The Crude Life: Recent Episodes
The Crude Life
Warren Martin, executive director, Kansas Strong, talks about the industry’s newest awareness and education campaign “Do Your Own Research”.
“Kansas Strong encourages people to do their own research on oil and natural gas before making informed decisions,” Martin said. “The campaign title is Do Your Own Research. And the idea behind it is we’re trying to encourage people to really investigate energy issues more thoroughly rather than just taking what the news media says, taking what the clickbait social media posts and all that that’s sent out. Really do some research and learn.”
Energy poverty refers to the condition where households are unable to access essential modern energy services and products. This includes access to electricity, clean cooking facilities, and sustainable energy solutions.
It affects both urban and rural areas, where poor households often consume lower amounts of energy due to limited availability or high costs.
The concept encompasses not only the lack of access but also the economic burden of high energy prices relative to income and the inefficiency of energy use in homes.
Addressing energy poverty involves improving energy access, affordability, and efficiency to ensure that all households can meet their basic energy needs without undue hardship
Martin began citing facts and statistics that lay the foundational context for the research.
“Kansas has more local oil and natural gas producers than any other region in the United States, and the industry contributes more than $2.8 billion to the state’s economy each year. This money helps fund schools, support families, and build roads.”
Martin continued painting the picture of how oil and gas contribute to the economic activity across the planet, but also the state’s energy spectrum.
“Between now and 2050, it’s estimated that we are going to add 1.7 billion people to our planet,” Martin said. “More people means more energy, but wind and solar energy cannot do it alone, oil and natural gas remain the primary sources of energy and are continuously striving to minimize their environmental impact.”
Energy poverty affects a significant portion of the global population:
- Approximately 760 million people lack access to electricity.
- Around 1 billion people, or 13% of the global population, do not have access to electricity.
- An estimated 2 billion people worldwide experience energy poverty.
- Around 3 billion people are still living in energy poverty today’
“Really do some research and learn,” Martin said. “And what you’ll find is that between now and 2050, we’re gonna need 28% more energy than we currently produce.”
Martin reminds people that before you make an informed decision about any energy – learn more and do your research.
“In Kansas, we have more local oil and natural gas producers than any other region in the United States, and we help make a difference in the production of affordable and reliable energy,” Martin said.
He added that as complex as energy can be, many still believe it’s as simple as flipping a switch.
“In the United States, we get our energy by simply turning a knob or flipping a switch, but 60% of the world’s population is energy deprived. Almost 40% of the population still relies on firewood to heat their homes and cook their meals. Access to affordable and reliable energy is essential for those without to improve their circumstances. Let’s work together to make this happen.”
The Kansas Oil & Gas Resources Fund (KOGRF) is a nonprofit organization voluntarily funded by oil and natural gas producers in Kansas.
The KOGRF is branded as KANSAS STRONG and works to educate and inform people about the important role industry plays in their lives. The Kansas oil and natural gas industry provides the energy and security America needs.
At the same time our industry fuels the economy, the industry help fund Kansas schools, build bridges and roads, and provide tens of thousands of jobs across the state. As the second-largest industry in Kansas, Kansas Strong is proud to provide the energy so vital to continue our quality of life standards, while they reduce dependence on foreign resources.
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Whether you want basic obedience for a family pet or need professional handlers for narcotic and explosive detection, BCK-9 delivers reliable results. With over 20 years of experience in the working dog community, our founder, Dwayne Farris, brings unparalleled expertise in dog training and leak detection techniques.
The BCK-9 team brings a personalized approach to ensure we tailor our services to meet your needs, providing customized solutions that go further than the competition.
With our commitment to the well-being of our clients’ dogs and precision and efficiency in our results, the dedicated team of professionals at BCK-9 Services delivers excellence in every service.
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Jodi Johnson, CEO, Red Trail Energy, joins The Crude Life to discuss their pioneering project involving carbon capture and storage. Red Trail Energy, LLC (RTE), an ethanol producer near Richardton, North Dakota, is currently operating a CO2 capture facility adjacent to the RTE ethanol facility, to ultimately inject about 180,000 tonnes CO2 annually more than a mile below RTE property for permanent storage.
Red Trail Energy Begins Carbon Capture And Storage
The first carbon capture and storage project allowed under state primacy in the U.S. has commenced operations. Red Trail Energy LLC announces it officially began carbon capture and storage (CCS) at its ethanol facility located near Richardton, North Dakota, on June 16.
Already considered a low-carbon fuel, ethanol produced at RTE now has a lower carbon footprint than conventional ethanol sources thanks to carbon capture. This allows RTE to not only be better stewards to the environment but also places more value on the ethanol in the clean fuel market.
“They (investors) did go out and they gathered enough support that they needed to build it in this area. They somewhat chose this area due to the location next to the Burlington Northern Rail Line,” Johnson said. “Originally, we were constructed to be a coal-fired plant, and so they wanted to be close to where we could get lignite coal to fire the plant and keep it running.”
The RTE ethanol plant emits an average of 180,000 metric tons of CO2 annually from the fermentation process during ethanol production. With CCS, RTE is capturing 100 percent of their CO2 emissions from the fermentation process and is injecting approximately 500 metric tons of CO2 per day. The CO2 is permanently stored underground more than a mile below the surface in the Broom Creek formation.
Red Trail Energy at Richardton, North Dakota, produces about 65 million gallons of ethanol from about 23 million bushels of corn each year. (Photo Source: Red Trail Energy)About Red Trail Energy
Red Trail Energy, LLC (RTE) is a North Dakota-based investor group formed to finance, construct and operate a corn-based ethanol production facility located near Richardton, North Dakota. This vision became a reality when the $99 million, state-of-the-art plant began producing ethanol, in January of 2007. RTE now employs 47 personnel with an annual payroll of $4 million.
Originally constructed as one of the first coal-fired ethanol plants in the nation, RTE was converted to natural gas in 2016. RTE produces 59-64 million gallons of ethanol, using 21-23 million bushels of corn annually. The plant will generate 2.8 gallons of ethanol from every bushel of corn. Coproducts produced by RTE include 125,000 tons of dried distillers grain, 80,000 tons of modified-wetcake and 15 million pounds of corn oil annually.
The Richardton plant’s physical layout is composed of eleven structures, totaling 100,000 square feet of buildings, including administration, maintenance, processing, grain receiving, dried distillers grains storage, coal island, dryers and a pump house. The second-generation plant incorporates all the latest advances in ethanol processing, including equipment and technologies proven to boost efficiency and return on investment.
“One other things that we’ve done is switching from coal fire to natural gas,” Johnson said. “That was definitely a good upgrade for us just because natural gas is a little more consistent fuel source to use than the coal was.”
Governed by a 7 member board, RTE’s Team fosters the future outlook of the plant and its investors, as well as its impact on the environment and economy of North Dakota. Cornerstone Bank is the lead lender for RTE.
Recently, RTE was honored by the Central Stark Soil Conservation District with an Overall Achievement Award.
The Mission of Red Trail Energy is to create economic benefit for our investors, local communities, and the state of North Dakota by converting our natural resources and regional corn production into ethanol and beneficial coproducts.
Collaboration with the EERC (Energy & Environmental Research Center)
After a 5-year investigative period conducted by the EERC, in partnership with the North Dakota Industrial Commission Renewable Energy Program and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the RTE CCS Project was determined a technically viable option for the significant reduction of CO2 emissions from ethanol production.
The investigation was also supported by the EERC-led Plains CO2 Reduction (PCOR) Partnership, which includes over 200 partners developing and demonstrating technologies for geologic CO2 storage since 2003. Work continues as the project transitions into the first fully operational commercial CCS facility in North Dakota.
In October 2021, less than five months after receiving the RTE application, the North Dakota Industrial Commission approved the Class VI injection well and the reservoir pore space RTE needed to operate the facility. Part of the approval process required RTE to demonstrate the Broom Creek formation contained the characteristics needed for proper CO2 storage. These characteristics include a deep porous layer to absorb the CO2 but also contain impermeable rock layers above and below the Broom Creek formation that keeps the CO2 from escaping into the atmosphere or ground water. RTE is utilizing state-of-the-art monitoring technology from the Japan Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE) for real time CO2 plume monitoring.
“We are thankful for the North Dakota Industrial Commission and the staff at the Department of Mineral Resources who never gave up on receiving Class VI primacy from the EPA,” said Johnson. “We are especially grateful to the Energy and Environmental Research Center for their dedication to understanding North Dakota’s geologic storage potential, without them this wouldn’t be possible.”
“It is rewarding to see this carbon capture and storage project begin in North Dakota,” said Charlie Gorecki, EERC CEO about the RTE carbon capture project. “The EERC has been researching and testing the geologic storage potential of North Dakota’s resources for decades. The location of Red Trail Energy’s ethanol facility always made it a perfect candidate for CCS.”
Carbon capture and storage is the process of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from a large stationary source, compressing the CO2 into a liquid and injecting it via a Class VI injection well deep underground for permanent geologic storage.
North Dakota was the first state to be granted primacy from U.S. EPA in 2018. Wyoming followed in 2020.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
Email your sustainable story ideas, professional press releases or petro-powered podcast submissions to thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com.
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
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Leading provider of specialty oilfield chemicals. Focusing on bringing trusted products to the market combined with a fast and responsive service.
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Stuart Turley, CEO, Podcast Host, Elimination of Energy Poverty, joins The Crude Life to discuss some recent energy issues and activities.
After some friendly banter, the interview dives into the evolution of politics being injected into energy.
“So my research started 15 years ago. the energy industry was not political. Not even close to where it was today. In fact, when I was growing up, the only thing about politics was the gas prices,” The Crude Life founder and host Jason Spiess said. “And by the way, this was after Exxon Valdez had like a big spill. And there was more jokes about a drunk sailor than there was about problems with the oil spill, okay?”
Turley agreed with Spiess on the level of politics involved in energy today.
“I want to eliminate energy poverty,” Turley said. “The only way that you can eliminate energy poverty is to have low cost, abundant energy that has the least amount of impact on the environment and sustainable through not printing money. And by not printing money, it means it can be fiscally sustainable. I’m all in on all forms of energy, oil, gas, nuclear, wind, solar. It does not matter to me. Let’s take care of humanity first.”
The interview also cites examples of people and companies who are becoming leaders in energy (and humanity) rather than specifically oil and gas. Chris Wright, CEO, Liberty Energy is one of the ones cited.
“He is a humanitarian,” Turley said. “When I met Chris Wright, maybe four or five years ago, and I saw his presentation on humanitarian and delivering everyone from eliminating energy poverty. I absolutely think the world of Chris Wright.”
Carbon management and the integration of Ag and Energy are also discussed in detail.
“I believe that anybody that is going to take government funds is going to need to get into that carbon market, even if carbon is either right or wrong, whether or not we need enough CO2.” Turley said. “I think CO2 is not the bad man in the room, my personal opinion but those that are going to manage that are going to be able to use government funds and survive politically. So Oxy, Exxon, Chevron are all doing great things.”
Public relations in energy, oil, gas and community engagement is also discussed in detail.
“I’m going to brag on myself for half a second,” Turley said. “And that is when I was working for Intercom, which had the big investor conferences and everything else. They had Oil and Gas 360, And I’d said, guys, we got to change this and get it to energy. And they said, no, well, I went and started it energy.”
The two discussed the college bowl game history as an example of missed opportunities for oil and gas to connect with their end user in energy – the general public.
The Energy News Beat covers the energy markets around the world, one story at a time. Their daily podcast keeps listeners up to speed on all the latest energy news while their weekly interviews with energy industry experts keeps listeners in the know for all things energy development.
Click here for the Energy News Beat
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
Email your sustainable story ideas, professional press releases or petro-powered podcast submissions to thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com.
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
MORE FROM THE CRUDE LIFE
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- Thank you thank you thank you for your engagement and support.
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This post was brought to you in part by one of The Crude Life’s fantastic sponsors, please consider supporting their services or learning more about their organization by clicking on the banner below.
Witting Partners helps energy industry leaders achieve and sustain peak performance by combining an unmatched blend of oil & gas experience, insight, and results with the power of leadership coaching, workshops, and keynotes so that you and your stakeholders don’t un-wittingly damage your odds of achieving long-term success.
If you want to produce 𝑺𝑼𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑩𝑳𝑬 results, then turn to a resource with 15+ years of proven success stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to Appalachia, from service company to operator, and from drilling rig to downtown boardroom.
To learn more, visit Witting Partners’ website or follow on LinkedIn.
Joe Sinnott, Witting Partners and the host of The Energy Detox Podcast joins The Crude Life to discuss how the season of change can impact your bottom line and workplace culture.
The interview centered around the themes of sports with Major League Baseball’s Spring Training and Opening Day fresh in the minds and American lexi-culture. The upcoming NFL Draft and change in direction of NBA Playoffs too.
“As the energy sector continues to evolve with mergers, acquisitions, and expansions into new territories, professionals in the industry are faced with the constant need to adapt and reinvent themselves“ Sinnott said.
Embrace Change as an Opportunity:
First and foremost, it’s essential to recognize that change brings opportunities for growth and development. Instead of viewing mergers, acquisitions, or the expansion into new territories as disruptions, see them as chances to expand your skill set, broaden your network, and enhance your career trajectory.
The conversation started off with what we can learn from OJ Simpson in the news.
“People yearn for CONSISTENT justice, whether it’s in criminal courts, inside families with siblings obsessed over ‘fairness’, or in corporations,” Sinnott said.
Assess Your Strengths and Weaknesses:
Before diving into a new role or territory, take the time to assess your strengths and weaknesses. What skills do you bring to the table, and where do you need to improve? Understanding your capabilities will help you identify areas for growth and development as you navigate new opportunities.
In Spring Baseball for example:
“Keeping with JUSTICE theme Jason, there is an ever-increasing scrutiny of umpires strike zones,” Sinnott said. “Yes, there are egregious examples of poor ball/strikes calls, i.e. the infamous Angel Hernandez, but also some thoughts on the PERCEIVED strike zones because ever game now has the strike zone box.”
The interview also dives into Artificial Intelligence making it’s way into minor league baseball too. This robo-umpire of the future is compared to the increasing us of AI vs. human conversations in Corporate America.
Set Clear Goals:
Whether you’re transitioning to a new role within your organization or stepping into a new territory, setting clear goals is crucial for success. Define what you want to achieve in the short-term and long-term, and develop a plan to work towards those objectives. This will help you stay focused and motivated, even when faced with challenges along the way.
Spring Reset and NFL Draft:
“Key to getting ready for any new season is de-cluttering and getting rid of crap you don’t need, which is easier said than done in life and business… let alone the NFL,” Sinnott said.
Adapt to Different Cultures:
Expanding into new territories often means interacting with individuals from different cultural backgrounds. It’s essential to adapt your communication style, leadership approach, and business practices to align with the cultural norms of the region you’re entering. Embrace diversity and leverage it as a strength in building successful relationships and driving business outcomes.
“The age-old question in sports and business – do I draft/recruit/hire the best TALENT/ATHLETE or do I focus on the specific roles/positions/gaps my team/company has?” Sinnott asks.
The interview dives into the different strategies how in business and the NFL Draft.
Seek Mentorship and Guidance:
Navigating transitions in the energy sector can be daunting, but you don’t have to go it alone. Seek out mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals who have successfully navigated similar challenges. Their insights and advice can provide invaluable support as you reinvent yourself and pursue new opportunities.
Stay Agile and Resilient:
In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, agility and resilience are essential qualities for success. Be prepared to adapt to unexpected changes, pivot when necessary, and bounce back from setbacks. Cultivate a growth mindset that embraces challenges as opportunities for learning and development.
Invest in Continuous Learning:
As the energy sector evolves, so too must your skills and knowledge. Invest in continuous learning and professional development to stay ahead of the curve. Whether it’s through attending industry conferences, pursuing advanced certifications, or seeking out relevant training programs, commit to lifelong learning to remain competitive in your field.
Whether you are faced with the Number One pick in the NFL Draft or navigating mergers, acquisitions, and the expansion into new territories in the energy sector, it requires a proactive approach to reinventing yourself.
By embracing change as an opportunity, assessing your strengths and weaknesses, setting clear goals, adapting to different cultures, seeking mentorship and guidance, staying agile and resilient, and investing in continuous learning, you can position yourself for success in an ever-changing industry landscape.
Joe Sinnott is an 18-year oil and gas veteran who empowers industry leaders to achieve sustained success for themselves, their teams, and their organizations via his energy-centric executive coaching, workshops, and keynotes. As the founder of Witting Partners, Sinnott delivers practical and proven strategies to identify and eliminate the hidden — and often toxic — barriers that unwittingly impede long-term performance among oil & gas professionals.
Leveraging an unconventional leadership development approach, Sinnott draws from his experience as an offshore field engineer at Schlumberger and from the functionally diverse leadership roles he held at EQT Corporation as it evolved into America’s largest natural gas producer.
Sinnott holds a chemical engineering degree from the University of Notre Dame.
Find Joe on LinkedIn by clicking here.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
Email your sustainable story ideas, professional press releases or petro-powered podcast submissions to thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com.
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
If you have a news tip, press release, guest suggestion or other content concepts, please email thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com**
This post was brought to you in part by one of The Crude Life’s fantastic sponsors, please consider supporting their services or learning more about their organization by clicking on the banner below.
.
Witting Partners helps energy industry leaders achieve and sustain peak performance by combining an unmatched blend of oil & gas experience, insight, and results with the power of leadership coaching, workshops, and keynotes so that you and your stakeholders don’t un-wittingly damage your odds of achieving long-term success.
If you want to produce 𝑺𝑼𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑩𝑳𝑬 results, then turn to a resource with 15+ years of proven success stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to Appalachia, from service company to operator, and from drilling rig to downtown boardroom.
To learn more, visit Witting Partners’ website or follow on LinkedIn.
The interview with filmmaker and National Energy Talk host Mark Stansberry started off discussing a shared petro-powered experience involving motion pictures and media. The Crude Life’s founder Jason Spiess had the privileged to be invited on to the production studio and set of Sherwood Forest, a docufilm about a historic time in American Oil and Gas’s impact on global independence and empowerment.
The short story is by the summer of 1942, the future of Great Britain and the outcome of World War II depended on petroleum supplies. At the end of that year, demand for 100-octane fuel would grow to more than 150,000 barrels of oil every day and German U-boats ruled the Atlantic.
In August 1942, British Secretary of Petroleum, Geoffrey Lloyd called an emergency meeting of the Oil Control Board to assess the “impending crisis in oil.”
Thus began the story of the “little-known, or at least seldom recognized, all-important role oil and oilmen played in the prosecution of the war,” according to two historians who extensively researched archives in Great Britain and the United States. Short story is they drilled in Sherwood Forest.
Oscar winner Gray Frederickson (left) and Mark Stansberry (right)The longer story is being told by Oscar Winner Gray Frederickson. Frederickson and Stansberry worked together on the docufilm on Sherwood Forest, which told the story of how Lloyd Noble along with 44 roughnecks played a critical role during World War II.
Frederickson is best known for being a long-time producer for Francis Ford Coppola and winning an Oscar as one of the co-producers of The Godfather Part II at the 47th Academy Awards. In addition he was also nominated for Apocalypse Now.
Sherwood Forest was nominated for a regional Emmy in the historical documentary category. It was also picked up by NETA for national distribution.
“Sherwood Forest is an incredibly powerful documentary for our entire world right now,” Stansberry said. “There are several reenactments, which were filmed in Oklahoma locations, and around 58 cast and crew were involved. British Petroleum (bp) greatly assisted in providing footage from its archives of the 1943 timeline of Sherwood Forest. It has been quite a challenge to complete the project, especially due to COVID-19 restrictions. The release date is Spring/Summer 2022. I share with you the production team’s synopsis of Sherwood Forest:”
The interview segways into a “decade of discussions” in the oil and gas industry. Both Spiess and Stansberry talk about some interviews and events that transpired over the past decade in energy.
“I would say that one of my favorites is with Barry Corbin,” Stansberry said. “Barry has been in over 225 films, close to 250, everything from Urban Cowboy to Yellowstone. He was our narrator for Sherwood Forrest’s Top Secret.”
Actor Barry Corbin is the narrator for Sherwood Forest, the documentary on the oil and gas industry’s influence in World War II.The interview then went into Stansberry’s past, which involved international business and energy. From China to Russia to Oklahoma, Stansberry was active in the global marketplace.
“I had done work both in Russia and China in the oil and gas industry, primarily the oil and gas in Russia, meeting with the Minister of Energy and Eurasia products back in the 1990s,” Stansberry said. “And then also in the 90’s, it was with the Chinese that were there was a gas natural gas delegation that had met here in Oklahoma and they invited me to go over to to China and I started watching how they they acted on different things.”
The conversation pontificated whether NAFTA or other policies led to a major shift in the global marketplace, one that saw corporations flourish and small businesses disappear.
Through my company, it was called the Oklahoma Royalty Company, I was CEO,” Stansberry said. “We were one of the first, at that time, a small company signed an import-export agreement, which were unheard of for small companies, but mainly the big ones, Exxon and others, were working on these.”
The interview also discussed the emerging Agriculture and Energy markets synergizing into the Carbon Management Market.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
Email your sustainable story ideas, professional press releases or petro-powered podcast submissions to thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com.
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
If you have a news tip, press release, guest suggestion or other content concepts, please email thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com**
This post was brought to you in part by one of The Crude Life’s fantastic sponsors, please consider supporting their services or learning more about their organization by clicking on the banner below.
Leading provider of specialty oilfield chemicals. Focusing on bringing trusted products to the market combined with a fast and responsive service.
Click here for RMI Supply’s website and more information.
Human trafficking remains a pervasive and deeply troubling issue that plagues societies worldwide. Despite concerted efforts to combat it, numerous challenges persist, hindering progress towards its eradication.
Stacy Schaffer, Founder and Executive Director of 31:8 Project, discusses the realities behind human trafficking, pornography, identifying signals and what are some resources people can use for help.
”Men, women, and children are sold into a $150 billion annual market for sex and labor. This is happening globally, nationally and locally; in hotels, restaurants, and on street corners,” Schaffer said. “Slavery is wrapped up in almost every industry’s supply chain, tainting the food we eat, the clothes we buy, and the electronics we love.”
Schaffer added that human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery and involves the movement of people by means of violence, deception or coercion for the purpose of forced labor, servitude, or slavery-like practices.
“It is a market-based economy that exists on principles of supply and demand,” Schaffer said. “It thrives due to conditions, which allow for high profits to be generated at low risk.”
Here, are some of the key hurdles faced by society in addressing the complex issue of human trafficking.
- Misunderstanding and Awareness: Human trafficking is often misunderstood, leading to misconceptions about its prevalence and nature. Raising awareness and fostering a deeper understanding of the multifaceted aspects of human trafficking is crucial in combating this crime.
- Victim Identification and Support: Identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking pose significant challenges. Victims may fear seeking help due to threats, coercion, or mistrust of authorities. Additionally, there is a lack of adequate resources and support systems for survivors, making their recovery and reintegration into society challenging.
- Legal and Prosecution Challenges: Prosecuting traffickers requires navigating legal complexities and jurisdictional issues. Furthermore, many victims face obstacles in accessing justice, with some preferring healing and prevention over confrontation.
- Public Health Perspective: Recognizing human trafficking as a public health issue is imperative. Addressing the physical and mental health needs of survivors, as well as implementing preventive measures, is crucial in combatting this crime.
- Global Collaboration and Coordination: Human trafficking is a transnational crime that requires coordinated efforts at local, national, and international levels]. Collaboration among governments, law enforcement agencies, NGOs, and communities is essential for effective prevention, prosecution, and protection of victims.
“I experienced my first case of human trafficking with a little girl named Anna. She was eight years old at the time,” Schaffer recalled. “And we don’t typically see this in North Dakota the way it was portrayed in Guatemala, but she was taken from a playground and brought to a brothel where she was repeatedly sexually abused over and over again.”
Schaffer continued to share her story.
“Now, regardless of who you are or your ages, that’s going to be a traumatic event because it was for Anna, and we were fortunately able to intervene, which is very uncommon in underdeveloped areas,” Schaffer said. “So we were able to provide her with services, and she went on to live a pretty stable life. She ended up getting married, having kids, and is doing well. So she’s really my motivation and inspiration for launching 31:8 Project in 2015.”
Schaffer reminds people that combatting human trafficking demands a multifaceted approach and collective action from all sectors of society. By addressing these challenges head-on and fostering collaboration, we can strive towards a world free from the horrors of human trafficking.
“You never know what can trigger you,” Schaffer said. “So our goal is to set them up with the skills so when they are triggered that they don’t go back to something that’s dangerous or relapse in some capacity, but instead they have the tools to keep moving forward.”
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
Email your sustainable story ideas, professional press releases or petro-powered podcast submissions to thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com.
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
If you have a news tip, press release, guest suggestion or other content concepts, please email thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com**
This post was brought to you in part by one of The Crude Life’s fantastic sponsors, please consider supporting their services or learning more about their organization by clicking on the banner below.
Whether you want basic obedience for a family pet or need professional handlers for narcotic and explosive detection, BCK-9 delivers reliable results. With over 20 years of experience in the working dog community, our founder, Dwayne Farris, brings unparalleled expertise in dog training and leak detection techniques.
The BCK-9 team brings a personalized approach to ensure we tailor our services to meet your needs, providing customized solutions that go further than the competition.
With our commitment to the well-being of our clients’ dogs and precision and efficiency in our results, the dedicated team of professionals at BCK-9 Services delivers excellence in every service.
Follow BCK-9 Services on their website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X (Twitter) or TikTok.
Clint Kling of Shepherd VR joins TownSquare Media KLXX 1270AM’s Talk of the Town with Steve Bakken and special guest co=host Jason Spiess.
The interview stems around a discussion on how Toyota and several police departments are integrating VR Training into their HR, safety and overall culture.
“I mean a lot of my university research was based on assessing effectiveness in training just because everybody said VR was better,” Kling said. “Nobody really had any hard data. I spent a year and a half or so setting up experiments and running them and basically showcasing what is effective training and as far as VR goes, what’s effective training as far as our traditional methods go. So VR definitely has taken leaps and bounds on the effectiveness of the training.”
Toyota Motor of North America produced and developed a VR experience that teaches team members about assessing risks associated with new equipment on the factory floor. Kling discussed how this translates into other areas of heavy industry and manufacturing training.
“So in that environment we ended up designing an open pit mining scenario so you know when you put on the goggles you’re basically transported from the classroom into the open pit environment,” Kling said. “Everything’s adjusted to scale so everything looks like it should if you were on that site. So the equipment sizes, the high wall sizes, we had a conveyor crusher units presented in a kind of a real life scale.”
At last week’s Sioux City city council meeting, the council voted unanimously to allow the department to use a $75,000 grant to purchase a Virtual Reality training system.
This simulated training will allow officers to use VR headsets to work on movement commands, learn how to de-escalate hostile situations; all while in a mobile and safe environment.
“So like what the police academies are doing, that’s fantastic,” Kling said.
Kling is a seasoned professional in mining and oil operations with over a decade of hands-on industry experience. Kling bolsters his practical knowledge with robust academic qualifications – a Master of Science degree in Mining Engineering and a Graduate Certificate in Safety Management. But his ingenuity doesn’t stop there.
In the course of his doctoral studies, Kling has been meticulously creating and refining virtual reality modules to amplify the effectiveness of safety training. By weaving together advanced neuroscience and psychology principles, he’s brought to life the unique Functional Integral Training (FIT) method.
This groundbreaking approach capitalizes on the immersive nature of VR to facilitate superior knowledge retention, positioning Shepherd VR’s training modules a cut above the rest.
“With Shepherd VR, you’re not just learning safety – you’re experiencing it,” Kling said. “Experience the mining environment like never before and cultivate the safest practices with our unique VR training module.”
Kling added that the magic of an impactful VR training module lies in the ingenious crafting of its storyboard.
“Leveraging an in-depth understanding of brain functions and learning mechanisms, I’ve harnessed this knowledge to construct immersive virtual reality modules,” Kling said.
At the end of the day, what is the goal? To Kling, it’s to “help individuals fully understand the crucial concepts of safety and thereby fundamentally transform their thought processes and behaviors – the very core driving factors behind our actions.”
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
Email your sustainable story ideas, professional press releases or petro-powered podcast submissions to thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com.
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Transform your safety training with Shepherd VR – The Future is Here! Dive into a new era of learning with our groundbreaking VR modules, designed to enhance retention and reduce workplace accidents.
Leveraging over a decade of industry expertise in mining and oil, Shepherd VR combines neuroscience and psychology with our innovative FIT methodology to revolutionize safety training. Experience the difference, elevate your training program, and see astounding results.
Ready to make safety training more effective and engaging? Visit www.shepherd.fit and join the discussion on LinkedIn for the latest updates!
Warren Martin, executive director, Kansas Strong, joins The Crude Life with an update on the Jayhawk State.
Martin has been very active educating and promoting the benefits of oil and gas, including tax revenues, community development projects and everyday uses for petroleum products.
“Informing the public about the many ways the Kansas oil and natural gas industry contributes to our state and our nation is an important part of our mission,” Martin said. “Kansas Strong has implemented a multi-platform campaign to reach Kansans with our message. See how Kansas Strong is helping educate and inform Kansans about the critical role our industry plays.”
Martin provides periodic messages dedicated to topics related to the oil & natural gas industry and how they impact our lives. He has appeared at over 200 events in the past year.
“So Kansas is a unique oil and gas producing state. We’re 11th leading producing state in the nation. Yet we do not have big oil here in Kansas. We don’t we do not have any of the major oil companies here. Only one that it could even slightly be considered a major oil producing company that actually does production here in the state,” Martin said. “We have a lot of pipeline companies. We have a lot of refining companies. But oil and gas production is predominantly done by local, independent oil and gas producers across the state. We are almost exclusively a marginal well state.”
Martin, a philosophy graduate of Texas Tech University, is an author, teacher, minister, artist, quasi-philosopher and speaker known for his unique teaching style. His passion is to inspire & invest in the next generation of leaders. He currently serves as Executive Director of Kansas Strong for the promotion of the quality of life created by the oil & natural gas industry.
He previously served as Executive Director of the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum and was the primary presenter of all Inspired Leadership Experiences. Warren has been leading leadership workshops, presenting keynote presentations and consulting with Fortune 500 corporations and non-profit organizations for 22 years.Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
Email your sustainable story ideas, professional press releases or petro-powered podcast submissions to thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com.
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
MORE FROM THE CRUDE LIFE
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This post was brought to you in part by one of The Crude Life’s fantastic sponsors, please consider supporting their services or learning more about their organization by clicking on the banner below.
Transform your safety training with Shepherd VR – The Future is Here! Dive into a new era of learning with our groundbreaking VR modules, designed to enhance retention and reduce workplace accidents.
Leveraging over a decade of industry expertise in mining and oil, Shepherd VR combines neuroscience and psychology with our innovative FIT methodology to revolutionize safety training. Experience the difference, elevate your training program, and see astounding results.
Ready to make safety training more effective and engaging? Visit www.shepherd.fit and join the discussion on LinkedIn for the latest updates!
When supply chains run smoothly, the economies they support do too.
But when even the smallest disruption occurs, supply chains can quickly turn into the equivalent of a daisy chain — where one event sets off a cascading impact down the entire logistics value chain.
Experts fear that this is what could happen up and down the East Coast as businesses and shippers try to manage the fallout from the March 26 collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge as a result of a cargo ship collision.
According to Maryland Governor Wes Moore port is responsible for over 51 million tons of foreign cargo. That’s the largest in the country. For everybody who was buying cars, everybody who was buying farm equipment, we’re the largest port in country that does that. So, this is not just impacting Maryland.”
In regards to the Energy Industry, smaller companies like RMI Supply are able to remain nimble, ready and able for new business opportunities.
“The big companies and ones involved with mergers or buyouts have an added layer of issues related to time and supply chain,” RMI Supply president Mark Workman said. “Smaller companies can make a decision in the moment, whereas a larger company can take months to make a simple decision.”
Workman explained how this can create financial impacts as well, especially considering the rate of inflation on goods and services.
“The fundamentals of logistics are playing out in front of me where I can see an increase in cargo costs coming, prompting me to make a decision now,” Workman said. “The larger companies can become so bureaucratic it’s hard on them.”
Workman added that during these supply chain impact issues the inability to make a decision will often result in the market making the decision for you and your company.
RMI Supply is a leading provider of specialty oilfield chemicals focusing on delivering environmentally-friendly products to the market combined with a fast and responsive service.
Among the questions around what happens now is what the accident means for shipping and the economy.
The port handled a record amount of cargo last year. While President Joe Biden has said he intends for the federal government to rebuild the bridge, and called on Congress to support that effort, the port is directly responsible for about 15,000 jobs and generated $4.7 billion in economic value to the state of Maryland.
The bridge’s collapse stranded at least 10 vessels in the water and ships outside the blockage have had to reroute to other East Coast ports, such as Norfolk and New Jersey. For global shipping, this comes at a time when companies are contending with route disruptions along the Suez and Panama canals.
Along with being the top U.S. port for autos, Baltimore is also the nation’s furthest inland port, said Houston Mason, adjunct professor of supply chain management at Loyola and Georgetown universities. Companies may have to spend an extra day traveling up the Chesapeake Bay and into Baltimore’s harbor, but once their product is unloaded, it’s closer to the Midwest than it would be at any other East Coast port.
In the last decade, after increasing the depth of berths at its primary cargo terminal, Baltimore has been able to handle substantially larger ships than other East Coast ports, Mason said.
The port is also a major source of employment across the region. A 2018 report found that along with 15,000 direct jobs there were nearly 22,000 other jobs either supported by or indirectly related to activities at the port.
“(The supply chain issues) These are a typical thing over my whole career,” RMI Supply president Mark Workman said. “And during COVID we would be told day in and out that our order was going out today, when the reality was the supplier was just telling me what I wanted to hear.”
Workman, who worked in trucking and logistic prior to oil and gas, said the supply chain issues can become very real and very quick.
“Things become constant after a while, like not having enough drivers or enough trucks,” Workman said. “We learned to adjust to the marketplace and now our company has streamlined our processes from 15 people down to three.”
Workman added that streamlining certain portions of his business rippled into other areas too, which resulted in a huge savings of time and money.
“We can now unload a whole truckload of product for the oil field, label it and get it ready to go on a truck that same day,” Workman said. “In fact, we can now do all that in about two hours.”
RMI Supply is a leading provider of specialty oilfield chemicals focusing on delivering environmentally-friendly products to the market combined with a fast and responsive service.
Click here for RMI Supply’s website and more information.
The Crude Life is an informational energy ambassador to all walks of life. To support Energy Outreach, Industrial Integrity and those living and working The Crude Life, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
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Email your sustainable story ideas, professional press releases or petro-powered podcast submissions to thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com.
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Kunal Patel, Dallas Federal Reserve, joins The Crude Life to breakdown the recent Energy Survey. This quarter’s survey also includes for the first time a set of questions regarding price expectations for oil and natural gas over six-month, one-year, two-year and five-year horizons.
According to Patel, activity in the oil and gas sector was relatively unchanged in the first quarter of 2024, as documented in the survey in regards to oil and gas executives responding to the Dallas Fed Energy Survey.
The business activity index, the survey’s broadest measure of conditions energy firms in the Eleventh District face, was 2.0 in the first quarter, suggesting little to no growth during the quarter. The index was essentially unchanged from last quarter.
Oil and gas production decreased in the first quarter, according to executives at exploration and production (E&P) firms. The oil production index moved down from 5.3 in the fourth quarter to -4.1 in the first quarter, suggesting a small decline in production. Meanwhile, the natural gas production index turned negative, falling sharply from 17.9 to -17.0.
Costs increased at a slightly faster pace for both oilfield services and E&P firms. Among oilfield services firms, the input cost index increased from 21.3 to 31.2. Among E&P firms, the finding and development costs index was relatively unchanged at 24.2. Meanwhile, the lease operating expenses index increased from 22.6 to 33.7.
Oilfield services firms reported modest deterioration in nearly all indicators. The equipment utilization index remained negative but increased from -8.4 in the fourth quarter to -4.2 in the first. The operating margin index moved down from -32.0 to -35.4, suggesting declining margins. The index of prices received for services was unchanged at -6.2.
The aggregate employment index was relatively unchanged at 3.4 in the first quarter. While this is the 13th consecutive positive reading for the index, the low-single-digit reading suggests slow net hiring. The aggregate employee hours index increased from 2.8 in the fourth quarter to 6.9 in the first quarter. Additionally, the aggregate wages and benefits index increased from 21.2 to 32.8.
The company outlook index rebounded in the first quarter, jumping 24 points to 12.0. While the company outlook index increased, it is still below the series average. The overall outlook uncertainty index fell 22 points to 24.1, suggesting that while uncertainty continued to increase on net, fewer firms noted a rise in the recent quarter. The uncertainty index this quarter was slightly above the series average.
On average, respondents expect a West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price of $80 per barrel at year-end 2024; responses ranged from $70 to $120 per barrel. When asked about longer-term expectations, respondents on average expect a WTI oil price of $83 per barrel two years from now and $90 per barrel five years from now. Survey participants expect a Henry Hub natural gas price of $2.59 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) at year-end. When asked about longer-term expectations, respondents on average expect a Henry Hub gas price of $3.18 per MMBtu two years from now and $3.94 per MMBtu five years from now. For reference, WTI spot prices averaged $82.52 per barrel during the survey collection period, and Henry Hub spot prices averaged $1.44 per MMBtu.
In the top two areas in which your firm is active: What West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price does your firm need to cover operating expenses for existing wells?
The average price across the entire sample is approximately $39 per barrel, up from $37 last year. Across regions, the average price necessary to cover operating expenses ranges from $31 to $45 per barrel. Almost all respondents can cover operating expenses for existing wells at current prices.
Large firms (with crude oil production of 10,000 barrels per day or more as of the fourth quarter of 2023) require prices of $26 per barrel to cover operating expenses for existing wells, based on the average of company responses. That compares with $44 for small firms (fewer than 10,000 barrels per day).
In the top two areas in which your firm is active: What WTI oil price does your firm need to profitably drill a new well?
For the entire sample, firms need $64 per barrel on average to profitably drill, higher than the $62-per-barrel price when this question was asked last year. Across regions, average breakeven prices to profitably drill range from $59 to $70 per barrel. Breakeven prices in the Permian Basin average $65 per barrel, $4 higher than last year. Almost all firms in the survey can profitably drill a new well at current prices. (The WTI spot price was $83 per barrel during the survey period.)
Large firms (with crude oil production of 10,000 barrels per day or more as of the fourth quarter of 2023) require a $58-per-barrel price to profitably drill, based on the average of company responses. That compared with $67 for small firms (fewer than 10,000 barrels per day).
How do you expect the number of employees at your company to change from December 2023 to December 2024?
While the the most-selected response among E&P firms was for employment to “remain the same” in 2024, the most-selected response of support service firms was for employment to “increase slightly.” Only a small percentage of executives expect the number of employees at their firms to decrease. (See table for more detail.)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released guidance earlier this year regarding the methane charge from the Inflation Reduction Act. What net impact will the methane charge have on your firm?
