids business and ICIS on the chemical side. He now writes extensively about energy markets, geopolitics, and the oil & gas value chain on LinkedIn.ABOUT LOCAL ENERGY:Local Energy is a podcast exploring the people, companies, and trends shaping the oil and gas industry. Hosted by Peter Brecht, featuring conversations with industry veterans, executives, and experts.CONNECT:🔗 Chris Hedge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bchedge/🌐 Local Energy Website: https://localenergy.com🔔 Subscribe for weekly energy industry insights💬 What's your 2026 oil price prediction? Drop it in the comments below!#OilAndGas #EnergyMarkets #Venezuela #Chevron #OilPrices #2026Forecast #Geopolitics #NaturalGas #EnergyIndustry #LocalEnergy #ShaleOil #OPEC #USProduction

In this episode of Local Energy, we sit down with Justin Bates from Echometer to explore how a small 18-person company became the global industry standard for acoustic fluid level measurement in oil and gas operations. From its 1962 origins, using 10-gauge blanks fired from .45 Long Colts, to today's sophisticated portable sensor systems, Echometer's story reveals the power of customer-focused innovation and exceptional technical support.Justin shares how Echometer's technology works, practical field applications for well optimization and troubleshooting, and why the company deliberately chooses not to compete with its own customers through service operations. Whether you're new to production operations or a seasoned field engineer, this conversation offers valuable insights into the tools and techniques that keep wells producing efficiently.🎯 KEY TOPICS COVERED:✅ How acoustic fluid level measurement actually works✅ Echometer's evolution from gunshot-generated waves to modern sensors✅ The company's customer service philosophy and field experience requirement✅ Practical troubleshooting techniques and wellhead optimization✅ Software development vs. hardware innovation✅ Why 18 employees is enough to dominate a global market✅ The business strategy of NOT offering competing services⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Introduction & Welcome00:36 - Weather Talk & Location (Wichita Falls, Texas)01:33 - What is Echometer? Company Overview02:17 - The Original Technology: Shotgun Shells & Acoustic Waves03:09 - Echometer's Legendary Customer Service Philosophy05:25 - Software Development vs. Hardware Innovation05:54 - Can You See Downhole Equipment? How Acoustic Imaging Works07:17 - Understanding Wellbore Reflections & Cross-Sectional Changes10:30 - Live Demo: Total Annulus Management (TAM) Software Walkthrough14:45 - Acoustic Velocity & Temperature Compensation18:20 - Multiple Reflection Analysis & Interpretation22:15 - Real-World Field Applications & Troubleshooting25:30 - The Importance of Field Experience in Customer Support28:45 - Plunger Lift Optimization & Advanced Applications32:10 - Data Collection Philosophy: Learning at the Wellhead37:09 - How Long Does a Typical Fluid Level Shot Take?37:49 - Iterative Testing & Understanding Well Behavior38:45 - Flumping Example: When Wells Flow Up the Backside39:11 - Root Cause Analysis: Chemical Treatment Case Study40:27 - Echometer's Business Model: 18 Employees, No Service Division41:43 - Why Echometer Became Like "Kleenex" (Industry Standard)42:12 - Wrap Up & Where to Find Echometer43:08 - Closing Remarks🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Echometer Website: www.echometer.comFree Training Videos: Ask Echometer Sessions (Day One Fluid Levels recommended)Contact Justin: [email protected]📌 ABOUT LOCAL ENERGY:Local Energy explores the technology, innovation, and people driving the energy industry forward. Hosted by Peter Brecht and Wade Spear, we bring you conversations with industry leaders, engineers, and innovators who are shaping the future of oil and gas operations.🏷️ TAGS:#Echometer #OilAndGas #FluidLevel #WellOptimization #ProductionEngineering #ArtificialLift #AcousticMeasurement #OilFieldTechnology #EnergyIndustry #LocalEnergyPodcast #WellTesting #ProductionOptimization #OilFieldEquipment #PetroleumEngineering #EnergyTech #oilandgas #naturalresources #localenergy💬 Join the conversation! What's your experience with acoustic fluid level measurement? Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts on Echometer's customer-first approach.👍 Like this episode? Subscribe for more deep dives into energy industry technology and innovation!Our website: https://localenergy.com

Dale Poserow shares his journey of building Expro's wireline division from the ground up—completely solo. From applying for a job he "didn't think he'd get" to navigating the challenges of being a team of one handling sales, operations, and field work, Dale offers an honest look at entrepreneurship in the oil and gas industry.

