In this episode of The Crude Truth, host Rey Treviño sits down with Tim Payton and Allison Kelly from Superior QC — a company that’s literally applying NASA rocket science to drilling. From Blackhawk helicopters in the Army to cutting-edge algorithms that optimize horizontal wells, Tim and Allison share how technology is transforming production, safety, and efficiency in today’s oilfields.
We will lower costs for consumers by utilizing technology. Taking the well data from the rig to the cloud, and back for decisions. This helps understand the best position of the wellbore and extract the maximum amount of oil and gas from the hole. That maximizes investor returns.
We cover everything from:
- Why Superior QC is changing the game for drilling accuracy
- How physics and aerospace engineering are being applied underground
- The reality of women in oil & gas and breaking stereotypes
- Why operators — from majors to mom-and-pops — can’t afford to drill without survey accuracy
- The future of autonomous rigs and safer drilling
- If you’ve ever wondered what “rocket science” has to do with drilling, this episode will open your eyes.
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Highlights of the Podcast
0:12 - Teaser: Host Rey Treviño III says you don't need a physics or aerodynamics degree to be succesful in oil and gas...but it sure helps! Our super smart guest coming up!
0:57 – Intro: The Crude Truth Intro
0:58 – Sponsor shoutouts: LFS, NAPE, Air Compressor Solutions, Sandstone Group, Exec Crew, Texas Star Alliance, Pecos Operating
1:34 – Oil and Gas Industry update: prices, drilling, and production outlook.
2:04 – Guest intro: Tim Payton & Allison Kelly of Superior QC from West Texas and the Houston area.. boots on the ground!
2:43 – We meet Tim and Peyton with Superior QC: game-changing software for drilling efficiency. Horizontal wells are mentioned
3:24 – Dallas vs. Houston heat, which is more unbearable?
3:49 – Tim Payton’s background & Superior QC role, Houston based
4:31 – Tim was in the army, he was a stay at home dad for a bit, and now is a oil & gas professional
5:50 – Are Blackhawk helicopters loud or quiet?
7:22 – Tim shares military teamwork lessons applied to drilling, Iraq deployment, Host Rey shares family ties to military
8:14 – Superior QC’s NASA connection: rocket science meets oilfields
9:17 - "It's literally rocket science what we do!"
9:24 – Allison Kelly’s marketing background & business development role in oil & gas
11:03 – Allison shares what has surprises her about oil and gas. Breaking stereotypes: women in oil & gas
13:22 – Who is Superior QC & their role within Patterson UTI "from bit to barrel"
15:04 – Cloud-based machine learning for drilling accuracy
16:29 – Survey data, downhole navigation & wellbore placement
18:15 – Improving production: oil +8%, gas +15%
20:14 – Rig count, drilling efficiency, and tech adoption
21:47 – The future: autonomous rigs & safety improvements
22:22 – What makes Superior QC different (FITTER vs. old methods)
25:04 – Eliminating human error in survey management
26:52 – Serving majors and mom-and-pop operators alike
27:43 – Why smaller operators need protection & peace of mind
29:01 – Superior QC as insurance for well success
30:29 – Passion for innovation at Patterson UTI
30:47 – How to connect with Superior QC (LinkedIn & website)
32:00 – Why every operator should care about well accuracy
34:13 – Closing thoughts & call for Part 2
35:11 – Sponsors + Outro (RNCN, podcast production services)