The most-selected response among E&P firms was “slightly negative,” chosen by 46 percent of respondents. Another 34 percent selected “significantly negative,” while 19 percent selected “neutral,” and 1 percent expect a positive impact. Meanwhile, the most-selected response among support services firms was “neutral,” chosen by 41 percent of respondents. The next most-popular response was “slightly negative,” selected by 27 percent of support service firms, followed by “significantly negative,” 20 percent. A small group, 11 percent, expect a “slight positive” impact.
When considering small and large E&P firms, executives at small E&P firms were more likely to report a significantly negative impact, 38 percent for small versus 20 for large. (See table for more detail.)
About The Dallas Federal Reserve Survey
Data were collected March 13–21, and 147 energy firms responded. Of the respondents, 97 were exploration and production firms and 50 were oilfield services firms.
The Dallas Fed conducts the Dallas Fed Energy Survey quarterly to obtain a timely assessment of energy activity among oil and gas firms located or headquartered in the Eleventh District. Firms are asked whether business activity, employment, capital expenditures and other indicators increased, decreased or remained unchanged compared with the prior quarter and with the same quarter a year ago. Survey responses are used to calculate an index for each indicator.
Each index is calculated by subtracting the percentage of respondents reporting a decrease from the percentage reporting an increase. When the share of firms reporting an increase exceeds the share reporting a decrease, the index will be greater than zero, suggesting the indicator has increased over the previous quarter. If the share of firms reporting a decrease exceeds the share reporting an increase, the index will be below zero, suggesting the indicator has decreased over the previous quarter.
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Witting Partners helps energy industry leaders achieve and sustain peak performance by combining an unmatched blend of oil & gas experience, insight, and results with the power of leadership coaching, workshops, and keynotes so that you and your stakeholders don’t un-wittingly damage your odds of achieving long-term success.
If you want to produce 𝑺𝑼𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑩𝑳𝑬 results, then turn to a resource with 15+ years of proven success stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to Appalachia, from service company to operator, and from drilling rig to downtown boardroom.
To learn more, visit Witting Partners’ website or follow on LinkedIn.
Terry Etam, author of The End of the Fossil Fuel Insanity: Clearing the Air Before Cleaning the Air’; columnist for the BOE Report and blogger for Public Energy Number One; gives an update from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Etam talks about how natural gas continues to be a wild card, yet foundational energy source for Canada. He explains how politics and policies have creates issues for almost all energies north of the border.
The author also discusses the emerging carbon management industry in Canada. Companies are vying for tax subsidies and carbon credits in order to create new revenues for their respective shareholders.
The discussion also veers into similarities and differences between doing business in the United States and Canada when it comes to energy services.
Everyone knows that fossil fuels won’t last forever. Something needs to change at some point, regardless of whether the issue is climate change or because we need a practical replacement for petroleum as cheap supplies run out.
But while headlines suggest that a green-energy paradise is around the corner, not many are aware of the immense technical challenges that stand in its way. To turn our backs on fossil fuels, a staggering amount of work will be required to refit a global energy sector that has grown systematically for over a century. News of the latest green advancements can make it seem like plug-and-play technology, and simply a matter of switching from one source to another. In reality, the challenge is far greater, and infinitely more complicated.
To make matters worse, environmentalists and fossil-fuel defenders wage continuous but fruitless war, and the growing gap makes it impossible to have any sort of constructive dialogue. Each camp becomes more locked in their position with every exchange, and the most revolutionary ideas never see the light of day. Instead of building, time and money are wasted sparring.
Sparing no sacred cows, Terry Etam cuts through the media rhetoric, government propaganda, and widespread ignorance of the energy sector to get to the heart of what needs to change-and what needs to stay the same-if the challenges of moving away from fossil fuels are to be met, while maintaining the quality of life we have come to expect and rely on.
Terry Etam is a twenty-five-year veteran of Canada’s energy business. He has worked at a number of occupations spanning the finance, accounting, communications, and trading aspects of energy, and has written for several years on his own website Public Energy Number One and the widely-read industry site the BOE Report.
His goal is to kickstart new energy dialogues in a constructive manner as the world faces, and begins to understand, the real challenges of moving away from fossil fuels. In today’s welcome but hyper-vigilant state of environmental scrutiny, where natural ecosystems are treasured and measured far more than ever before, any large-scale changes to energy infrastructure will face huge challenges, as any project manager can attest. It will be far, far harder than many imagine to move away from fossil fuels rapidly.
Mr. Etam has been called an industry thought leader and the most influential voice in the oil patch. He lives in Calgary, Alberta with his family and, for some reason, a little dog.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
Email your sustainable story ideas, professional press releases or petro-powered podcast submissions to thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com.
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
MORE FROM THE CRUDE LIFE
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f you have a news tip, press release, guest suggestion or other content concepts, please email thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com**
This post was brought to you in part by one of The Crude Life’s fantastic sponsors, please consider supporting their services or learning more about their organization by clicking on the banner below.
Witting Partners helps energy industry leaders achieve and sustain peak performance by combining an unmatched blend of oil & gas experience, insight, and results with the power of leadership coaching, workshops, and keynotes so that you and your stakeholders don’t un-wittingly damage your odds of achieving long-term success.
If you want to produce 𝑺𝑼𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑩𝑳𝑬 results, then turn to a resource with 15+ years of proven success stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to Appalachia, from service company to operator, and from drilling rig to downtown boardroom.
To learn more, visit Witting Partners’ website or follow on LinkedIn.
Energy transition and industry engagement were the Talk of the Town this week on Townsquare Media’s KLXX SuperTalk 1270AM. Specifically the positive work Chris Wright and the team at Liberty Energy are doing for the oil and gas industry.
Talk of the Town host Steve Bakken asked The Crude Life’s founder Jason Spiess about his opinion on Chris Wright and the recent changes at Liberty Energy.
“Before CO and carbon capture became a catchword, Liberty Energy figured out the industry was more expansive than oil and gas and we are an energy company and not limited to oil and gas,” Bakken said. “They grew into some other spaces and have done a great job being vocal and pushing out the messaging.”
Spiess agreed with Bakken and advanced the conversation further.
“What their CEO Chris Wright has done, in my opinion, has become of the true leaders in the petroleum space to educate global leaders on how the oil and gas industry is a leader in carbon management and environmental innovations,” Spiess said.
The two continued the discussion citing examples of how the industry used to be very “boiler plate” on how to conduct public relations, however, time have changed.
“What Chris Wright and Liberty do different than many of the other leaders in the industry is they do not present their message from an ego-centric point of view rather a this is what we do and this is why we do it,” Spiess said. “He’s really been one of the first ones to crack the presentation culture where I think the rest of the industry has missed.”
Bakken agreed.
“Chris and Liberty stepped outside the box,” Bakken said.
Chris Wright is the Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Energy in Denver, Colorado. Mr. Wright was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2020. He also serves on the Denver Branch Board of Directors.
From the perspective of Denver Branch Board Director Chris Wright, “energy is the infrastructure of the economy. It makes everything else possible.”
Wright, a pioneer in hydraulic fracturing, is the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Liberty Oilfield Services in Denver. He also is the executive chairman of Liberty Resources and Liberty Midstream Solutions.
He previously served as chief executive officer of Pinnacle Technologies, which created the hydraulic fracture mapping industry and helped launch the modern “fracking” industry and commercial shale gas production in the 1990s.
“We bring out the technology, the trucks, and the horsepower” to release oil and gas from shale, Wright said on the Federal Reserve’s website. Large producers like Exxon and ConocoPhillips are among Liberty Oilfield Service’s customers.
Wright serves on numerous organizations’ boards of directors and is involved in several initiatives to provide scholarships, career opportunities, and other resources in communities across the Denver region. He sees his Denver Branch Board director service as an extension of that commitment to helping others pursue their dreams.
Learn more about Wright and Liberty Energy here.
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Transform your safety training with Shepherd VR – The Future is Here! Dive into a new era of learning with our groundbreaking VR modules, designed to enhance retention and reduce workplace accidents.
Leveraging over a decade of industry expertise in mining and oil, Shepherd VR combines neuroscience and psychology with our innovative FIT methodology to revolutionize safety training. Experience the difference, elevate your training program, and see astounding results.
Ready to make safety training more effective and engaging? Visit www.shepherd.fit and join the discussion on LinkedIn for the latest updates!
Dr. Loren Scott joined Jason Spiess to discuss the EPA’s decision to award Louisiana the power to approve carbon capture projects.
Louisiana is the third state—after North Dakota and Wyoming—given primary authority by EPA to issue permits for the Class VI wells used in carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). North Dakota approved its fourth well permit last spring, and an ethanol producer is already capturing and storing carbon there.
Texas, West Virginia, and Arizona all have similar requests into EPA. The federal agency took 4 years to approve Louisiana’s bid for primacy.
Proponents say giving more states primary authority to issue permits will accelerate approval of new projects essential to reduce CO2.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2023 fueled additional interest. Companies can receive a tax credit up to $85/ton to capture and permanently store carbon about a mile below the earth’s surface.
As applications continue to flow in, EPA now has a backlog of Class VI well-permit applications, including about 20 from companies operating in Louisiana, an EPA spokesman said Jan. 4 in a written statement. Under the new agreement, Louisiana will handle all new Class VI applications in the state, and EPA has begun discussing handover of permit applications already submitted, the EPA spokeswoman said.
Louisiana is an emerging hub of carbon management deployment working within the regional Gulf Coast context.
In the state, there are 324 facilities that qualify for the 45Q tax credit, ranging from various power generation sources, refineries, and more industrial sectors. The emissions from these 320 facilities represent an estimated 99.7 percent of all the emissions from facilities in the state.
Louisiana recognizes the potential that carbon management presents to curb these emissions while strengthening the state’s economic base. As such, Louisiana has enacted policies to further deployment in the state and applied for Class VI primacy from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Critics of carbon storage, including environmental groups and local citizens, questioned whether Louisiana was capable of proper oversight and storage safety. Dr. Scott pointed to successful carbon projects being run by Denbury for decades.
In fact, Denbury, pipeline and carbon sequestration company, announced this past summer that they have two new projects in south Louisiana, marking at least its sixth carbon capture endeavor in the state.
The first of the two new projects is a joint venture with Lapis Energy, a Dallas firm that specializes in carbon sequestration. The joint venture, dubbed Libra CO 2 Storage Solutions LLC, calls for a carbon sequestration complex at Lapis Energy’s 14,000-acre site in St. Charles Parish, about 20 miles west of New Orleans.
Denbury and Lapis Energy will each own a 50% interest in the joint venture, according to a news release.
Lapis Energy will lead the initial construction of the project and the carbon injection well permitting process, while Denbury will assume operatorship and construction management once carbon injection begins, the news release said.
Loren C. Scott & Associates, Inc., is a 35-year old firm that provides economic consulting and public speaking services for a wide range of clients. Consulting activities include impact studies, forecasting services, analysis of policy proposals, and general economic analyses. Consulting clients include BP, ExxonMobil, Entergy Corporation, J. P. Morgan Chase, Capital One Financial, Nucor, Sasol, and a diversity of others. Our objective is to put together the very best team of associates to attack our client’s problems. Dr. Scott makes 50-70 presentations a year on the state of—and the outlook for—the economy and the energy sector in particular.
He is one of the 32-member National Business Economic Issues Council, which meets quarterly to discuss issues of state, national, and international interest. This group has experts who cover international trade, Washington economic policy, retail trade, trucking, steel, chemicals, etc.
Dr. Scott is an energy specialist on the NBEIC. He has been appointed to the Economic Advisory Board of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness—a group made up of the CEOs of the Fortune 100, top university presidents, and presidents of three major unions.
He has been interviewed on MSNBC, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, and several local TV stations and his work has been cited in such publications as the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, USA Today, the Los Angeles Times and the Moscow Times, to name a few.
Dr. Loren C. Scott is President and founder of the firm. He was on the Economics Department faculty at Louisiana State University from 1969 to 1998, where he rose through the ranks from Assistant Professor to the holder of the Freeport-McMoran endowed Chair of Economics. He is presently Professor Emeritus of Economics at LSU.
Over the thirteen-year period from 1983-96, Dr. Scott was the chairman of the Economics Department at LSU. During that time, the Department’s ranking among the 3,000 economics departments in the U.S. rose from 101st to 38th. He received 7 awards at LSU for outstanding classroom teaching.
Dr. Scott is co-developer of the Louisiana econometric model, a model used for providing annual forecasts of the Louisiana economy, which are released each fall. He was a co-investigator on over $1 million in grant research at LSU and is the author of over 75 articles and technical reports in addition to reports written for consulting clients.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
Email your sustainable story ideas, professional press releases or petro-powered podcast submissions to thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com.
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
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This post was brought to you in part by one of The Crude Life’s fantastic sponsors, please consider supporting their services or learning more about their organization by clicking on the banner below.
Witting Partners helps energy industry leaders achieve and sustain peak performance by combining an unmatched blend of oil & gas experience, insight, and results with the power of leadership coaching, workshops, and keynotes so that you and your stakeholders don’t un-wittingly damage your odds of achieving long-term success.
If you want to produce 𝑺𝑼𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑩𝑳𝑬 results, then turn to a resource with 15+ years of proven success stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to Appalachia, from service company to operator, and from drilling rig to downtown boardroom.
To learn more, visit Witting Partners’ website or follow on LinkedIn.
Energy expert, author and public speaker Robert Bryce joins The Crude Life founder Jason Spiess and The Word Merchant Stephen Heins to discuss his new docuseries Juice, nuclear energy, corporate greed and how the environment impacts energy.
Last week, Bryce released a new docuseries that highlights how bad energy policy decisions are making the United States and other countries more vulnerable to power shortages and blackouts.
Bryce and colleague Tyson Culver decided to launch the project following the Texas blackout associated with Winter Storm Uri in February 2021. Millions of people were without electricity for days, and several hundred deaths were attributed to exposure or other causes.
“That blackout and the fact that the ERCOT grid (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) nearly collapsed, convinced us that we had to do another film,” Bryce said. “And now, three years later, we accomplished what we set out to do.”
The five-part docuseries, Juice: Power, Politics & The Grid, is now available for free on YouTube. Rather than make a feature-length film, Bryce said they decided to make the content as user-friendly as possible, so broke it into five episodes, each lasting about 20 minutes.
The series features 34 interviews that were shot in Texas, Japan, Vermont, Oklahoma, Colorado, California, Washington D.C., Illinois, Egypt, and England. The cast of characters includes many of the world’s top thought leaders on energy, including political scientist Roger Pielke Jr., Grid Brief editor Emmet Penney, civil rights leader Jennifer Hernandez, author Michael Shellenberger, Canadian nuclear activist Chris Keefer, author Meredith Angwin, former IEA director Nobuo Tanaka, World Nuclear Association director Sama Bilbao, Campaign for a Green Nuclear Deal founder Madi Hilly, and many others.
Bryce said he is especially proud of Episode 3, which features the Osage tribe’s battle with Enel over a wind project the company built by violating the tribe’s sovereignty.
I have been covering this issue for more than four years, so I was thrilled last month when a federal court judge in Tulsa ordered Enel to remove all 84 of the turbines it built in Osage County,” Bryce said. “It’s a landmark ruling and an enormous embarrassment for Big Wind and Enel, a company that has endlessly touted its ‘green’ credentials.”
Bryce said the goal of the project was not to make a bunch of money, but rather to change the conversation.
“We want to help alert people and policymakers about the dangers facing our electric grid and the importance of what Chris Keefer calls our ‘civilizational life support system,'” Bryce said. “Our goal is to help people understand how our grid is being fragilized and why we need fission to fix it.”
Juice: Power, Politics & The Grid – the Trailer
Episode 1: Texas Blackout
Episode 2: Undermined by Enron
Episode 3: Green Dreams
Episode 4: Nuclear Renaissance
Episode 5: Industrial Cathedrals
Bryce has given over 300 invited or keynote lectures to dozens of groups including the Marine Corps War College, Sydney Institute, Jadavpur University, Northwestern University, and a wide variety of professional associations and corporations. He has also appeared on dozens of TV and radio shows including NPR, BBC, MSNBC, Fox, Al Jazeera, CNN, and PBS.
He spent 12 years as a reporter for the Austin Chronicle. From 2006 to 2010, he was the managing editor of the Houston-based Energy Tribune. From 2010 to September 2019, he was a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.
He lives in Austin with his wife, Lorin.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
Email your sustainable story ideas, professional press releases or petro-powered podcast submissions to thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com.
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
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Leading provider of specialty oilfield chemicals. Focusing on bringing trusted products to the market combined with a fast and responsive service.
Click here for RMI Supply’s website and more information.
Monte Besler, FRACN8R, joins TownSquare Media’s Talk of the Town with Steve Bakken and guest co-host Jason Spiess with a boots-on-the-ground update from the Bakken oil fields.
“Well, one thing is we’re significantly more mature than a lot of the other areas,” Besler said.
When asked to define the term “mature”, Besler added some context.
“Well, all of the competitive acquisition of leases, drilling to hold production, a lot of that stuff has been taken care of,” Besler said. “Now it’s gone into more of a steady state development where you’re going back into areas that you control the lease on and you’re now drilling additional wells to develop that resource. And that allows a little more controlled operation.”
One of the first companies Besler spoke about was Chevron and Hess.
“You mentioned Hess and Chevron, now, I think that’s still being worked out, the details, because of the size of the companies and the sort,” Belser said. “Chevron likely went after Hess, not just for North Dakota, but also for their offshore properties in Guyana, which was huge that Hess owned, and I believe would probably make them the operator in that offshore field, which is huge.”
The three discussed the Carbon Management industry in the Bakken as well.
“The premier pilot project for bringing CO2 to the Williston Basin, you know, currently down in the southwest part of the basin in the Cedar Creek Anticline,” Besler said. “They’re making plans at least to be able to move it further into the basin. Of course, the Summit (Summit Carbon Solutions) deal is also a CO2-related project, bringing ethanol plant CO2 into the basin for storage, but also potentially for subsequent use for EUR later on. There’s a tie-in to the oil and gas industry there with that.”
Belser also gave an update on Chord Energy, which is a combination of Whiting Petroleum Corporation and Oasis Petroleum Inc., creating a scaled unconventional U.S. oil producer with a premier Williston Basin position with top tier assets across approximately 972,000 net acres.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
Email your sustainable story ideas, professional press releases or petro-powered podcast submissions to thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com.
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
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f you have a news tip, press release, guest suggestion or other content concepts, please email thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com**
This post was brought to you in part by one of The Crude Life’s fantastic sponsors, please consider supporting their services or learning more about their organization by clicking on the banner below.
Transform your safety training with Shepherd VR – The Future is Here! Dive into a new era of learning with our groundbreaking VR modules, designed to enhance retention and reduce workplace accidents.
Leveraging over a decade of industry expertise in mining and oil, Shepherd VR combines neuroscience and psychology with our innovative FIT methodology to revolutionize safety training. Experience the difference, elevate your training program, and see astounding results.
Ready to make safety training more effective and engaging? Visit www.shepherd.fit and join the discussion on LinkedIn for the latest updates!
Kelly Marshall, Creative Director in the oil and gas industry as well as an Energy Ambassador, joins The Crude Life to talk about Energy Day at the Capitol in Colorado.
Representatives of Colorado’s oil and gas industry, along with hundreds of supporters, gathered on the west steps of the state Capitol on Wednesday for a rally opposing a proposal to ban all new oil and gas drilling by 2030.
“Well, they started across the street and we were politely asked to leave that venue because the group was a little too boisterous for that closed area,” Marshall said. “So we went across the street to the Capitol steps.”
She explained that leadership members Dan Haley, Colorado Oil and Gas Association president and CEO, Kim McHugh, COGA board chair and vice president of the Chevron Corp. Rockies Business Unit, and Kait Schwartz, the American Petroleum Institute Colorado director made speeches to the crowd.
“Colorado Oil and Gas Association is the one who put the day together and Dan Haley spoke very eloquently about the issues and was incredibly thankful for the 200 plus people that showed up to support not pushing through this legislation,” Marshall said. “They got the mic up and working and everyone stood and listened to the facts about the bill, the bills that are under review and about the vote and Dan was incredibly thankful for everyone that came out and showed up.”
Marshall also addresses one of the less talked about issues facing oil and gas in Colorado – industry spirit.
“I feel like this group of people is so beaten down by the public opinion of fossil fuels and oil and gas and the steady barrage of green energy, green, green, green, that they don’t really feel like they are allowed to speak up,” Marshall said.
Marshall also talked about some of the groups educating the public in Colorado, including the nonprofit CRED – Coloradans for Responsible Energy Development.
Senate Bill 24-159 is scheduled to be heard on Thursday in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
Email your sustainable story ideas, professional press releases or petro-powered podcast submissions to thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com.
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
This post was brought to you in part by one of The Crude Life’s fantastic sponsors, please consider supporting their services or learning more about their organization by clicking on the banner below.
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Mark Workman, RMI Supply, gives an update from the supply chain logistical point of view as well as an update on his observations in the market.
Folding in the amount of uncertainty in industry, coming from leadership, the media and politicians regarding oil and gas, Workman dives deep into service and accountability. This organically created a conversation involving the realities of trust and integrity in the marketplace.
“You need to be able to call your customer within 30 seconds and finding that information out and telling the truth,” Workman said. “A lot of logistics is based on the idea of being truthful and then you know quick with your responses and literally that’s how i’ve ever established my business or grown this oil field side of the business since 2009.”
Workman continues explaining how customers need information, not manufactured happiness or misinformation.
“I literally have my customers tell me how quick I respond to things and answer questions and that kind of thing,” Workman said. “So it’s very important to me to respond quickly.”
While Workman is navigating the intangible waters of the energy marketplace, his business continues to grow. Especially in the “liquid blending” space.
“We stick to high quality on purpose. We don’t want to be selling tech grade it’s like API 13 you know,” Workman said. “People out there know what that means, it’s just sometime people just use the lowest possible thing you can put out there that is approvable by an operator or somebody, but we stick to the higher grades for sure so the performance is better and the problems are fewer if it all.”
The interview also discussed why quality products tend to cost a bit more on the front end, however, saves a small fortune the rest of the time.
“There’s all kinds of savings in going with the right quality product, in my opinion,” Workman said. “You go to the low end side, you do pay for it one way or another. And that’s the direction we’ve gone as a mission statement, is to stick to the highest end that we can get to and still try to be competitive, which is hard.”
RMI Supply is a leading provider of specialty oilfield chemicals, focusing on bringing trusted products to the market combined with a fast and responsive service.
Click here for RMI Supply’s website and more information.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
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f you have a news tip, press release, guest suggestion or other content concepts, please email thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com**
This post was brought to you in part by one of The Crude Life’s fantastic sponsors, please consider supporting their services or learning more about their organization by clicking on the banner below.
Witting Partners helps energy industry leaders achieve and sustain peak performance by combining an unmatched blend of oil & gas experience, insight, and results with the power of leadership coaching, workshops, and keynotes so that you and your stakeholders don’t un-wittingly damage your odds of achieving long-term success.
If you want to produce 𝑺𝑼𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑩𝑳𝑬 results, then turn to a resource with 15+ years of proven success stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to Appalachia, from service company to operator, and from drilling rig to downtown boardroom.
To learn more, visit Witting Partners’ website or follow on LinkedIn.
Joe Sinnott, Witting Partners and the host of The Energy Detox Podcast joins The Crude Life to discuss how March Madness coaching is like managing a business.
The interview starts off with a discussion of how the overall culture in business has changed. In sports the comparison is made with the NIL (Name Image Likeness) and how college athletes are more of a business person than athlete.
The comparison to “side hustles” while at work is made during this thread of the interview.
Nick Sabin from Alabama recently cited this issue as a reason for retiring from coaching. Catlin Clark’s debates about whether going pro is a pay cut or not from college is also discussed in detail.
The interview next tackles the “One and Done” colleges like Rick Pitino and John Calipari are known for. The professional comparison is made how statistics show that professionals who work 8 jobs in 10 years make 40% more than a person who stays with the same employer for 10 years.
The value of intangibles, fringe benefits and stability are discussed in this thread as well.
Has your business ever had a viral moment on social media or a huge sale that was cause for celebration? Well Duquesne, North Carolina State and a handful of other colleges pulled off the upsets of the year in order to punch their March Madness ticket. Sinnott talks about how to manage that energy within an organization and how to prepare for the next game or sale.
On the flip side of the Cinderella Story are those left out like Pittsburgh and Memphis. These are coaches who have legit arguments that their product and service is just as good or better than some selected.
How to navigate negativity is the main theme of this thread.
Controlling the narrative, understanding labels and how the Justin Fields Russell Wilson news compares to transitioning executives while maintaining the 5-year business plan.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
MORE FROM THE CRUDE LIFE
- Please click that ♡ button, share, and subscribe.
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- Thank you thank you thank you for your engagement and support.
f you have a news tip, press release, guest suggestion or other content concepts, please email thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com**
This post was brought to you in part by one of The Crude Life’s fantastic sponsors, please consider supporting their services or learning more about their organization by clicking on the banner below.
Witting Partners helps energy industry leaders achieve and sustain peak performance by combining an unmatched blend of oil & gas experience, insight, and results with the power of leadership coaching, workshops, and keynotes so that you and your stakeholders don’t un-wittingly damage your odds of achieving long-term success.
If you want to produce 𝑺𝑼𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑩𝑳𝑬 results, then turn to a resource with 15+ years of proven success stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to Appalachia, from service company to operator, and from drilling rig to downtown boardroom.
To learn more, visit Witting Partners’ website or follow on LinkedIn.
The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 556 is currently airing across a 5-state radio network. Here are the industry experts, community leaders and special guests for The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 556:
WOMEN IN ENERGY: Kelly Marshall gives an update from Colorado and their Energy Day at the Capitol.
Representatives of Colorado’s oil and gas industry, along with hundreds of supporters, gathered on the west steps of the state Capitol on Wednesday for a rally opposing a proposal to ban all new oil and gas drilling by 2030.
“Well, they started across the street and we were politely asked to leave that venue because the group was a little too boisterous for that closed area,” Marshall said. “So we went across the street to the Capitol steps.”
She explained that leadership members Dan Haley, Colorado Oil and Gas Association president and CEO, Kim McHugh, COGA board chair and vice president of the Chevron Corp. Rockies Business Unit, and Kait Schwartz, the American Petroleum Institute Colorado director made speeches to the crowd.
“Colorado Oil and Gas Association is the one who put the day together and Dan Haley spoke very eloquently about the issues and was incredibly thankful for the 200 plus people that showed up to support not pushing through this legislation,” Marshall said. “They got the mic up and working and everyone stood and listened to the facts about the bill, the bills that are under review and about the vote and Dan was incredibly thankful for everyone that came out and showed up.”
SPECIAL FEATURE: Clint Kling of Shepherd VR joins Jason Spiess to talk about the rise of virtual reality training and technology. The interview starts off with a discussion on how Toyota and several police departments are integrating VR Training into their HR, safety and overall culture.
“I mean a lot of my university research was based on assessing effectiveness in training just because everybody said VR was better,” Kling said. “Nobody really had any hard data. I spent a year and a half or so setting up experiments and running them and basically showcasing what is effective training and as far as VR goes, what’s effective training as far as our traditional methods go. So VR definitely has taken leaps and bounds on the effectiveness of the training.”
INDUSTRY EXPERT:Mark Workman, RMI Supply, gives an update from the supply chain logistical point of view as well as an update on his observations in the market.
Folding in several past weeks of The Crude Life updates, there is an amount of uncertainty coming from leadership, the media and politicians regarding oil and gas. This organically created a conversation involving the realities of trust and integrity in the marketplace.
“You need to be able to call your customer within 30 seconds and finding that information out and telling the truth,” Workman said. “A lot of logistics is based on the idea of being truthful and then you know quick with your responses and literally that’s how i’ve ever established my business or grown this oil field side of the business since 2009.”
EXTENDING ENERGY: The Crude Life founder Jason Spiess joins KLXX-SuperTalk 1270AM’s Talk of the Town with Steve Bakken for Wattage Wednesday to discuss the Bakken’s recent dip in production.
The two question whether the temperature really played as big as a role in past years considering this year was one of the warmest winters on record.
The Crude Life sponsors every Wednesday’s Talk of the Town to ensure energy related topics are discussed within the Bakken communities.
Wattage Wednesday interviews air on TownSquare Media’s KLXX SuperTalk 1270AM from 9-11AM Central Time.
MARCH MADNESS: Joe Sinnott, Witting Partners and the host of The Energy Detox Podcast joins The Crude Life to discuss how March Madness coaching is like managing a business.
The interview starts off with a discussion of how the overall culture in business has changed. In sports the comparison is made with the NIL (Name Image Likeness) and how college athletes are more of a business person than athlete.
The comparison to “side hustles” while at work is made during this thread of the interview.
Nick Sabin from Alabama recently cited this issue as a reason for retiring from coaching. Catlin Clark’s debates about whether going pro is a pay cut or not from college is also discussed in detail.
The interview next tackles the “One and Done” colleges like Rick Pitino and John Calipari are known for. The professional comparison is made how statistics show that professionals who work 8 jobs in 10 years make 40% more than a person who stays with the same employer for 10 years.
Witting Partners helps energy industry leaders achieve and sustain peak performance by combining an unmatched blend of oil & gas experience, insight, and results with the power of leadership coaching, workshops, and keynotes so that you and your stakeholders don’t un-wittingly damage your odds of achieving long-term success.
If you want to produce 𝑺𝑼𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑩𝑳𝑬 results, then turn to a resource with 15+ years of proven success stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to Appalachia, from service company to operator, and from drilling rig to downtown boardroom.
To learn more, visit Witting Partners’ website or follow on LinkedIn.
ENERGIZING GEN Z: Alma Cook, Cook Compliance Solutions discusses how the industry can connect with the youth, women and non-industry workers.
The Crude Life’s opening and closing theme is written and performed by Alma Cook of Cook Compliance Solutions. Please support her professional music and energy career.
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Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
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If you have a news tip, press release, guest suggestion or other content concepts, please email thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com**
This post was brought to you in part by one of The Crude Life’s fantastic sponsors, please consider supporting their services or learning more about their organization by clicking on the banner below.
Transform your safety training with Shepherd VR – The Future is Here! Dive into a new era of learning with our groundbreaking VR modules, designed to enhance retention and reduce workplace accidents.
Leveraging over a decade of industry expertise in mining and oil, Shepherd VR combines neuroscience and psychology with our innovative FIT methodology to revolutionize safety training. Experience the difference, elevate your training program, and see astounding results.
Ready to make safety training more effective and engaging? Visit www.shepherd.fit and join the discussion on LinkedIn for the latest updates!
Every March since 1987, Congress and U.S. Presidents have designated March as Women’s History Month. This year, The Crude Life celebrates and honors their accomplishments and contributions in history with interviews and stories that center around women’s experiences in industry.
The Crude Life believes woman are vital in energy. Today more than ever. From a female’s point of view to intuition to specific skill sets, woman are vital in energy.Today’s women in industry are not only modern-day leaders, but truly are defining history as well.Everyone at The Crude Life is grateful for all your contributions to industry, to your communities and to our planet.
Here is a fantastic interview with Shawnee Christensen, Bodell Construction, gives an update on the recent activities from the heavy construction industry.
“We are a full service general contractor,” Christensen said. “We do everything from demolition to new construction and everything in between. We work coast to coast on everything from mine sites to gas and oil refineries, solar, wind, you name it.”
Christensen said they are still busy with their oil and gas work too.
“Gas and oil refineries we do a lot of turnover there,” Christensen said. “Still busy with that.”
She added they are also working on a couple “refueling stations” in Oklahoma, a furnace rebuild in Idaho and a water treatment plant in Maui, Hawaii.
Bodell Construction is currently hiring, contact Christensen on LinkedIn for more information.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
MORE FROM THE CRUDE LIFE
- Please click that ♡ button, share, and subscribe.
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- Thank you thank you thank you for your engagement and support.
f you have a news tip, press release, guest suggestion or other content concepts, please email thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com**
This post was brought to you in part by one of The Crude Life’s fantastic sponsors, please consider supporting their services or learning more about their organization by clicking on the banner below.
Clint Kling of Shepherd VR joins Jason Spiess to talk about the rise of virtual reality training and technology. The interview starts off with a discussion on how Toyota and several police departments are integrating VR Training into their HR, safety and overall culture.
“I mean a lot of my university research was based on assessing effectiveness in training just because everybody said VR was better,” Kling said. “Nobody really had any hard data. I spent a year and a half or so setting up experiments and running them and basically showcasing what is effective training and as far as VR goes, what’s effective training as far as our traditional methods go. So VR definitely has taken leaps and bounds on the effectiveness of the training.”
Toyota Motor of North America produced and developed a VR experience that teaches team members about assessing risks associated with new equipment on the factory floor.
This Toyota factory, they’re actually mimicking some sort of machine that they have on the floor,” Kling said. “That’s really cost effective to companies in the long run if you’re looking at it in that way because a lot of times if you’re gonna train a new employee on a piece of equipment, then you’re gonna have to slow down production or shut down production to train that employee where now they’re getting that in a virtual reality system that it’s exactly like the real thing.”
At last week’s Sioux City city council meeting, the council voted unanimously to allow the department to use a $75,000 grant to purchase a Virtual Reality training system.
This simulated training will allow officers to use VR headsets to work on movement commands, learn how to de-escalate hostile situations; all while in a mobile and safe environment.
“So like what the police academies are doing, that’s fantastic,” Kling said.
Kling is a seasoned professional in mining and oil operations with over a decade of hands-on industry experience. Kling bolsters his practical knowledge with robust academic qualifications – a Master of Science degree in Mining Engineering and a Graduate Certificate in Safety Management. But his ingenuity doesn’t stop there.
In the course of his doctoral studies, Kling has been meticulously creating and refining virtual reality modules to amplify the effectiveness of safety training. By weaving together advanced neuroscience and psychology principles, he’s brought to life the unique Functional Integral Training (FIT) method.
This groundbreaking approach capitalizes on the immersive nature of VR to facilitate superior knowledge retention, positioning Shepherd VR’s training modules a cut above the rest.
“With Shepherd VR, you’re not just learning safety – you’re experiencing it,” Kling said. “Experience the mining environment like never before and cultivate the safest practices with our unique VR training module.”
Kling added that the magic of an impactful VR training module lies in the ingenious crafting of its storyboard.
“Leveraging an in-depth understanding of brain functions and learning mechanisms, I’ve harnessed this knowledge to construct immersive virtual reality modules,” Kling said.
At the end of the day, what is the goal? To Kling, it’s to “help individuals fully understand the crucial concepts of safety and thereby fundamentally transform their thought processes and behaviors – the very core driving factors behind our actions.”
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Jason Maxey, the director of the Weld County Oil and Gas Energy Department, joined TownSquare Media SuperTalk 1270’s Talk of the Town with Steve Bakken and Jason Spiess for a special interview on some of the critical energy issues in Weld County.
Weld County, situated in northeastern Colorado, is a region rich in history and characterized by its diverse landscape, agriculture, and economic activities. One of its most significant chapters involves the exploration and development of oil and gas resources, which have played a pivotal role in shaping the county’s growth and identity.
Weld County’s history dates back to the mid-19th century when European settlers and pioneers arrived in the area. The region’s fertile soil made it ideal for agriculture, leading to the establishment of farming communities and ranches. Over time, these communities evolved into towns and cities, contributing to Weld County’s vibrant cultural tapestry.
The late 19th century marked the beginning of oil and gas exploration in Weld County. The discovery of oil in the Denver Basin set off a wave of interest in the region’s energy potential. The early 1900s saw the establishment of drilling operations and the growth of the oil and gas industry in Weld County. These resources provided significant economic opportunities, leading to an influx of investment and development.
Weld County experienced several boom and bust cycles in its oil and gas development history. Periods of rapid growth and prosperity were often followed by economic downturns driven by fluctuating oil prices, technological advancements, and regulatory changes. These cycles shaped the local economy and impacted communities, underscoring the volatility inherent in the energy sector.
Advancements in drilling technology and extraction techniques revolutionized the oil and gas industry in Weld County. The implementation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) techniques enabled the extraction of previously inaccessible reserves, propelling the region into the national spotlight as a significant energy producer.
Oil and gas development in Weld County has brought substantial economic benefits. Job creation, tax revenue, and increased local business activity have contributed to the county’s economic vitality. However, the industry’s growth has also presented challenges related to environmental concerns, land use conflicts, and community health and safety considerations. Balancing economic prosperity with environmental stewardship has been a central theme in the region’s ongoing dialogue.
As the energy landscape evolves, Weld County’s oil and gas industry continues to adapt. The county remains a vital energy hub, with ongoing efforts to address environmental impacts, enhance safety measures, and diversify the local economy. Renewable energy initiatives and the exploration of cleaner energy alternatives signal a shift towards a more sustainable energy future for the county.
Maxey is also running for county commissioner of District 1 next year. Commissioner Mike Freeman, the current District 1 commissioner, is serving his third and final term through the end of 2024.
Maxey has served as the director of the Oil and Gas Energy Department since county commissioners voted to create the department in 2019.
According to Maxey, he’ll continue to value the importance of the agriculture industry, advocate for private property rights and work to support a robust and diverse energy industry.
Maxey, a Weld County resident of more than 33 years, has more than 15 years of experience in the energy industry, including consulting, project management, key account management, governmental affairs and oil and gas regulatory work.
Maxey’s campaign website is available at www.maxeyforweld.com. His campaign can also be found on Facebook, “Maxey for Commissioner – District 1.” (Feel free to wish him luck and say hello from The Crude Life and yourself!)
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About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and a team of Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2011 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Joe Sinnott, CEO, Witting Partners and host of The Energy DeTox Podcast joins Jason Spiess of The Crude Life for a conversation that centers around the transition from summer to the back-to-school season and the challenges of planning and preparations associated with it. Plus the importance of slowing down and [...]
Kenley Nebeker, TrainND Northwest and chairman of the ND UAS Council, talks about the Workover Rig Training program and the UAS Integration. Nebeker has served as the Regional Director for Technical Programs and Training at TrainND Northwest since November of 2018. TrainND Northwest meets the workforce training needs of northwestern North Dakota [...]
Here are this week’s industry experts, community leaders and energy enthusiasts appearing on The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 514. Terry Etam, author of The End of the Fossil Fuel Insanity, writer for the BOE Report and blogger for Public Energy Number One comments on the Canadian Energy Market [...]
Jim Willis, owner, Marcellus Drilling News gives an update on the MVP Pipeline project as well as the Shell Ethane Cracker Plant in the Marcellus Utica Appalachian Basin. Willis discusses the MVP Mountain Valley pipeline, a natural gas pipeline that spans 303 miles from West Virginia to Virginia. The pipeline [...]
Bailey Midkiff, Performance Pulsation Control, Inc, stops by Talk of the Town with Steve Bakken and Wednesday co-host Jason Spiess, the founder of The Crude Life. Midkiff work with major oil and gas companies (Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream) to diagnose positive displacement pump issues and provide solutions. Midkiff talks about [...]
