PBE Podcast

The People Behind Energy Podcast had the honor to sit down with the Chief External Affairs Officer for the port, Mr. Omar Garcia, and two upstream specialists, Ms. Dawn Bissell and Mr. Brent Hopkins. The 3rd largest energy exporter in the world, and an entire show dedicated to learning more about it!

This is a pre-show podcast we did with Brent Hopkins. Brent serves on the Board for the Corpus Christi Chapter of SIPES. He called us interested in the Serpentinzation presentation we gave at the South Texas Geological Society in November of 2025. We said yes, and let’s also do a podcast! Brent has an extensive history as an exploration geologist and has been instrumental in setting up the Podcast and presentation on the 27th.

Geological Societies.

Whether you're a seasoned geologist, a curious student, or just someone who’s ever picked up a cool rock and wondered where it came from—this episode is for you. Geological societies aren’t just clubs for rock lovers. They’re the backbone of the geoscience community, driving research, education, public awareness, and policy.

Joining us today are two incredible guests:

Dani Bartels, a geologist and editor for the STGSJack Sackrider, a geologist and President of the STGS

Together, we’ll explore:

Why geological societies matter to professionals and researchers

How they support teachers and students in bringing geology into the classroom

And why the general public should care about the rocks beneath their feet

From organizing conferences and publishing groundbreaking research to inspiring the next generation of Earth scientists, geological societies play a vital role in connecting people to the planet.

So grab your hiking boots—or your headphones—and let’s journey into the heart of the geoscience community.

This special episode is from the opening night Ice Breaker at the WTGS Fall Symposium. We get the opportunity to learn more about CO2 use and sequestration in the Permian Basin through the lens of over 25 years of experience doing it in the Permian Basin with Mike Raines and Stevel Melzer.

The use of CO2 in the Permian to increase oil production is not new, but the 45Q tax credit can influence your economics as a company by putting the CO2 to use or in the ground forever!

The 2025 CO2 conference is coming up; be there to be a part of this technical and economic breakthrough.

Welcome to the PBE Podcast—where innovation meets the future.

This year, we’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo in a way that bridges the past and the future. Back in 2021, we explored the revolutionary KinFrac technology—a potential breakthrough in hydraulic fracturing that redefined efficiency, fracture complexity, for operators wanting to re-frac old wells or bust up the reservoir in new drills.

Fast-forward to today, and we’re taking that conversation to the next level. Using NotebookLM, we’ve recreated that podcast with AI-driven hosts, bringing fresh perspectives, dynamic discussions, and cutting-edge insights into the evolution of KinFrac. This isn’t just a replay—it’s a reimagining, powered by AI, designed to make the conversation more immersive, engaging, and forward-thinking.

KinFrac remains a potential game-changer, and as we revisit its impact, we’re also exploring how AI-driven content creation is transforming the way we share knowledge, spark innovation, and push industries forward.

So buckle up—because this episode is a fusion of past discoveries and future possibilities.

Let’s dive in.

We got to attend this year’s NAPE, which didn’t disappoint. “You can tell when things are going good or bad in the industry based on the quality of the happy hours at NAPE.” The opening night Happy Hour was TOP NOTCH!!! In this episode, we sit down with a past guest, DeWitt Smith, and a new guest, Andrew Welshans, to discuss natural fractures and a prospect developed by DeWitt. His exploration focus was natural fractures filled with oil. Enjoy!

Trey Cortez, the General Chair of the 2025 SWS AAPG Annual Convention, shared his excitement about the upcoming event in Fort Worth, TX. He highlighted the event's world-class short courses, engaging talks, and social events, emphasizing the opportunity for attendees to learn and integrate new ideas to elevate the oil and gas industry. He also expressed the importance of reconnecting in person, noting the energy and camaraderie that comes from face-to-face interactions, which he believes are crucial for moving the business forward.

The focus of the panel discussion is on the long history of study by the West Texas Geological Society and how this extensive research influences current policies and future outcomes in the geosciences, particularly in the context of the Permian Basin. The discussion also touches on the impact of these studies on the economics, infrastructure, and technological advancements in the oil and gas industry.

The event features various geologists and industry experts discussing their work, experiences, and the significance of core samples from different geological formations in the Permian Basin. Join in the fun as we walk through each core! You can still sign up for this event and watch all the technical talks, panel discussions, and core workshop on your time!

The focus of the panel discussion is on the long history of study by the West Texas Geological Society and how this extensive research influences current policies and future outcomes in the geosciences, particularly in the context of the Permian Basin. The discussion also touches on the impact of these studies on the economics, infrastructure, and technological advancements in the oil and gas industry.