In this episode, we discuss the realities of starting a new business division, the changing landscape of oilfield culture, and why the industry needs to embrace new technologies and vendors. Dale also shares insights on wireline operations in the Marcellus, the impact of super laterals on well management, and why bringing donuts to field crews is still the best sales strategy.

What You'll Learn:✅ How to start a division as a solo operator in oil & gas✅ Day-to-day realities of wearing multiple hats in oilfield services✅ Why market conditions make vendor relationships crucial✅ How millennial leadership is changing oilfield culture✅ The technical challenges of deeper wells and super laterals

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro & Welcome0:26 - What Does Expro Do? Company Overview1:49 - Day-to-Day: Sales, Ops & Field Work4:44 - How Dale Got Started with Expro6:16 - Building a Division Solo: The First Year Challenges10:30 - Career Journey: From Wireline to Division Leader18:45 - Market Conditions & Client Relationships23:30 - Oil & Gas Market Dynamics & Pricing24:23 - Energy Drink Talk: White Monster Wins Again26:36 - Industry Changes: Why Oilfield Needs to Adapt28:32 - Final Thoughts & Wrap Up

About Our Guest:Dale Poserow leads Expro's wireline division in the Northeast, managing everything from business development to field operations. With extensive experience in remedial wireline and oilfield services, Dale is building a new division from scratch in one of the most active gas-producing regions in North America.

Connect With Local Energy:🎙️ New episodes every week👍 Like & Subscribe for more oil & gas industry insights💬 Comment below with your questions for future guests

Topics: Oil and Gas, Wireline Services, Oilfield Entrepreneurship, Business Development, Marcellus Shale, Well Completion, Career Development, Energy Industry, Petroleum Engineering, Oilfield Services

#OilAndGas #Wireline #EnergyIndustry #Entrepreneurship #MarcellusShale #LocalEnergyPodcast

“Operating a small business feels like a daily knife fight where you get out of bed, try not to get stabbed, get back in bed, and do it all over again”. - Brent BeshoreWhile editing this episode, this quote from Brent Beshore came back to me. For Dan Doyle, though, it might have a little more real-life than proverbial. Dan Doyle, author of the upcoming book "Of Roughnecks & Riches: A Start-Up in the Great American Fracking Boom," joins the Local Energy Podcast to share his incredible journey starting a hydraulic fracturing company in 2009—right as the global financial crisis hit. From knife-wielding truck builders in Oklahoma to drilling 31,000-foot wells in Wyoming's Powder River Basin, Dan's story is a masterclass in oil and gas entrepreneurship.Book Pre-Order: "Of Roughnecks & Riches: A Start-Up in the Great American Fracking Boom" by Dan Doyle (Available February 2026)Visit http://localenergy.com and sign up for our newsletter for a chance to win ONE of TWO copies of the book at launch.TIMESTAMPS0:33 Current Market Conditions & 2026 Outlook2:59 Writing "Roughnecks and Riches"3:25 Getting Into the Frac Business in 20084:20 The Oklahoma Builder Nightmare8:00 Gun Confrontation in the Trailer11:30 Building Reliance from Scratch15:45 Breaking Into the Bakken Market20:15 The Roughneck Culture & Industry Stories24:30 Why Dan Wrote This Book28:10 The Environmental Debate: Oil vs Renewables32:34 Brine Water Management & Industry Practices34:23 Closing ThoughtsWHAT WE COVERCurrent oil market conditions: Why $55/barrel is the "surrender point" for operatorsOPEC's unwinding of voluntary cuts and what it means for supply/demandThe insane story of starting a frac company with questionable builders in OklahomaWhy oil hit $147 in July 2008, then crashed during the financial crisisConfronting a builder who threatened him with a knife over frac truck delaysThe reality of entrepreneurship: 3AM panic attacks and making payrollManaging volatile revenue streams in capital-intensive businessesWhy the smartest people in the oilfield don't always have college degreesA driller with only a high school diploma drilling 31,000-foot wells in 13 daysThe unique strategy of being both an operator AND a service companyHow rig counts dropped from 2,000 to 417—and where they're headed nextWhere everyone was when WTI went negative on April 20, 2020Career paths to $300K+ as a company man without an engineering degreeWyoming's business-friendly regulatory environment vs other statesThe renewable energy debate: "Big Oil vs Big Shovel"Water management innovation: 100% brine water reuse in fracking operationsKEY INSIGHTS Dan shares hard-won lessons about scaling a capital-intensive business, managing remote crews working 20-30 days straight, and navigating the boom-bust cycles that define the oil and gas industry. He discusses the reality of working in extreme conditions—40-50 mph winds in freezing temperatures while maintaining operations—and why he believes the green energy movement doesn't understand the sacrifice required to keep the lights on.ABOUT THE GUESTDan Doyle operates in multiple basins, including Appalachia, Illinois Basin, and Wyoming's Powder River Basin. His company provides third-party fracturing services while also operating its own drilling program—a unique vertical integration model in the oil and gas service sector.SHOW NOTESBook Pre-Order: "Of Roughnecks & Riches: A Start-Up in the Great American Fracking Boom" by Dan Doyle (Available February 2026)Follow Dan Doyle on XRelated Topics: oil and gas jobs, petroleum engineering careers, hydraulic fracturing explained, drilling operations, Powder River Basin, energy market analysis, oil price forecast 2025, starting an oil company, frac company operations, energy industry careers, fracking boom