Canada’s Greatest Export Terry Etam, author of The End of Fossil Fuel Insanity: Clearing the Air Before Cleaning the Air, columnist for the BOE Report and writer for Public Energy Number One, gives an update on the oil and gas activity north of the border, how logging policies are leading to wildfires and his [...]
Docu-drama depicts crude, raw and real life experiences in the oil and gas field with human interest storylines including family issues, drugs and mental health. An independent oil and gas movie has been picked up by a major streaming network – Amazon Prime Video. Pipe Nation, which began production in 2020, [...]
The 5-Minute Podcast is 60-minutes worth of information condensed into five minutes. It’s 20-pounds of potatoes in a 5-pound sack. Kenly Nebeker, executive director, TrainND Northwest and the chairman of the North Dakota UAS Council discusses the use of drones in the oil and gas industry, highlighting their different applications [...]
CNBC’s Brian Sullivan gives a few energy related tips. Kunal Patel of the Dallas Federal Reserve gives the results from their latest Energy Survey. Dr. Bill Dunkelberg is a Chief Economist for the National Federation of Independent Business explains why Small Business is the best way to jump start the economy. Raymond Gentry talks about the boom and [...]
In the fifth part of the EVolution Hybrid series, Levi Perkins, Perkins Electric Innovations and Jason Spiess, founder of The Crude Life, discuss the roadblock known as the supply chain. Perkins explains how the rare earth minerals and foreign imports have created a new issue in the economy. He specifically [...]
Dr. Loren C. Scott joins The Crude Life’s founder Jason Spiess for an update from Louisiana’s innovation, importing/exporting natural, extracting energy and the overall refining industry.
According to Dr. Scott, the state is experiencing some healthy economic activity, primarily due to the refining industries and natural gas.
“Right now countries are racing for the cheapest natural gas molecules and the United States is considerably cheaper than the rest of the world,” Dr. Scott said.
Dr. Scott continued to explain why foreign countries are especially interested in LA.
Dr. Scott also explains why the pipeline system in LA is critical to the energy activity currently happening as well as the Mississippi River.
“What they (foreign countries) are figuring out is the best places to come are on the Mississippi River, between Baton Rouge and the mouth of the Mississippi River, and The Calcasieu Ship Channel over in Lake Charles and then on the Southeastern Coast of Texas,” Dr. Scott said.
The Pipeline Grid in LA is massive in size and according to Dr. Scott, it is critical to the nation’s infrastructure and energy security.
“What you see when you look at a pipeline map of the United States is a mass of pipelines along the Louisiana and Texas Coast,” Dr. Scott said. “So not only will they be able to get cheap natural gas, but they would have accessibility to it.”
Right now, according to Dr. Scott, the Haynesville shale play is the main reason for the state’s oil and gas activity.
“In terms of oil and gas extraction, the really bright spot is the Haynesville Shale,” Dr. Scott said. “The reason the Haynesville Shale is doing very well right now, which the rig count has gone from about 16 to about 45 in the Louisiana portion of the shale, and the reason for that is that there has been a tsunami of new chemical firms and LNG export firms that have come into the southern part of the state.”
Dr. Scott also explains why ocean-going ships can travel up the Mississippi River giving that area of the world an advantage in transportation and distribution.
Loren C. Scott & Associates, Inc., is a 35-year old firm that provides economic consulting and public speaking services for a wide range of clients. Consulting activities include impact studies, forecasting services, analysis of policy proposals, and general economic analyses. Consulting clients include BP, ExxonMobil, Entergy Corporation, J. P. Morgan Chase, Capital One Financial, Nucor, Sasol, and a diversity of others. Our objective is to put together the very best team of associates to attack our client’s problems. Dr. Scott makes 50-70 presentations a year on the state of—and the outlook for—the economy and the energy sector in particular.
He is one of the 32-member National Business Economic Issues Council, which meets quarterly to discuss issues of state, national, and international interest. This group has experts who cover international trade, Washington economic policy, retail trade, trucking, steel, chemicals, etc. Dr. Scott is an energy specialist on the NBEIC. He has been appointed to the Economic Advisory Board of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness—a group made up of the CEOs of the Fortune 100, top university presidents, and presidents of three major unions.
He has been interviewed on MSNBC, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, and several local TV stations and his work has been cited in such publications as the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, USA Today, the Los Angeles Times and the Moscow Times, to name a few.
Dr. Loren C. Scott is President and founder of the firm. He was on the Economics Department faculty at Louisiana State University from 1969 to 1998, where he rose through the ranks from Assistant Professor to the holder of the Freeport-McMoran endowed Chair of Economics. He is presently Professor Emeritus of Economics at LSU.
Over the thirteen-year period from 1983-96, Dr. Scott was the chairman of the Economics Department at LSU. During that time, the Department’s ranking among the 3,000 economics departments in the U.S. rose from 101st to 38th. He received 7 awards at LSU for outstanding classroom teaching.
Dr. Scott is co-developer of the Louisiana econometric model, a model used for providing annual forecasts of the Louisiana economy, which are released each fall. He was a co-investigator on over $1 million in grant research at LSU and is the author of over 75 articles and technical reports in addition to reports written for consulting clients.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
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About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
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Joe Sinnott, Witting Partners and host of the Energy Detox Podcast, joins The Crude Life founder Jason Spiess to talk about how mental health is part of the oil and gas industry.
From the early days of “throwing some dirt” on your mental health issues to actual programs companies are installing into their company culture.
Sinnott and Spiess also discuss the mental health impacts of a company “using” an employee for marketing purposes – i.e. Women’s History Month or Minority Month. Themed months can become a tricky employment marketing plan as highlighting someone’s interests, genders and cultures once a year can open up new conversations for the other 11 months of the year.
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices
Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States since 1949. The month is observed with media, local events, and film screenings. Mental Health Awareness Month began in the United States in 1949 and was started by the Mental Health America organization.
The Crude Life celebrates and honors all struggling with personal demons and those attempting to better their mind, body and soul. All energy has a purpose and we are all energy.
Sinnott gives a boots-on-the-ground update from the Marcellus Utica with an update on the Shell Ethane Cracker Plant.
Sinnott said despite efforts of transparency and communication, the plant is facing some PR hurdles with flaring and environmental activists. (The day after the interview with Sinnott, Shell was served legal papers and was sued by a local environmental group.)
The “cracker” plant, located along the Ohio River about 30 miles (48 kilometers) outside Pittsburgh, opened in November and uses ethane from a vast shale gas reservoir underneath Pennsylvania and surrounding states to makes polyethylene, a plastic used in everything from consumer and food packaging to tires.
Clean Air Council, it alleges that operator Shell Chemical Appalachia LLC, a subsidiary of British oil and gas giant Shell plc, is violating state and federal limits on smog, as well as emissions limits in its state-approved operating plan.
The company had projected to spend $6 billion on the refinery, which took years to build. At full capacity, the plant is expected to produce 3.5 billion pounds (1.6 billion kilograms) of polyethylene annually.
Witting Partners helps energy industry leaders achieve and sustain peak performance by combining an unmatched blend of oil & gas experience, insight, and results with the power of leadership coaching, workshops, and keynotes so that you and your stakeholders don’t un-wittingly damage your odds of achieving long-term success.
Sinnott has been a resource for the industry with over 15 years of proven success stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to Appalachia, from service company to operator, and from drilling rig to downtown boardroom. For more info on Sinnott, visit his website or LinkedIn Profile Page.
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Submit your Article Ideas to The Crude Life! Email studio@thecrudelife.com
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
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Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
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Studio Email and Inbox Sponsor: The Carbon Patch Kids
The Carbon Patch Kids are a Content Story Series targeted for Children of All Ages! In the world of the Carbon Patch Kids , all life matters and has a purpose. Even the bugs, slugs, weeds and voles.
The Carbon Patch Kids love adventures and playing together. This interaction often finds them encountering emotional experiences that can leave them confused, scared or even too excited to think clearly!
Often times, with the help of their companions, the Carbon Patch Kids can reach a solution to their struggle. Sometimes the Carbon Patch Kids have to reach down deep inside and believe in their own special gift in order to grow.
The caretakers of Carbon Patch Kids do their best to plant seeds in each of the Carbon Patch Kids so they can approach life’s problems with a non-aggressive, peaceful and neighborly solution.
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It’s Wattage Wednesday on SuperTalk 1270AM Bismarck-Mandan’s Talk of the Town with Steve Bakken. Bobby Adkins and Stuart Schmidt of iTankData and joins The Crude Life’s founder Jason Spiess and Bakken during two segments of the 2-hour daily talk and news program.
The four discuss the technology of the Bakken and other oil and gas basins across the United States. The conversation specifically dove into what iTankdata does for oil and gas, which is remotely monitoring fluid levels in tanks and provides management data to mobile devices.
Adkins says the cost is $625 plus $20 a month for the data plan. Spiess compares it to a past article and interview with Kerry Frank and Comply365, which revolutionized the aviation industry with the use of iPads to save gas money.
Adkins explains that their technology is more cost-effective and accurate than competitors like SKAA systems. Stuart recently spoke with operators from Murphy Oil and OXY about bringing in additional chemical and oil field technology.
For example, in this case the technology can remotely monitor tanks and identify leaks and slow-downs, improving efficiency and catching negative events sooner. It can be used by anyone with a tank, including farmers and fuel storage facilities.
To contact Adkins or Schmidt of iTankData, click on their names or here.
Check out these Amazing American Environmental Entrepreneurs! Don’t forget that the promo code OTIS unlocks big big savings!
Submit your Article Ideas to The Crude Life! Email studio@thecrudelife.com
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
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Studio Email and Inbox Sponsor: The Carbon Patch Kids
The Carbon Patch Kids are a Content Story Series targeted for Children of All Ages! In the world of the Carbon Patch Kids , all life matters and has a purpose. Even the bugs, slugs, weeds and voles.
The Carbon Patch Kids love adventures and playing together. This interaction often finds them encountering emotional experiences that can leave them confused, scared or even too excited to think clearly!
Often times, with the help of their companions, the Carbon Patch Kids can reach a solution to their struggle. Sometimes the Carbon Patch Kids have to reach down deep inside and believe in their own special gift in order to grow.
The caretakers of Carbon Patch Kids do their best to plant seeds in each of the Carbon Patch Kids so they can approach life’s problems with a non-aggressive, peaceful and neighborly solution.
Carbon Patch Kids live, work and play in The Industrial Forest.
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Here are this week’s special guests and energy experts on The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 506.
Energy professional Dennis Lindahl comments on whether the new ecological thriller “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” is appropriate for public venues and Netflix with an aggressive title.
How to Blow Up a Pipeline is a 2023 environmentalist action film directed by Daniel Goldhaber, who co-wrote the screenplay with Ariela Barer and Jordan Sjol. It relies on ideas advanced in Andreas Malm‘s 2021 book of the same name, published by Verso Books.
It stars Barer, Kristine Froseth, Lukas Gage, Forrest Goodluck, Sasha Lane, Jayme Lawson, Marcus Scribner, Jake Weary and Irene Bedard.
According to Wikipedia, Malm’s book is a work of nonfiction that uses a history of social justice movements to argue that property destruction should be considered a valid tactic in the pursuit of environmental justice.
For those who wish to file a communication with the Federal Communication Commission, click here**
Luke Eggebraaten recaps his new book Moving Digital Dirt. Eggebraaten considers himself more than a serial dirt entrepreneur and a Dirt Bag Podcaster, so he used that momentum to springboard into becoming an author too.
The book “The Digital Dirt World” is now available on Amazon and is for a very small audience, according to Eggebraaten.
“This book is written for about 1% of people. We’re taking a deep dive into the fundamentals of digital marketing for construction companies,” Eggebraaten said. “This is for the construction management student that wants to understand how to market a construction company. I’m writing to the innovative and curious 63-year-old septic company president, who inherited the business from his great-grandfather and is motivated to keep it running and well-branded for future generations.”
Bobby Adkins, iTankData, joins The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Ken Lavin to discuss how time is money. Adkins explains how their software is allowing companies to access real data on their phones and laptops in order to see uptime, downtime and other metrics.
“CFOs get it in a blink. Operational guys figure it out. Field guys they love it too cause it makes it a little easier on their lifestyle,” Adkins said.
Raw costs of production, downtime, pulling units are just a couple areas cited as examples of what their software detects.
“You can punch in your own data whether it is a 6 barrel a day well or 60 barrel a day, maybe it’s much larger with a horizontal,” Adkins said. “We are in 18 states and working with oil companies, chemical companies and even salt water. This also helps with pick ups and deliveries in real time fashion. These digital tools allow you to see your physical return.”
iTankData has 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Services include remote tank level monitoring technologies and well site data. They also serve operators with daily needs in the oilfield, along with current information technology allows us to identify an operator’s cost and time lag issues.
The Voice of West Texas Kris Moore leads a discussion on energy issues and empowering women in oil and gas.Franki Osburn gives advice for new women working in industry. The interview is conducted by The Voice of West Texas Kris Moore. Franki, a single mother of three, talks about her support system for her three children and how the industry has become a surrogate family.
Kenley Nebeker, TrainND and Levi Perkins, Perkins Electric Innovations with an update on EVolution Hybrid.
In the fourth part of this series following EVolution Hybrid, a project integrating a traditional semi truck with a combustion engine with a EV battery and electric vehicle technology we get an update on the engine features, roadblocks and successes.
In this exclusive interview with Levi Perkins, Perkins Electric Innovation, and Kenley Nebeker, TrainND Northwest, the two discuss how EVolution Hybrid is ready to take on these traditional challenges, plus a couple anticipated ones too.
In Part Three the challenge is towing and range anxiety.
“If we have a greater amount of weight that we are towing or resistance whether it be a vertical incline or bad roads or a low tire, just things that will impact how much power we are using and increase the amount of amperage by the motor, and that would consume the battery quicker.”
Towing creates conversations about torque as well.
“The electric motors we are using they can build what we call Peak Torque at a really low if not zero RPM,” Perkins said. “This is different from a reciprocating piston where your peak torque could be at a specific RPM usually in the RPM range.”
Music heard on The Crude Life Week in Review is written and performed by Alma Cook of Cook Compliance Solutions. Support her music career at www(dot)hearalma(dot)com.
Featured Music: Alma Cook
Click here for Alma Cook’s music website
Click here for Alma Cook’s day job – Cook Compliance Solutions
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About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Spread the word. Support the industry. Share the energy.
Follow on YouTube
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Click on picture for BIG SAVINGS! Check out these Amazing American Environmental Entrepreneurs! Don’t forget that the promo code OTIS unlocks big big savings!
if link is broken, use promo code OTIS at www.mystore.com and www.mypillow.com
Submit your Article Ideas to The Crude Life! Email studio@thecrudelife.com
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
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Kunal Patel is a senior business economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas joins The Crude Life’s founder Jason Spiess for an update on the oil and gas activity in the 11th District, including the Permian Basin, Eagleford and Haynesville basins in Texas.
Growth in the oil and gas sector stalled out in first quarter 2023, according to oil and gas executives responding to the Dallas Fed Energy Survey. The business activity index—the survey’s broadest measure of conditions facing Eleventh District energy firms—was 2.1 in the first quarter, down sharply from 30.3 in fourth quarter 2022. The near-zero reading indicates activity was largely unchanged from the prior quarter, a break from the more than two-year stretch of rising activity.
Oil and natural gas production increased at a slower pace compared with the prior quarter, according to executives at exploration and production (E&P) firms. The oil production index remained positive but declined to 10.5 in the first quarter from 25.8 in the fourth. Similarly, the natural gas production index fell to 7.4 from 29.4.
Firms reported rising costs for a ninth consecutive quarter as all series remained significantly above their averages. Among oilfield services firms, the input cost index was roughly unchanged at an elevated 61.6. Among E&P firms, the finding and development costs index slipped to 46.8 from 52.5. Additionally, the lease operating expenses index declined 11 points to 37.6.
The supplier delivery time index for all firms moved into negative territory, declining to -14.0 in the first quarter from 14.4 in the fourth. This is the first negative reading since fourth quarter 2020 and signals that it takes less time to receive materials and equipment relative to the prior quarter. Among oilfield services firms, the measure of lag time in delivery of services declined to zero from 20.0, suggesting delivery times for these firms are no longer increasing.
For oilfield services firms, the equipment utilization index slid 29 points to 3.9 in the first quarter. The operating margin index declined to 1.9 from 25.9. The index of prices received for services remained positive but declined to 25.0 from 43.6.
Indexes related to employment and hours worked eased in the first quarter. The aggregate employment index posted a ninth consecutive positive reading but dipped to 14.3 from 25.7. The aggregate employee hours index declined to 12.3 from 27.7 in the prior quarter. Meanwhile, the aggregate wages and benefits index edged higher, to 43.6 from 40.2.
The company outlook index turned negative in the first quarter, falling 27 points to -14.1. The overall outlook uncertainty index increased 23 points to 62.6, pointing to firms’ continued heightened uncertainty regarding their outlooks. Sixty-eight percent of firms reported greater uncertainty.
On average, respondents expect a West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price of $80 per barrel by year-end 2023; responses ranged from $50 to $160 per barrel. Survey participants expect Henry Hub natural gas prices of $3.43 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) at year-end. For reference, WTI spot prices averaged $68.51 per barrel during the survey collection period, and Henry Hub spot prices averaged $2.23 per MMBtu.
Next Dallas Federal Reserve Study will be released June 22, 2023
Other topics included in the interview:
– Companies are finding the factors behind cost increase and potential ways to reduce them.
– Explore new methods to attract younger workers to the industry, such as apprenticeships or training programs.
– Monitor the impact of new regulations on the industry’s performance and plan responses accordingly.
– Explore options for providing more work-life balance or flexible schedules for employees.
– Consider offering competitive compensation packages to attract and retain skilled workers.
– Investigate ways to improve the efficiency of processes to decrease the need for labor.
– Monitor cost inflation and global economic conditions closely and adjust strategies accordingly.
– ESG-related questions not included in survey, however the acronym has popped up in the past surveys and is often one of the concerns of oil and gas companies.
About the Survey: Data were collected March 15–23, and 147 energy firms responded. Of the respondents, 95 were exploration and production firms and 52 were oilfield services firms.
The Dallas Fed conducts the Dallas Fed Energy Survey quarterly to obtain a timely assessment of energy activity among oil and gas firms located or headquartered in the Eleventh District.
Firms are asked whether business activity, employment, capital expenditures and other indicators increased, decreased or remained unchanged compared with the prior quarter and with the same quarter a year ago. Survey responses are used to calculate an index for each indicator.
Each index is calculated by subtracting the percentage of respondents reporting a decrease from the percentage reporting an increase. When the share of firms reporting an increase exceeds the share reporting a decrease, the index will be greater than zero, suggesting the indicator has increased over the previous quarter.
If the share of firms reporting a decrease exceeds the share reporting an increase, the index will be below zero, suggesting the indicator has decreased over the previous quarter.
Jason Spiess
Let’s go to the Zoom Line where we’ve got Kaal Patel with us with the Dallas Federal Reserve. I forget which chapter. Which district it is. It is the 11th district. Seventh district. Which district? Canal?
Kunal Patel
Uh, we, we’re with the, the 11th
Jason Spiess
district. All right. Thank you very much for joining us. How are you doing today? By the way,
Kunal Patel
I’m doing great, Jason, how are you doing today?
Jason Spiess
You know, not too bad. I’m up here in the Dakotas and we’re starting to get our, uh, spring thaw coming in. We just got socked with two ft of snow like last week and then two days later it’s 50 degrees. So we might have another flood season on our hands. Who knows? Um, you’re down in Dallas. What, uh, what is 75 degrees today? Everything’s fine. People in shorts. What
Kunal Patel
Good guess on the 75. I think that, uh, we had a little bit of cold weather earlier a couple of days ago. So
Jason Spiess
You guys got hit too with a little bit of 40° weather. …
Kunal Patel
The funny thing is, I don’t even know if it got to 40. It might have been a little bit close to the 50s. It was definitely a surprise for April,
Jason Spiess
you know, not to editorialize here because that’s not why you’re brought in. But isn’t it funny on social media to see the different geographies and how they react to weather?
Kunal Patel
Oh, without a doubt. I, I think I had a friend growing up that would wear like shorts when it was like, 30° outside in Dallas and he’s from Canada. So it was kind of like, you know, it’s much more colder in Canada than it is here. It’s OK to wear shorts outside. Even when it’s 30°.
Jason Spiess
I can just remember like 10 years ago when social media first started becoming more national, if you will. And, uh, Dallas, when Dallas would get an inch of snow, you guys would shut the freeways down and everything. Of course, up in North Dakota, we laugh, we’re like an inch of snow. Great. Yeah. Ok. Walk to school today. And so it’s a, it’s a whole different, you know, uh, a geographical ball game when we look at these different things.
But that’s the way it is. You know, my son, you mentioned the shorts. You know, my son, he’s a teenager. He just turned 17 last week and he still wears shorts every day. It would be, I mean, we actually had to have a family meeting in case the car stalled and he’s in shorts that at least he’s got to bring with a pair of sweatpants because I get it that, you know, you get in the car, it’s warm, you walk outside for two seconds, you’re inside the building.
But, you know, if we get stuck in a snow bank and you’re in shorts and it’s minus 30 degree weather, we’re gonna go to jail. We don’t care about your legs. We’re more concerned about going to jail, son. So we had to have those conversations with them. Always,
Kunal Patel
always a good idea. I, I, during the winter time, I generally keep the jacket the summertime. You know, don’t, don’t need anything. Hopefully, it doesn’t get too hot in, in, in Texas, but always good to keep at least one jacket in the car. You never know when you need
Jason Spiess
it. Speaking of hot in Texas, uh, most of the oil and gas activity seems to be coming out of Texas, at least the, uh, oil activity. I know Pennsylvania is very big in the gas activity. But, uh, when we’re taking a look at the Permian basin and the Eagle Ford, the Haynesville, I’m not sure if the wolf camp came up in the survey or not. But, uh, let’s go ahead and take a look at the recent survey that came out.
March 29th is available at the Dallas, uh, fed dot org if you’d like to go ahead and take a look at this survey. But, uh, what’s kind of the, the quick takeaway for those if you’re an oil exec or you’re an investor. Uh What’s, what’s the takeaway for those people?
Kunal Patel
So the, the main takeaway and let me take a step back just in case like, uh I think there’s quite a few that are familiar with the survey, but it is, you know, in this latest survey we did survey 100 and 47 upstream oil and gas firms, the data was collected from March 15th to the 23rd. Um 95 were exploration of production firms. 52 were oil and gas support services firms generally known as services firms.
And we, we have these indexes that kind of give you an idea whether there’s an expansion or a contraction over the prior quarter. It gives an idea of direction and, and the main takeaways is that many of you noticed that there’s been an expansion over the past like two plus years. And the latest activity index is suggesting that the expansion since she is, I mean, it was kind of like stall out.
Uh the index came in close to zero. So it’s kind of indicating the activity was just largely unchanged from the prior quarter. Uh The other key takeaways, many of, you know, this, you know, cost they could just continue to increase. Um We did see a little bit of easing in the supply chain for this, this current quarter. Um employment growth that continues, but it does suggest maybe it’s a, a little bit slower than in prior quarters.
But that wage inflation continues to remain if I was to leave off 11 another big, big takeaway, just the executives have started to, you know, their outlook. It, it turned negative again. This is a quarter of a quarter. So compared to where they were last quarter, they’re a little bit more pessimistic. Um And then when it comes to uncertainty, they significantly more uncertain.
I think what we saw in this latest quarter was, of course, you know, a softening in commodity prices, both oil and natural gas. And then of course, in our comment section, uh if the executives allow us to publish their comments, um they’re anonymous, but they, they can give you an idea of the, the um reasons for them to be uncertain whether it’s cost inflation, whether it’s continuing to be labor and material shortages, uh or it just could be price volatility.
Um And of course, uh there’s a lot on the regulatory environment. So a, a lot of takeaways. Uh I try to shorten it down as much as I could, but I think that’s, those are the main takeaways from our latest survey.
Jason Spiess
You know, one of the memories that was going through my head when you were talking was, you know, we started the conversation with Dallas and I’ve been to Dallas a few times and, and I’ve been to a few um skyscrapers down there. A lot of oil and gas companies have skyscrapers in Dallas. And um that’s where the corporate offices are. Houston, Dallas, et cetera, Denver, I guess would be another place.
But, uh, in Dallas, I, I specifically remember one company and I, and I’m not gonna mention their name because that I don’t want to take away from the story, but there was four, they got at least be making six figures if you’re, you know, you’re, if you, if you’re ac suite executive. So I, I figure there’s close to a million dollars worth of salaries in this room.
And I’m trying to explain to them that, you know, the oil and gas industry really is going down the path of cigarettes and coal and just being targeted in a very public anti, you know, pr way. And I basically got escorted out of the office with security. I mean, boy, they didn’t want to hear that nothing to do with it. And now that, you know, a week later the Wall Street Journal had a headline that said oil and gas is the new cigarettes or something like that. And I thought, yeah, someone
else says that they, they hear it. I’m hearing more and more people really start to. This sentiment is picking up more and more that they’re right. Really getting concerned now that this might become a reality where the image of oil and gas is not as popular as they once thought. Uh, did that come up in your survey at all? Uh the the industry image impacting any part of the industry because I’m hearing it up here in the Bakken. …
Kunal Patel
So, so we, we, we did not ask like a specific like question around this. Um uh Obviously the topic has come up from time to time and we, we do have these anonymous executive comments and, and they do kind of reference, uh you know, the sentiment that the industry has from, let’s say whether it’s the public or the government or from, even from uh financial providers.
Um some of it could be just, uh there’s just, it, it could, it could be something related to as, you know, E S G, but sometimes it could just be just a, a view about fossil fuels in general, but we actually did not ask any like specific questions. So it kind of falls outside like the, the study in many times is purely about, you know, the, what’s the activity um in oil and oil and gas, you know, what’s the employment, what’s happening to costs?
Um uh But the sentiment can make a difference, right? Um uh Sentiment can impact as, you know, uh financing, it can impact valuations. Um uh but, but, you know, the, you know, the, the comments do kind of touch on some of this maybe, but they don’t, they don’t, I guess call it out as much as it, they kind of mentioned it,
Jason Spiess
you know, the, um the E S G s part of it and, and some of those investment parts, um, that I definitely can see, but even part of some of the workforce actually is where I was more or less coming from with the question because it seems a lot of the younger generation just isn’t really coming into the industry.
And in, in North Dakota anyways, they’re already talking about looking overseas to like the Ukraine or Poland or some other places to bring in some workers. And so, uh how about from like the workforce side of things I did, did that sentiment come up in, in there at all?
Kunal Patel
So the most one that we could kind of correlate to one of the questions we asked, we did ask, it’s a one off question. It was which of the following is the primary factor causing worker shortages in the oil field. And we asked this question because pretty much for the last two years, every energy surveyed in the comment section, there’s at least two or three comments around uh challenges, you know, securing labor, um turnover, wage, inflation and so on and so forth.
So we get 128 responses. Again, they were asked to pick the primary factor. Um the first most picked act uh choice was cyclical nature of the industry. You know, that kind of covers the, the the price volatility that we’ve seen over the past, let’s say 15 years. Um but the second most picked one which was picked by 27% was a perception of limited career potential due to the energy transition.
But kind of debate, what would be the right choice to kind of capture this? Could it just be like you mentioned, is it just The the sentiment about the industry itself? We thought though, since it was a job-related question, we’d ask about limited career potential. Again, 27% are other choices. Um you know, lack of work life balance and flexible work schedule that got less than 10%.
But you hear a lot about it where people would like to work from home for some days of the week or like to have a flexible work schedule. That’s really not the, the jobs in the oil which are 60 plus hours. Um We have compensation in other industries, maybe the compensation in the others are, are getting better, less than 10% less attractive work locations as you know, you were mentioning Dallas and Houston and Denver, but many of these oil fill jobs are not in these cities, especially
if you’re working for oil services. Um And so I think everyone would agree that, you know, you know, people like to live in, some people like to live in bigger cities, maybe it’s less, less attractive again, less than 10%. Um and then inability to pass drug test and, or background check that was actually the lowest. Um But, you know, when we look through the comments.
Uh you know, I think there was one that kind of caught me. It was like currently finding skilled labor is our biggest challenge. Rates of pay have risen to the point that they’re diminishing our gross margins and competitors are over paying sometimes paying to the point of offering raises based on the ability to steal the work from our customers.
Um in some cases, it is close to a 30% bump in wages. So there is a lot of wage inflation. Um Some, another person wrote many left the in 2020 are not coming back either due to the age to their age or the booms and busts. Um And, and, and so there is, and, and I guess they also had perceived energy transition concerns seemed less impactful than the overall perception of for work. So each person kind of has kind of debated, You know, what, what is really, really driving it.
Um but like you mentioned, I think the most big answer was the cyclical nature of the industry at the other day. Like I think people looking for a career, right? And if you had the the oil price fell in 2009, 2020. Um And even today, there’s a lot of volatility in the price of oil. I think that can also impact whether you see it as a long term
Jason Spiess
career. It’s interesting too because when I take a look at like the last 10, 12 years when, you know, I, I’m a media guy that happens to be covering oil and gas at the end of the day. So, you know, I, I had to learn kind of that, that cyclical nature and how companies react and how companies kind of go. But in the world of uh artificial intelligence and in the world of uh uncertainty, whether it’s uh image or subsidies or Joe Biden or, you know, whoever they’re going to blame this week in
politics, whatever it might be, the bottom line is that this, this go round of the cyclical nature is different now, whether it’s a supply chain issue, they’ve handled those in the past, but that’s part of it. And I don’t remember the wages ever being an issue over the past 10 to 12 years. That one seems to be coming up at least up in the back. And, um, and in the rocky mountain region, even in the Marcellus, I’m hearing that the wages aren’t as high as what a lot of the entry level people
thought. And then the other kind of, uh, uh bizarre that I, I, I’m curious about is the skilled labor too because as we’re getting into the world of automation and we’re getting into the world of U A s and we’re getting to the world of E S G and scope and acronyms that we’ve never heard of before, whether it starts with a G or an H or a Q or A, or an elemental P, there’s all kinds of acronyms that the stock was another one I saw the other day Stock Act.
So it just, I think they start with the words and then they work their way backwards from there. I’m starting to realize that. But, uh, the question is this, uh, wages are the entry level wages, uh, the same, I guess that they’ve been, or did that come up in your survey? And then the skilled labor part too, is that changing at all? Do you see from this latest survey? …
Kunal Patel
So, uh, I think, I think it would be kind of hard for me to say like, you know, the, they do definitely mention the increasing wages and it continues to be a concern because the wages continue to increase at a very, very strong pace. I’m trying to think of in our last survey. I think someone actually referenced the amount, but it was either, let’s say about 10% or higher, which is pretty, pretty strong, pretty strong wage wage inflation.
And so there continues to be the strong wage inflation when it comes to jobs. As you know, there’s always been commentary that many of these jobs would go away would be placed by something automated. But I think the reality is that, um, you, you, you look at the jobs and today jobs are in total jobs. Our, our levels not seen since 2007 in Texas.
But additionally, what I should add though is the rig count is significantly lower. Um and so when it comes to these old field services jobs in some ways that employment is kind of mirroring that rig count. Um and then when it comes to the EMP jobs, there just isn’t as much of a need for as much planning um and monitoring of uh of wells because you can use technology to remote monitor them.
Um And then when it comes to planning, we, we, you know, shell development has been here since let’s say 2008 with each year, you know, you become more and more sure of, you know, what you’re gonna get from that specific well. And so these companies have been able to do with less employees what they used to do. So I think that’s kind of like the really skilled aspect um uh from, from the corporate perspective is also obviously skilled labor in the, in the oil field itself.
Um But I think that like a lot of it is just efficiency. These, these, these rigs are able to drill these wells significantly faster, they’re able to complete them significantly faster. You’ve heard of Si si, which is allowing them to, I believe my understanding, complete multiple wells at once. Pad drilling definitely helped on the drilling end.
That’s where you’ve seen that impact in terms of labor. Um I think to go back to your question on, on wages in other industries, it’s kind of hard sometimes to, to compare them. Um, because in the old food you’re gonna work 60 hours a week. There may also be overtime tie, I believe there is overtime tied with those additional hours. Uh, maybe in construction it’s, it’s, it’s less hours.
Um, and so there’s a lot of different things you have to consider, um, in terms of wages, in terms of overtime, in terms of a lifestyle. But what I think most people would agree with is that um I think coming out of the pandemic, I mean, sorry, coming out of the, the 2008 downturn, uh you know, oil bounced back pretty strongly. Um and so there was a lot of demand for these four workers um coming in today, there’s still, there’s a lot of demand for many other industries like construction.
Um and, and so it’s kind of hard to say that’s why we asked the question, you know, is it the wages that might be driving them away? They definitely did not put it as their primary, but it could be a secondary or, or third type of uh of of challenge …
Jason Spiess
inflation, supply chain issues. How about with those? Uh have we seen the prices stop? Are they still going up? Are they going backwards? And um what are people talking about with that?
Kunal Patel
So for so when it comes to cost inflation, they continue to see that cost inflation So we have these indexes that kind of compare this quarter versus the the last and within services, that index remains elevated And unchanged, suggesting that those input costs going into services continue to remain, continue to, to increase um at a, at a similar pace with an EMP you know, elevated but slightly slowing in terms of uh uh uh uh of those increases.
So cost inflation continuing, you may see it slow compared to the really strong pace we saw in 2022. I think most would say that it will slow. Um but it may still be above what most would obviously want. I think from the various earnings calls that are out there from publicly listed E MP firms, you know, at 10% is kind of what’s kind of thrown out there for inflation this year and then when it comes to the supply delivery time index that was negative.
So an easing of supply chain issues, essentially the time to receive Uh your delivery from suppliers was was less this quarter versus last. But that that’s the supplier delivery time. The index suggests it’s been increasing since the fourth quarter of 2020. It is kind of debatable. Why did it decrease? Could it just be that it takes time?
Do you know when you put in an order to receive the equipment? It could be that and it may be that the equipment, a lot of it came in the first quarter, it could be also that since activity didn’t continue to increase, uh maybe that provided some relief for this supplier inputs to arrive faster than previously. …
Jason Spiess
What do you think the biggest concern is for the oil and gas operator right now? Down in, down in the permian, down in the Texas area? Is it, is it um uncertainty or, or is there anything specifically? I guess that jumps out as a concern?
Kunal Patel
So we did ask this question um which was which of the following do you believe will have the most influence on the profitability of your firm this year? The the the top two choices that they pick, again, they were only allowed to pick their top one. But cost inflation got 30% of responses and health of the global economy got 30%. So cost inflation very straightforward, they’ve been dealing with very strong cost increases.
Um I think there has been uncertainty of course, on what will costs look like this year. I think last year the the the expect expected cost, inflation was much smaller than what actually occurred. Um And so cost inflation very near very close to their, their operations, something that they are likely uncertain about. Um The other one is the health of the global economy. Uh Again, that can also impact commodity prices. Um I think there are quite a few comments around just concern
about what may happen to the global economy. Did this survey was right after the, the recent banking Uh um and not the right, it’s not sure what the right word to use, but essentially the the the developments in the banking sector, I think that started on March 10. Um and so that can also impact uh you know, that could increase your uncertainty, right? Because you just, you become a little bit uncertain about what, what may happen next. …
Jason Spiess
Do you guys um get into E S G at all? Um That um doesn’t seem like it’d be in your wheelhouse yet. It will be once it’s a little more established. But uh is that in the survey at all? Do you guys get into that much? …
Kunal Patel
It’s a great question. I mean, primarily, you know, it, it may come up in the commentary um as you know, E S G though has been here for quite some time. And so I think when E S G like the started, there was a lot more comments. Um but recently they just haven’t called it just E S G, they may just say something related to sentiment or to financing, but calling out E S G specifically, uh doesn’t happen as much we have.
I don’t believe we’ve ever asked a specific question on E S G. I think he kind of mentioned, you know, it’s like it’s still taking some time to kind of define and so writing the right question is kind of hard.
Jason Spiess
Well, you’re, you’re, you’re kind of in a role where you can’t do anything with it yet. Like you can’t go on official record with it. You, you can’t really, because the fed, you guys have to kind of, you got, you got procedures and rules and protocols, you got to go through before you can just start. You can’t be like, you know, Kevin o’leary Chuck and Molotov cocktails on Fox News.
You can’t do that. Uh We all want to do that kind of stuff but you know, that’s the type of the in the media we’re trained on, on certain, you know, ok, he’s a professor. He can’t really do this, he can’t do that to be respectful to us to, to don’t back him in a corner, you know, on live, on live radio or live television type of a thing.
So that’s why I phrase it the way I did that. I’m not even sure if you guys can even comment on that E S G. What do you guys have an official statement when some like let’s say I’m cold calling you from the media and I want to know about E S G. Do you guys even do anything with that yet? …
Kunal Patel
I, I think that um uh when it comes to E S G, you know, it really, it depends on what the specific question honestly is. Um And uh what happens is that like, we just haven’t asked a specific question around it. I’m not exactly sure what question we would ask to our survey participants. Um But they will comment from time to time about the impact of E S G on their business.
Um I, I think that like, I, I’ve read that they are working to create, like it’s called E S G scores. Uh Companies are working to kind of integrate E S G into their um various practices, but there’s nothing too specific and it just again, depends. I think a lot of times on the question and
Jason Spiess
folks, if you, if you go to the crude life dot com, um we’ve got past interviews with Kaal Patel and E S G has come up in the past, but I, I noticed it didn’t come up in this survey very much. And what made me kind of go go off on this little tangent, I guess was the last question, which of the following do you believe will have the most influence on your profitability of your firm this year?
Uh The first one, as you mentioned, cost inflation 30% 2nd half of the global economy and then the, the fourth was access to and cost of capital last year. That would have said something to do with E S G without a doubt. There’s no question about it. So I see where that’s kind of, it’s changed and evolved and people have either gone away from it or it’s gotten out of their vernacular, but also supply chain issues.
I’d put in cost inflation too. Boy, that’s, those are definitely related. Um ok, so getting back to the survey here, um what do you want people to kind of walk away from this knowing as, as far as if they’re preparing their business? Because there’s so much uncertainty out there. What is certain, …
Kunal Patel
I, I think that, um, so there’s a lot of uncertain certainty out in, in the oil field. Uh I, I think a lot of times though they find certainty in, um, they know what the price of oil is. Um, there’s the, they, they, they, they, they know that, um, there’s a lot of challenges ahead. I, it, it’s, I think that like the, the main thing when they read through this is they kind of can understand what executives are thinking, um, in regards to whether it’s the uncertainty or the outlook.
Um, it’s kind of hard to say though, like, in terms of like takeaways, like what, what, what, um, an executive should think. I think that, I think many people though within, uh, the oil gas space have felt uncertain. I mean, I don’t, I don’t think that’s anything that’s different. Um, I think it’s, it’s the, the future of fossil fuels has always been a topic of, of uncertainty, you know, we’ll be, be using fossil fuels in 10 years, 20 years, 50 years.
