In this episode of the Oil & Gas Journal ReEnterprised podcast, OGJ managing editor Mikaila Adams sits down with Andrew Stakelum, an energy disputes partner at King & Spalding LLP, to unpack oil and gas decommissioning from a big picture standpoint.  

Wondering what happens when an operator goes bankrupt? Or when decades-old wells still need to be plugged? Stakelum explains why decommissioning is a business and regulatory puzzle shaped by bankruptcy law, fragmented oversight, and shifting federal rules.

From 'boomerang liability' to the ripple effects of financial assurance requirements, the conversation notes how operators, regulators, and sureties are all recalibrating in real time.

Andrew Stakelum is an energy disputes partner in King & Spalding’s Houston office. His focus on the energy industry includes the oil and gas, renewables, and refining sectors. A key aspect of Andrew’s energy practice involves helping clients navigate the highly regulated environments in which they operate.

Stakelum holds a J.D., cum laude, from Tulane University Law School; and a B.B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia. 

In this episode of Oil & Gas Journal’s ReEnterprised podcast, Alex Procyk, Upstream Editor, talks with Allen Sinor, Geothermal Sector Council Manager for The Competency Alliance, about effective geothermal design and drilling for electricity and district heating.

In this episode of the Oil & Gas Journal ReEnterprised podcast, Chris Smith, editor-in-chief, talks with Kristin Leonard, North American Marketing Director for the Energy Market at Sherwin-Williams. They discuss the causes and consequences of CUI, including its impact on asset integrity and operational safety. This episode offers insights into how evolving engineering solutions are addressing long-standing challenges in energy operations. 

This episode is sponsored by Sherwin-Williams.

In this ICYMI episode of the Oil & Gas Journal ReEnterprised podcast, Robert Brelsford, Downstream Editor, dives deeper into the state of California’s recent decision to walk back more aggressive policies governing in-state refiners and what the move potentially could mean in the future for other US states with refineries.

In this Market Focus episode of the Oil & Gas Journal ReEnterprised podcast, Conglin Xu, Managing Editor - Economics, asks Dr. Robert Brooks about his outlook on global LNG markets and the forces shaping prices in the near and long term. Dr. Brooks is CEO and founder of RBAC, a provider of global and regional gas and LNG market simulation systems. 

Brooks highlights how storage levels, new supply projects, and shifting demand across key regions could influence market dynamics well into the next decade.

The conversation explores the geopolitical weight of Russia-China gas agreements and how these moves may ripple through the global energy system. 

The discussion includes a look at how importers are balancing short-term and long-term LNG strategies in a volatile market. From Europe’s uncertainties to Asia’s energy security priorities, the discussion outlines tensions shaping contracting decisions—and what an expected wave of new LNG supply might mean for emerging economies.

In this second part of a two-part Insights episode of the Oil & Gas Journal ReEnterprised podcast, Alex Procyk, upstream editor, continues his discussion with Laura Capper about about opportunities and challenges related to produced water in the Permian basin. 

Procyk and Capper discuss Permian produced water cleanup standards, projects, and goals. 

Capper is chief executive officer of EnergyMakers Advisory Group and CAP Resources. Capper holds a BS (1983) in electrical engineering with a minor in bioengineering and computer science from Rice University, Houston. She is active with the Produced Water Society and the New Mexico Produced Water Recycling Consortium. 

In this episode, Procyk refers to previous podcast episodes. You can find them listed here:

Insights: Produced water in the Permian basin (Part I)

Insights: Produced water in the Permian basin (Part II)

In this first part of a two-part Insights episode of the Oil & Gas Journal ReEnterprised podcast, Alex Procyk, upstream editor, talks about opportunities and challenges related to produced water in the Permian basin. 

Joining Procyk is Laura Capper, chief executive officer of EnergyMakers Advisory Group and CAP Resources. Capper holds a BS (1983) in electrical engineering with a minor in bioengineering and computer science from Rice University, Houston. She is active with the Produced Water Society and the New Mexico Produced Water Recycling Consortium. 

Together, Procyk and Capper discuss Permian produced water disposal challenges, new permitting guidelines, and beneficial reuse options.

Introducing Then & Now, a new series in the Oil & Gas Journal ReEnterprised podcast lineup. In these episodes, Oil & Gas Journal editors and guests will discuss the many ways in which the oil and gas industry has transformed.

In this episode, Laura Bell-Hammer, Statistics Editor, takes listeners on a journey through the dramatic changes undergone by the industry—from early wildcat drilling and gut instincts to today’s data-driven exploration, automated drilling, and predictive production.

Bell-Hammer reflects on the legacy of the Journally Speaking column and Oil & Gas Journal, which has documented the industry’s milestones for over 120 years. Blending history, technology, and industry insight, the episode shows how far we’ve come, where we’re headed, and why trusted resources remain essential for the next generation of energy professionals.

In this ICYMI episode of the Oil & Gas Journal ReEnterprised podcast, Mikaila Adams, Managing Editor - News, recaps the long-delayed-but-now-closed deal between Chevron Corp. and Hess Corp. and highlight details from a new report on global upstream merger and acquisition activity from Rystad Energy—including potential deals to look out for this year.

References

Arbitrator rules in favor of Chevron, Hess in Guyana dispute with ExxonMobil (OGJ Online, July 18, 2025)

Global M&A activity slows amid rising valuations and fewer deals, Rystad Energy report

Civitas cuts back on capex, launches $100 million savings push (OGJ Online, May 9, 2025)

Canadian Natural Resources to acquire certain Alberta assets from Chevron for $6.5 billion (OGJ Online, Oct. 7, 2024)

In this Market Focus episode of the Oil & Gas Journal ReEnterprised podcast, Conglin Xu, Managing Editor, Economics, takes a midyear look at the global oil market, noting developments thus far with a look at what may lie ahead. 

Global crude inventory has been building steadily year-to-date. In an apparent oversupply, price action has a followed the fundamentals.

Market sentiment has been shaped by three major forces: escalating macroeconomic uncertainties surrounding the US and China, OPEC+'s evolving production strategy, and political risks amid military conflicts in the Middle East. 

In short, we are in a market where risks remain high. Barring unexpected disruption or major policy reversal, oil price momentum could continue to drift sideways through this year's third quarter.