In this episode of Local Energy, hosts Peter Brecht and Wade Spear sit down with the internet's favorite Mineral Guru and Meme Lord, Zac Copeland. Zac is the founder of Forecast, a cutting-edge software changing how the industry evaluates oil and gas properties. We dive deep into how Forecast automates engineering workflows to determine what assets are worth in the moment—going far beyond the "Zillow for minerals" comparison. Zac shares his journey from banking to bootstrapping a software company during COVID, his "beef" with industry data giants like Enverus and IHS, and why he refuses to use AI for his code. Plus, we get the story behind his legendary Twitter persona (@RippingWhale/Zacurate), discuss the "Standard Oil reconsolidation" conspiracy theory, and debate mineral rights on the moon. Whether you are a landman, engineer, or energy investor, this episode is packed with industry insights and laughs.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Forecast Deep Dive: How it differs from Enverus and IHS.
• The Origin Story: From Oklahoma banking to Montana tech founder.
• Meme Culture: How Zac creates viral energy memes on the fly.
• Hot Takes: Moon drilling, Standard Oil conspiracies, and the Frozen soundtrack.

TOPICS COVERED:

0:00 - Intro: Oklahoma roots & The Claremore Zebras02:00 - Moving to Montana & Ski Season03:51 - What is Forecast? (Valuation vs. Zillow)05:40 - Competitors: Taking on Enverus & IHS08:00 - Zac's Background: Leaving Banking to Start a Company09:04 - Why Forecast Doesn't Use AI for Scripting10:51 - The Legend of "RippingWhale" & Roaring Kitty11:56 - Who Owns Mineral Rights on the Moon?12:32 - The "Standard Oil" Reconsolidation Conspiracy14:15 - How to Be a Meme Lord: Zac's Creative Process21:32 - Music Talk: The Band "Goose" & Spotify Wrapped24:28 - Where to Find Zac & Forecast

CONNECT WITH ZAC COPELAND & FORECAST:

Website: https://4cast.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacurate/Twitter/X: @zacurate

ABOUT LOCAL ENERGY:

Local Energy brings you the real stories from the people powering the oil and gas industry. From drilling engineers to mineral buyers, we cover the tech, the deals, and the culture of energy.

If you enjoyed this episode, please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more energy industry conversations!

#OilAndGas #EnergyIndustry #MineralRights #Forecast #Landman #EnergyTech #LocalEnergy #Podcast #Enverus #NAPE #ZacCopeland