Um, but I think that, like, what we have to see is, you know, how, how does this evolve. I think what we, we do know right now is that there is there is quite a lot of cost inflation, at least, maybe we got some relief on the supply chain and uh the the outlook has turned a little bit negative, but you know, sometimes it may be related to the the price of oil and the price of natural gas. And of course, uncertainty is really high.
And so I think we just kind of have to see throughout this year. Do do some of these questions around our uncertainty kind of get answered or did they not? I think the topic that always comes up is the under investments in the oil and gas industry. Um And, uh, but we have to see what impact that has. I think that that under investments may be related just to uncertainty at the end of the day. …
Jason Spiess
Well, one thing that’s certain is that North Dakota is definitely probably gonna flood this year. We just got an email from Governor Berg who’s declaring a statewide emergency for spring flooding, direct state resources to be on standby. Hi. So you might be hearing about us in the news this week. Canal Patel from the Dallas Federal Reserve. We started the interview talking about the potential of a spring flood up here and we’re ending the interview with an email from the
governor declaring a statewide emergency for spring flooding. Well, it looks like we’re gonna be doing some sand bagging of a different kind uh, this year up here. So. Well, sir. Uh I appreciate the time today. And when’s the next survey coming out? And, uh, what kind of information should people know about this one where they can find it and all that good stuff? We’ll have the links at the crude life. But, uh what type of information do you want people to know?
Kunal Patel
Definitely. And of course, uh, stay safe, Jason, it’s always good talking with you. I think that we’ve, we’ve talked many times in the past our, our second quarter release scheduled for Thursday, June 22nd 9 30 AM. Uh, as always, we’ll have some new special questions we’ll ask and then of course we’ll have our regular indexes, but definitely do check it out. It’s on the Dallas fed dot org website and you just go out to surveys and choose the energy survey or you can find it in many,
many other places just straight through Google. Um, but June 22nd 9 30 AM. Uh, it’s a Thursday. Um, uh, and, uh, definitely look out for it. We always appreciate, uh, the, the wide readership that we get, whether it’s people in the industry, people in government, people in academia or, and of course, reporters. Yeah.
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About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
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Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
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Kenley Nebeker, executive director of TrainND Northwest and president of the TrainND Foundation, joins The Crude Life and ESG University founder Jason Spiess on KLXX 1270AM SuperTalk’s Talk of the Town with Steve Bakken to talk about the new non profit that legislators and UAS leaders to “promote autonomous efforts in the state”.
the potential of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and how drones can be adopted for mosquito and weed spraying. Trinity Northwest is committed to providing a pathway for people to get their aerial application license. The speakers shared insights on how fast-track programs in nursing and drone spraying can provide entry points for people to gain skills and potentially progress into higher-level positions. Additionally, the meeting discussed the potential for providing local hospitals with enough CNA staff to eliminate the need for hiring traveling CNAs.
Other interview topics include:
– Attend training sessions to learn how to fly drones and learn how to make a great market use of them.
– Consider entering the drone industry as there is still plenty of unrealized potential.
– Research the legal process and requirements for legally spraying chemicals using drones.
– Consider the opportunity to obtain a Part 107 license for flying drones commercially.
– Evaluate opportunities in the drone spraying industry.
– Explore fast-track programs for nursing assistant training.
– Look for entry-level positions in the medical industry to gain experience.
– Research hospital partners that offer job opportunities in nursing and healthcare.
– Raise funds for CNA scholarships.
– Offer CNA training responsive to workforce needs.
– Offer frontline safety leadership courses to develop necessary skills to create an effective safety culture in companies.
To contact Kenley Nebeker, email kenley.nebeker@willistonstate.edu
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About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Content Communications Line Sponsor: The Last American EntrepreneurLook at what’s happened to me.
I can’t believe it myself.
Suddenly I’m down at the bottom of the world.
It should have been somebody else
Believe it or not, I’m walking on air.
I never thought I could feel so free-e-e.
Barterin’ away with some wings at the fair
Who could it be?
Believe it or not it’s just me
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Click here of The Last American Entrepreneur’s website
Studio Email and Inbox Sponsor: The Carbon Patch Kids
The Carbon Patch Kids are a Content Story Series targeted for Children of All Ages! In the world of the Carbon Patch Kids , all life matters and has a purpose. Even the bugs, slugs, weeds and voles.
The Carbon Patch Kids love adventures and playing together. This interaction often finds them encountering emotional experiences that can leave them confused, scared or even too excited to think clearly!
Often times, with the help of their companions, the Carbon Patch Kids can reach a solution to their struggle. Sometimes the Carbon Patch Kids have to reach down deep inside and believe in their own special gift in order to grow.
The caretakers of Carbon Patch Kids do their best to plant seeds in each of the Carbon Patch Kids so they can approach life’s problems with a non-aggressive, peaceful and neighborly solution.
Carbon Patch Kids live, work and play in The Industrial Forest.
Click here for The CarbonPatchKids’ website
Featured Music: Alma Cook
Click here for Alma Cook’s music website
Click here for Alma Cook’s day job – Cook Compliance Solutions
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April is Financial Literacy Awareness Month and The Crude Life has one of the best in the business CNBC’s Brian Sullivan. This interview is from when $100 oil was new and prices were out of control. Sullivan reacts to his trip to the Bakken oil fields in 2016.
Jason Spiess: Just so we can get some context for the interview. Tell me about your first trip to the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota.
Brian Sullivan: First trip to North Dakota was 2013 when things were really heating up. We wanted to go see how Williston and the Bakken region was dealing with the boom. I’ve been through this business enough to have seen some booms, like the Internet boom. Sadly I’ve been doing this now for over 20 years in financial journalism.
I wanted to see how they dealt with the boom and met some key players and spoke to some locals. It was a classic growth story of ‘we can find enough of this’ or ‘find enough of that’. I’ll never forget one of the cool anecdotes from that Bakken trip, I stayed at this hotel, which you’ll have to forgive me because I forgot the name, but now it is a Ramada. I think it was sold (after that Bakken trip). Anyway, it was on a dirt road because the hotel developer wanted to put the thing up but the town was slower than the developers because there was so much growth happening. So I have this rental car on sort of driving on this dirt driveway. (laughs)
This was a brand new hotel and it was nice, but it was also like $400-a-night. I was shocked by not only the level of growth, but the level of cost. How much everything cost. It was just shocking. We were up there for about 2 days, then we came back to the studio and returned to the oil fields in December of 2014.
Brian Sullivan is anchor of CNBC’s “Last Call” (M-F, 7PM-8PM ET), which broadcasts from CNBC Global Headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J. He is also Senior National Correspondent for the network, covering some of the nation’s biggest stories.
Most recently, Sullivan was anchor of CNBC’s “Worldwide Exchange” (M-F, 5AM-6AM ET). Prior to that, he was co-anchor of CNBC’s “Power Lunch”(M-F, 1PM-3PM ET).
In his 25 years of financial journalism and television experience, Sullivan has reported from five continents. He has been twice nominated for the prestigious Loeb Award; one for being recognized as among the first financial journalists to highlight the risks of the housing bubble in 2007, and the other for the 2013 CNBC documentary “America’s Gun: The Rise of the AR-15.”
Prior to CNBC, Sullivan served as an anchor at Fox Business News as well as a producer, reporter and anchor for Bloomberg Television.
Sullivan has a B.A. in political science from Virginia Tech, where he serves on the Alumni Board, as well as a law degree from Brooklyn Law School. In his free time, he is an avid race car driver with two SCCA divisional championships.
Brian Sullivan
Brian Sullivan B, Ria N S U L L I VA N I am the co hosts of the C NBC program, Power Lunch from 1 to 3 PM eastern time Monday through Friday. I am, I have just returned from my third trip to the bake up in Williston, North Dakota, Tioga, Ray, North Dakota to dig further into the oil and energy story.
Jason Spiess
So, uh let’s talk about your first trip out there if you wouldn’t mind. I mean, if you want to start by with the most recent information, that’s fine. But uh just for a little context, I guess I was kind of wondering about your first trip out to North Dakota. 1st
Brian Sullivan
Trip to North Dakota was October of 2013 when things are really heating up and we wanted to go see, how how Williston sort of the Bakken region was dealing with the boom. Uh I’ve been through this business enough to have seen some booms like the internet boom. I’ve been doing this now for Sadly over, I guess this is my 20th year um in financial journalism.
And so when they dealt with the boom and we met some key players and spoke with some locals and it was just a classic growth story of things. Can’t, you know, we can’t find enough of this. We can’t find enough of that. I’ll never forget. One of the cool anecdotes is that I stayed in this hotel and you forgive me. I can’t remember the name of it. It’s now a Roma uh I think it was sold, it was on like a dirt road because the hotel developer, you know, wanted to put the thing up.
But, you know, the town is slower to put the roads down because there’s so much growth. But, you know, you get this rental car, you’re sort of driving on this uh this dirt driveway, You know, to a brand new hotel and the hotel was, was nice, but it was also, I think $400 a night, you know, and I was just sort of, I was shocked by, by just not only the level of growth but just the level of cost, I mean, how
much everything costs. Um It was just shocking to me. So we were up there for, for, you know, two days or whatever we were and came back and then we returned in December of 2014 …
Jason Spiess
And 2014. That was two years ago. So oil prices were probably around that $60 range if my memory serves me right, the bottom hadn’t fallen out at that point yet. But the, but the beginning had start. Uh you started hearing oil companies talking about changing their, their operations in 2015. I can recall Lynn Helms uh director for the North Dakota uh Mineral Resources.
Start to give that kind of ominous warning during the uh annual meetings in October of 2013, I wanna say, or 14. Um when you went back out there, December 2014, what was the activity like then? Was it still dirt roads at $400 a night? Ramada or had it changed a little bit?
The Crude Life sponsored Kids and Capitalism creating access and opportunities for Kidtrepreneurs like Otis (left) to learn and interview professionals like Sullivan (right).Brian Sullivan
Yeah, it was, I can’t remember what the name of it was. No. Listen, you’re right. I mean, the price of oil had come down dramatically very quickly starting in October. So that’s why we wanted to go, what’s going to happen here. Listen, it’s not a complicated story globally or in North Dakota or it doesn’t matter where you are just look at the production numbers versus demand numbers and you see that the world has too much oil and hard to believe we came from peak oil a few, you know,
decades ago to now too much oil. But we went there to kind of see where the follow up was. Things were still humming along because the price of oil has only been down for a couple of months and everybody was fully committed. Contracts were in drilling activity was high. We sat down, had dinner with a bunch of locals and various businesses. And, you know, they were all of course, very optimistic, you know, as you would imagine that entrepreneurs are going to be, I mean, to be an
entrepreneur, I think you have to be an optimistic person. Uh But, but it was also a sort of a sense of, I mean, it’s just some respect because we met some nice people up there. Everyone was kind of like we’re gonna be fine, everything’s fine, it’s gonna recover oil bounce back. I wasn’t quite so sure. I mean, you know, I’m just a journalist but you look at the numbers and you’re thinking there’s a lot of gap there to make up in terms of oversupply.
Things are still, things are still expensive. Hotels still in the 300 buck range um restaurants, there’s a couple of nice places there. We’ve done, we’ve been to this place called the Williston Brewing Company, kind of the nicest restaurant in town all three times. I met the owner had him on the show and he’s a very successful entrepreneur by the way in Minneapolis and other places. But you know, we went there and the menus were expensive and the restaurants were crowded and um I
mean, they were still humming along because because the price had just come down and there was a great expectation that it was going to recover very quickly. I also do remember that it was -20. I never been so cold in my life. I grew up in southern California. Um, it was negative 20 and obviously it hasn’t happened. And so we paid a visit to him, uh, last week to kind of figure out, you know, the third stage.
Jason Spiess
Ok. So last week you, you went back to the Bakken and you did? Ok. So let’s, let’s same question. Uh, now you’re back to the, uh, dirt roads. $300 400 dollar a night, Rama. What, what, what was the new normal? Because I’m actually doing a story. Oh, hang on one second.
I’m, I’m 29. I’m sorry, one second here. Um I, I’m actually doing a story called uh The New Normal is what we’re calling it right now. Uh talking about some of these new communities. So I guess, yeah, I mean, what was the new normal? Uh, 100 and 29 you were saying?
Brian Sullivan
Yeah, I paid 129 a night for, for the hotel that was in the 300 the last time I was there. Here’s the weird irony that, and this isn’t even me saying this, this is the restaurant owner from the brewing company and others who live there, which is the last two times I was there. There wasn’t enough of anything, there wasn’t enough hotel rooms, there wasn’t enough restaurants, there wasn’t enough cranes for the oil rig, there wasn’t enough anything.
Now there’s suddenly too much of everything and there’s too many hotel rooms, there’s too many restaurants. There’s something like 33 restaurants now in Williston, North Dakota, that’s what this restaurant owner was telling us. Marcus Johnson’s name J UN D T. And there’s, you know, and new hotel is opening up. So there’s a glut of rooms.
There’s a glut of hotels. We met a guy the first time we were there. Really nice guy named Andy, uh in J OS who owns Dakota West Crane Company and they started with one crane, him and his cousin And they went down to Houston and drove this crane back, took him like a week and a half to drive this Crum and a crane. You know, I’m talking about these giant cranes, you know, with like, you know, 20 tires and stuff like that.
They go 50 mph back And they got up to nine cranes. And in fact, he went out to Columbia, South Carolina and drove a crane back, um, 45 mph from Columbia, South Carolina to to Williston took him 16 days a gate because he had to stop and get permitted and nothing was slow and gas problem. And now he’s down to four. So he went from 1 to 9 to four in the course of three years.
And, you know, and he’s, and he’s had to lay people off and they’re, they’re small business, a family business. They’re struggling to sort of, you know, keep things going. Um, so we went from, from not enough of anything to, too much of everything. And here’s the, here’s the sad reality of that type of world. If everybody Jason is half full, they’re all don’t. So, what’s gonna have to have happened is either we’re gonna see a recovery and we’re gonna see the rooms get filled back up
and the restaurants get filled back up and the apartments get filled back up, or There’s gonna be a lot of closing stuff down because you, you need to have businesses 75% full to really, to really stay in business. I don’t care what you are right.
Jason Spiess
You know, you, you, you bring up a very interesting point. I was just talking with uh a real estate uh commercial broker out of Minneapolis yesterday and he represents a number of firms out in the bakken. And what he was talking about was the drop in rents from 3000 down to 1000 to 1500. But not only do you have a drop in rents but you have a drop in occupancies. So actually your 75% projection is really more of a 25% projection.
And that if you don’t start to see some heads in the beds, you’re gonna start seeing some bankruptcies and possibly some uh you know, you know, some properties that are gonna be for sale because a lot of these people who own the buildings, they didn’t intend to be landlords. Did you see anything along those lines or hear any of those numbers, like I just said.
Brian Sullivan
Yeah. Well, listen, there’s a gigantic private equity firm called Colberg Kravis and Roberts. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of them? They’re colloquially referred to as K K R. They’re one of the biggest, most established private equity firms in the world. The, the, the, the book and movie Barbarians, the geek was about their takeover, Nabisco.
I mean, they’re a legend, you know, I mean, they’ve been around forever. They built a giant apartment community in Williston. I mean, for them to go to Williston, North Dakota, that number one says something, right? And this is a firm that does $20 billion deal. They went to Williston built a giant apartment community and uh we wouldn’t buy it, you know, listen again anecdotally.
So don’t quote me on this. You know, you can dig in the numbers yourself anecdotally didn’t look back to as many people there. And the guy we were with, who lived there, who’s a land developer like they’re getting killed and, and I think that they might have even left or sold off. You might want to do some research into that on your own. But the point is a giant New York private equity firm goes there and getting its real estate, you know, you know what handed to it.
The other thing too is that if you’ve got everything said empty or partially empty, it’s not good for crime. I mean, it’s not good for anything. Right. I mean, there’s, it looks, things get, things start to look run down again. The city, the people up there are wonderful. We made some good friends and Williston is going to be fine. Long term.
I want to make that point clear. I mean, Williston will continue to go on but they, they went through this huge building boom and you’re right. I mean, things have got to physically shut down. I mean, there’s, you can’t have that many restaurants in a town like that. I mean, you can’t have a half full restaurant. You, nobody will make it. Everyone will just kind of bleed along.
So there’s gonna have to be, uh, either a recovery and here’s the other thing too and, you know, you would know more about, I do, gosh, I’m not an oil and gas guy, by the way, I’m just a TV anchor who likes oil and gas and I’ve been covering it for a while. Is that even if the price of oil recovers to $100 tomorrow? I mean, are they gonna be able to get the people back If people have left, they found other jobs, you know, or they didn’t and maybe they’re, they’re less
willing to come back to Williston because they got, you know, they’ve lost 15,000 people in the county in the, in the course of a year. I mean, could they even get the rates back up.
Jason Spiess
Uh, you know, actually, that, that’s about a 12 to 16th month lag time. I did a story on that and I asked that specific question and it was, if oil prices went up to say $100 tomorrow, what would we, what would we look at for when the rigs would be back? And they said they would be about a 12 to 16 month, uh, time window. And that, that really resonated with me because what you’re saying is right that um some of these places, they got to take a look at their long term projections here and to say,
where are we at today? Because it might not be another year or year and a half until we actually can start seeing some projections that come near. What the originals were. How much money do we want to continue to shovel in this or do we want to cut our losses and move on? Um I wanted to ask you about some of the other shale plays as well. Uh You’re visiting some of these other shale plays. Uh What are you seeing in comparison to the activity when it comes to the Bakken? …
Brian Sullivan
Well, the activity is down everywhere, but I will say this, the permian base. Is that what you’re referring to the other physical place? Uh Yes. Yeah. The Permian is, is, is probably doing the best of all of them. Um And again, everybody’s hurting at this price point. But uh the Permian is the oldest play. Um I think the Texas operators kind of, uh some of them anyway, uh the diamond back is the pioneer, natural resources of the world.
They saw it coming, they started cutting costs early. Um And, you know, they can be, they can be profitable. Uh Some of these companies have told me that they’re profitable under $20 a barrel. And I mean, not much, but they are, in other words, they can, they, you know, they can continue to grow and to, you know, not maybe to expand but yet to survive without a problem.
Eagle Ford is a little more difficult. You know, it comes up in price and listen, you get these weird things that come out of Pennsylvania and stuff that’s more like North Dakota where it’s newer, it’s a more expensive land and, you know, you probably need A $60 number. I mean, again, you would know more beside you. But if you talk to oil companies as I have, I mean, first off, they’re very reluctant to tell you, you know, where they’re profitable.
No, I’m gonna say like it’s $62.50. You know, just that rarely happens if ever. But you know what you hear from, from people up there is I asked the guy at work in a rig, I mean, you know, and he’s a manager of one of the 33 remaining drilling rigs up there. He said 65 is a nice number. I pressed him on it, you know, 65 is a nice number. But around the country, yeah, 50, 40, you can make money in some places.
But if, if you’re a late bloomer to this game, no matter where you are and you paid a lot of money for land and mineral rights cruises And didn’t manage your balance sheet. Well, you’re in trouble and I’ve said on my show that 40 is not much better than 30 for a lot of these companies. It’s, they’re, they’re losing less money, but they’re still losing money.
Jason Spiess
So look, look, look at this from the big, a
Brian Sullivan
big play, by the way, you had a big, sorry to interrupt. You had a big play today. The former $14 billion company called Lin Energy L I N N $14 billion company three years ago based today came out and said, we don’t know if we can continue to exist. Wow, They use the term going concern. That’s, you probably know that’s the business concern. We are question something like we are questioning our ability to continue as a going concern.
That’s accounting term. Basically saying not sure we can pay the bills. They deferred a debt payment. This was a $14 billion dollar company three years ago and that’s why I got involved in this story. It’s not just that I enjoy oil and gas, that the debt levels, the debt angle to the story is the one that, that has not been told or was really understood a couple of years ago.
And that’s why this is different than previous booms and busts because of the amount of debt that was taken on by companies and individuals. I mean, look at the State of North Dakota, you got a billion dollar budget shortfall. How is that possible? Didn’t, did they save anything? No. …
Jason Spiess
So um one of the reasons I got interested in this story, um which is known as the Shale Play was, was because of the change that something felt different. Much like how you gravitated to it because this, this play does seem different. And when I heard uh John Gibson, the former uh CEO of One Oak tell me who I’ve interviewed and he told me that there writing their business plan.
So did Harold Hamm um James Volcker from Whiting, alluded to the same thing when I started hearing these men of that caliber, tell me they’re rewriting their business plan. The first thing I thought of in all honesty was my industry, the media. I’ve been in the media now for 2025 years is, and when the internet came around, I had to literally rewrite my whole business plan multiple, multiple times because you know, nobody would pay for it. And then how do you get them to pay for it?
And yada yada yada and then you started seeing uh the Los Angeles Times go out of business because, you know, after 100 years of being a successful company, the internet put them out of business. So, to me that’s what the shale revolution kind of reminded me of. Is this, this technology wave that is changing oil and gas to the tune to where the deepest pockets are gonna win. And, and I don’t know, I, I guess, uh, do you got any comments on that? I guess?
Brian Sullivan
Well, you know, I like the analogy actually. Um, I hadn’t thought of it before so I think it’s pretty, pretty good. I guess the idea would be this, I mean, it’s kind of like deerpoint media now. Print or TV doesn’t really matter. I mean, print ad rates can come down a lot more than, than I think, broadcast. But the point is the same is that the whole industry has changed and I, and I feel like, like with the oil producers, it’s kind of like, well, it’s just a matter of time before oil
recovers and goes higher again and, and it’s kind of like us saying, well, it’s just a matter of time before ad rates go higher again. What if they don’t, what if they don’t? And you have to operate your company like that and if they do great, if they don’t, then you’re prepared but you can’t assume price, you’re gonna go high. You know, it, I think we have, you know, recent bias because oil has been above 100 a barrel twice in the last five or six years.
If you go back 40 or 50 years and inflation at just the price of oil is like $40.45 bucks. I mean, that’s where oil wants to be. For the nineties. Oil did nothing. Right. I mean, and so for, for most of the 90s and so it’s, it’s entirely possible that just because oil has collapsed as much as it has that it’s not going to recover it, it may not. What if it doesn’t?
And I think if you’re running a company, you have to have, you know, you have to have a budget and, and an operating plan that says, what if oil is 40 to $45 for the next five years, how does the X Y Z corporation get through that? And that’s what you have to do. And the good news, I guess is that People are going to learn to operate a lot smarter and that, you know, if they can operate at 40 to 45 that if we see a turn, you know, that until labor rates go back up, that they’re going to be able to make
some money and possibly grow. So, but if they don’t be darn well, better be able to have your balance sheet in order. And if you took on a lot of debt and can’t renegotiate your debt or issue new equity or whatever it is, you’re in trouble. That’s why I said 40, I would go and 30 for some of the companies. … Uh
Jason Spiess
How are you doing on time? You got time for one or two more? Ok. Uh I wanted to ask you about the reverse ripple. Um, I, I, I did a story called the Bach and Ripple and explained how, you know, miles city and buildings and Rapid City and Minneapolis were really early um successors because of the distribution arteries that were set up. And just some of the, you know, three M out of Minneapolis made everything just so natural for the Bakken. They, they were an early victor in the, in the
success of the Bakken. Um Now there’s a reverse ripple that’s coming through. Um when it comes to the jobs that have been created and now the jobs that are being eliminated because of this volatility of price. Ok. That’s kind of the context behind it. So what, what, what do you see or do you get any comments when it comes to the reverse ripple? That oil and gas provides the job market or the American economy?
Brian Sullivan
Well, ok, so I’ve been very vocal in saying about about a year and a half ago, I came out and tweeted and said on the other, I thought the oils dropped of this magnitude was bad for the economy. And people were saying I was an idiot because you know, that’s low gas prices, low gas prices are good. Yes, low gas prices are good. But when you look at all the jobs that have been created in this industry over the last five or six years, keep in mind this was the only industry adding jobs during the
financial crisis. If you had a high school diploma and wanted a job and you were willing to bust your butt and freeze, freeze it off as well. You got in a car and went to Williston from wherever you were. You could make a good living if you worked hard for it. And that during the financial crisis, this was the industry that was growing. We’re talking tens or hundreds of thousands of good jobs.
And that’s why I’ve said that I don’t think that it’s a positive for America just because we have cheap gas. People aren’t going to buy a home because gas is cheap, right? They may change the car, they’re driving and drive more miles and maybe order an extra dessert at work. I’m not saying it doesn’t matter, it does. But also the hundreds of thousands of jobs that are going to be either lost or have their pay slashed does have a negative effect as well.
If you look at the national data, Texas and North Dakota had an outsized impact on the data in America when you say, oh things and that’s important psychologically, right? And if you look so the reverse ripple to your effect is this if you look at the data now. Ok, like we had retail sales data, but if you dug into it, you saw that gas stations were the only one really that was down big.
And that’s because it’s based on dollars and if gas is cheap because they bring in fewer dollars on an absolute basis. So it’s, now, it’s, now when you look at the monthly jobs numbers, what’s the only industry that’s losing jobs, mining? Which by the way is that the US government puts oil and gas under mining. So now, now it’s not going to bring America down. That’s not what I’m saying, but it does make the data look weaker and the data does reinforce psychology.
So if we’ve got this thing, sort of, it’s like if you had a B A B and then ad on your, you know, your grade point average is gonna come down even though you’re really an A and B student, you might have ac average all of a sudden and that’s kind of what oil and gas is doing right now, dragging things down, making things not look as good and, and, and it matters a lot
Jason Spiess
you mentioned about the uh some of the efficiencies in technology earlier, bringing some of the cost down and that sort of thing I wanted to ask you, are you seeing any um new companies emerging? Wow,
Brian Sullivan
that’s a good question. I can’t think of one off the top of my head, I’m sure there’s a lot of seismic type testing companies that matter. A lot, you know, that are coming out of the, you know, to your point, the technology has gotten so gone good. It’s like fishing. You know, you’re going to catch a fish though. Every time you put the hook in. It’s just how big the fish is going to be and how hard it’s going to be to reel it in.
But there’s no, there’s, there’s no empty hooks, there’s no dry holes anymore. I’m sure there’s some seismic companies and doing all kinds of computer aided testing. I haven’t seen them. I’ve got about 100 and 50 stock on this. Um, this, basically this stock screener. I built I track in real time using a program called, uh, and there’s some names that, you know, you look at you like, what do they do?
I probably should dig in a little more. But, um, it’s pretty ugly by the way over the last year. Uh, almost every of the, all of those 150 companies. Stocks are down pretty big. I mean, you look at Houston, I went down to Houston. I ran a stock screen. It was like 200 14 publicly traded companies in the Houston area and 100 and 68 of them were oil and gas related. You know, like it’s, I mean, Houston is a huge city and it’s diversified, but oil and gas will still the blood that pumps through
its veins, right? And I think we’re gonna see this. Not just the Williston story, I think it will. If oil stays low for a year or two, you’re gonna start to see it that those ripples. You talked about housing trucking rail pipes, All the pipe manufacturers. According to the American Petroleum Institute, there’s 300,000 companies that are directly or indirectly involved or benefiting from the oil and gas industry.
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About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
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Every March since 1987, Congress and U.S. Presidents have designated March as Women’s History Month. This year, The Crude Life celebrates and honors their accomplishments and contributions in history with interviews and stories that center around women’s experiences in industry.
The Crude Life believes women are vital in energy. Today more than ever. From a female’s point of view to intuition to specific skill sets, women are vital in energy.
Today’s women in industry are not only modern-day leaders, but truly are defining history as well. Everyone at The Crude Life is grateful for all your contributions to industry, to your communities and to our planet.
In this interview, host Jason Spiess talks to Mary Anderson, executive director, ABLE Inc. and Monte Besler, Frackinator Consulting, Williston, ND about ABLE Inc. and how it is impacting the Bakken oil fields. Anderson discusses the integration into the Bakken oil fields and some of the projects underway. Besler gives a first hand testimonial on how ABLE’s social services have allowed him to continue to work in the oil and gas industry.
Prior to 1984, people with intellectual disabilities were referred to the State Institution at Grafton, ND. During this time there were very few or no community supports available to people with intellectual disabilities and families. In 1980, the Association of Retarded Citizens of North Dakota filed a class action suit against the State of North Dakota, declaring that the state’s method of providing care for people with mental retardation violated their constitutional rights. In 1984, The North Dakota ARC won their lawsuit and people began going home. ABLE, Inc. was incorporated in October 1984 as a result of people moving back to their home communities. A southwest regional board established supports in the communities of Bowman, Dickinson and Hettinger.
Currently ABLE, Inc. supports nearly 100 people in their homes, work and in their communities. ABLE, Inc. employs approximately 150 support staff whose primary role is to discover who people are, who they love, what they enjoy and what enhances their lives. Discovery of all of these things about people happen through day-to-day supports as well as working with a team of family, friends, coworkers and community associates who support the life-long process of personal growth of all people.
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Submit your Article Ideas to The Crude Life! Email studio@thecrudelife.com
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Content Communications Line Sponsor: The Last American EntrepreneurLook at what’s happened to me.
I can’t believe it myself.
Suddenly I’m down at the bottom of the world.
It should have been somebody else
Believe it or not, I’m walking on air.
I never thought I could feel so free-e-e.
Barterin’ away with some wings at the fair
Who could it be?
Believe it or not it’s just me
The Last American Entrepreneur
Click here of The Last American Entrepreneur’s website
Studio Email and Inbox Sponsor: The Carbon Patch Kids
The Carbon Patch Kids are a Content Story Series targeted for Children of All Ages! In the world of the Carbon Patch Kids , all life matters and has a purpose. Even the bugs, slugs, weeds and voles.
The Carbon Patch Kids love adventures and playing together. This interaction often finds them encountering emotional experiences that can leave them confused, scared or even too excited to think clearly!
Often times, with the help of their companions, the Carbon Patch Kids can reach a solution to their struggle. Sometimes the Carbon Patch Kids have to reach down deep inside and believe in their own special gift in order to grow.
The caretakers of Carbon Patch Kids do their best to plant seeds in each of the Carbon Patch Kids so they can approach life’s problems with a non-aggressive, peaceful and neighborly solution.
Carbon Patch Kids live, work and play in The Industrial Forest.
Click here for The CarbonPatchKids’ website
Featured Music: Alma Cook
Click here for Alma Cook’s music website
Click here for Alma Cook’s day job – Cook Compliance Solutions
For guest, band or show topic requests, email studio@thecrudelife.com
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Mark Marmo, CEO of Deep Well Services is hiring 150+ employees right now. We are talking rookies to admin positions to experienced veterans.
Deep Well Services (DWS) is an API/Q2 registered technology and training company that specializes in high-pressure, long lateral, and multi-well completion and workover operations.
Established in 2008, the DWS family has grown from their small-town Appalachian roots to becoming a premier OFS company for over 70 different E&Ps across North & South America.
Driven by patented data analytics systems and IADC globally accredited training programs, DWS is focused on the continued development and innovation of the most advanced Hydraulic Completion Service on the market today.
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Below is the raw, unedited transcript from our artificial intelligence translator.
Mark Marmo
Mark Marmo from Deep Wells Services.
Jason Spiess
Excellent. Thank you for joining the program here today. As we go to our phone line out to the east coast west Virginia phone number, pennsylvania. I thought email address. I wasn’t sure. So which part of the country are you in today, sir?
Mark Marmo
We are. Well, the company’s located out of pennsylvania. Okay. We have yards in the Haynesville also.
Jason Spiess
Okay. Of course the reason for the interview here is you got some pretty exciting news at least in the oil and gas industry. It is because it sounds like you guys are doing some hiring and that is kind of a rare thing these days where people seem to be figuring out how to find business. So you went out and secured some business. So you guys are hiring? Huh?
Mark Marmo
Well, we’ve been hiring the last actually three years we hired 450 people last year. uh, we want a net at least 150 this year. If not
Jason Spiess
more. What kind of jobs are these that you’re looking
Mark Marmo
for? Everything from working in the field to mechanics, drivers, accounting, you name it? Admin payroll. It’s a little bit everything.
Jason Spiess
Where are you finding the growth? From where? Right now? Where are you out on the east coast? Are you down in texas? Where are you located right now?
Mark Marmo
Yeah. So we, we have, we’re in the Appalachian in Utica Basin, which were extremely active right now. We’re in the Permian. … They are also uh, you know, very strong.
Jason Spiess
We’ve had joe Senate on the program quite a bit over the last couple of years. He’s with um with partners and he’s out of Pittsburgh P. A. He kind of gives us a nice update from time to time on some of the different marcellus activity. Jim Willis from the Marcellus drilling news as well as Tom Shepstone from natural gas.
Now. Susquehanna County of course being one of the big, prolific natural gas counties. Are you guys doing mostly natural gas out in the marcellus or are you, cause I hear Haynesville, that’s a very big gas play too. Are you guys mostly doing gas? Are you doing some oil to or
Mark Marmo
well, we do, you know, done in the Permian Eagle food? We are doing oil and then uh, in P. A. It’s both natural gas liquids and dry gas. Uh, Haynesville obviously use dry gas.
Jason Spiess
So that’s the next question in the bacon where I’m located right now. Uh, they do a lot of wet gas of course, where you’ve got whatever 778 different kinds of molecules hydrocarbons that you can separate apart. Dry gas a little bit different in the Haynesville and marcellus of course with the dry gas, you’re finding some oil activity in the Eagle furred and the Permian as well. Are you hiring down there or all different areas are all four shell place.
Mark Marmo
Okay.
Jason Spiess
So if somebody is listening right now and they want a job. What’s the walk us through the process. I mean it’s tough because you don’t want to give out your cell phone number but at the same time you need people hired.
Mark Marmo
Yeah we do. We will hire as many as we can this year. And the best way to reach us is through our website www dot well services dot com. Get in touch with brandy Blazer, B L A C E
Jason Spiess
- And we’ll have the links at the crude life’s website as well for those different areas. Talk about the genesis of the company, How long have you guys been around? What’s the workplace culture like? Give give perspective employees an idea of why they might want to come work there.
Mark Marmo
We’ve been around since 2008. We mainly operated out of the Appalachian basin until 2018 when we moved into the Permian. And then last year when we moved into the Haynesville, we’re also actually in Argentina right now and soon to be uh in working for Saudi Aramco. So uh lots of room to grow. We give everybody a career path here when someone comes in uh from day one, if they’re going to go into the field as a green hat, we show them how they’re going to get to being a supervisor.
There’s I. A. D. C. Accredited training program. We have here, we’re all about continuous improvement uh and continuous education. We spend probably $300,400,000 a year on just educating uh people from business classes to emotional intelligence classes to well controlled. So it’s a, it’s a culture mainly built upon. Like I said, it’s continuous improvement.
Uh, we are, we are within the main focus here as one team, one family. And uh, we try to treat people with empathy and we have a servant mentality at this company and Uh, you’re not a number, you’ll never be a number. We have 550 people and we go above and beyond to know everybody help them personally or professionally.
Jason Spiess
You mentioned Saudi Aramco, you mentioned, I think it was South America Argentina Argentina. Um, you’ve got four, sounds like four different plays or shale plays or at least oil plays happening here in the United States. Is that gonna satisfy you for a little while. Are you looking beyond that? Um, that’s pretty aggressive what we just laid
Mark Marmo
out. Uh and in 2012 we did $7.5 million will do over 200 million this year. We uh, we grow, we grow responsibly and uh we, we’ve, we’ve just, we’ve proven that over the last 4 to 5 years that we know we, we put a plan out there and we execute. So yeah, there’s, if we, if we can add people, we will uh, we will grow even more, but …
Jason Spiess
you know, one of the issues happening right now is inflation. Of course people are trying to figure out how to make their personal inflation work because apparently the chickens have joined the union now and they need to have egg prices triple to what they were before. That’s my little chicken joke there, But or maybe it’s a union joke, I guess, I’m not sure.
But it was this was actually a cartoon we did in our business newspaper back in 2008 when chicken egg prices rose and it said, what did the chickens join a union? And I thought, boy, that’s funny, That actually came back full circle. But anyway, um, talk, talk to me a little bit about your inflation within the industry. The crude life we started talking about is $100 oil. The new $50 oil back in 2020 because we started seeing the price of steel going up and if the price of steel goes up,
everything is gonna go up. And then then when the price of oil went up, everything is gonna go up too. So we’re starting to think the $50 oil might be, or 100 and $10 oil might be $50 oil. We’re not sure how does that, how you got You guys are apparently figuring out how to make that chemistry set work. But with the spike of inflation that’s happened, how have you guys been able to manage that?
Mark Marmo
The company with a strong balance sheet? We have no debt, Which allows us to be able to free up, we’ve always operated um with high wages, we, we, we have a focus on paying people. Uh, what we feel is 10-15% better to market. So we’ve always been used to running that way and we run lean elsewhere to be able to pay our people more and we aren’t the cheapest.
We’re probably the highest price of anybody in the basis of what we do. And um, yeah, I mean inflation has affected everybody, but when you add value to companies, you can get your price, which can cover that inflation.
Jason Spiess
You mentioned that you’re one of the higher priced. Well, that for me means that you apparently must have the quality to back it up if you’ve been around for since 2008. Um, talk to me about how somebody, if they spend more money up front, how they save money on the long the long haul because that is kind of the idea, isn’t it?
Mark Marmo
That’s it. You know, what, what our focus is, uh, as we add value and we add value by showing up, getting onto that well safely and then getting off as quickly as possible. So we save that that burn rate per day, which is probably when we’re on a pad is about $70-$80,000 a day. Our focus is to get off of that pad a day or two or however fast and safely that we can to save the company that much money.
Um, you know, most, most of our competitors that’s they’re, they want, that, they want that day rate. And uh, what are our focus is, is that if we save you on that day rate, you’re going to give us more wells.
Jason Spiess
Yeah, well repeat business. That’s the name of the game that is. Um, I’m looking at your website right now. Deep well services dot com. Established in 2008, small town Appalachian roots to become one of the premier O. F. S. Companies over 70 different mps across north and south America. So 70 different of them. Huh? Well, you guys have really, You know, talk to me about the different shale plays because that this, this is more, I guess for me, which I find kind of fun because when I
started learning about the industry back in probably, actually when I was introduced to it for me, I found the chemistry of the different regions fascinating. When I was in my former life, I was a publisher and we did a magazine called From House to home. In fact, we had five of them in pennsylvania, eastern pennsylvania. We featured Mario andretti’s house and we were down in uh State College P.
- And Washington pennsylvania, just south of Pittsburgh. And so we we know Pittsburgh pretty well or the pennsylvania pretty well. But what I found interesting, it was a different geography is in, in landscaping, you’ve got seven different areas of the United States for planting essentially different regions. You know if you’re drilling in tuscaloosa, that’s pretty muddy in clay. So you got to spend a lot more money to get that that resource out of the ground.
Whereas you know you get to the Haynesville that’s a little bit more user friendly for the operator, how are these different shale plays that you’re in? Are they able to you know, can you bring the same equipment? Do you got to bring different equipment to a different shale play? How different are they? How similar are they?