Our website: https://localenergy.com

#oilandgas #naturalresources #localener

Here is the text formatted and ready to copy/paste directly into your YouTube video description settings.Welcome back to the Local Energy Podcast! In our final episode of 2025, hosts Peter Brecht and Wade Spear sit down—just the two of them—to reflect on a massive year of growth, industry volatility, and the technical side of drilling that you don't learn in school.In this episode, we dig into the "Academy" mailbag to answer burning technical questions: What does it actually mean to "cap" a well? Can a shut-in well produce more oil when reopened? And what exactly is Resistivity in LWD tools?Plus, we cover the economic reality of service companies vs. operators, debunk hilarious oilfield stereotypes, and Peter shares a controversial "life hack" involving a guillotine cutter, 120 books, and a custom AI database.Whether you're a drilling engineer, a roughneck, or just curious about the energy sector, this episode is packed with insights to close out the year.Subscribe to Local Energy for more honest conversations about the oil and gas industry.TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Intro: Wrapping up 2025 & Podcast Growth 01:43 - Movie Reviews: Interstellar, Tenet & The Godfather Debate 04:30 - Spotify Wrapped: Zach Bryan vs. Mark Knopfler 07:25 - Q&A: What does it mean to "Cap" a well? 09:02 - Flush Production: Can a shut-in well produce more? 11:20 - Industry Economics: Bankruptcy risks & Service Company layoffs 17:14 - Technical Deep Dive: What is Resistivity (LWD)? 19:07 - Oilfield Stereotypes: Engineers, Sales, & Geologists 21:40 - The Abbreviations Challenge (IDC, SBM, SCFH) 23:52 - The 2026 Outlook: Gas Prices & Market Volatility 25:42 - The AI Revolution: Why Peter cut up his entire library 29:45 - Final Thoughts & Future PlansKEY TOPICSCapping a Well: Not just for abandonment! We discuss Mud Caps for hydrostatic pressure during drilling vs. mechanical shut-ins.Flush Production: The phenomenon where a reopened well temporarily produces at a higher rate due to pressure buildup.Resistivity: A logging measurement used to determine water saturation vs. hydrocarbon presence in a formation.IDC (Intangible Drilling Costs): Expenses for items that have no salvage value (labor, chemicals, mud).CONNECT WITH USWebsite: localenergy.com#OilAndGas #DrillingEngineering #LocalEnergy #EnergyIndustry #PetroleumEngineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Podcast #2025Recap #Resistivity

What happens when a plugged oil well refuses to stay dead? In this episode of the Local Energy Podcast, we dive deep into the rising phenomenon of "Zombie Wells"—abandoned oil and gas wells that have started leaking again years or even decades after being plugged.

We are joined by Hawk Dunlap, well control expert and Railroad Commission candidate, and Les Skinner, the veteran engineer who literally wrote the book on the subject and coined the term "Zombie Well."

Together, we uncover the alarming truth about why these wells are returning to life, from the over-injection of produced water (30 million barrels a day in Texas alone!) to the use of antiquated cement technology that hasn't changed in a century. We also discuss the critical difference between Zombie and Orphan wells, the regulatory gridlock preventing new solutions, and the "mad scientist" technologies that could fix the problem for good.

If you care about the future of Texas energy, environmental safety, and the reality of the oil patch, you need to hear this conversation.

SUBSCRIBE for more boots-on-the-ground energy insights!

TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Intro: Welcome to the Local Energy Podcast00:34 - What is a "Zombie Well"? (Origin of the name)02:01 - The difference between Zombie Wells and Orphan Wells02:32 - Les Skinner’s story: Finding a gas leak in the alley as a kid04:43 - How big is the problem? (Millions of potential leaks)05:35 - "Wells that God doesn't know about": The history of unrecorded drilling07:55 - Who is responsible for cleaning up the mess?11:42 - Liability, bankruptcy, and protecting the taxpayer14:43 - Why we are still using 100-year-old cement technology16:19 - The "Mad Scientist" solution: Using orphan wells as labs for new tech18:19 - Roman Concrete vs. Oilfield Cement: Why ancient tech was better26:08 - The root cause: 30 Million barrels of water injection per day29:35 - Connect with Hawk Dunlap & Les Skinner

RESOURCES & LINKSHawk Dunlap: https://www.tiktok.com/@hawkdunlapLes Skinner: https://a.co/d/295eB7oLocal Energy: localenergy.com

ABOUT OUR GUESTSHawk Dunlap: An international well control specialist with decades of experience fighting blowouts and managing complex well issues. He is a vocal advocate for modernizing the Texas Railroad Commission.

Les Skinner: A drilling and completions engineer with over 50 years of experience. He is an author and the industry expert credited with coining the term "Zombie Well."

#OilAndGas #ZombieWells #TexasEnergy #HawkDunlap #OrphanWells #Fracking #EnvironmentalEngineering #RailroadCommission #PetroleumEngineering #LocalEnergyPodcast