Mark Marmo
It’s not so much different equipment, it’s the kind of equipment we’ve built and designed the efficient the efficiencies behind it but the we can handle anything from 10,000 P. S. I. Well to uh you know a £500 PS. I. Well we can handle, we’ve drilled all of the longest laterals, we’ve cleaned out all the longest laterals on uh in onshore us. Uh nobody can compete with us on our pressure or long lateral stuff. So we’ve really designed the company around that where the market was going.
And so you know if you’re in the marcellus uh your you know drilling maybe a 15,000 ft lateral uh it’s not gonna be as high pressure but whereas you’re over in the Utica and you’re on 7000 P. S. I. Well so we have the talent, we have the equipment to really operate anywhere in the world. Unlike anyone else, we have the largest fleet of what we have to do in the world. Um And I would say we’re probably even being a private company, maybe the fifth largest company in the world.
Jason Spiess
I’m caught up on the pressure part because Boy II that pressure seems to be like the secret sauce when you’re talking about any sort of energy extraction and that just seems like such a science. I used to think it was the um the frack chemistry but I think it’s more of the the pressure involved having the that’s like an art, it’s like an art to understand pressure, isn’t it?
Mark Marmo
It really is the people that work on these wells work over the wellhead are some of the smartest people you’ll ever meet. They
Jason Spiess
see the world different, don’t they? They just see it differently.
Mark Marmo
Yeah they really do but you know they get the reputation of being that roughneck. But these guys are in ladies, we have ladies working out there too that are extremely just talented, highly educated and what they do and very intelligent
Jason Spiess
when it comes to the um I don’t know if it be if you want to call it E. S. G. If you want to call it environmental, if you want to call it, I don’t know um reclamation recycling. There’s a lot of different words that you can be a little bit more entry level or you can get really aggressive with the language. So uh talk to me a little bit how you guys are handling that side of the world, whether it be, you know, recycling water or you know, meatless Mondays
or maybe some new emission management thing that we’ve never heard of. I’m not sure but uh that seems to be, you know, E S. G. Reports, everybody seems to be doing one now. So
Mark Marmo
yeah, you can see on our website we take we do we take the E. S. G. Reporting serious? We, I focus everybody more on the social and governance aspect of everything. Um you know, the I guess the politically correct, you know, when you say the environmental were quicker on wells, we’re not using uh as much fuel, we’re not burning diesel because we’re more efficient on the wells, we save chemicals going down whole uh so we do, we do our part on the environmental side of things but the more
the most important thing there is the social governance, it’s the making sure our people are educated, have a great workplace, have career path, are paid well that they can take care of their family and then, you know the governance pieces um we have a quality management system unlike no other, I think we’re the only ones in the probably north America that do what we do that have a A P I Q two Q.
- S. So and then our training program is I A. D. C uh accredited, so you know the social and governance. The governance piece is what I really like to focus on, uh you know, in community, we are Probably gave over $10 million we sponsor a lot of things. So that’s really what I focus on more so than
Jason Spiess
you mind. If I ask you about your journey to E. S. G. You seem like you’re pretty open about it. That’s the only reason I ask and you don’t have to get into the details. I just have, I’ve run into a lot of brick walls, so.
Mark Marmo
Well, I mean, you know, when you’re, when you’re in a position where you need to just be aware of everything that’s going on, you know, you pay attention to it, You want your company even though it’s privately held, you want your company to be like a halliburton or slumber J. And you want to be responsible. Um so you pay attention to those things.
Like I said, I’m probably not, I’m more of the, you know, I think our industry doesn’t defend what we do environmentally very well, we don’t get enough credit, We’re not going to get help from the media uh in that respect that we were all aware of it, we want to be responsible. I actually think that some of the best people in the world, environmental er the E. M. P. S. And the best services so we pay attention to it, we’re always gonna be responsible.
We’re not gonna hurt people, we’re gonna have safe operations and we’re not gonna hurt the environment. I mean we’re drilling in our backyards when you’re in the Appalachian basin. Right? I mean I have wells on my farm so I just have always been aware of it. We pay attention to it I guess. I’m just not as politically correct as
Jason Spiess
most know. And I understand that in fact what you were talking about is very similar to the way that we kind of did it at the crude life where we didn’t so much embrace it as much as we’re aware of it because it it’s to me it’s like this chat chat GTP automated robot thing. If if you’re in the world of writing or arts and crafts and all that stuff it ain’t going away.
So you better figure out how to embrace it into your world or it’s going to take you out. And that’s what I saw with the E. S. G. I went okay this csg is everything if you want to walk to the store and buy an apple. There’s an E. S. G. Score behind that. And then I saw the show called The Good Life and they flat out explained E. S. G. Without explaining E.
- G. What they said was everything you do has a positive and negative score in heaven and hell. And they gave some example of some guy that uh in the 15th century brought his grandma flowers. But because he planted the flowers himself and he watered the flowers and he didn’t use any pesticides and all these different things. It was a positive E.
- G. Score but they called it a good life score or something like that. And then in the modern day when he bought his grandma flowers, it was a minus score because it was mined by you know child labor. And the Ceo was sent an unwanted picks in the middle of the night of his genitalia. And you know, they went through all the different things that we do in today’s society and and that’s you know that’s the S.
- In a vacuum in a perfect world. It looks fantastic, but it’s like communism in reality it doesn’t work because there’s a thing called the human element. And when you introduce the human element, you just got to keep trying to improve. And if you just keep trying to improve, that’s as good as it gets guys
Mark Marmo
really said it, you really said it right and being responsible in your community, helping to develop your community, helping develop people uh making sure you know, they are our people go home every night to their families. That’s where the where the E. S. G. Things should come in. We’re not we’re we have great governance of the company, we have 30% minority.
Uh and none of that stuff is virtue signaling or or being woke. It’s just what we are and when you sit back and you think about it be one of the best industries in the world, art, oil, gas at all of this. They’re one of the most responsible And I don’t think that there’s a better industry in the world. … one
Jason Spiess
of the things that I’ve been speaking about E. S. G. Since 2015, I kind of mostly stumbled into it because we started doing an E. S. G. Report on the crude life every week with the Ceo of Meridian energy group with their refinery that they were going to build in North Dakota. So he saw the pushback that was coming and to his credit, he felt it was very important to do a weekly radio and podcast because we’re on the radio up here, we have about 20 radio stations were on up across five states
in the bacon here. And he felt it was very important to educate the public because he just was apart, he’s from Irvine California is where he lives. So he’s very aware of this wolf culture and the cancel culture and the and the uh anti fossil fuel movement. And so we did it, you know, we we we made sure that every week we had a different engineer on, we had a different citizen, the Ceo somebody involved in the project in some way or another, all walks of life, even if they had problems with
it, because one thing about E. S. G. If you’re civil, we’ll give you a voice that’s fine. So we started getting, you know, different conferences, inviting us to come speak and all these other things. Well, what we found was leadership did not like it, they did not like it because they don’t want to be aware of it, they don’t want to talk about it.
And this is one of those things where I kept trying to tell them no this you can’t look away from this, this is this is connecting with the kids in colorado. They had advertisements that didn’t even have words, All they did was have a woman holding a baby with an oil rig in the background, that was it, that was it, that was the whole ad, so that’s what I was trying to educate people on.
And so I’m very just very happy to hear that you’re accepting the awareness of it, not necessarily the ideology, not necessarily everything about it, but you’re just aware of it. And are you getting any pushback from your colleagues? Because I I didn’t even know you guys had it on your website that is gutsy.
Mark Marmo
No, no pushback, but again, I think it’s um and again it’s just all about being transparent and, you know, just because I don’t agree with what causes climate change doesn’t mean we’re not gonna be responsible stewards in the community and in the in our industry. So yeah we’ve got to be aware we gotta be aware of people that want to put us all out of business. And uh
Jason Spiess
that that was the thing that we kept trying to explain to the average person. And it’s and we do a pretty good job with some of our different educational entertainment style things with kids because It’s the the the kids are the ones that seem to be in the driver’s seat these days. And um if they I went through this with agriculture. So I grew up in the in the 80s where the farmer got taken out by the grocery store and what’s happening right now is the energy workers getting taken out by
the light switch. And it’s right before our eyes because you go to the grocery store you get your ground beef. There’s no such thing as a cow. You go to the you know light switch you turn it on. There’s no such thing as coal or natural gas. No it’s it’s it’s light, it’s power it works just fine. And it was tough because I grew up around farmers and they had a hard time accepting that movement.
You know that everybody was excited about the new grocery store and then they started shaming the farmer. Well that’s what I’m seeing happening right now. Everybody’s excited about these E. V. Vehicles and then they turn around and shame the people who created it because they renewables ain’t doable without fossil fuels. That’s just the way it goes. …
Mark Marmo
People that are afraid to say that it was, it’s not sustaining I think Orwell our industry just doesn’t have enough people that too. That’s um defending it. You know, people like chris wright who do an amazing job for us at C. N. X. We just don’t have enough of the C. E. O. S out there willing to stand up and defend and we’ve got to get better at it because this is the greatest industry in the world. It makes the world go
Jason Spiess
well, you know, you’re doing a good job, you’re coming on this program, you’re being active out there. Um what advice would you have for others to be like chris right from uh Liberty Oil, I’m sorry, Liberty Energy or yourself or some of these other Ceos to get out there or even just backing some, you know, employees to do it as opposed to maybe not the Ceo is necessarily because one of the things we did with the crude life as soon as my hair started growing gray, I got a younger guy into
interview, Harold Hamm immediately because I did not want to have two old guys with gray hair talking on social media. There’s no kids watching that. So I went and I got the young guy, you know, so maybe sometimes it’s it’s not bad to get some younger people to get behind the industry too, but that’s hard to find
Mark Marmo
a big focus of ours is, you know, winning the hearts and minds of the young people. I’m a Western P. A born and raised a kid. I would love to put 100% of the Western P. A. People to work deep. Well we we go out to the high schools we go out to, we actually teach accredited course at Penn state pitt marietta west Virginia on what we do to the petroleum engineers of those schools.
Our focus has been, yeah, I mean, we’re going after the younger community we want to recruit of course, but number two, we wanna, we wanna win the hearts and minds and show them, you know, this is a great industry, you can sustain a family, it’s not 10, 10 an hour. Uh but we’re not, we are extremely responsible. We are, we’re focused on people who are focused on career paths and I mean for somebody in the inner city to come out and make 50,000 At year one as a green hat uh out of, you know,
that probably wasn’t ever going to go to college. How great is that? Within 8 to 10 years? If you go through your competency program, you’ll be making 250,000 and that’s only working six months a year. So we’ve got to get people to realize that this is the kind of environment they can come into that’s gonna, you can build an amazing career and support a family on this, on this job.
Jason Spiess
Well, let’s talk a little turkey here real quick while we have you, we might as well let you have a plug for your company. I mean, I don’t think you need any more business. You need employees, but at the same time, what services, you know, specifically do you guys offer?
Mark Marmo
We are, we are really a technology and training company that just so happen to have hydraulic completion units. These completion units can clean plugs, they can fish tools down hole, they can do work overs. Uh, they can do clean outs toe preps, you name it. Um, and these things can work and we’ve proven that will grow over the world work in any base. So that’s what we’re all about.
Jason Spiess
What’s a hot tap kit.
Mark Marmo
Uh,
Jason Spiess
yeah, I’m looking at your brochure right now and I’ve never seen that word in consecutive words like that. And I thought I knew this industry at least better than the average person. So hot tap kit.
Mark Marmo
Okay. …
Jason Spiess
Okay. Is that, is that an industry term? Is that your guys? Okay. That’s, that’s new to learn something new every day right there. I thought, I, I know I know all the other terms that I’m seeing here, but I didn’t see the hot tap kit. That’s cool. Okay, well, I appreciate the time today. And of course the moral of today’s story is you guys are hiring, You need, uh, was it right? More than 100 people.
Mark Marmo
- … We’ll probably hire over 200, 230
Jason Spiess
people. And these are everything’s from administration to out in the field to, uh, rookies. If you’re a rookie, well, you’ll take them and train them. Huh?
Mark Marmo
We will train them. We’re more than happy to train them. We trained, we were on board at 430 people last year and I think over 30,000 hours of training.
Jason Spiess
Any final thoughts that you wanna? I guess anything we left out or anything you want to reiterate,
Mark Marmo
Thank you for what you do. And we really appreciate the defense of our great industry. I can’t thank you enough.
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The Executive Coach to Real Life Rock Stars and host of The Energy Detox Podcast, Joe Sinnott, Witting Partners, helps host Jason Spiess through a podcast of love. Sinnott and Spiess discuss how show the love at work, at home and to yourself.
The two also discuss why you love your work or your employees. It might not be why you think.
In your personal life, did your relationship enter the next chapter because it made financial sense? As Spiess points out what Billy Joel was trying to teach us all in “Scenes from Italian Restaurant.”
“When two people move in today or get married because it makes ‘financial sense’, they need to listen to Billy Joel,” Spiess said. “They started to fight when the Money got tight. And they just didn’t count on the tears. Whoa-oh-oh-oh. Whooooah-o.”
Sinnott asks Spiess a number of questions regarding the true intention of why he is working, why he is in relationship and why he loves this podcast.
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Below is the raw, unedited transcript from our artificial intelligence translator.
Jason Spiess
Let’s head over to the zoom line where we have the executive coach for the real life rock stars. Mr joe Senate who also is the host of the energy detox podcast, but day job winning partners where he is the executive coach for the real life rock stars and joe I I was having a conversation the other day with a few people and I thought this would be a fun podcast title since uh it’s the month of february and valentine’s day is just right around the corner.
Is what if this podcast today was just powered by love? What are some of those areas that we can insert love into people’s lives or or their lifestyles that maybe can help them get an extra little perk around the office around their life, around the house at E S. G. University, we started tracking layoffs. Holy Anna. There has been layoffs since the beginning of the year and we’re talking about percentage of companies employees, layoffs.
We’re not talking about bob that shows up every day for work or Jason who spends too much time in the bathroom. No, we’re talking about like how I threw myself under the bus there, joe. It’s about the love today. How you doing?
Joe Sinnott
It’s a lovely day here in Pittsburgh. Not as lovely as the last couple of days where it felt like spring, but uh, so besides a little bit of confusion on what season we’re actually in. It is all good here in Southwestern pennsylvania.
Jason Spiess
Now, I don’t want to give away any secrets of my sauce, but generally I do not like to do timely type of questions with my interviews because I tend to like to have interviews that can transcend time that can really transcend borders, that we try to connect on things that are universal with the average person.
And right now joe you are in a state with one of the most universal topics going on across the world and that is the Super Bowl. You’re in pennsylvania, you’re a stone’s throw from, well, pretty far
Joe Sinnott
stone’s throw from
Jason Spiess
philadelphia. I mean you’re over that mountain throw of philadelphia. You’re on the gorgeous side of Pittsburgh,
Joe Sinnott
I mean it’s pretty much just one road Jason, I mean it’s just just hop on the pennsylvania turnpike and next thing you know, you’re in Phil so I, I’ve
Jason Spiess
driven it and I’ve done, you probably don’t know this, but I’ve done a half a dozen magazines in Pittsburgh. I didn’t want in Washington, which is, I believe just southeast of you. Is that right? …
Joe Sinnott
We
Jason Spiess
did one in um eastern pennsylvania as well. We did one up in the Wilksbehr country as well. Um, I think that’s matt Dillon’s old stomping grounds and also state college p a when lavar Arrington was finishing up school. So I gotta watch lavar Arrington comeback when he was a Washington Redskin and play some skin and shirts ball over there at happy Valley and boy, I tell you what penn state people can talk about what they want about the football and basketball and everything else that
is a gorgeous campus. That is like, one of my favorite campuses in the entire United States, all the trees and just that Nice Valley. But um, what’s going on with the Super Bowl talk? What’s happening in your state? What’s, what’s going on? We might as well get an update as long as we’re there. Right.
Joe Sinnott
Sure. Well, I don’t know if I can represent the chatter that’s going on on the eastern side of the state in philadelphia. But uh, here in Pittsburgh at least, you know, where there’s actually some attention on the pirates believe it or not. So typically this time of year, you know, people are still coming off of a successful Steelers season, which was not necessarily the case and looking ahead to next dealer season.
But uh, in terms of sports Jason, these Pirates are actually bringing back Andrew McCutchen who was homegrown talent homegrown in terms of coming up through their system. At least I think he’s actually from florida, but anyway, he is aging, but they decided to bring him back again depends who you ask actually doesn’t depend who you ask. I think everybody says it’s more for gimmick reasons. But uh, so it’s interesting to see Some chatter about the pirates, not because anybody
expects them to actually be competitive or win more than 60 games this year. But mainly because they, yeah, they’re bringing back, uh, you know, former all star and certainly a fan favorite to try to juice some interest in the team. So I know shifted quickly away from football, but again, we’re 300 miles away from Philadelphia. So we’re
Jason Spiess
you’re talking about where the love is coming from Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh. Apparently there’s not enough brotherly love to make it all the way to philadelphia and that’s okay. And we, you know, we can’t afford sound effects quite at this show. So we make our own up. But that’s the kind of fun we have here. Now. The whole idea about this podcast powered by Love actually came from a electric vehicle owner because they were finding out some of the realities about these electric
vehicles uh sometimes they take a little longer to charge than most. And of course that kevin Bacon Ad came on and that’s what sparks the conversation. And uh the comment was made that maybe we should just make a vehicle that’s powered by love. And I thought boy, that’s a pretty good line, I’m gonna use that going forward.
So here we are today, joe what kind of world can you power by love today? I brought the E. V. Vehicle. If we can just all get along maybe our cars will power themselves. What do you think about that?
Joe Sinnott
I think that any appearance on the Crew life is is magical and you never know where we’re going to go. So powered by love. I mean, I guess you said a couple minutes ago that you strive for more universal and timeless topics. I suppose there’s nothing more universal and timeless than the topic of love uh, in terms of its ability to power anything.
Well, I mean, I guess you could argue that there are people out there who think that their vehicles are powered by the electric vehicles are powered by magic and it’s magic when they turn on their light switch and don’t know the realities of things. So I guess kind of shifting back to our normal strain of conversation about leadership. It is a question of actually understanding the facts.
So, you know, even love as vague as it can be and as soft and fluffy as it could be. You know, at the end of the day, there are still very real rules that determine how love works and how sustainable love is and whether it’s actually gonna be able to fuel a relationship for any period of time or whether it’s just uh, you know, some fleeting passion or some feelings and obviously when it comes to energy and the things that actually power our lives, there’s a lot of feelings out there,
there’s a lot of emotion, but again, at the end of the day, a lot of them are fleeting. So with that Jason, I don’t even know if I answered your question, I don’t know what your question was, but uh, there’s my, my attempt to connect the world of energy and love and some of that figurative fuel that keeps people going, whether their leaders or corporations or whatever the case is
Jason Spiess
figurative fuel. I like that a lot figurative fuel because one of the things that I was just thinking about is, you know, when you’re working for an organization, you know, if you have a very good organization, a lot of times people stay there. So what you could say is that if you have an organization that really does convey a message of love, I would imagine you’d probably have a place that people would love to work at right Well in your personal life, this is a true story.
This was a conversation we had around the new year with a couple of people that were going through a divorce, they were getting divorced because the, as Bill Billy Joel sings the money got tight and we just didn’t count on the tears from scenes from an italian restaurant great song. It’s three songs. It’s three different songs and one actually, it’s like a meatloaf song.
Every meatloaf song you get three for one in every song. You know, it’s just great. You get three different melodies that makes Billy Joel did. That was scenes from an italian restaurant. Anyway point is that we were talking about this divorce and with some people and I made the unfortunate comment of sticking my foot in my mouth like I normally do and I just said to my buddy, I said, hey I remember when the two of you got together seven years ago you said it made sense financially.
You said that you moved in together because you wanted to share bills, You said that you got married because it made financial sense and now since the money got tight and you just didn’t count on the tears, oh whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, now you’re getting a divorce, you see how that makes sense.
So if you can have a relationship that is figuratively fueled by love, then a lot of these uh fights that Billy Joel talks about these things about just don’t happen. Mr joe senate I see where that can work at work and in your home life. But what do you think of that?
Joe Sinnott
Well I guess a couple of things from starting on the work side, yes. You know, companies might talk about love, maybe not use that word. Certainly companies talk about having familial atmospheres and such, but you know that can be dangerous and you know, you see chatter out there, I think Colin mcclelland of digital wildcatters fame. He had a post a week or so ago basically warning against companies that talk about, you know, we are a family and again you could argue one way or the
other, but one thing I think is is absolutely clear is that you need to be aware of situations where people are talking about unconditional love because unconditional love again is great in a true family, but it could be disastrous and certainly unsustainable in the corporate world. Yet a lot of managers, a lot of leaders, they get to the point unconsciously where they are in this unconditional love situation where they’re not seeing whether they are choosing to not see or
they’re just completely unaware of the things that are toxic that are hurting their odds of success that are damaging their company and you know, when they refuse to see those things and when they refuse to see those problems out of whatever you wanna call it love or or or something, again, more difficult to define, it’s disastrous. So coming back to the world that I live in and then I work in, it all comes down to being conscious of one the threats to a sustained relationship if you
will, and to being very intentional about why you have this relationship in the first place. So, to your story there, if your relationship is founded upon a financial agreement and then things inevitably change, well, shouldn’t be a surprise if you know that relationship doesn’t exist anymore. And … well, I mean in the world that I live in now, you know, in the coaching world, you know, a lot of people don’t like what I share.
You know, again, again, I’m not sharing my opinions, I’m sharing my observations, I’m sharing what I see, I’m sharing the facts, I’m sharing what I hear and again, that could be difficult at times, but
Jason Spiess
people might think, you know that oh we’re getting a little personal with people’s lives because we’re talking about their marriage and this and that. But no, actually it’s the same thing about a job. A lot of people there with their job because of the financial arrangement. That’s, that’s the whole reason, whether they love their job or not is a whole different conversation.
But when you’re agreeing with yourself that I’m gonna wake up next to somebody every day or I’m gonna go and go to this place every single day. You’re making an agreement with yourself and with someone someone else and you should love it. And the comment about unconditional love, here’s what I like to tell people whenever that word comes up because that is a word that was starting to get thrown around way too much for what it is.
I mean unconditional love. There’s very few people who actually can do that, but one who did is forrest gump when you’re ready to let the love of your life leave and go and screw up in the world and come back and use you and leave and come back and use you and come back and use you and in the end stay with you because that’s what forrest did forrest gump provided unconditional love for jenny so she could go out and screw up in the world, but she always had her forrest gump pad to go back
recharge, get that love that unconditional love that forest knew how to give and so that’s the example I like to give with for unconditional love. So um, we went on a little bit off the rail there, but I wanted to just add that in. So go ahead, joe take over from there. Yeah,
Joe Sinnott
well, I mean, even on, you know, the forest gump situation or uh, you know, and again, any marriage or relationship, is it a choice? That’s, that’s what it comes down to. You know, it was for making the choice to stick with jenny no matter what. And you know, as a husband or wife, are you making that choice to love your spouse no matter what? And as an employee, are you making the choice?
The conscious choice to stay at that company or do you feel stuck? You know, are you, are you just going through the motions and you don’t actually know why you’re there because again, that’s not sustainable if you’re making that conscious decision to be at that company for a whole host of reasons and you’re honest with yourself, that’s a very different situation than just kind of going through the motions and showing up and yeah, it pays the bills, whatever. You know, that’s,
you don’t want, if you’re the company, you don’t want a bunch of people who are not actively choosing to be there each and every day or who feel stuck stuck in a relationship. So, again, I think it comes down to making a choice and being conscious about it, which again, is the crux of what I do. So whether it’s on the personal side of the professional side, it’s about being intentional with your time, with your energy, with your money, in some cases, choosing to
Jason Spiess
do
Joe Sinnott
something and do it the right way, choosing to love someone, no matter what, and again, when people aren’t even aware that they’re making that choice or they’re just sliding back and forth unconsciously, that’s when they’re setting themselves up for failure. So, you know, to your point again, are we talking about people’s personal lives here?
Well, yes and no, but it’s all the same stuff, Jason, it’s about being intentional and conscious about what your ultimate purpose is, and heck, I’ll throw another thing in there, you know, hey, we’re talking about personal lives, we’re talking about love. You can even bring in a religious or, you know, uh theological element to this because one definition of love.
One definition of marriage that I heard several years ago was as a spouse, your job is to help get your spouse and the rest of your family if you have kids to heaven and again, regardless of you know, where people are at where your audience is at, in terms of that, I think about that for a moment, you have an ultimate mission and everything you’re doing each and every day regardless of your feelings is to help move that other party closer to some ultimate destination and that, you know,
situation or that description that being heaven. Think about that now, bring it back to your personal lives. Your professional lives is every action you’re taking, consciously moving you towards some ultimate destination. That that’s powerful. That’s a relationship that is more than just feelings, that’s consciousness.
And again, in a in a marriage, especially if you don’t have that level of commitment and awareness and intentionality, you’re setting yourself up for disaster. And it’s not much different when we’re talking about professional lives and careers
Jason Spiess
bring up a great point about sustainable love if you will, because, you know, it’s sustainable love is unconditional love, very difficult to achieve. Very difficult. Even for married people. Very difficult. That’s why divorce is over 50%. So when we take a look at how love is blind, whether it’s idol worshiping your your position, you know, your job, which a lot of times people love their job, but again, when the finances aren’t there or maybe they’re not getting the vacation
time or maybe the somewhat related to, you know, this finance stuff isn’t working out, they don’t love their job anymore. And on the flip side, maybe there’s some managers where love is blind because they might love this employee, but really they only like what the employee does for them, they don’t really care about the employee or the company.
They just like that the employee gives them time. So they can have a four hour lunch. That’s why they love the employee. So there’s different ways that people can love their job too. So talk to me a little bit about love is blind because a lot of times people throw around that word and they really don’t understand what it means to themselves.
Joe Sinnott
Yeah, again, it comes back to the same theme of being conscious and being aware, being winning. Again, we’ll throw a nod to my company name, right? It’s being a winning conscious partner to in the case you just mentioned an employee and part of that level of consciousness is being on the same page. If, if that relationship is purely transactional and it’s, hey, I employ you and I pay you and you make my life easier and I compensate you, you know, commensurate with that, you know,
level of value that you bring to the company and to myself, then fine. At least we get it out there. We’re not beating around the bush and pretending like there’s more to that relationship. But if you’re not open and transparent and whatever cliche word you want to use their about the dynamic of that relationship, whether it leans more towards transactional or whether it means leans more towards, you know, something deeper this, you know, again, like the deeper relationship
that should be between a husband and a wife. If you can’t put words to that, you can’t speak to. What type of relationship we have then? I mean, that’s a level of blindness that’s gonna lead all parties in, you know, some unfavorable direction Jason. So, again, it’s this not to beat a dead horse here, but it all comes down to just being conscious and aware of what the relationship is and what it’s supposed to look like
and what its ultimate purpose is. What is the purpose of a contractual relationship between employer employee and what’s the purpose of a relationship between spouses?
Jason Spiess
Excuse me. Here, I swallow coffee there for a second. Sometimes it’s hot, coffee gets a little hot and a hiccup,
Joe Sinnott
hot and hot and heavy episode of the crude life here in the middle of february. There, there we go.
Jason Spiess
Right, alright, so let’s talk about the love of your job and just the love of your family and why you do things because a lot of people, they either love their job or they love their family, and that’s why they go to work. But some people, they go to work because they’re afraid of what happens if they don’t pay their bills.
So maybe their intention isn’t so much love as it is fear. How can we get people to change their perspective so that when they wake up in the morning, they’re not really feeling fearful to start their day, but they’re actually embracing some of these joyful things that the day can bring. Does that make sense, joe?
Joe Sinnott
It does, I mean it brings up a couple, I guess maybe follow up questions I have for you in terms of what you mean there.
Jason Spiess
But uh you
Joe Sinnott
know, the first thing is, you know, does it really matter if people are going to work passionate and joyful about what they’re doing? Because
Jason Spiess
well,
Joe Sinnott
so again and again, I think you could, you can argue back and forth, I would say no matter what the first step is to be honest about the realities of things, you know, not not going in pretending like you’re doing what you’re doing when you don’t really do it or or vice versa, right? You know, pretending like this is drudgery when you know what you actually enjoy your, your 45 minute commute and the time by yourself and you actually enjoy that coffee break.
You actually enjoy interacting with people. But for for whatever reason you’re afraid to admit it because you know, you’ve you set this story for whoever else, maybe your spouse, Oh yeah, I’m going to work, you know, working, working for you, working for the family. Oh, another tough day where I actually only put in about, you know, 45 minutes of actual work and the other, you know, six or seven hours was actually just uh alone time or or Bs time or whatever.
So again, it comes down to first being honest with yourself about like, do I really hate this, or do I really like this, Jason and then you can talk about practical ways and tips and tricks to, to maybe enhance your enjoyment, but the first step is, hey, are you telling, have you created this darn story one way or the other?
That is unnecessary. Whether again it’s it’s, I’m passionate about my job or I’m not passionate, stop using those words if they don’t actually mean anything, and let’s get back to the facts of what you really do, truly enjoy and what you do enjoy and and quit this narrative. So I’ll stop there. I don’t know if,
Jason Spiess
you know, well, because sometimes for me, I find myself when I was, you know, it’s supporting my family and doing everything like that, it’s pretty easy to get caught up in the, in the love of the chase. You know, you’re chasing the money, you’re chasing the goal, you’re chasing the goal, you know, whatever it might be. And so it can actually take priority over, you know, your family at times, because in your mind, you’re thinking, you know, if I just get this taken care of, well then
the family will be fine and, you know, to me that’s more of, you know, the kind of the, not to get theological, but the money changers talking if you will, you’re trying to get your bills paid so that you can spend time with your family. So to me that’s where I personally, where I struggled was trying to get the family always ahead of paying the bills if you will and again I bring this up because just the amount of layoffs that are happening right now and the amount of people going through
an energy transition. So these money conversations are very um, uh they’re increasing quite a bit. And so what one of the reasons for the love podcast is to remember what, why are you doing this? Are you doing this for the money? Are you doing this for the love? If you’re doing it for the love, it could be for the love of your job, your trade, your family yourself a number of different things.
But if you invoke some love, install some love, embed some love into whatever it is you’re doing generally you’re not in a bad mood are you? Normally that term is supposed to mean mean put a smile on your face right
Joe Sinnott
normally, but but let me let me jump in there, Jason. I mean, even there, I mean there’s there’s general rules that that makes sense and most of the time, but especially if there’s, there’s people listening who have just gotten laid off. I’ll share. Let me share a story that I shared. Gosh, this was about a year ago, uh in a talk that I gave and it was actually during the Q and a section people were asking, well, practically speaking, you know, how do you how do you slow down and make
decisions when you feel like you’re you’re under pressure? And of course, you know, the first answer is, well, well coaching helps, right? I mean when I’m coaching people, it makes them pause. You know, it might be just for an hour out of a very busy week, but they actually need to slow down and think more clearly so that they don’t just default to the standard rules.
And the reason I’m bringing this up in terms of all these layoffs you keep talking about is that, you know, if, say you had a nice steady job and you were able to afford a nanny that helped you go to work so that, you know, your kids were taking care of, you know, that nanny was a big expense and then you lose your job and then, you know, your immediate thought as well, we can’t afford this anymore.
I gotta go look for a job, let’s let’s, you know, slim everything down again. There’s logic to that, right? Hey, you know, the income is stopping. So we need to obvious pause or look very closely at the money that’s going out the door. That’s a logical thought. However, when you slow down and you say, well, what if we actually increase the amount of support for our Children, you know, maybe not not just a nanny, but what we’ll actually have some extra babysitting time so that I can
focus on hitting the reset button and finding a new job during this period of time. Again, instead of now scrambling and making, you know, shortsighted panic decisions that might make sense, but might be hurting the long term, you know, sustainable goals that you have. That’s the type of thinking where if you can slow down and avoid just going to, you know, these default rules, you might start thinking differently and then almost go the opposite direction.
But a lot of people, Jason and this is human nature myself included, right? It’s, hey, we’re gonna go, go, we’re gonna make a quick decision, we’re gonna move forward and all else being equal. We’re just gonna go with the default approach to things and, you know, we’ll be just fine, but from a coaching standpoint being just fine or good enough, Clearly that is not, you know, that’s not my goal.
When I’m working with people. When people hire me, When companies hire me, obviously that’s not their goal. It’s to actually be more thoughtful and more conscious and more aware so that you make more sustainable and more inventive and innovative and whatever words we want to throw in their decisions that are, you know, gonna last. They’re gonna stick.
Jason Spiess
How about if you love what you do so much that you get shamed where you go. So let’s say you work in the oil and gas industry and you walk into a room and boy, you’re the new modern day leper, you’re the new cigarette. I mean you’re the person just smoking a cigarette and putting the ashes out on a baby right in the room. I’ve been in that room, by the way, people have actually, I’m serious, I’ve actually had people get up and leave because I said that you know, I do the crude life for example.
So it’s um it’s it’s a real thing. Uh how did you how do people stay with it, joe talk to me about, you know, keeping the love for yourself, keeping the love for your brotherhood, sisterhood, your comrades, comrades that you know, hey I want to have some natural gas in my life. I wanna you know, I want to be able to power my home when I at some point.
But it’s hard because there’s a lot of people not giving me the love, you know, it’s like what the farmers went through in the eighties when the grocery store took them out. Everybody loved going to the grocery store and making fun of the farmer. Well that doesn’t make any sense, but it happened. And look where we’re at with the farmers. There’s hardly any farmers left now. They’re all corporate farmers and robot farmers now they even got robot chickens.
I think I saw that, you know that was a futurama episode. See I get my my shows mixed up at times, but talk to me about how to keep the love going when you’re not getting it when you’re getting disrespected their back to the Super Bowl when you’re a J Brown and you’re getting disrespected by the titans, show me how to get some respect.
Joe Sinnott
Well, if you’re looking for respect and you’re looking to keep the love going as you just said, the worst thing you could do is default to the same stale talking points that everybody else is throwing out there. That is definitely, definitely, definitely the worst thing you can do because people hear it, you know, people are sick of it, you know, people have short attention spans, oh I heard that talking point, you know, last week, you gotta find something new.
So the answer Jason, at least in my experience and whether it’s in my personal life or again now in this coaching world is preparation. You can prepare yourself before you even engage with these people who might be, you know, again, casting you aside or inclined to, to walk the other direction. You can, you can take two minutes to just go through, you know, stream of consciousness, some questions that other people might ask, you know what might resonate in the response that you
could give to them or, you know, little tidbits that you could share with them, that again go beyond the normal talking points and you know, obviously working in oil and gas, we have our talking points and they’re great, they’re foundational, everybody should know them, but people should be sharing them in a way that is more directed at a specific audience, you know, people, for example, Jason uh you know, not to get on my soapbox here, but in oil and gas, it’s very easy to talk
about the economic benefits, the job benefits of what we do, and those are absolutely reel, but for a lot of audiences, they don’t care, they’re gonna tune out immediately because, you know, they don’t care, they’re gonna, they’re gonna have their own talking points to say, well, industries of all right, You know, if if we didn’t allow, you know, if we tried to protect the horse and buggy right, you know, we would have never evolved
just to protect those jobs, you know, you need to understand when that audience is gonna have that in their head and from what I see again, this is more of a macro thing. A lot of
Jason Spiess
people, they
Joe Sinnott
Don’t, they don’t recognize that there’s different audiences and this is obviously communication 101, but it takes an ounce of energy and and a couple of minutes of time to prepare and again, if we really want to bring it back to the to the love connection, if you will to this episode, Yeah, it’s the same thing, if you’re, if you’re coming home to your spouse and you know, there’s something you want to share, you just put it out of your mind until you show up or do you know, on the drive
home say say no uh no, I completely forgot about valentine’s day, how am I, how am I gonna frame this? You’re gonna prepare, right? Why wouldn’t you take that same preparation approach when it comes to those around you that you know, you want to listen to what you have to say, how can you get them to listen?
So maybe along with an answer there, Jason, but you know, it’s preparation, it’s slowing down. It’s the same thing we’ve talked about, you know earlier in this episode and on, you know, other conversations.
Jason Spiess
No, I love it. I love it all. Absolutely love it. … Oh, isn’t that great? Just a podcast powered by Love. I’m telling you if if I could invent an E. V. Car that’s powered by Love, I don’t think there’ll be an issue in the world again, I think everything will get taken care of. So I gentleman that I had that conversation with at that random place boy, if we get a bottle that up and sold it, we’d be uh right now,
Joe Sinnott
well, for now, for a little while, Jason as you know though, all great innovations ultimately will have their naysayers eventually. So I think again that’s another mistake that people make from a sustainability standpoint, they think that they’ve got it, they’ve got this magic answer only to be found that even if you found a car that was made entirely of love by love and and fueled with love somehow some way you’d get people out there with their pitchforks and they’re, you know,
they’re torches ready to run you out of town. So just just a warning for you again in the world that I’m in as much exuberance as people might have. They think they have a breakthrough. Part of my job is to, you know, say that’s great. But let’s build in a little insulation, a little insurance because it might not be as grand of an idea and approach as you think it is. So
Jason Spiess
no, and you know, I mean, a lot of things are cyclical and a lot of the, you know, ain’t nothing new under the sun if you will, but at the same time our lives are still our lives and we still have to wake up and we still have to be productive and we have to be stewards of whatever we’re stewards of whether it’s the land or whether it’s God or whether it’s our family or it’s um, what do, um, what it weakens the trees, the, you know, the god of the trees.
I can’t think of the week and got off top of my head. I try to include everybody’s, and sometimes I just, I, I don’t, and I apologize for those people who are left out Kwanza, for example, anyone who’s Kwanza. Um, but seeing that I kind of lose, lose track where I’m going with this joe
Joe Sinnott
there’s a lot of holidays Jason this week celebrated national pizza Day. So there’s a lot there’s
Jason Spiess
a lot of to you know and there’s a lot of religions too. So you know we try to keep the love out there as much as we can and when you don’t offer enough love out there, people get mad because you don’t give enough love. And so it’s a it’s a it’s a weird time we’re living in joe. It really is. But I do love this idea where we can take a concept and say hey listen let’s get more ridiculous than the ridiculous of hate. There’s so much polarizing profit profiting right now, you know profit wordplay
there. Use it twice, there’s so much of that going on that what if we just say what if we powered by love we’d make more money. That’s it came out of the E. S. G. Movement. What if we just powered this, bye bye bye love. Would we all be okay? And then of course that people get upset at that when you’re not angry they get they get upset. So
Joe Sinnott
um with
Jason Spiess
that, you know I I know you love feedback. So what type of feedback would you love to hear from people on something like this? Well
Joe Sinnott
I think the first thing Jason going back to what you just said? You know it’s it’s easy to laugh. Yeah what if we focused on love instead of hate and being angry and you know, again, a good portion of the population is gonna set that aside. But I think the bigger question that I would ask people and and again, I’d be curious their feedback on this. How much energy and time are you investing if you will in hate or negativity? …
Jason Spiess
Well
Joe Sinnott
then I’ll then I’ll stop and I’ll stop talking there because that’s it. That’s the question. I mean, you know, again, I I we talk a lot here. I mean, the ironic thing is Jason and my day job as a coach. My job is to actually, you know, shut up and listen and ask questions and then listen some more. Uh so you know this this I love this conversation. This gives me a chance to hop up on my soapbox a little bit. But Coming back to my day job of asking questions.
That’s the question, sit with that for a couple of minutes, 160 868 hours in the week. How many hours and it probably is hours are spent on things that don’t actually add any value. And then the next question again, were facts here. We we’ve moved beyond love and feelings. The facts are if you invested that energy and that time on something positive, … I’ll
Jason Spiess
talk about something that I did that I think other people could do and save their job right now. There’s a huge movement happening on social media, where are you spending your time? And if individuals shifted their time on social media and that’s what I did. So I took x amount of hours. I want to say it was uh was it 30 minutes a day or 45 minutes a day?
It was one of the two because I needed 15 minutes or 30 minutes to do the thing that I did. So um as you know joe I work in the media. So we have a certain amount of hours that we spend on social media, a certain amount of hours we spend creating content, Certain amount of hours we have to spend doing like sales and just administrative work type of a thing.
And when we looked at our party, our pie chart. Social media is always the one that has to get taken from first because it doesn’t generate any money and it’s where we produce the most of our time without return because sales you can get returned called sales administration, you can get a return which is keeping the I. R. S out and keeping the government out and fines and you can actually organize your business a little bit.
So there’s a return there when you look at social media and honestly, if if you don’t make it in the moment now it’s just branding. So if you don’t monetize that social media post in the moment essentially what you’re doing is branding for your company or yourself. So businesses are starting to say why is the person I’m paying to be in charge of social media tripling their followers because I’m paying for them to go to all these events.
And my company now only has four posts in the last two months, why are they not posting on my company? So what I advised the company to do was say we’ll just have your employee post on the social media through uh, the company and have them share it on their personal. And the guy goes, well, that makes sense. I said, well, that’s how you’re supposed to do it.
That’s how it was designed originally, just about shifting your energy. Well then the conversation with me was okay, can you take the half hour out of your day and do what you love to do? Well, I love to write. So if you go to the crude life right now, you’ll see that we’re doing a lot more writing now. If you go to some of the other sites that I do, I’m doing a lot more writing now because for me I can write an article over lunch really easy because I’ve interviewed experts for 30 years, so
it’s not difficult for me to recall things and remember and etc. So what I did Joe I shifted a half hour away from social media and directed it to a different media, which is writing. So therefore my companies can create more of a social media presence at the end of the day, instead of me giving the content and my energy to linkedin or facebook or so or instagram, I’m giving the energy to myself
first and then I’m gonna turn around and give my energy to the social media platforms, but only 25% of my energy is gonna go there with 100% of my product. Does that make sense?
Joe Sinnott
It all makes sense. And it all ties back to what you said at the outset of that comment, which was essentially time management and this focus on where are you investing your time? And that is one of the major themes that comes across and all the coaching that I do, and in fact Jason, the idea of time management and where are you investing your time?
And is it is it structured in the right way, the order of operations, right kind of to your point, you know, do you get your energy first and then you’re able to share that versus trying to do the grunt work while Euron energized and you know, being out of whack all of those questions, whether it’s prioritization order of operations, where your bucket in your time, that’s huge, not just for an individual who is, you know, going through coaching because their company sponsored it,
but for that same individual in his or her personal life, you know, one of the, again, most of the coaching do is under the corporate umbrella, you know, it’s people who are employed, many of them are being sponsored by their company to, you know, to gain value from coaching, that helps them as an individual employee, but also helps the bottom line of the company.
But I’ll tell you, Jason, one of the things that really impacts the personal lives of the people that I work with is when we sit down and we talk about time management and structuring an ideal week and determining when makes the most sense to focus on your wife or your husband or your Children and finding the optimal time for that instead of just trying to squeeze it in.
Because if not, it could become like social media, I’ll do a little, a little bit here, a little bit there. Oh, I got this great idea, let me pop over here, maybe this person can do that, and it becomes this, this unconscious hodgepodge of things, instead of being intentional and saying, no, no, no, I am at my best on thursday afternoons and when I’m at my best, I want to be with my family, so I’m gonna block that time.
Is it gonna happen every thursday? Absolutely not. But at least I’m gonna try, I’m gonna be intentional about it, and that’s exactly what I think you were just sharing in terms of a social media strategy and that’s why Jason the things that I work on with people, they have very practical application, especially in the energy industry, but they also apply to people’s personal lives and it’s the same approach, it’s the same mindset, it’s the same tools and again, if nothing else,
it helps strengthen relationships, which is a lot of what we’re talking about here. You know, those bonds, whether it’s love or whether it is something more transactional. The moral of the story is if you want to strengthen your connection, strengthen those relationships, you need to be intentional and you need to be smart with your time and your energy.
Jason Spiess
Now I know we’re going into overtime here because it’s the big Super Bowl edition of the Love podcast. I’m sorry, It’s the Super Bowl Edition podcast powered by Love. I got a wordsmith that a little bit. I love it. Either way. Okay, so where does your energy go first? I’m paraphrasing what you said uh where does your energy go first? That is a really important thing for every company to ask themselves right now, whether you’re you’re an employee, but mostly if you’re a business
owner or you’re a decision maker, let’s take that social media example joe that I gave for a second and this could go any way you want to go in any department, where does your energy go first. Okay, so if you’re the Department of Transportation or you’re the company that sells widgets and you got that social media manager that we talked about for an example.
Now if your energy or your money is going to that person so they can go to networking events and they’re only posting on their personal where does your energy go first? If you are paying someone to go market and brand your company and they are continuously doing it on their personal and not your company or your government page. Where does your energy go first?
In fact, I would even ask how much energy are you getting in return? That is one of the biggest issues going on right now. And it’s really hard for the average person to understand for one. They’ve never worked in the media and number two it’s just not fun when you got to change. So right now a lot of work places are making changes. I even know some places joe they’re outlawed on social media now.
I talked to one guy the other day, he called me and he said were outlawed and now we’re not even have it anymore because he did an audit and found out how much time people are spending on their personal versus their work stuff. Um So that was my example. I wrote down where does your energy go first? I think you got a book there. That’s a book right there because that csg that’s E. S. G. In a nutshell right there.
What what is the supply chain of your energy? Take a look at it and how does it come back and this isn’t like trying to be a bitter or trying to get bad or anything, this is just trying to be professional with the supply chain because joe I don’t think that the energy detox podcast has its own brand, does it? You do it all through winning partners, correct,
Joe Sinnott
correct. It’s all under the umbrella, obviously it’s its own entity on all the podcast platforms. It’s got its own domain. For
Jason Spiess
example, where does your energy go first for you? Your energy goes to the umbrella of willing partners first, correct?
Joe Sinnott
Yes and no, Jason, unless you want to get more philosophical. I mean, my energy ultimately is going through winning partners. So I guess, yeah, it goes there first, but It’s to the people, it’s to my audience. I mean, at the end, at the end of the day, Jason, you know, winning partners is not some 10,000 personal organization. So, I mean, I’ll be honest people, they’re not hiring me, you know, for winning, but they’re not hiring willing partners on paper.
They are certainly from a contractual standpoint. But at the end of the day, you know, I’m doing the coaching. They’re hiring me for my experience for my insights for the results that I’ve generated. And
Jason Spiess
so for
Joe Sinnott
that reason, my energy, I would say really doesn’t go to winning partners and when I have an opportunity to connect to an individual first, you know, somebody who already have a relationship with or you know, somebody who I know needs the type of services that I offer, that’s where I I turn to first, now again, whether I use winning partners as an avenue to to expand that connection relationship.
Yeah, that’s a different story. But in terms of where my energy goes, Jason, it’s focused on the end user, the audience, the person who’s gonna benefit from me, not some intermediate step, which again, stay on my soapbox here for a moment. That’s where a lot of companies get screwed up in their social media strategy is they forget as simple as it is, and, you know, you’ve been immediate for all these years, right?
They forget who their audience is. So that’s where your that’s where your energy needs to go first, in terms of the avenue to get there, there’s a million different ways to do that. And some of it, like you said, you know, if you have a passion for one approach to connect with that audience, fine, do what suits you best. You know, leverage the resources that you have at your disposal, that enthuse you.
But by all means don’t get stuck there because a lot of people do. And, you know, their message. Again, we’re Super Bowl’s coming up here, you know, from an advertising standpoint, you spend million dollars on an ad that, you know, people leave people scratching their heads and saying, what did I just watch? What’s that for? You know,
Jason Spiess
that’s, you
Joe Sinnott
Know, marketing 101, if you will, so audience audience audience audience audience is where my energy goes first and then if it happens to flow through winning partners or the energy detox or a conversation with you, Jason, so be it.
Jason Spiess
And yeah, thank you for making me look like a fool with the technicality of yes, you’re the independent contractor, you’re, you kind of like, yeah, everything goes through me and but I get your point and actually you bring up a good point because uh sometimes there is that person that it’s just, they need to be the identity and not necessarily have the company become their identity.
That’s a case too. And that’s actually one of my biggest things because I’ve got three or four different companies, I’m trying to juggle. So as I try to do one, I can’t have the other one, you know, mix and match because it pollutes the water if you will. It gets too confusing for people because there are a lot of people that like to just label and they like to be very singular with certain things and check boxes and, and etcetera.
But you bring up a really interesting point about that joe you do because there are some other variables that that go into this and at the end of the day, you know, where does your energy go, where do you put it, where do you put it first? And in the Super Bowl ad that you brought up, you just, that was a great little side bar there because sometimes a lot of these Super Bowl ads now, you actually have to go and watch a netflix series before.
You can even understand the ad. Like if people had never seen Wayne’s World before, imagine what that ad looked like to them. First of all, Gareth, I loved Mike Myers to death, but he looked really old and kind of creepy and scary for wearing that clothes and trying to present himself as a teenage boy from what I remember back when Wayne’s World first came out.
Great Movie, rob. Lowe, Fantastic. Okay, but 30 years, 40 years later that, that didn’t play well. But even worse, somebody made a ton of money to just basically give me a homework to go watch movies. There’s a lot of this kind of rehashing of certain things. Re energy where you grab energy from someone else and put it to you and now you’ve given people homework. Now you gotta go watch Lord of the Rings. Now you gotta go watch game of Thrones, which I’ve never seen.
So anybody that does any advertising with those two things is completely lost on me. And that’s what I see a lot of these Super Bowl ads now joe is there just kind of doing their own little micro movie of some show they liked as a kid or something like that. So anyway, that’s my comment on the Super Bowl commercials. I don’t know if that’s you want to comment on that, that’s kind of against the love podcast
Joe Sinnott
here? Well, I mean for all those corporations who love money, I’m assuming they’re they’re doing, you know, they’re they’re figuring out the rate of return on that. And if they’re doing something that’s only gonna resonate with a handful of people or that’s gonna require homework for everybody else to actually go and figure out what they’re saying.
And at the end of the day, if they figure that’s still going to give them the return they want, then, you know, so be it. But in the real world where we are communicating every single day as human beings, we need to be asking ourselves what the rate of return is on our words and our time and more importantly, the time and the attention of our audience and in a corporate environment, especially in the world of oil and gas, that’s go, go, go the leader or the manager who’s relying on, uh,
analogies that don’t hit or things that they say that people don’t understand, but they’re afraid to, you know, ask questions about because it’s go go go or they’re gonna feel stupid or whatever, which speaks in many ways to some of the generational gaps that also help, uh, companies work through. They need to ask themselves, am I being clear rule number one for communication, am I being clear and to your point, Jason, if the audience has to go and do homework or doesn’t
understand your reference to Seinfeld because, you know, they weren’t even born until 10 years, You know, after Seinfeld went off the air, You’re probably not being terribly efficient with your communication ability, even though there’s one or two people in the room who are laughing hysterically and got your point 100% and are ready to barge out.
Maybe that’s good enough, but it’s up to you as the communicator to determine whether it’s good enough and not just unconsciously keep going to the same old well of uh of analogies and whatever else to get your point
Jason Spiess
across. … Well, as much as I loved this podcast, you should probably wrap it up and I know that you like business and your family loves it when you’re making the bacon, so to speak. So how can people get in touch with you and give yourself a few plugs if you will, so that we can generate some business your way, sir?
Joe Sinnott
Well, despite saying a couple minutes ago that, you know, winning partners is really just there as a pass through the easiest way is to go to winning partners dot com. If, if you wanna connect and learn a little bit more about what I do and how I do it and the results that I’ve helped companies in the energy industry and beyond generate in terms of leadership development coaching training workshops, keynotes and all of that.
So, winning partners dot dot com but also always happy to connect on linkedin. Always happy to have a conversation. I’m even a fan of the good old fashioned phone call. So the numbers out there, you can call 4124445563. Even in this age of texting and emails and all of those various ways to communicate.
Sometimes a nice normal human conversation is the most efficient and effective. So all those means are fine. And as we said earlier, you can always find the energy detox, go ahead and google or you can find it on any of your favorite podcasting platforms.
Jason Spiess
The supply chain of that promotion was the energy first came from waiting partners and then there was a website avenue, a phone call avenue and email avenue, a social media avenue, there was all kinds of avenues for that energy to go to be channeled through. And in the end it ends up back at winning partners for the return on that investment of energy. And that’s how I look at it, joe in all honesty, is that that’s how it goes and that’s how we’ve always taken the crude life and we’ve
been able to grow every year now, it’s not 100% growth. It’s that traditional 10 15 20% but it’s that slow and steady, wins the race. And quite honestly when you love what you do, that is a very, very successful career just to have a slow and steady wins the race, because that means every day you wake up and you do, you love what you do, you really do. And that sounds like what you do to joe, you really love what you do. So maybe you don’t. But
Joe Sinnott
to me
Jason Spiess
it seems like you
Joe Sinnott
do, it’s all just a facade Jase that last hour that we just talked about actually have no passion for the energy industry or leadership or love or any of those things, but no, in all seriousness, whether you call it slow and steady or whether you call it in, uh, you know, hedging your bets and locking in good prices, that will ensure a steady return for years to come.
I think that’s the key to healthy relationships, that’s the key to a marriage, that’s the key to uh, you know, ensuring that your love isn’t just a flash in the pan, but something that is able to sustained. So again, for everybody listening, you’re looking to sustain success, whether it’s personal success or professional success.
Always happy to have a conversation like this one with Jason and always happy to engage with anybody who’s listening out there as part of your audience there, Jason, you got a great audience, a great show and certainly appreciate you having me on again to have this lovely conversation today. …
Jason Spiess
Beep and artificial chat on love. Now, …
Joe Sinnott
that was, that was great. I was trying to, trying to find the, hold on, Let me
Jason Spiess
uh
Joe Sinnott
well, just make sure you make sure you end this. But if if you forget to end this and people are still listening again, this is the real Jason and joe. Hopefully it sounds exactly as the same as the last hour or so that you subjected yourself to. So okay, now I will officially end the recording.
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Canada’s Greatest Export Terry Etam, author of The End of Fossil Fuel Insanity: Clearing the Air Before Cleaning the Air, columnist for the BOE Report and writer for Public Energy Number One, gives an update on the oil and gas activity north of the border.
Etam explains how the country’s view on oil and gas has changed under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Host Jason Spiess and Etam talk about the foundational oil and gas developments in Canada. Spiess uses his education in sports citing that in hockey Edmonton is called the “Oilers” for oil development and Calgary is called the “Flames” for natural gas.
In addition to an update on Canadian energy, the two discuss how the oil and gas industry has changed due to Environmental Social Governance (ESG) in Canada.
The two continue the ESG discussion into whether the youth is embracing this as a new religion or if ESG is purely just a new credit score with a few more bells and whistles.
Below is the raw, unedited transcript from our artificial intelligence translator.
Jason Spiess
Head over to the zoom line where we have Canada’s greatest export on the line with us terry Etem exporting that information, That energy information, public energy number one information as well as B. O. E. Report and the author of the book, the end of the fossil fuel insanity and what’s the whole title again? Mr terry adam,
Terry Etam
clearing, …
Jason Spiess
clearing the air before cleaning the air, the end of the fossil fuel insanity available at amazon as well as other places to correct
Terry Etam
Oh,
Jason Spiess
big time. Big time Barnes and noble baby. Alright. International author Canada’s greatest export as well as
Terry Etam
as
Jason Spiess
well as a blogger on public energy number one, I love that name. By the way, Public energy number one, I’m gonna I’m gonna listen to motley Crue later, Public Enemy number one. I like that motley crew first album, Livewire. That was pretty good. Hey, look at me showing my age here. Little deep, deep track on that motley Crue album. But well sir, up in Canada europe in Alberta, correct. … Well, let’s,
Terry Etam
let’s
Jason Spiess
get an update from Canada Last we spoke, the Prime Minister was waging a war against the oil and gas industry. And then the other time we spoke, he was waging a war against the fertilizer industry because they were connected to the oil and gas industry house the Prime Minister doing today, who’s he, who’s he taken out of the marketplace this week.
Terry Etam
Uh, well, it’s a friday afternoon and I really don’t want to talk about him. But uh, it’s he’s continues on with his theme and it’s, it’s singling out an industry that the latest uh program that they’ve unveiled is what they call their just transition employment program, where they’re going to uh move trying course workers to leave the oil and gas sector, we want you out of the sector and we want you to go into green energy.
And they had some of their discussion documents that were uh leaked or released, and they just make a mockery of the industry in a way, they just say, well, oil and gas workers should be able to find jobs as truck drivers or janitors, or they can install solar panels. And it was wildly insulting and um, brainless, but it passes in the public sphere these days,
Jason Spiess
but but but I bet they did it with a smile and they probably, you know, maybe even did it over a Molson. Huh?
Terry Etam
Well, I I wrote a story a couple weeks ago about profiling Canada’s climate change minister, a guy named Stephen gill bo uh from Quebec, and he’s an ex Greenpeace activist. He’s been arrested four times and he’s sitting in one of our highest positions in the government.
Jason Spiess
The
Terry Etam
Prime Minister Trudeau gloats about his success as an activist. He introduced him to joe biden. Hey, you gotta come meet my new climate Minister, He’s been arrested four times, and this guy did an interview with the new york times. It was appalling. He was just very open about it. He says, uh yeah, I, they’re saying, have you sold your beliefs to become part of the government? And he said no, I really, I just view myself as an activist on the inside now as opposed to it, but
Jason Spiess
I I gotta but wouldn’t you rather know what you’re getting though? Because in America we, you know, we have this thing called the inflation reduction act, which is making the price
Terry Etam
of eggs, oh,
Jason Spiess
it’s making everything triple than what it was before. And you know, this started 20 well, it started 20 years ago when they started doing things like save the Environment Act and then they’d go take out a, you know, a forest, they just can put a parking lot in, you know, it was just like the exact opposite of what they said. And you know, honestly, I I think and I’ve been saying this for five years, you can go back five years on this program when a lot of people in the industry started
getting really ticked off at me because I was trying to explain that they’re positioning the oil and gas industry as the next modern day leper, the modern day cigarette smoker, the coal industry, if you will, you know, Well, instead they get mad and they, you know, they’ll say, I’m crazy and all this other stuff and you know, that their world is toxic.
So they gotta make mine, right? I’m just making an observation and pretty soon it’s like I, you know, took a crap on their dog or something. Well the same people now they just quickly change their company to energy and they act like the conversation in the 4 to 5 years of shaming never existed. And it’s just so bizarre to me that when a company goes from being called oil and gas to energy they’re validating this this energy movement.
So in America in my opinion when they start subsidizing the wind energy and the solar energy and they start over regulating oil and gas. They’re doing the same thing that they’re doing up in Canada. Only in Canada. They’re just being insulting about it in America they’re just being passive aggressive and kind of lying about it. Which so pick your poison pal.
Terry Etam
Well I guess so you’re right. It’s maybe just because I was just so flagrant and it’s just like that.
Jason Spiess
But yours is more on steroids though too though. But because they are allowing some yeah they’re allowing some drilling and some common sense in America still. But you
Terry Etam
see the U. S. Has the capacity which is one reason I love your country. You have the ability to self examine and the ability to push back against these things. You see states pushing back against things saying this just isn’t right we’re just not going to allow this and not everybody agrees and that’s fine. Nobody. No you’ll never see everyone agree on everything that’s life and that’s healthy that you get different perspectives and the the U.
- Has that those mechanisms where you’ll get a committee that will pull apart the connection between the FBI and twitter or something. And it’s like we gotta look into this Canada. We just pretend it doesn’t exist. So we uh the bureaucratic machine just keeps on chugging. Is
Jason Spiess
this um is this centered around E. S. G. Environmental social governance? Is a lot of this centered around that up in Canada.
Terry Etam
Yeah a lot of it is it’s it’s like there’s um there’s languages that either side can hear and I think that’s where this this conversation gets so horrible and energy just got caught in the
Jason Spiess
languages
Terry Etam
change. I would say the climate change camp is of the mindset that if we don’t reduce emissions immediately, we’re all going to die 10 or 20 years, the oceans are gonna flood everything that becomes unlivable refugees everywhere. And the cause of that is fossil fuels. We have to stop fossil fuels. And so that’s all they see and that’s all they act in accordance with.
And then the other side, if I can call it that the realist the plumbers I call them versus the academics, they say well you can’t do that. It doesn’t work that way. And and they say it has to work that way because we’re doomed. And so you have these you have these these viewpoints which just are are totally they argue totally different things because their premises are built on two separate things.
It’s like when someone says, we have to do something for the good of everybody, uh that’s and that drives every one of their actions and they don’t listen to the people say, you can’t do it. That just makes them even more determined to say, well, we have to and that’s why you see these accelerations of programs and like, okay, well, we just, we have to double down now on emissions reductions because we’re not going fast enough and then trying to build some more coal plants and India
builds more coal plants because they have to, they’re like the plumbers of the economic world, they’re like, we got, we have billions of miles to feed and we’re going to feed them. So global emissions goes up so that the Western guys say, well, we have to cut emissions even more because global emissions are going up. We have we have the money and the the depth of talent and resources and whatever to make that happen here.
We just keep layering these things onto our industries and then we have the inertia of the industry itself, like you said, they just keep doing what they do and they morph to to uh to keep going, like you say, the programs and the style they’re adopting and whatever and people selling emissions free cargoes of gas, which is, I don’t even know what they’re talking about because the people that hate fossil fuels hate natural gas, They hate cold and they don’t care what you’re going to
call it, but it’s playing the game. So it gets it works. So I don’t know how, I don’t think we’re gonna I think we will muddle through this but I think it’s gonna be pretty brutal. Are
Jason Spiess
you, are you guys doing anything up there? You guys have any activities Edmonton, can they even be called the oilers anymore or do we got to change their name?
Terry Etam
Well that’s what’s so weird about there’s there’s in some ways it’s a bit like the U. S. So there’s the the areas of uh development or production which will just keep chugging. So there’s kind of a couple of big regions. There’s one in Northwestern Alberta which leaks into british Columbia.
The peace river arches called. It has the Montini and Duvernay formations which are similar quality wise to the marcellus in Appalachia or like they’re huge. It’s a big area and just just a ton of resources and reserves in their last for decades. And yeah, mostly gas and oil. And
Jason Spiess
now how far is that from say say you mentioned british Columbia. So you’re on the coast. How far is that from the coast?
Terry Etam
It’s quite a ways from the coast for four or 500 miles to the border.
Jason Spiess
Okay, on the other side of the border then. Okay. Got it.
Terry Etam
Yeah and and that it’s about, …
Jason Spiess
oh jesus, you’re really driving far okay
Terry Etam
because
Jason Spiess
Calgary because I remember my, my education comes from hockey, so Calgary flames is natural gas and Edmonton oilers, oilers, so Okay, all
Terry Etam
right, … come
Jason Spiess
on, are you for
Terry Etam
real? … Canada’s
Jason Spiess
greatest export. Ladies and gentlemen, …
Terry Etam
Oh
Jason Spiess
no, you just got an amplified off that one. That was awesome. Okay, so, and by the way, in Utah Jazz I think was new Orleans originally. So go on. Oh,
Terry Etam
the other
Jason Spiess
big, yeah,
Terry Etam
yeah, the other big area in Alberta that is the oil sands of course, and those are different because they’re like, mine’s almost there, they’re really long life assets, so there’s like a couple $100 billion got sunk into that over the past couple of decades and those will just chug forever. So, so no matter what happens with, no matter how hard the government wants to kill it, there’s a couple of big key core areas where they don’t really need that much more pipe or that much more
infrastructure and they can just keep going. So the industry is in a very weird place now because it’s spitting out all of this cash and the companies won’t reinvest it to grow, so they’re spitting it out to shareholders in the US getting rid of debt and uh and then that causes this weird environment where there’s all sorts of money floating around, but it’s just heading out the side doors, it’s not like it’s not turning it into a booming economy necessarily uh it’s like there’s a
lot going on royalties to the government and companies are paying taxes and shareholders are making a lot of money, but you’re not feeling that vibe in the of where everything’s going crazy, Even the service companies like the drilling rig companies are, they’re flat out, you can’t find the drilling rig, but there’s a lot fewer rigs and there used to be, so it’s not the same um not the same boom mentality.
And then the fact remains to they can’t get employees to come work in the industry, they’ve been chased away. So uh and that’s I think that’s a universal problem. I’d like to understand better what the there’s business activity all over the place that’s being held back because there aren’t enough qualified tradespeople and plumbers and mechanics and uh male rights and that that’s that’s a whole study needs to be done on that because it doesn’t show up in unemployment if you have.
I know some people that own small companies and they have order books uh coming out there or offices and they but they can’t fill them because they can’t find crews to build stuff. So it’s um but that doesn’t show up in a in a statistic anywhere about unemployment renting, but it’s it’s a real problem.
Jason Spiess
Yeah, I don’t believe any of those unemployment numbers to be honest. Um Because when when you look at the amount of layoffs that are going on, there’s no way that they’re adding jobs. Like I was talking to my ex, uh, she’s, she’s got restructured three times with her job since the beginning of the year because they’ve had layoffs and layoffs and layoffs, right? And so she’s kept her job and restructured around all these different things. And like she texted me, she goes, yeah, we
just laid off another round of people yet we’re hiring, how does that work? And I said, well, if you’re part of that C suite America C suite executives, that makes your six or seven figures a year and pretty soon you realize you’ve been resting on your laurels and now you’ve got to go work again. So you go get more government subsidies, you go lay off people, you go hire people for half the amount and then you give yourself a raise after it’s done for working so hard. And she goes,
Terry Etam
she
Jason Spiess
goes, yeah, I see that too. I said, well, yeah, that’s what’s been going on for a long time. What I’m, what I was just gonna look up is Neil, how are you familiar with Neil? How?
Terry Etam
So
Jason Spiess
he’s an author and I thought you might be because he wrote a book called the fourth turning an american prophecy and I interviewed this guy like 20 years ago or something like that and maybe 10 years ago. And it was fascinating because what he did is he tracked humans from the roman empire till today and we have four cycles. We go in every, it’s just, it’s like clockwork, we go, we’re consistent and yeah, and the one generation you go from is the lost generation, which we’re in right
now and then you go to the silent generation because there’s really only one way to do it and blah blah blah and nobody really knows how to do things anymore because people just came out of being lost and that’s kind of what I was gonna bring up to you, is that, you know, when I take a look at what’s happening, it just seems like a lot of these energy companies are really starting to just defined what that foundational money is or that foundational businesses like what cole happened to
cole because there’s still coal companies around their drilling or their their coal mining right in Bc Colombia, right by the coast. So they’re still happening. Um, but what they’re doing is they’re kind of controlling the industry a little bit more. And that’s what I see happening in the oil and gas industry. And now, when I see Tech companies laying off enough people to actually become percentages, 8% of the staff, 15% of the staff nine, that’s a substantial amount of layoffs
happening and these are all thought workers. So these people are not manufacturing, I actually think this is where the next generation of energy workers are gonna come from is they’re going to go get re educated at a trade school and go do this energy transition because they have debt, they got student loans, they got mortgages, they got a car, they got whatever credit cards. So I think that’s kind of what’s happening. Yeah,
Terry Etam
well, the, the energy transition as an employment engine is unbelievable. Like there’s, I can’t even tell you the number of people I know working on energy transition stuff versus looking for oil and gas is like 100 to 1. It’s, it’s not even remotely close. There’s so many new companies being started. There’s, there’s guys, one of the guys that a good friend of mine who’s one of the um, he’s a fiercely capitalist, has no faith in the climate madness, alarmist stuff.
Uh, he went from being an oil field service guy now, he’s started a hydrogen company because that’s the way it’s going. So, um, and there are lots more like that, they’re like, well that’s where the growth is gonna be. So, uh, so there’s a lot of the oil patch is transitioning in a rational way, which is what I would have hoped all along anyways, if this was being handled properly.
This, the energy transition is a natural offshoot of the energy industry, it should be going hand in hand, It should be like uh, wrote an article about this recently too. Like this should be the most exciting time to be an energy ever. Like, it’s, you have this infrastructure based with a lot of money and a lot of, a lot of money these days especially, and and to start developing new things to make it work better to make it different.
Can you blend hydrogen in a natural gas pipeline, can you? All of these things? It’s just like so exciting and interesting. But it’s turned into this fight for survival because you gotta play defense, you gotta, you have to have a suit of armor on to go to work because everybody’s trying to kill you.
And it’s just, it’s absurd and it’s uh, I wish it would stop, but it won’t as long as we have the people we have that are running the show, but it’s where the boots on the ground are actually kind of morphing into a shape that’s gonna be useful. I think so,
Jason Spiess
yeah. Honestly, you know, we’re getting a little bit existential here because I think what we’re going into is a global economy. I think that they’re, you know, trying to make it so most of our prices are going to be very similar, at least by continent, if not by globe. It depends on if you’re ordering from amazon or alibaba, I guess ali baba, depending on how you would like to pronounce it.
And oh no, and I was gonna say what I, I guess what I see coming is a is a four tiered solution, I guess to where and I don’t know how it’s gonna play out, but this is how I see it happening. They’re gonna go and like take an apartment or take a house or whatever it is, right? So you’ll have one crew that will go in and demolish it, and then you’ll have another crew come in and recycle it.
And then you’ll have another crew come in and build these new energy efficient homes that spy on you, because remember they’re all gonna spy on you, they’re gonna control your temperature and they’re gonna spy on you. Maybe not all the time just when they need to and then, and this is the most important one. The cheerleading team is gonna come in with a bunch of people to tell you how great it is to tell you how to think and how you feel and if you decide that you don’t like that, well,
it’s not gonna go well for you. And so it’s just honestly, I think that’s gonna be the, probably the next 50 years across the planet is going to be some form of that four tiered system in the economy. I think so.
Terry Etam
Uh Well, it’s interesting. It’s uh, it’s certainly plausible. I think that a little bit of a different angle, but just maybe get to the same point is that if you look at the global broad strokes over the past 30 40 years, like there’s the the West had wealth and they bought more and more crap, which we outsourced to countries that had cheap labor and resources and, and increasingly over time they weren’t scared of the environmental penalty penalty of processing raw materials and
making raw rare earths and whatever else, which is why china has such horrific environmental issues in Russia and other places like that. And so but that’s changing now, right? Those those countries are no longer the cheap labor pit and they know long are willing to play by the same games and they own all the processing technology for minerals and raw materials or whatever.
They’re still voracious consumers of energy and everything else. They have so many people there. But the West is going to go through something I think like you’re saying, and maybe that becomes more balanced globally to is the I don’t think china and India I think that the the global elites that make the big high level decisions and point us in different directions. I do think there’s some truth to that.
They do not want to see china and India and africa live like we do in the West here, they will grow to some degree of success to that. But I think the West will be brought down from, there’s I think you’re right, I think that we’re gonna be monitored for our carbon footprint and how much we can travel and what kind of food we eat and everything else.
Jason Spiess
How old are your, how old are your kids?
Terry Etam
15 and 17.
Jason Spiess
So okay, same age as mine, mine 17, you’ll be uh well I’ll be 17 in April I guess. And you know, so I’m I’m around a lot of you know, kids, a lot of high school kids and junior high kids and college kids just at his, you know, he’s in wrestling for example, he was in Pokemon for a while. So I listen to a lot of what is going on and it’s hard for the average person to understand that.
But you do because you’re a writer and other writers understand what it means to listen. You’re you’re always listening, even when you’re not because it’s the way your mind is wired. You’re always looking for a good story, you know, you’re always looking for. Yeah, puzzle to solve what’s a fun angle. It’s it’s entertainment, whatever, you
Terry Etam
know,
Jason Spiess
and I’ve been noticing this for a while, especially with the kids to where they’re really connecting with this E. S. G. In this climate change, this environmental movement because they’re all tied together. And how is E. S. G. Accepted in your country with the youth because here, I’m not kidding you, my meeting, I just came from the 77 year old person in that meeting asked me is E.
- G. Replacing religion. And I’ve been trying to explain that for four years that I think this whole climate change movement is replacing religion. They’re doing it through the original sin, The garden of Eden, look at us. We’ve destroyed. We have to, you know, a tone and repent and all this stuff and only they have the answer type of a thing. People think I’m crazy not the 77 year old guy that heard about E.
- G. For the first time. He thought he just he brought it up on his own. And so um what how are you guys viewing it? Do you think it’s kind of as a replacement for religion for the youth? Do you think it’s just an actual way? Like a credit score? Only two. Alright. We’re just gonna judge your finance loans based on this. How are you guys viewing GSG up there?
Terry Etam
Well I think there’s a pathway where the kids, I don’t know what they trust anymore and and they know what they have to do to get good marks. I was helping my my son with social studies, we call it what you call it down there, but just civic events and how society works and whatnot. And it’s full of what you’re talking about and and there there certainly good aspects to it.
Like you have to preserve the environment and you have to whatever without getting too far into the dogma. But that whole E. S. G. And climate thing like you’re saying, I think that they do believe it because it’s just view there’s a view that it’s unacceptable to think any other way and it’s not even really uh handed them at the same time. My daughter did learn something about fossil fuels in school, that they’re the usefulness of them.
But I think maybe that’s just because we’re in oil and gas town, I’m not sure. But I think as kids and people get more urbanized, they get farther away from where things come from. So I think the youth are going to hit this point where they go, wait a minute. This doesn’t work. Like you guys have been saying this forever and maybe it’s just the generational distrust of the adults before them, but they’re being told that wind and solar can take over and that they’re the cheapest form of
energy and that they’re coming and everything else is on the way out. And, and there’s so much science in quotation marks backing that up, that they’re like, well, I guess that’s true. And, and then I think the issue gets to be when they get up into decision making, uh, years, that they realize that this isn’t quite what they sold us, but maybe that’s nothing new.
Maybe every, every generation is kind of like that where they have to realize that the previous generation was operating in a way that, that, um, there was some reasons for it to be that way, that you can’t just throw everything out. And I think the sixties generation is a little bit comparable where there was a rebellion everywhere. And then, um, before my time a little bit, but there was, that was the state of the protests everywhere and whatever else, those people turned into
suburban parents and they’re like, yeah, whatever. I got to get the kids to school. So there’s, um, I think that that will happen with this generation too and you, and everyone is ideal for a lot of people are idealistic when they’re young and you see that in universities, a lot of colleges where it’s very idealistic places, people are doing the roads as an adult for the first time and they want the world to be a better place and it’s, that’s a great thing.
And then at some point there’s a lot of that inertia of reality that catches up with them. So the youth of today are different. Um, I don’t think the people talk about the rate of change and I just don’t see that the talk to somebody who’s 100 years old now that has changed. They’ve had a lifetime that has changed in an unbelievable way. If you talk to somebody who’s 18 changed to them is using an iPhone 14 versus the iPad they grew up with and it’s, there’s new apps and there’s new,
whatever. But it’s this, it’s, I would argue it’s more stagnant than what the previous generations have gone through. Talk to your grandparents and what did they do when they were a kid or they saw automobiles for the first time or whatever, uh, that’s changed. Um, and, and kids now like a five year old kid, even Children that aren’t well off have been on planes and flown around the world and you know what that’s like they know at an airport is like they know all of this stuff and, and
uh, so there’s there’s sort of a steady state and I think that the big arc of change to me is the fact that wait a minute this way that we live is really hard to duplicate for eight billion people. It wasn’t that hard when it was just some countries and we could go wherever we want and need more copper. Let’s go to peru kind of deal with the government.
We got more copper. Oh we’re out of whatever zinc there, we’ll go over here, we need oil and gas will talk to Guyana that that those days are drawing to a close I think. But at the same time the demands of that bigger slice of the world are increasing. The average citizen of India 1.3 billion people and we forget that just how big those countries are china.
2.5 billion people between the two of them africa is 1.2 billion people and they’re all going, we’re not sure we’re gonna listen to you guys. We got our own trajectory here mapped out. Um, and so I think we kind of get lost and what we see as the world because we’re used to defining it culturally and everybody wants to be an american or Canadian poor second choice if you can’t get into the U.
- You come to Canada. Uh, but, but we’ve been kind of the way we view ourselves as the gold standard of where everybody wants to be in the way to live with some justification. We have better health care, we have um, transportation, we have cars, we have dynamic economic engines here. And so that has been the role model for the world, the people that want to develop that way.
So, but as they go up that path and we tell them they can’t. I think that’s a big problem too that this generation is gonna have to to deal with. When they say here’s how the world should live and the rest of the world says, I don’t think so. … Well
Jason Spiess
If your child is so special that they are one in a million, then there’s what, 1300 of you in China, 1200 of you in India.
Terry Etam
Well,
Jason Spiess
I saw that once on a video and I went, boy that that is the best way to tell a parent their child is not special. If your child’s one in a million. Well, there’s 1200 of them and in uh, china and India. So that’s good luck. What do they, what do they say? China has more honor students than America has students. This was back in 2010. Yeah. Oh yeah, there’s a, there was a video circulating around 5 4010 just explaining what happened to England in the 19 hundreds and it just said okay guess
this country world economic power blah blah all these bitch things. And it’s it’s said England in 1900. And then it just talked about the shift that’s coming with china on how America has been resting on its laurels and china has just been working overtime. And then the end of the video it’s called shift happens S. H. I. F. T. Shift happens. Yeah.
And there’s even a revised one. But it just kind of goes through a bunch of stats and explains the different things. If you really want to blow your mind, we have just a couple of minutes left. Um there’s a video called Prometheus I believe it’s called and it just goes in the future of media And it talks about how eventually copyrights are gonna go away and all these different things. And um it’s been pretty accurate now.
It’s been out for about 20 years and it started during the blog revolution. And and I think they’ve updated a couple times just uh you know, put in the iPad instead of the iPod, you know just to update a few of those things that have changed. But for the most part the plot yeah it’s been been going so and you can see where copyrights are now going to go away with this ai software.
Terry Etam
Yeah. And that’s bad for Art as well. I feel bad for artists and writers.
Jason Spiess
Yeah. …
Terry Etam
For
Jason Spiess
schools are going to change, art’s gonna change creativity is gonna change the first time I saw it. I saw immediately how powerful it was. I knew I had to adapt,
Terry Etam
I
Jason Spiess
knew I could not fight it and so I’ve been figuring out a way to incorporate it into my life and it’s just I have it basically just that’s kind of a writing assistant right now. I used to actually ai quite a bit actually um now that I know how to do it. So um anyway, but uh real quick, how can people get in touch with you? I’m taking a look. We only got a couple of minutes left. So how can people give you some business?
Terry Etam
Oh sure. Well I write every week or every couple of weeks at b OE report these days. That’s mostly where I keep busy bot report dot com. And they can find my articles there under uh columns and um my email address at the bottom of every one of them. Uh so they can reach me directly by email or just buy my book if they don’t want to listen to me or write me an email and uh Yeah, here what? Canadian Wind sounds like …
Jason Spiess
Gordon Lightfoot. Canadian wind. Alright, okay
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Former University of Wyoming PhD student Mike Curran, Abnova Ecological Solutions, joined Jason Spiess to discuss innovation in energy reclamation.
Curran examined 28 reclaimed well pads in the two Green River basin gas fields from 2015 to 2017. The first study, focused on the Anticline, found a surge of bug numbers and families where native grasses were planted on reclaimed well pad ground — and even greater gains where Rocky Mountain bee plant was seeded.
A subsequent study, examining infill drilling sites on the more southerly Jonah Field, suggests that native, flowering vegetation planted on rehabilitated ground provided nodes of seasonal habitat for pollinator insects that were well occupied relative to undeveloped sagebrush.
Abnova Ecological Solutions is owned and operated by Ecologist, Dr. Michael Curran. Dr. Curran is a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) and received both the top M.S. and top Ph.D. Student Award in the country by the American Society of Reclamation Sciences upon completing his graduate degrees.
He developed techniques to improve reclamation & restoration monitoring which not only improve data quality, but also reduce field time by 10-40x (depending on if handheld or drone imagery is used). He also pioneered the use of spatially-explicit dashboards to rapidly report reclamation monitoring results, allowing for informed decision making and easy-to-interpret data.
Dr. Curran worked with 26 oil & gas companies in reporting reclamation and restoration data to the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s Conservation Efforts Database prior to the 2015 Endangered Species Act listing decision of the Greater sage-grouse and was acknowledged by the USFWS for the importance of his contributions. He has experience transitioning the reclamation monitoring and reporting techniques he developed to conservation bank monitoring.
Dr. Curran has experience developing reclamation plans which go beyond satisfying regulatory criteria towards restoring food webs and creating pollinator and wildlife habitat. Aside from holding a PhD in Ecology, Dr. Curran has a Master’s degree in Rangeland Ecology & Watershed Management and a Graduate Minor in Statistics.
Prior to graduate school, Dr. Curran worked in documentary video with experience covering social and environmental issues. After graduate school, he took a post-doc research position in Mississippi studying how drones can be used to monitor wildlife and then worked at a large plant nursery in New Jersey, growing and selling native plants to restore ecosystem services in suburban landscapes. Dr. Curran has given workshops or been a presenter at over 65 conferences or symposia throughout the United States and Canada.
He is Editor of Reclamation Matters, and Associate Editor for Natural Areas Journal and Reclamation Sciences. Dr. Curran has been an ocean lifeguard since 2002 and is a member of the Southern Monmouth After-Hours Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T.) for open water emergencies.
Below is the raw, unedited transcript from our artificial intelligence translator.
Michael Curran
Mike Curran Abnova Ecological Solutions.
Jason Spiess
Alright, let’s talk a little bit about ecological solutions in oil and gas and energy. How is it that you know with the crude life will start there with the crude life. How is it that your product your company is involved with oil and gas. But first you know you better at least give an overview of what your company does more. The elevator pitch. We’ll get into some of the uh specifics as the interview goes, but uh describe your company and how it inter relates with oil and gas.
Michael Curran
Yeah, so at Abnova Ecological Solutions is a general ecology solution. Um company I focused mainly on reclamation and restoration um and a lot of habitat conservation and things like that. Um We have a broad background in anything from data management, geographic information science services to um real ecological science. I do most of the operations and have a PhD in ecology from the University of Wyoming.
During my time there I worked with 26 oil and gas companies uh to develop a large database system tracking reclamation and restoration efforts, things like seed mixes, uh herbicide applications and so on and so forth as well as their outcomes. Um With that I’ve pioneered several techniques to monitor reclaim sites using cell phones or handheld cameras using drones. Um All interrelated with uh Yeah with with mapping tools.
And then um really what one of the other things I specialize in is developing seed mixes and soil amendments reclamation plans. Um And then you have more recently I’ve gotten into just tracking how the ecosystem services respond to these efforts. And um Yeah, with with that I think there’s definitely a lot of benefit that these oil and gas companies can have when they’re doing really large reclamation jobs. What
Jason Spiess
are some of the things that you saw positive come out of this?
Michael Curran
Yeah. So one of the recent studies are two of the recent studies that were published in 2022 were related to how insects respond to oil and gas development and subsequent reclamation. We were utilizing seed mixes with in early um several species called rocky mountain bee plant. That’s a native annual flower that typically because companies haven’t gotten bond release from using annual species, they don’t use them.
Um What we find with that species specifically is it does a really good job at competing with the invasive and noxious weeds in in Wyoming. Um So actually companies by utilizing that species are gonna be saving money in their reclamation plan by reducing herbicide costs and so on and so forth. Um I really it really started being used as that.
So there’s that whole major benefit. It competes with noxious and invasive weeds. Um It grows taller than the native sage brush. It’ll retain moisture in the first year to provide evaporation, transpiration benefits and shade benefits for other later several species. So all the perennial stuff and those seed mixes um to kind of come in and two or three years after initial seating while that native plant drops out of the mix.
Um Yeah well within, you know, maybe 5 to 7 years we’re actually starting to see soil carbon B at the same levels or or higher than what it was previously or compared to adjacent reference systems. So there’s all those benefits. And then I really wanted to look at what what’s going on with the insect world. And the reason for that is insects are Um you know, part of the animal kingdom and they are wildlife.
But really insects provide more ecosystem services than any other form of wildlife. There the foundation for terrestrial food webs with 96% or more of terrestrial bird species utilizing insects as their primary source of protein, especially at the chicks stage. Um insects also provide the vast majority of pollinator services on earth.
And that’s definitely one of the the most important parts of a restoration or reclamation program is bringing pollinators in that can help with reproduction of the plants that you just seeded so that they can set seed and you can have kind of a self perpetuating community. Um And then they do yeah, a whole bunch of other things like their, you know, obviously a huge source of biodiversity. Uh They do a lot for nutrient cycling um bio control and things of that sort.
So in this instance um and it’s pretty common to actually use insects as indicators of ecosystem functionality in both aquatic and terrestrial systems. But yeah in this instance if we were looking at insect biodiversity insect abundance uh looks as though the these reclaimed well pad locations are very much so higher functioning ecosystems then what what they were before or what the surrounding vegetation communities are.
Jason Spiess
Now when we’re talking about you know some of the things that they can improve some of the things that you may have uh noticed that you’re gonna be working on or are currently working on when it comes to reclamation. We’re talking about being proactive here. Uh What areas of proactive nous or in a proactive nature are you seen that either your company can bring to the table or you know maybe it’s a different company maybe it’s you know something in you know outside of the seed in
ecological maybe it’s something in the I. T. World that can be brought into the fold. Um What are you seeing in terms of being proactive or the industry could be more proactive because this is an area that it never seems that you can be proactive enough.
Michael Curran
Yeah so a lot of this comes from the planning stages and I think companies are getting a lot more proactive and where they’re citing their disturbances. So where they’re placing their well pads, how their routing their pipelines um You know there’s been a ton of work there a lot of that comes down to um just you know simple G. I. S. Exercises.
Um That yeah my company could definitely help with a lot of it. You know these companies are working with government agency is with N. G. O. S. Um Where to put their pads and where to put their disturbances. So that’s probably the first step of it. Um The second thing is I think up until you know maybe seven or eight years ago when the greater sage grouse really became this is in you know the Rocky mountain states where the sage grouse became uh the species of concern for endangered
species listing reclamation had typically been to control erosion and you know to prevent weeds. Now it’s I think moving towards reclaiming and restoring wildlife habitat. Um So yeah companies definitely when they are citing their their locations minimizing their soil disturbances handling soil properly are are huge steps um Working with someone to help tailor their seed mixes rather than just you know call a seed company and get the reclamation 11 mix putting a little
bit of effort in the up front there can go a long way not only in cost savings but in an output and yeah in providing benefits to wildlife and other ecosystem services. So there’s a lot there was one of the things that I’ve got really into is that monitoring and um Yeah developed ways to monitor these sites that were with handheld devices typically about 10 times faster than traditional techniques.
Um and providing really good spatial information. Um In 2020 I started doing stuff with drones actually in 2018 and 2019 I published the first paper to look at how to use drones to monitor reclamation in 2020 where we’re about 40-45 times faster than traditional methods. Um so why does that become proactive is because it’s actually giving these companies a fast way to capture information out in the field.
Um And then I’ve pioneered the use of spatially explicit dashboards for um all of this stuff. So these companies can get either real time close to real time or much more rapid reports and decision making tools and they’ve previously gotten. Um So yeah, with that for example, one of the companies out in Wyoming is saving on annually, Been on an annual basis.
About $135, a year. Just in making better decisions on where and when to spray herbicide. Um so that that kind of all leads to a domino effect er saving money reducing your herbicide spray but you’re also making better decisions as to where to spray it. Um In turn reducing the amount of chemicals you’re putting out um you know, probably having direct benefits to pollinators and other species that wouldn’t chemicals and getting yeah much more better
results from the reclamation and restoration. Uh So I guess it um and one of them that would be looking at the bigger picture and that that’s starting with where to place a all
Jason Spiess
right talk to me like I’m a ceo talk to me like I’m a decision maker. I’m a legislative body member, politician, nonprofit in charge of helping reclamation. You know, those types. Um, why why is it that you are bringing a solution to the, you know, the table, so to speak? Um, you know, and, and basically if you had an elevator pitch of five floors, six floors, you know, a couple of minutes you had in an elevator with someone, how would you convince a lobbyist or a state legislature that,
you know, you are part of the solution? Because I gotta be honest, man, everybody seems to be coming forward with a new idea to help with the environment that there’s a lot of noise out there, if you know what I mean?
Michael Curran
Sure. Yeah. So we’re in the, what the United Nations is calling a decade of eco’s, they’re the decade on ecosystem restoration, which is 2021 to 2030 saying we’ve got to do a whole lot on restoring systems um, in this next decade to reverse things like biodiversity loss to help with climate change and so on and so forth. Um, oil and gas provide very tangible benefits that that we need to use, especially with growing populations.
Um, so as more extraction happens, more surface disturbances occurring, um, it doesn’t make sense for oil and gas to not be part of the solution. And um and in many instances I think we can look at oil and gas is analogous to natural disturbances, maybe like a wildfire or or things like that, that really kind of can reset or rejuvenate native ecosystems.
Um So I think if we look at it that way and put the right resources in, we can have huge benefits. And because of the amount of surface disturbance there is out there associated with oil and gas, it doesn’t make sense not to be part of the solution.
Jason Spiess
So let’s talk a little bit about, you know, what it is that you do for, you know, what’s next. So let’s say somebody engages with your service talk about, you know, the first week. What happens?
Michael Curran
Yeah, so I’ll work with companies on just kind of assessing what their disturbance looks like, where, where they’re at, where they’ve been, um how how I can help them make better decisions um what they’ve got kind of coming up the the pipeline for um yeah, what disturbances are, are gonna be done in the next year or so, or where they’ve been seeing failures and I’ll work with them specifically how to address that.
Um And then, yeah, yeah, from there, we’ll we’ll look at things like what wildlife are utilizing these areas, what um what kind of problems do you have in these areas. How can we work together um Right from the get go to to minimize our impact. Um And yeah a lot of this stuff we can build out a good reclamation plan from the beginning that’s gonna save a ton of time and money over the life cycle of maybe a well pad or a pipeline. If if we can get it right from day one um we’re gonna be saving
tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars on redoing soil work redoing or having to apply herbicides um and things like that. So oftentimes what I’m looking at is where our companies at and what some of their goals are um what their practices have been and then and working on solving the big problems that they have and then just streamlining the way their whole operations can work.
Jason Spiess
Now you’re in Cheyenne, Wyoming, University of Wyoming is where you got your education um This uh study on the bees and some of that different thing that was out of Wyoming correct. That was where you did your work.
Michael Curran
Yes. One of the studies that was published in April 2022 was in the Pintail Anna Klein Gas Field. And then a more recent study came from the Jonah Field. So just south of Pine Dale.
Jason Spiess
Okay now I was gonna ask you now do you do business in any other states or is it just primarily Wyoming or are you looking to branch out and uh other areas now that the studies done. Talk to me a little bit about your current business and your aspirations.
Michael Curran
Yeah. So I actually have a few clients in colorado. Um now oil and gas wise, I’m also talking to some folks in texas. Um and then I, yeah, I do other ecology work um working with some pipeline companies out in the Appalachian world, um pennsylvania Ohio and a lot of this stuff I I can take just general ecology principles and I think transfer them across the board. Um So yeah, right now I’m focused kind of in the Rocky Mountains.
I’m starting to branch out into Appalachia a little bit. And then, yeah, I also work with different types of disturbances. I do a lot of work with um abandoned mines out in Wyoming and um yeah, out east more kind of coastal resilience and coastal habitat restoration type of stuff. So um I’m pretty broad and yeah, right right now oil and gap because Rocky Mountain was expanding.
Jason Spiess
What’s the takeaway from this interview? What do you want people to take away from this? …
Michael Curran
Yeah, I’d say um … if you look at a lot of kind of on the on the news almost every day, I’ll read something about pollinator decline or um extinction or the sixth extinction coming climate change. All this stuff. I think that ecological restoration is going to be increasingly important tool to combat or to mitigate a lot of these global environmental threats that we hear about all the time. Um and yeah, the stuff that I showed in pine dale and in the Jonah field, I mean we found 22 times
more insects and pollinators just by doing a good job getting native plants growing back on these disturbed sites. Um So yeah, I I think if we put some thought into this and do it right that the oil and gas can industry um can really do a good job helping solve some of these environmental problems. And um I mean I’ve, yeah, I’m looking forward to working with more and more companies as there’s more and more of a push for that to happen.
The Executive Coach to Real Life Rock Stars and host of The Energy Detox Podcast, Joe Sinnott, Witting Partners, helps host Jason Spiess through a series of failures. Sinnott and Spiess discuss how someone can stop the downward spiral that can happen so easily after the start of a New Year.
The two also discuss reinvention of professional careers and personal identities.
Witting Partners delivers a full range of energy-focused leadership development services to help companies overcome the unique challenges of today’s oil & gas industry so that they can successfully regain and sustain peak performance.
From one-on-one executive coaching to group training programs to powerful speaking engagements, everything Witting Partners offers reflects an unmatched blend of industry insight, technical know-how, and relevant experience that has produced consistent results from the Gulf of Mexico to Appalachia, from service company to operator, and from drilling rig to downtown boardroom.
Click here for their website
Jason Spiess
Alright, let’s head over to the Zoom line where we have the executive coach for the real life rock stars, Joe Sinnott of course, real life rock stars a lot of times are geologists and Joe Sinnott makes a good portion of his living, being an executive coach to those individuals, petroleum geologists of course across C Suite Usa.
And also even some small businesses from time to time that need a little bit of a rock star treatment. So Joe, how you doing today of winning partners and the energy detox podcast, I’m
Joe Sinnott
doing just fine, Jason. How are you today?
Jason Spiess
Not too bad. I was gonna try to get your intro done and under one sentence, but that’s impossible when you’re as busy as a man like yourself. So how’s things going out on the east coast there? You’re not quite on the East coast, but you’re out on the eastern side of the United States. Pittsburgh pennsylvania area, of course, home of the Marcellus Utica and Appalachian basin, is that right? Sure
Joe Sinnott
you can use those all interchangeably. The moral the story is, yeah, we produce a lot of gas from a lot of different layers of the earth. Again, we’ll tie back to the geologists who can actually explain that in better detail than I can. But yeah, here in Pittsburgh, although I am from the true east coast though, Jason. So I know sometimes, you know, it’s all relative right. People will lump all of pennsylvania and forgetting that it’s, you know, 300 plus miles wide.
But you know, I am from New Jersey. So uh in the shadow of what used to be Giants Stadium. So I know the Giants are coming off of their, their nice big victory this weekend, uh, upset victory over the Vikings. So I won’t ask you how you’re doing after that loss. But I do need to make a nod to my east coast roots if you will.
Jason Spiess
I think a lot of people not to talk football here, but you know, of course I’m, I was born in Minneapolis and um, I’ve been a Washington Redskins commanders fan my entire life since I was four years old because I was, I always liked to play the indians in cowboys and indians, which is now native americans. And my friend Murray Proust who lived down the block at age four would like to play the cap guns, cowboys.
So I preferred the bow and arrow. He preferred the cap guns. One thanksgiving when I was four years old, the cowboys vs Redskins was on tv and I picked the Redskins ever since. It’s been a hard daniel Snyder a couple of decades. Let’s just put it that way. I follow the Redskins now the commanders, but being around Minnesota of course by osmosis, working in the media, I have to follow the Vikings or I’ll get escorted right out of the state and that by the way, the state is a regional area,
not the drunken scan ease over in Wisconsin. No, no, we don’t, The packers. I have their own fans, We have our fans here. And uh, it’s interesting in the bacon in north Dakota. Half of them are Denver bronco fans and then the other half are Minnesota Vikings fans. You got one or two Seattle fans because we’re kind of the gateway to the west. But yeah, both of my predictions san Diego chargers, Minnesota Vikings.
I made impromptu lee. They got ousted in the first round. A couple of uh, upsets I guess because the chargers had that game wrapped up and they found every way to lose that game, which brings me Joe Sinnott to what I want to ask you about today. I’m a failure. I’ve failed already. My New Year’s resolutions. I failed in some businesses that I’ve had to kind of shut down in the last year and reinvent redo and everything else. I’ve even failed in my family in some ways, you know, because I’m
not quite bringing in the income that I once brought in before as the inflation prices are going up. So I gotta be honest, I’m getting a little bit finger pointing at me around the household Joe, how do I get out of this failure spiral that I seem to be a mr rock star. How’s that for a monday morning question for you coming off of a couple of, hey, my gambling picks are gone. I don’t have that money coming in, Joe.
Joe Sinnott
Oh boy, I thought we were gonna talk sports for 20 or 30 minutes. We got we got a little bit deeper there, Jason. But I guess the bigger question, when you know that you’re not the first person to oppose that right is how do I overcome failure, Lost? Whatever it’s, you know, what your ultimate goals, what are you, what are you driving towards? Right.
A lot of people get caught up, especially this time of year, right? You know, we’re on the heels of a new year, still a couple of weeks in and and it’s easy to get down, right? So by now, I would have expected to do X, Y, Z. Or or I’m failing in whatever it is. And I said, well, all right, well, you know, what is your ultimate destination? Right? Let’s not get caught up in the minutia.
And I know some of the Minutia can feel big, right? When people, you know, screw up in a job or have some family issue or. Yeah, but their life savings on the Vikings and you know, who go on to lose whatever the case is. But at the end of the day, it’s sort of a well, so what does that really matter in the grand scheme of things? So, I think that’s the that’s the first answer, Jason, we will dive as deep as we want to on this, this conversation, but that’s that’s really the first response is, do
you you have a sense of what you’re ultimately after, because if you don’t, you fall into the trap that a lot of the folks that work with fall into which is getting caught up on relatively intermediate things, not necessarily unimportant, but things that might not be as important as you think they are in terms of getting
towards your ultimate goal. So when you talk, you talk a little bit about finances, about business, about family, you know, what is your ultimate vision for all of those things?
Jason Spiess
So it’s interesting you bring that up because I don’t know if we’ve talked about this before, but you and I of course we have talked about by cancer survival and a few of my family things. So one thing about this uh podcast or interview or whatever you wanna call it, we tend to get somewhat personal and family oriented because quite honestly if you have a car payment or you have a mortgage or you have insurance or you have a student loan, you are a small business because you need to cash
flow your life now, you might not be, you know, Microsoft or you might not be dixie donuts, but you’re still a small business in this grand scheme of cash flow. And when I took a look at, when I became a single father and I got full custody of the child when the mother was living a couple 1000 miles away and I thought I had cancer, I really had to redo my priorities.
So I actually sat down and wrote down a list Joe number one, my son’s health and well being number two, my relationship with my son number three my health and number four my job is very difficult to live in a world where your job is your fourth priority when most people view you and label you and even base your reputation on your job, Joe. That’s a tough thing to be in nowadays when you want to be a family or you want to try to survive or you want to just try to reinvent your life.
There’s a lot of people trying to reinvent their life right now and it’s hard to stop that rollercoaster. It’s hard to stop that mary ground if you will. So it’s my question to you is that um in a world that bases so much image and and success based on your occupation and job.
How are those people who are gonna try to focus on their family and their health and some of those non career type things? How do you navigate through that? That’s a really hard question. And by the way, there’s really no right answer on this.
Joe Sinnott
Well, well, first of all, you’re right, there is no, certainly there’s no universal answer, but the question well, and and keep this in mind, of course, Jason, you know, I mean the job of asking questions. So I don’t purport to have answers. I’m not coming into companies are working with individuals, you know, as a a true consultant or advisor.
Jason Spiess
My job
Joe Sinnott
is to ask questions, sometimes dumb questions
Jason Spiess
and
Joe Sinnott
that, you know, my response
Jason Spiess
to your
Joe Sinnott
question to me is basically, hey, is that fourth priority? Is your job whatever happens to be? Is it
Jason Spiess
really an
Joe Sinnott
end goal or again, is it
Jason Spiess
intermediate?
Joe Sinnott
So case in point a lot of people I work with when you really get into the weeds, it’s, well, no, I mean at the end of the day, you know, I do see my job as a means to supporting my family or to making the world a better place or to, you know, having enough money or extra money to be able to make a difference in the community or, you know, to support my church or whatever the case is.
And again, when you, when you frame it that way, it can just change how people view that job, view that role. And in some cases, in many cases it helps them actually do better at their job, right? Helps them become more focused and all. You know, again, like you said, we’ll, we’ll dive into the personal here quite often in these conversations and even in my own life, it’s easy to say, hey, you know, how many ways are my kids holding me back, right?
You know, all the time and the energy and everything else, You know, how much more successful would I be if it weren’t for my kids. And then it’s just, you know, you realize how silly the thought is because it’s, you know what, I don’t think I would be as successful as I am if it weren’t for my kids and my wife and having that motivation and having that focus and saying, you know, this is why I’m doing what I’m doing and again, everybody’s different, everybody’s wired differently, but
that’s what you need to get after. That’s, you know, that it’s that end goal is that ultimate purpose. I’ll throw another example out there again, it’s New Year’s. I’ve had multiple conversations with people about New Year’s resolutions and things like that, and a lot of people, right? You know, they want to be healthy, they want to go to the gym, they wanna exercise, they want to eat right?
All of those things, you say, well, why it’s just to be healthy and people might stop there and say, yeah, but ultimately, at least, you know, let’s say this is for me and it’s for other people. Why do you want to be healthy? Well, in your case, Jason, So, you could be there for your son, right? I am sure that a big piece of surviving cancer, pushing through beating the odds was so that you could be there for your son.
Again, I don’t wanna make assumptions, I’ll turn it over to you, but that’s that’s what you gotta get after because then you view those perceived failures in, you know, not eating is healthy or quitting drinking or whatever the case is if you have them in a different light and sometimes it makes it easier anyway, I’ll stop there …
Jason Spiess
because what ends up happening is that you end up having, you know impact and a ripple and you know the DSG of supply chain if you will, you know, type of a thing because when I sat down and wrote down my list um those top three things that I had were so important to me because I I truly am a family first guy that when it came down to my job, like I said, it was like I didn’t even think of that until I was on number four, I went, oh I suppose I should put my job in there because I need to figure out a way
to sustain those top three priorities I have of my son’s mental and and physical well being, my son and my relationship and my my health and so when I looked at that, I thought I got a fund that somehow because I just wasted most of my money fighting the medical industry and all these other things. And so when you have other things going on in your life, like when I went a year without sugar, that was a full time job Joe, I gotta tell you, I went a year without coffee.
And I thought that was hard when I went a year without sugar, I think I could have climbed mount Everest and that would have been easier than going a year without sugar. It is in everything man. I tell you pretty soon all I was eating was salad with a crushed lemon over it because everything’s got sugar in it. So that’s my point is that when you try to reinvent you somehow don’t understand how there’s some unexpected consequences and time sucks and just new experiences.
So whether it’s a job or whether it’s trying to fight cancer or trying to navigate through being a single parent, life changes and when life changes, it’s hard to really budget time. What type of advice would you have for somebody like it’s a job, somebody fighting health reasons, somebody going through a custody battle, whatever their
whatever their challenge in life is. How do you uh kind of guide them through that time because honestly we all have the same amount of time and it all comes down to choices.
Joe Sinnott
Yeah. Well the first step and again this is about as simple as it gets. But it’s necessary is to write out those 168 hours that everybody has in a given week, write it out. Take some of those themes that you just described, right? Those those big buckets, you know, time for your son, you know, time for work, you know, time for yourself, exercise all those things, identify those handful of themes and then
Jason Spiess
schedule
Joe Sinnott
them out and this exercise and again I do this a lot with individuals, I do this a lot with companies, you can call it, uh you know, some people will call it the ideal week, which again there’s, there’s a lot of different self help gurus out there that have some version of it, but the idea is simple, Jason schedule out what your week would look like ideally now we all know as you just said, things are always gonna pop up, you know, it’s almost laughable, especially working in the energy
industry to talk about an ideal week because things are always you know going amiss or wrong or whatever, there’s constantly fires to fight, but do you at least have a starting
Jason Spiess
point, do
Joe Sinnott
you at least have what things would look like if you can control everything, how many hours would you sleep? When would you sleep? When would you
Jason Spiess
eat? When
Joe Sinnott
would you have some time to yourself? When would you exercise if you’re talking from a business standpoint, what days, what times of each day or best to connect with your team to have those, you know, employees sit down, what days are best to do the menial tasks, the accounting type stuff. Again, actually sitting down and saying, well what would this look like first and then going back through and making decisions and adjusting and layering in reality, a lot of people get
overwhelmed Jason because you know, life can be overwhelming, but they don’t even know what the, you know what the ideal would be, how the heck do you ever even intend to approach an ideal situation life whatever, if you don’t even know what that looks like. So that’s the first thing that I do with a lot of people is getting that out there and actually understanding what those buckets are and then trying to layer them in
Jason Spiess
when it comes to the specifically the energy industry, it’s um there’s a lot of uncertainty no matter where you go and even in the in the boardroom because it’s it’s very difficult to go against the grain during these times because a lot of people are concerned about, if they say the wrong thing, they might lose their job or get laid off because you can’t turn on the news without hearing about layoffs these days and increased prices and so there’s kind of this walking on eggshells
type of thing happening right now across, I I would say small business and corporate business, it just seems like it’s there, you can feel the energy, you can listen in and in the words that people are describing, if you listen close enough talk to me a little bit about how to kind of navigate through that because a lot of people are trying to avoid writing down those lists that you and I just talked about, they want to keep their job, they don’t want to reinvent themselves.
So this is kind of a new type of failure, this is failure prevention Joe, this is, this is, I guess this is where that goes. But talk to me a little bit about what’s going on in the, in the boardrooms and in the C suite executives and even some of the small businesses where there’s a little bit of eggshells either from saying the wrong thing, making the wrong move, do we change our name from this to energy? You know, if you notice a lot of oil and gas companies are called energy companies
now. So there are changes happening In some areas, major changes in other areas, they won’t budge. In fact, right now, I just Gotta press release. Wyoming introduces bill to phase out electric vehicles by 2035. So there’s, there’s still some pushback and, and we’re not all on the same page yet. So, uh, talk to me about how to walk through those eggshells a little bit.
Joe Sinnott
Well, when I’m working with individuals and again, it could be at any level of the company, even, you know, the highest rung of a company many times has to report to of course, you know, either shareholders or board of directors or whatever the case is. So at any level of the company, the first step is similar to what we just talked about, Jason is identifying what the
ultimate purposes and then working backwards because a lot of the stuff that people get hung up on or that generate fear and have them again walking on eggshells. A lot of those
Jason Spiess
things don’t
Joe Sinnott
actually matter. You know, they know don’t affect the bottom line, but we live in such an age of distractions, especially with all of the E. S. G. Stuff and the net zero stuff where you know, things get a life of their own, they become seen as an end in and of themselves when the reality is, they’re not where they shouldn’t be.
Jason Spiess
So
Joe Sinnott
if you see that and that’s what’s generating maybe some of the fear that hey, I don’t really want to, you know, call a spade a spade here and say that this doesn’t make any sense. This does not help the company in the long run. If you’re in that position, the first step is determining whether you can ask, hey, how does this connect to the bottom line again? Whatever tactful way you want to do it, you know, how does this help us generate money to be bluntly
Jason Spiess
to
Joe Sinnott
be blunt. So that’s that’s that angle you want to take Jason is to slow down and try to connect whatever it is that you want to speak up about. Can you connect it to the ultimate goal to the bottom line. Can you ask questions that help other people see how disconnected certain actions and investments might be to the bottom line that again, I’m speaking sort of high level here, but that’s that’s the approach is identify where those connections are weak and in some cases if you’re
taking that approach, you might discover that the connections are there. So again, I don’t want to take this, hey, you know, just because you’re, you’re fearful. You don’t wanna speak up and you know, you’re right, Everybody else is wrong by taking that approach and saying, well how does this impact the bottom line? You might discover that it does, you might discover that some silly advertising campaign that you think is a complete waste of money.
You know, somebody has actually thought through it and has made the economic case and you walk away saying, well, cool, I’m glad I asked the questions and I didn’t go into this, you know, with some false sense that either, yeah, I need to light a fire under people and risk getting fired or whatever or keep my mouth shut. You can, you can kind of strike that balance there and start by asking questions. …
Jason Spiess
We talked about kind of that first step, you know, sitting down writing things down and just, you know, basically taking a step back and analyzing your life and and finding out your priorities and etcetera. Let’s talk about the specifics here for a second and let’s use something that is probably in your neck of the woods, a very hot topic right now, which is natural gas and stoves now we can get into the political side of things all day long, which is in the nineties and two
thousand’s, the government forced everybody to go into a natural gas furnace, they forced everybody to go to natural gas stoves, they did through credits and some cities, they flat out forced it. So the the government steered everybody into the natural gas world and now they’re trying to rip it out from them by going through the stoves and a number of different things.
I think there’s a study on asthma or something. It’s a it’s not a double blind study. It’s it’s a special interest study. And so that’s what I’ve seen in the news when you’re talking about marketing, when you’re talking about representing your company, when we talk about the world of social media, we’re getting in a world now where you can’t even buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks or black rifle without being shamed and trolled online.
That type of thing. Talk to me on that individual basis where, you know, your company might want you to represent them, but maybe you don’t want to be involved with the political nous of this type of thing. And so it becomes a very much a sticky wicket because as much as you want to represent your company, maybe it doesn’t really represent you.
And so in the world of social media where you’re expected to do certain things, this has become increasingly an issue because you know what it reminds me of Joe very similar to where if you wanted to get ahead, you have to go on the smoke break with the boss. And if you didn’t go on the smoke break with the boss, it didn’t seem like your ideas ever got hurt. We’re kind of getting into that intangible, You know, where it’s hard to really prove anything, but everybody knows what’s going on.
So I’m not sure if you follow me at all Joe on that. But I think that’s a little bit of a problem on the social media side and trying to advance your career and your personal side too. So we might be getting too far in the weeds here. I don’t know,
Joe Sinnott
I’m not afraid, I’m an engineer, Jason. I’m never afraid to dive into the weeds and overcomplicate things and get lost. That’s all, that’s all part of the, it’s all part of the brand if you will. Um, but in terms of promoting the brand perhaps, or a message that, that you don’t want to, or you’re not comfortable with the first thing. And again, none of these things are foolproof.
It’s all situational, which is why I like working one on one with folks. But the first thing is, you know, if you were asked to again promote something on social media or to go out and give a talk somewhere or whatever to wear some patch on your clothes that you don’t quite agree with, then the first thing is you can say, well, what are all the ways I could support this mission? You know, maybe you’re, you’re half on board.
You just don’t want to do it publicly for some reason. Whatever the case is, without having to get defensive, have that, have that question, right? You know, what are all the ways to do whatever the company wants you to do by going out there publicly and saying something or doing something or wearing something, you know, how else can I support this
Jason Spiess
mission? Which
Joe Sinnott
can do two things. One, you know, provide another avenue to use a smoke break example. You know, what are all the ways to connect with the boss that don’t require me breathing in something that I would argue is probably a little bit more harmful than, uh, you know, cooking eggs in the morning on your, you know, your natural gas stovetop, um, you know what are all the ways to connect with this person?
Well, you know, maybe he actually likes whiskey after work and you can, you know, go go join them for a drink after work. Whatever the heck the cases, right. It’s, that’s the first step again isn’t foolproof. Absolutely not Jason, but it’s a great way to, to ask an open ended question. That’s not gonna cause any harm, right?
You’re not coming out and saying no. That’s where a lot of people, they get clammed up, right? They think it’s a yes, no scenario. I’m asked to do something, I don’t want to do. I, you know the pressure, I gotta say yes. And if I say no, it could be a career limiting move. Who knows what’s gonna happen?
Jason Spiess
You can step
Joe Sinnott
back and say, all right,
Jason Spiess
good. What
Joe Sinnott
are all the different options here? What what are all the ways we can, we can have a win win here And a lot of people, especially in the energy industry, which is go, go, go. A lot of pressure, fast paced, all those things. It could be very difficult to stop breathe and take the time to ask that question. Which is again, why I love what I do because I’m, there is a lifeline.
I’m there to help, you know, people have this scenario, the wrestling with this, Give me a call and again, 30 seconds sometimes I can ask a question like that. And uh, I never thought about that Joe. So anyway, there’s the, there’s, there’s my attempt at answering what I think you were asking. Jason,
Jason Spiess
what’s going on out there in the marcellus utica Appalachian basin when it comes to natural gas and these, um, this kind of this new pr campaign against it. Are you hearing much out there? Is it? Uh, I always find it interesting because okay. Is the Susquehanna County, Is that how you pronounce it? … County is like the number one in the nation for natural gas and they’re like one of the top of the world even type of the thing and says little
county and all this natural gas comes out of there. And is the name of the company now or what are the companies that are primarily involved with the natural gas extraction?
Joe Sinnott
So Susquehanna is mostly Katara. And then when you move down to southwest P. A closer to where I’m located, that’s where you have E. Q. T. Is the biggest, the biggest natural gas producer in United States. So they are primarily focused down here in southwest P. A. Northern west Virginia. Also some in Eastern Ohio.
And then you’ve got the likes of range resources. Uh Cnx, another big one around here. Um, Antero mostly west Virginia. But again, another big player of course. So a lot of different players. But yeah, era is I believe still the biggest producer up there in Susquehanna County.
Jason Spiess
So it’s kind of like this where sometimes when you have a region that is basically powered by a certain industry, sometimes some of these conversations don’t make it in there. And I’ll give an example here in the midwest because we’re farming were farming all the time. And so farming was the number one industry for deaths in the United States for like 100 years.
But you could never report that You could never report the amount of subsidies farmers got around town. In fact the Fergus Falls newspaper tried it once in the 80s and lost 75% of their advertising within the next week. So no other newspaper tried to ever print subsidies to farmers ever again in this area. So, I mean, there’s certain conversations that just don’t make it because, you know, the people, they don’t want to hear it and that’s not a negative.
It’s just kind of the way it is. It’s just, you know, through a lack of different reasons for for better or worse. Is there any conversation going on out there with, um, you know, boots on the ground either at the cafes or at the executive level when it comes to this, this new kind of natural gas within the stoves and this kind of new rhetoric that seems to be making it through the media, Joe
Joe Sinnott
I don’t know what the cafe conversations look like, Jason, you know, certainly all of the big players, all the operators out here have pretty substantial community relations teams that are out there that are there making a difference that are trying to identify what actually matters to the communities, right? Not just coming in and assuming what the communities in which they operate actually need or want, but actually having those conversations so that, you know, they’re
making a direct impact. So that, you know, the the Bennett, if it’s the 2nd 3rd 4th degree benefits of natural gas development really do impact the people that are sitting in those cafes. I’m not part of those conversations necessarily, Jason, but I will say that, you know, one big thing here in Western P. A. That has been a hot topic over the last several years is the shell cracker plant.
So shell, you know, big behemoth shell, uh, they just started up a cracker plant. So making polyethylene, you know, the basically the feedstock for for plastics and lots of different things that can be manufactured with the elements that are produced from, you know, ethane and natural gas. And you know, sparing you all the details.
This is a multi billion dollar investment that shell made in this region that’s now up and running, that had lots of jobs that were involved in the creation of this plant and that there’s lots of jobs now that will continue. So, you know, that’s that’s been a real conversation here because there’s this
Jason Spiess
big
Joe Sinnott
behemoth of a facility here in Western P. A. That’s made an impact. It definitely was helped. Uh, it was spurred upon, if you will by some tax credits and things like that. So, yeah, that’s absolutely a conversation. It’s and it’s out there openly. I’ve seen lots of good balanced conversations about the benefits and the cons of incentivizing companies like Shell to come to this region.
You’re having those conversations now with all the hydrogen, uh, money that’s dangling out there from the federal government. So, you know, those conversations are real because you gotta put those facilities somewhere right? Jason. And the question is, well, what do they do? What’s the purpose of it? All this hydrogen stuff, you know, I think your average person, you know, what do they know about hydrogen, right myself included, Right?
It’s like, all right, well, you know, I know you got the hindenburg, that’s not a good thing, you know, I know that, you know, hydrogen molecular standpoint is in a lot of things, I think water has some hydrogen, but you know, your average person is saying, well, what’s the story with all these, these plan, they’re talking about in this new hydrogen economy?
What does that even mean? And I think, you know, the companies that are being proactive that are actually having these conversations now in those cafes are setting themselves up for success when, you know, some new infrastructure is inevitably put in place. So, again, maybe a long answer for somebody who’s not directly involved in these conversations, Jason, but I do see evidence of companies that are proactively getting out there and making sure that, you
know, once again, the, you know, the story isn’t hijacked from, you know, the those who are against development and progress and innovation and technology and all of those
Jason Spiess
things. So it’s not a shale company, it’s a shell. So its shell, right? Shell, the big behemoth, the top three oil company, not shell, Okay, I wrote that down wrong,
Joe Sinnott
the royal dutch, shell didn’t they do a little bit of uh, …
Jason Spiess
they did to just like, just like british petroleum they rebranded to? Um So and it’s not a cracker plant? So you’re not making crackers out their attacks? Okay, So it’s cracking it up. It’s not like cracking the crab legs. Okay. I just gotta make sure I get that down. So it’s not Triscuit crackers.
All right, so um and that’s actually kind of a big deal out there, that type of thing. How about the pipeline? Is there any advancements on either Dominion pipeline or maybe a new pipeline or just any activity out there when it comes to that? Sorry for the pop quiz here? Oh
Joe Sinnott
that’s fine. Well the answer, the answer when it comes to pipelines is no, no progress. The biggest one, the biggest story is M. V. P. Mountain Valley pipeline which is owned or or I guess its own whatever assets that might not be flowing, but there’s obviously there’s there’s a couple billion dollars of investments that are owned by a trans midstream here and that’s the one that has made the biggest, that’s the one that Senator Joe Manchin has been trying
to uh to save if you will or to push across the finish line. So, but no, you very easy answer to that question, Jason, no meaningful progress on pipelines here in Appalachia.
Jason Spiess
Alright, Joe Sinnott, the host of the energy detox podcast as well as the executive coach for the real life rock stars? One final question, one final question and what’s the best way for people to get in touch with you? Whether they want to ask some advice?
Maybe they want to just follow you on one of your social media sites, Maybe they want to check out your podcast or you know what, maybe they want to hire you for some business. How can somebody get in touch with you in a variety of different ways? Sure,
Joe Sinnott
well, linkedin is always one of the easier methods there. So, always happy to have a conversation on linkedin and you know, I’m fairly active there, so try to share uh some occasional helpful things based on the work that I do that I think might be somewhat universal or relevant to the my audience. Another good way is just heading on over to winning partners dot com, W I T T I N. G Partners. And from there again, you can find more information about what I do, how I do it, you can navigate
from there to the podcast, the energy detox, which you can also find on any of your favorite podcasting platforms or google or anywhere else. So all roads can lead some way shape or form to uh to the world of winning partners and the executive coaching that I do focus again on the energy industry
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Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
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Here are this week’s special guests and energy experts on The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 488.
Hunter Berg has a fantastic job these days. Finding students who want a “free education” at Williston State College. According to Berg, executive director, Williston State College Foundation, the university has been blessed by the Bakken Boom.
Over the past 50 years, scholarships were created by the generosity of donors through a variety of ways from monetary gifts to mineral rights. Berg said it was the gift of mineral rights that really created the large scholarship pool for the college.
“The program is an amazing result of caring donors who wish to support the students of our area in pursuing a college degree by attending Williston State College,” Berg said.
Residents who graduated high school from one of the 53 counties included are eligible for a free education. In fact, the program has grown so much in size that it now includes Eastern Montana resident too.
“Williston State College and the Williston State College Foundation has available tuition and fees scholarships for those that qualify. The regional scholarship covers students who have graduated from high schools in 53 Counties in Western North Dakota and Eastern Montana,” Berg said, “From Bismarck to Billings really.”
The Williston State College Foundation is a nonprofit agency that manages donations made by community members and alumni to the college and its students. We identify wise investments, and fund student scholarships, quality faculty, and capital improvements to WSC. The WSC Foundation is governed by an independent board of 11 directors that meets monthly.
Click here for the full length interview and feature
Canada’s Greatest Export
Terry Etam, author of The End of Fossil Fuel Insanity: Clearing the Air Before Cleaning the Air, columnist for the BOE Report and writer for Public Energy Number One, gives an update on the oil and gas activity north of the border.
Canada’s Greatest Export shares a story about the country of Germany coming over to Canada to accelerate their divestment from fossil fuels and direct their attention towards hydrogen.
Etam, who also works with a Natural Gas Company, said they weathered the regulatory storm the past couple of years, and are back to a comfortable pace for business. He also elaborated on several of the Canadian Regulations that are hindering oil and gas development.
Host Jason Spiess and Etam discuss the current energy transition and image, citing Etam’s latest BOE Report article on Henry Ford’s introduction of automobiles to the marketplace and society.
People, particularly enthusiastic energy transition enthusiasts, like to point to instances in human history where a new technology rapidly wiped out an old one. Two pillars of this line of thought are the switch from horses to automobiles, and the one from land lines to cell phones.
Neither of these are particularly intelligent comparisons to an energy transition; both brought phase-change-equivalent upheavals to the way we lived. A car was able to expand one’s world dramatically compared to a horse, and cell phones brought an unimaginably huge catalogue of potential compared to a land line phone.
An energy transition will bring a modified and possibly less form of pollution and/or habitat destruction, but there will be no revolutionary uplifting of public life (evidence points to the opposite, if German firewood sales are any indication).
The interview talks about the importance of North American energy security and the flow of energy across the borders. Etam explains how this is critical to Canada’s fossil fuel industry.
Here is an excerpt from Etam’s latest column in Public Energy Number One:
Suppose a person starts a new business. Months of tireless effort ensue. It all works out. The business grows like crazy and within five years it employs a thousand people. The owner becomes wealthy.
Philosophical junction point: Did that person create a gift for society in the form of creating a thousand jobs, plus the ancillary spin off jobs created by their spending?
Or did the business owner become rich on the backs of employees, capturing the benefits of their labor for their own outsized benefit, while the employees did not become rich?
You will predominantly be drawn to one option or the other. That is the backbone of our modern free-market system, and the inherent greatness of our capitalist-based economies that are democracies – the push and pull between these two belief systems. We can rail against the other side all we like because it is a huge philosophical divide, but the fact is both types exist and have a voice/vote in a democracy.
The two also discuss inflation and how they both believe it hasn’t even begun. Agriculture issues, pesticide bans, Ukraine War and energy issues are the root causes discussed by Etam and Spiess on why inflation issues are just beginning.
Here is Amazon’s description of Etam’s book The End of the Fossil Fuel Insanity:
Everyone knows that fossil fuels won’t last forever. Something needs to change at some point, regardless of whether the issue is climate change or because we need a practical replacement for petroleum as cheap supplies run out.
But while headlines suggest that a green-energy paradise is around the corner, not many are aware of the immense technical challenges that stand in its way. To turn our backs on fossil fuels, a staggering amount of work will be required to refit a global energy sector that has grown systematically for over a century. News of the latest green advancements can make it seem like plug-and-play technology, and simply a matter of switching from one source to another. In reality, the challenge is far greater, and infinitely more complicated.
To make matters worse, environmentalists and fossil-fuel defenders wage continuous but fruitless war, and the growing gap makes it impossible to have any sort of constructive dialogue. Each camp becomes more locked in their position with every exchange, and the most revolutionary ideas never see the light of day. Instead of building, time and money are wasted sparring.
Sparing no sacred cows, Terry Etam cuts through the media rhetoric, government propaganda, and widespread ignorance of the energy sector to get to the heart of what needs to change—and what needs to stay the same—if the challenges of moving away from fossil fuels are to be met, while maintaining the quality of life we have come to expect and rely on.
Click here for full length interview with Terry Etam
In the third part of this series following EVolution Hybrid, a project integrating a traditional semi truck with a combustion engine with a EV battery and electric vehicle technology we discuss towing, torque, temperature and range anxiety. In this exclusive interview with Levi Perkins, Perkins Electric Innovation, and Kenley Nebeker, TrainND Northwest, the two discuss how EVolution Hybrid is ready to take on these traditional challenges, plus a couple anticipated ones too.
One area of challenge is towing.
“If we have a greater amount of weight that we are towing or resistance whether it be a vertical incline or bad roads or a low tire, just things that will impact how much power we are using and increase the amount of amperage by the motor, and that would consume the battery quicker.”
Towing creates conversations about torque as well.
“The electric motors we are using they can build what we call Peak Torque at a really low if not zero RPM,” Perkins said. “This is different from a reciprocating piston where your peak torque could be at a specific RPM usually in the RPM range.”
The interview also discussed tires and how many electric vehicles have specific tires for the vehicle and if someone put new tires on, it impacts how far you can drive. So does temperature.
“An individual going to see his son on Christmas on the east coast was set to drive 200 miles in the below freezing temperature after he hit the SuperCharge Station close to his house,” Perkins said. “When he left his garage the Tesla battery was warm enough to start and drive, only when he got to the charge station and at that point the battery has discharged some but it’s cool enough it will not allow him to charge.”
This transitioned into one of the biggest issues right now for the EV Transition is “Range Anxiety”. Nebeker has had first hand experience and says it is a real thing.
“I experienced range anxiety first hand and absolutely it is real,” Nebeker said. “That question of am I going to get where I need to get is a real worry with range anxiety. With an internal combustion engine with gas motors, you know you have until empty then you have to fill it up. It’s a consistent draw versus unpredictability really.”
In Part Two, the two talked about time and money.
When it comes to life, time is money. In transportation it’s time and weight that equal money. Well in the world of EV Transportation, it’s time, weight and temperature that mean money.
In Part One, the two gave an overview of project EVolution Hybrid, which is integrating an electric battery into a traditional combustion engine while maintaining the classic trucking look. With maybe a hint of flare or contemporary fashions.
“One of the things we looked at with the EVolution Hybrid is the future of the transportation and trucking industry,” Kenley Nebeker, executive director, TrainND Northwest said. “We are really trying to find a way to expose our students and the community to the potential that lies within the electric truck, or in this case a hybrid truck. I’ve never been a believer in all-one-way or another.”
Nebeker is referring to an all EV solution or an all fossil fuel solution. Nebeker believes this project will shine a light on how a “marriage” between the two concepts will ultimately become a viable solution to an energy transition.
“One important part of this project is the look,” Nebeker said. “I like that traditional Americana semi truck look and understand that still connects with the public too.”
Click here for Part Two of The Crude Life’s series on EVoltion Hybrid: Transporting Innovation Into A Sustainable Society
Click here for Part One of The Crude Life’s series on EVoltion Hybrid: Transporting Innovation Into A Sustainable Society
One of the ways the electric combustion collaboration can occur is weight. According to Perkins, the weight of fuel, the batteries and cargo are factors when determining your bottom line in business.
“Most Class A trucks vary as there are different models from the manufacturers, but there’s a lot that is similar” Perkins said. “The less a truck can weigh, the more freight you can haul and essentially, generate higher revenues because of it.”
For fleets, this could have significant savings. Perkins dives into the details of sleeper cabs, drop steer axles and other accessories when discussing the weight and revenues in trucking. All these additional details matter when discussing electric batteries and transition.
“Most electric trucks are going to be in the 400-600 kilowatt hour range. Tesla just released a 1000 kilowatt hour battery,” Perkins said. “But interestingly enough in the past three years the battery technology has allowed us to have reductions in weight but still, it is over 10,000 pounds in battery weight.”
The interview also discussed the difference between fuel weight and battery weight. Which would save money in the long haul? Host Jason Spiess cited an example of an interview with Keri Frank, CEO, Comply365, and her integration of iPads in aviation.
“Before iPads, the industry had a 50-plus-pound black metal box that contained procedure papers required by law,” Spiess said. “After Keri Frank got the industry to transition those papers to an iPad, not only did they see an immediate impact by not printing new sheets every time a new code was issued. But the real savings they saw was over a year in fuel savings. The weight over time was nickels turning into dollars.”
Both Nebeker and Perkins agreed with the sustainable savings and how trucking companies will see similar results.
Another area of change or transition EVoltion Hybrid will see is jobs. Nebeker is anticipating changes with mechanics, IT and other areas of trucking and transportation, and is in constant contact with the supply chain and supporting cast.
Here are some supporting interviews for EVoltion Hybrid and the community of Williston, ND.
Williston’s Wenko Says Economic Development Getting More Diverse
Williston Mayor Talks About The Bakken’s Continued Community Growth
Bakken Small Businesses Staying Busy
Bakken Boom Created An Astounding Educational Opportunity For Williston State Students
The project is scheduled to take 9-12 months, depending on the supply chain, according to Nebeker.
Kris Moore leads an important discussion on empowering women.The Voice of West Texas Kris Moore leads a discussion about what it is like for women working in the Permian Basin.
In this exclusive interview with The Real Oilfield Women of the South, Heather Ferrill announces she has accepted a new position with Thomas Oilfield Services.
After a quick congratulations and an overview of Thomas’ services, the three dive right into a real lifestyle issue in the oil patch.
Franki starts off the round table discussion on how to balance the work involved in the oilfield and family life. Franki, a single mother of three, talks about her support system for her three children and how the industry has become a surrogate family.
Tiffany grabs that baton and balances the single mother living in multiple cities. She talks about having several places to call home is the right fit for her work home balance.
Heather continues the work home balance conversation and brings it back to the two other girls involved the interview how they are her family too. They joke about picking up each other’s kids and taking them to dinner while the other is wrapping up at work.
After the three describe what life is like for a woman working in the oil patch, they give a quick boots on the ground update from the Haynesville DUG Conference.
Click here for the full length article and feature with Kris Moore and her Real Oilfield Women of the South.
Music heard on The Crude Life Week in Review is written and performed by Alma Cook of Cook Compliance Solutions. Support her music career at www.hearalma.com
Interviews are sponsored in part by
TrainND Northwest – It’s a competitive world. Train for it.
MineralTracker powered by First International Bank
The Industrial Forest – It Takes An Industry To Build A Forest
MyPillow – Up to 80% Off with the Promo Code – OTIS
Submit your Article Ideas to The Crude Life! Email studio@thecrudelife.com
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Click here for website
Join Podcasters from across the world and all walks of life as they unite to bring civil solutions to life and liberty.
Phone Line Sponsor: The United Podcast Of AmericaStudio Email and Inbox Sponsor: To Be Announced
Featured Music: Alma Cook
For guest, band or show topic requests, email studio@thecrudelife.com
Spread the word. Support the industry. Share the energy.
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Follow on Facebook
Follow on LinkedIn
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In the third part of this series following EVolution Hybrid, a project integrating a traditional semi truck with a combustion engine with a EV battery and electric vehicle technology we discuss towing, torque, temperature and range anxiety. In this exclusive interview with Levi Perkins, Perkins Electric Innovation, and Kenley Nebeker, TrainND Northwest, the two discuss how EVolution Hybrid is ready to take on these traditional challenges, plus a couple anticipated ones too.
One area of challenge is towing.
“If we have a greater amount of weight that we are towing or resistance whether it be a vertical incline or bad roads or a low tire, just things that will impact how much power we are using and increase the amount of amperage by the motor, and that would consume the battery quicker.”
Towing creates conversations about torque as well.
“The electric motors we are using they can build what we call Peak Torque at a really low if not zero RPM,” Perkins said. “This is different from a reciprocating piston where your peak torque could be at a specific RPM usually in the RPM range.”
The interview also discussed tires and how many electric vehicles have specific tires for the vehicle and if someone put new tires on, it impacts how far you can drive. So does temperature.
“An individual going to see his son on Christmas on the east coast was set to drive 200 miles in the below freezing temperature after he hit the SuperCharge Station close to his house,” Perkins said. “When he left his garage the Tesla battery was warm enough to start and drive, only when he got to the charge station and at that point the battery has discharged some but it’s cool enough it will not allow him to charge.”
This transitioned into one of the biggest issues right now for the EV Transition is “Range Anxiety”. Nebeker has had first hand experience and says it is a real thing.
“I experienced range anxiety first hand and absolutely it is real,” Nebeker said. “That question of am I going to get where I need to get is a real worry with range anxiety. With an internal combustion engine with gas motors, you know you have until empty then you have to fill it up. It’s a consistent draw versus unpredictability really.”
In Part Two, the two talked about time and money.
When it comes to life, time is money. In transportation it’s time and weight that equal money. Well in the world of EV Transportation, it’s time, weight and temperature that mean money.
In Part One, the two gave an overview of project EVolution Hybrid, which is integrating an electric battery into a traditional combustion engine while maintaining the classic trucking look. With maybe a hint of flare or contemporary fashions.
“One of the things we looked at with the EVolution Hybrid is the future of the transportation and trucking industry,” Kenley Nebeker, executive director, TrainND Northwest said. “We are really trying to find a way to expose our students and the community to the potential that lies within the electric truck, or in this case a hybrid truck. I’ve never been a believer in all-one-way or another.”
Nebeker is referring to an all EV solution or an all fossil fuel solution. Nebeker believes this project will shine a light on how a “marriage” between the two concepts will ultimately become a viable solution to an energy transition.
“One important part of this project is the look,” Nebeker said. “I like that traditional Americana semi truck look and understand that still connects with the public too.”
Click here for Part Two of The Crude Life’s series on EVoltion Hybrid: Transporting Innovation Into A Sustainable Society
Click here for Part One of The Crude Life’s series on EVoltion Hybrid: Transporting Innovation Into A Sustainable Society
One of the ways the electric combustion collaboration can occur is weight. According to Perkins, the weight of fuel, the batteries and cargo are factors when determining your bottom line in business.
“Most Class A trucks vary as there are different models from the manufacturers, but there’s a lot that is similar” Perkins said. “The less a truck can weigh, the more freight you can haul and essentially, generate higher revenues because of it.”
For fleets, this could have significant savings. Perkins dives into the details of sleeper cabs, drop steer axles and other accessories when discussing the weight and revenues in trucking. All these additional details matter when discussing electric batteries and transition.
“Most electric trucks are going to be in the 400-600 kilowatt hour range. Tesla just released a 1000 kilowatt hour battery,” Perkins said. “But interestingly enough in the past three years the battery technology has allowed us to have reductions in weight but still, it is over 10,000 pounds in battery weight.”
The interview also discussed the difference between fuel weight and battery weight. Which would save money in the long haul? Host Jason Spiess cited an example of an interview with Keri Frank, CEO, Comply365, and her integration of iPads in aviation.
“Before iPads, the industry had a 50-plus-pound black metal box that contained procedure papers required by law,” Spiess said. “After Keri Frank got the industry to transition those papers to an iPad, not only did they see an immediate impact by not printing new sheets every time a new code was issued. But the real savings they saw was over a year in fuel savings. The weight over time was nickels turning into dollars.”
Both Nebeker and Perkins agreed with the sustainable savings and how trucking companies will see similar results.
Another area of change or transition EVoltion Hybrid will see is jobs. Nebeker is anticipating changes with mechanics, IT and other areas of trucking and transportation, and is in constant contact with the supply chain and supporting cast.
Here are some supporting interviews for EVoltion Hybrid and the community of Williston, ND.
Williston’s Wenko Says Economic Development Getting More Diverse
Williston Mayor Talks About The Bakken’s Continued Community Growth
Bakken Small Businesses Staying Busy
Bakken Boom Created An Astounding Educational Opportunity For Williston State Students
The project is scheduled to take 9-12 months, depending on the supply chain, according to Nebeker.
Interviews are sponsored in part by TrainND Northwest – It’s a competitive world. Train for it.
About The Crude Life
Jesse H. Ausubel joins Jason Spiess to discuss “Peak Human” and “Peak Humans” and how it will impact our future. Ausubel, who is given credit for coining the term “decarbonization”, explains why new research is showing how humans’ mind and body have reached their limits and we are starting the downward curve.
“For 200-250 years humanity has had an incredible run,” Ausubel said. “When you think of you great grandparents, grandparents, parents and you, generally speaking you are going to be better in these four dimensions than they were.”
Those four dimensions are: the physical (how far and fast can we go?), lifetime (how long can we live and how well?), cognitive (measures of intelligence and learning), and immunity (is our resistance to disease waning?).
Ausubel also uses the Olympics as an example to explain Peak Humans.
“If you think of the Olympics, every four years the Olympics have happened since about 1900, lots of records were broken each time,” Ausubel said. “Maybe because the pool of people grew each time or they had better training or maybe they were taking drugs or even that maybe they had a better pole vaulting pole.”
He continued using golf and other sports as a way to explain how humans have physically evolved due to better tools, training and education, however it seems to have now peaked.
“We sort of had this big run up of improvements, let’s say from 1750 to 1800 into the 2000’s, and we found the same with lifetime performance, like longevity,” Ausubel said. “How long they lived, how tall were they, we looked at soldier’s uniforms from the time of Napoleon and the civil war. Those uniforms were small and the shoes were small. People were smaller.”
Ausubel explained how after so long of evolving with an upward trend, diabetes, declining academics, unhealthy body mass indexes and diminishing human intelligence is now showing a plateau with perhaps even a slight downward trend for humans.
“In the big picture we think it’s plausible that we are pretty near peak human,” Ausubel said.
Jesse H. Ausubel is Director of the Program for the Human Environment and Senior Research Associate at The Rockefeller University in New York City. The program aims to elaborate the vision of a large, prosperous society that emits little or nothing harmful and spares large amounts of land and sea for nature. The work spans forests and farms, marine life, human population, energy and materials, and climate as well as life, earth, and engineering sciences. Underlying the work are studies of the mathematics of growth and diffusion.
From 1977-1988 Mr. Ausubel worked for the National Academies complex in Washington DC as a fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, staff officer of the National Research Council Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, and from 1983-1988 Director of Programs for the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Mr. Ausubel was a main organizer of the first UN World Climate Conference (Geneva, 1979), which substantially elevated the global warming issue on scientific and political agendas.
During 1979-1981 he led the Climate Task of the Resources and Environment Program of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, near Vienna, Austria, an East-West think-tank created by the U.S. and Soviet academies of sciences. Mr. Ausubel helped formulate the US and world climate research programs.
During 1989-1993 Mr. Ausubel served both at The Rockefeller and as Director of Studies for the Carnegie Commission on Science, Technology, and Government. The Commission, sponsored by Carnegie Corporation of New York, sought ways for the US government at all levels, as well as international organizations, to make better use of scientific and technical expertise.
Mr. Ausubel has authored and edited over 160 articles, reports, and books. He co-authored the 1989 paper “Dematerialization” that opened the study of this subject and in 1991 published the first paper explicitly on the “decarbonization” of the energy system. Mr. Ausubel was guest editor and lead author of the 1996 issue of Daedalus, “The Liberation of the Environment.” Reports for which he was main author include Changing Climate (National Academy, 1983), the first comprehensive review of the greenhouse effect, and Toward an International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP), the 1983 Research Council report originating the Global Change Program. For the NAE, he developed and oversaw studies on the performance of technology-intensive sectors of U.S. industry and on the diffusion and globalization of technology and helped conceive the field of field of industrial ecology.
Between 1994-2019 Mr. Ausubel served concurrently as a program manager and advisor for the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Under Sloan auspices, Mr. Ausubel helped create and complete the decade-long Census of Marine Life, an international program to assess and explain the diversity, distribution, and abundance of life in the oceans.
He also co-founded the movement to develop short genetic identifiers, DNA barcodes, for animals, plants, and fungi, and served as founding chair of the Encyclopedia of Life, to develop a webpage for every species.
In 2009, he helped established the international Deep Carbon Observatory and later the International Quiet Ocean Experiment, which earned endorsements from key ocean science organizations in 2015 . His group’s laboratory work at The Rockefeller University has concentrated since 2014 on surveying marine biodiversity through the loose DNA (eDNA) in sea water.
Mr. Ausubel’s interest in DNA also spans the traces found in works of art, and more generally ways that genomics, molecular biology, and microbiology can help understand and conserve cultural heritage. He helped form and now leads the Leonardo Da Vinci DNA Project to obtain and sequence the genome of Leonardo in order to understand better Leonardo’s extraordinary visual acuity and other attributes.
In the late 1990s, Mr. Ausubel managed the creation and production of the first interactive simulation model of the US university, Virtual U. , and spurred development of the Serious Games movement.
Educated at Harvard and Columbia, Mr. Ausubel serves on several editorial boards, including The Journal of Industrial Ecology, and is a University Fellow of Resources for the Future and an adjunct faculty member of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, where he has conducted studies since 1991.
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Click here for website
Join Podcasters from across the world and all walks of life as they unite to bring civil solutions to life and liberty.
Phone Line Sponsor: The United Podcast Of AmericaStudio Email and Inbox Sponsor: To Be Announced
Featured Music: Alma Cook
For guest, band or show topic requests, email studio@thecrudelife.com
Spread the word. Support the industry. Share the energy.
Follow on YouTube
Follow on Facebook
Follow on LinkedIn
Follow on Twitter
United States Air Force Veteran and international humanitarian Mark J. Lindquist joined Jason Spiess, for media platforms The Crude Life, ESG University and the Bismarck-Mandan KLXX SUPERTALK 1270AM while sleeping in subzero temperatures to raise awareness regarding the energy crisis in the Ukraine.
Click here for link to support Mark J Lindquist
“I started this on Dec 16, I’ll take it all the way to January 1, 2023 at noon,” Lindquist said. “This is done in solidarity with my brothers in Donbas and my friends in Bakhmut who are cold and wet and in the trenches for months on end. I wanted to bring an energy awareness to this and that there are many ways to help the Ukrainians especially in the winter.”
Lindquist has been fundraising for those impacted by war in the Ukraine, receiving winter clothing, financial contributions and any other help people can give.
“The need is great. The Donbas is the same latitude as International Falls, Minnesota,” Lindquist said. “There is no power. Men are living in wet trenches. Children are sleeping in underground bunkers in Bakhmut. The world has enough supplies, it is simply sitting in the wrong spot on earth.”
Lindquist continued saying that our western volunteers and local Ukrainians have run out of donations and money because Ukraine is “old news”.
“We collect mini-grants of $5,000 and send a pallet over directly to our local and trusted contacts in Ukraine,” Lindquist said. “You can follow our social media and telegram channels to see the confirmation of donation delivery in Ukraine. Our partner NGOs have already sent over 400 pallets of humanitarian aid into the country and our team has been responsible for moving another $2 million worth of aid in country.”
After giving the details of the fundraiser, Lindquist gives an update from the past several months he spent in the Ukraine.
“Jason, our here in the Ukraine, we call this the first Instagram War,” Lindquist said. “This war is being fought on social media.”
Lindquist continues sharing several examples of why they are calling this the Instagram War, including soldiers wearing GoPros and body cams. The two discuss how the citizens are getting involved in social media too.
“The people of the Ukraine are so much more technologically accepting than the United States,” Lindquist said.
Click on here for the previous interview with Linquist when we was in the Ukraine for a boots-on-the-ground update and interview
Always a servant, as his mother and father taught him, Mark continued his service in the United States Air Force and served honorably at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii. There, he had the incredible opportunity to sing the National Anthem for the US Military as well as for a world touring entertainment unit called Tops in Blue, which is similar to a USO or Bob Hope show. During his time on the Island of Oahu, Mark earned a few roles on ABC’s LOST, CBS’ Hawaii Five-O and in the Universal Studios Hollywood movie “Battleship“.
Since launching his motivational speaking firm (Mark J Lindquist Motivational Speaking and Entertainment) and his consulting firm (Lindquist and Associates), he has had the opportunity to speak for the largest companies in America (McDonald’s, Walmart, Starbucks, IBM), sing for the largest crowds in America (National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball, NCAA), and perform for the President of the United States of America. He is widely known in the professional speaking industry as the fastest growing motivational speaker in America, having been invited to deliver guest lectures to over 1500 aspiring and professional speakers, including many Hall of Fame Speakers.
Mark is a United States Air Force and Afghanistan War Veteran.
Every December, The Crude Life looks back at some of the year’s best highlights, personality profiles and news nuggets of note. This year, the Year In Review enters it’s 10th year. Here is today’s feature is an interview with Dr. Loren Scott of Loren Scott & Associates.
Dr. Loren Scott just finished his annual Economic Forecast for the State of Louisiana and the news is the economy is going to get better, but first it’s going to get worse. The interview explains why from OPEC to European gas to natural disasters to Biden’s policy’s.
“People should be prepared for a national recession. It’ll start probably in the first quarter of next year and the last three quarters,” said Dr. Scott.
Dr. Scott said Louisiana is a different economy than other states due to their importing exporting ports, fossil fuel ecosystem and natural disasters. Over the past year and a half Louisiana has experiences five natural disasters and the rebuild will happen during the national recession. Dr. Scott believes as a whole, the state will add more than 14,000 jobs in 2023 and more than 30,000 jobs in 2024.
“Three major hurricanes, Winter Storm Uri, and floods have seriously arrested the state’s growth,” Dr. Scott said.
The interview also dives into Europe’s decisions to go “all-in” on the Green Movement and outlaw fossil fuels. Dr. Scott believes Europe is going to have a rough, expensive winter, pointing the blame at their full commitment to doing away with fossil fuels.
Dr. Scott also explains why taking barrels out of the Strategic Oil Reserves is putting America at risk and why the current direction of natural gas is putting places like Chicago and New York at risk this winter.
Dr. Scott also gives an update on Lake Charles and the $3B dollars of activity happening in that region.
Loren C. Scott & Associates, Inc., is a 35-year old firm that provides economic consulting and public speaking services for a wide range of clients. Consulting activities include impact studies, forecasting services, analysis of policy proposals, and general economic analyses. Consulting clients include BP, ExxonMobil, Entergy Corporation, J. P. Morgan Chase, Capital One Financial, Nucor, Sasol, and a diversity of others. Our objective is to put together the very best team of associates to attack our client’s problems. Dr. Scott makes 50-70 presentations a year on the state of—and the outlook for—the economy and the energy sector in particular.
He is one of the 32-member National Business Economic Issues Council, which meets quarterly to discuss issues of state, national, and international interest. This group has experts who cover international trade, Washington economic policy, retail trade, trucking, steel, chemicals, etc. Dr. Scott is an energy specialist on the NBEIC. He has been appointed to the Economic Advisory Board of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness—a group made up of the CEOs of the Fortune 100, top university presidents, and presidents of three major unions.
He has been interviewed on MSNBC, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, and several local TV stations and his work has been cited in such publications as the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, USA Today, the Los Angeles Times and the Moscow Times, to name a few.
Dr. Loren C. Scott is President and founder of the firm. He was on the Economics Department faculty at Louisiana State University from 1969 to 1998, where he rose through the ranks from Assistant Professor to the holder of the Freeport-McMoran endowed Chair of Economics. He is presently Professor Emeritus of Economics at LSU.
Over the thirteen-year period from 1983-96, Dr. Scott was the chairman of the Economics Department at LSU. During that time, the Department’s ranking among the 3,000 economics departments in the U.S. rose from 101st to 38th. He received 7 awards at LSU for outstanding classroom teaching.
Dr. Scott is co-developer of the Louisiana econometric model, a model used for providing annual forecasts of the Louisiana economy, which are released each fall. He was a co-investigator on over $1 million in grant research at LSU and is the author of over 75 articles and technical reports in addition to reports written for consulting clients.
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Click here for website
Join Podcasters from across the world and all walks of life as they unite to bring civil solutions to life and liberty.
Phone Line Sponsor: The United Podcast Of AmericaStudio Email and Inbox Sponsor: To Be Announced
Featured Music: Alma Cook
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Every December, The Crude Life looks back at some of the year’s best highlights, personality profiles and news nuggets of note. This year, the Year In Review enters it’s 10th year. Here is today’s feature is an interview with Singer Songwriter Alma Cook and energy compliance officer.
Alma Cook joined Jason Spiess on the Zoom Line to talk about her new music video “5000 Candles” and the final stretch of completing her music album. Spiess contends that while many in the oil and gas industry are still searching for ways to connect with tomorrow’s leaders today, Alma is singing her way into their hearts and minds.
The two discuss the music video from the production elements to the industry workers in the video to the Bakken communities and the video footage included in the video. Cook who works for Cook Compliance Solutions during the day, found time on nights, weekends and in dreams to write and produce a song about flaring in the energy industry.
Last summer, Alma performed “5000 Candles” at the Bakken BBQ with children on stage to raise awareness about not only the issue with emission management, but also the solutions.
“5000 Candles” is the story of unexpected love for people, place, and industry. A tribute to the North Dakota oilfields, it humanizes a part of American life that’s typically kept behind a curtain.
In a culture that encourages us to airbrush our lives with Instagram filters and clever status updates, the emerging voice of pop/soul artist Alma is challenging this generation to pause and self-reflect. With a strong emphasis on message over medium, she sees art as a transformative tool and has made it her mission to teach listeners the value of honesty and vulnerability.
“Using songwriting to vent about breakups or whatever—there’s definitely a place for that,” Alma says. “But if you’re gonna make music your personal therapist, I hope you’re getting your money’s worth. You don’t go to therapy so that you can revel in your problems, you go because you want to understand and conquer them.”
For her, understanding and conquering problems begins with asking “why?” and ultimately “what next?” Alma aims to kickstart this dialogue through her songwriting, most often by being upfront about her own shortcomings.
“I basically just put all my dirt out there,” Alma laughs. “We all have this vague idea that ‘nobody’s perfect,’ but until you actually put a name to your imperfection—jealousy, anger, whatever—you won’t look it in the eye long enough to fight it. Honesty is power.”
Alma’s strong beliefs by no means come at the expense of musical creativity or spot-on delivery. Though she spent most of her teenage life as a self-described “closet singer,” the now 25-year-old Wisconsin native is equipped with unusually good instincts for performing, arranging and bandleading. While honing her musicianship at Columbia College Chicago, the soulful stylings of artists like Amel Larrieux and Lauryn Hill captured her attention, and at that point, “I was done,” Alma says. “I’d previously had this indie-pop thing going on—really quirky, bright—but once I found neosoul it was like I was finally enjoying music.”
In 2012, Alma released an EP titled Pass It On which showcases some of those earlier stylistic leanings. Her 2014 release, Tactics, more fully realizes the singer’s love for backbeats and basslines while also more clearly demonstrating her passion for meaningful messages.
LYRICS:
There’s a lot people running their mouth
That don’t stay the night, never come through town.
And some other people running about
That don’t take the time to suss you out.
Still some of us, every night,
We make a toast to you, like “Isn’t it nice
That somebody had the presence of mind
To speak over you, ‘Let there be light’?”
I know it doesn’t make me one of a kind
That I came to you at an opportune time,
And it doesn’t mean I’m one of the guys,
But I’m grateful you came & opened my eyes.
Still, none of us, up in the play,
We don’t think enough of the beauty we make.
It’s all work here, every day,
But when the lights go out, it’s then that I say:
CHORUS
Sight to behold—
Nothing you could do would make me go!
We’ll let the world judge what they don’t know.
Giving me a heartbeat,
Making me never wanna leave.
We’ll let the world judge, ‘cause they don’t see…
5000 candles,
5000 candles burning bright,
All the light you could handle,
5000 candles here at night.
They keep telling me it’s only a phase
And that soon enough, I’ll see that I’m craz-
-y for loving you the way that I do,
Because who could love somebody like you?
They say you’re too, too, too damn small,
And I won’t pretend it don’t matter at all,
But no matter what the trouble ahead,
I still won’t regret this time that I spent.
CHORUS
I wanna know who did that;
Show me the match that lit that sky.
Look at all those candles,
Ode to the light that caught my eye.
Never could forget that—
Stealing my breath & I don’t mind—
5000 candles,
5000 candles here at night.
Contact Alma by Media: press@hearalma.com
Bookings & other: info@hearalma.com
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Click here for website
Join Podcasters from across the world and all walks of life as they unite to bring civil solutions to life and liberty.
Phone Line Sponsor: The United Podcast Of AmericaStudio Email and Inbox Sponsor: To Be Announced
Featured Music: Alma Cook
For guest, band or show topic requests, email studio@thecrudelife.com
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Every December, The Crude Life looks back at some of the year’s best highlights, personality profiles and news nuggets of note. This year, the Year In Review enters it’s 10th year. Here is today’s feature is an interview with Harold Hamm, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Continental Resources.
The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Ken Lavin interviews Harold Hamm, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Continental Resources, after he spoke at Wildcatters Wednesday at The Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma.
Hamm talks about the importance of synergy and collaboration in energy, education and empathy. Understanding each energy’s strengths rather than politicizing the science.
“Energy plays a tremendous role in all our lives, we know that,” Hamm said. “Finding carbon solutions is paramount for us right now.”
Lavin asks Hamm what he feels the industry should “get behind” as we enter 2022. Hamm reminds Lavin that our national security is at risk, our American independence has slid backwards and political policies are creating uncertainty.
Hamm transitions into what Continental Resources is planning for 2022 and has a message for all the “hard working men and women working in the oilfield”.
“This is an industry that you have to have some forward faith in,” Hamm said. “Our company has establish into putting our best foot forward for the industry and our people. I know other company have done the same thing. It’s a new day in industry.”
The main reason for the fellowship on this day was The Harold Hamm Foundation and Continental Resources donated a combined $50 million gift creating the Hamm Institute for American Energy at Oklahoma State University.
The Hamm Institute’s mission is to educate the next generation of energy leaders — in Oklahoma, the United States and from around the world — cementing Oklahoma’s legacy as a global energy leader.
The Hamm Institute will be located in what was formerly known as OSU Discovery, 300 NE 9th St. in the Oklahoma City Innovation District, and will become the primary and permanent occupant of the building.
The Hamm Institute will become the center of all things American energy. It will host symposiums, authors, speakers, energy summits and global energy leadership conversations. The building will eventually house the Oklahoma Hall of Energy Legends Interactive Museum, a public exhibit highlighting the history and storied legacy of Oklahoma’s great energy leaders.
Hamm, a native Oklahoman and founder and chairman of Continental Resources, began his career in oil and gas over five decades ago, starting out with a single oil service truck and a dream. His incredible journey, entrepreneurial spirit and will to change the world for the better have inspired countless others, and his latest philanthropic push aims to elevate the state to both new and familiar heights.
Hamm spoke about the importance of the donation and also thanks Baker Hughes, General Electric for their commitment to the energy industry with their support at OSU.
Wildcatters Wednesday is a luncheon hosted by The Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma.
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Click here for website
Join Podcasters from across the world and all walks of life as they unite to bring civil solutions to life and liberty.
Phone Line Sponsor: The United Podcast Of AmericaStudio Email and Inbox Sponsor: To Be Announced
Featured Music: Alma Cook
For guest, band or show topic requests, email studio@thecrudelife.com
Spread the word. Support the industry. Share the energy.
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Every December, The Crude Life looks back at some of the year’s best highlights, personality profiles and news nuggets of note. This year, the Year In Review enters it’s 10th year. Here is today’s feature is Oscar Awarding Winning Gray Frederickson.
The Crude Life had the privileged to be invited on to the production studio and set of Sherwood Forest, a docufilm about a historic time in American Oil and Gas’s impact on global independence and empowerment.
By the summer of 1942, the future of Great Britain and the outcome of World War II depended on petroleum supplies. At the end of that year, demand for 100-octane fuel would grow to more than 150,000 barrels of oil every day and German U-boats ruled the Atlantic.
In August 1942, British Secretary of Petroleum, Geoffrey Lloyd called an emergency meeting of the Oil Control Board to assess the “impending crisis in oil.”
Thus began the story of the “little-known, or at least seldom recognized, all-important role oil and oilmen played in the prosecution of the war,” according to two historians who extensively researched archives in Great Britain and the United States. Short story is they drilled in Sherwood Forest.
The longer story is being told by Oscar Winner Gray Frederickson.
Gray Frederickson is spearheading the docufilm on Sherwood Forest and how Lloyd Noble along with 44 roughnecks played a critical role during World War II.
Frederickson is best known for being a long-time producer for Francis Ford Coppola and winning an Oscar as one of the co-producers of The Godfather Part II at the 47th Academy Awards. In addition he was also nominated for Apocalypse Now.
“All of activities you see in the newsreels and media about D-day is from fuel that came from these group of Oklahoma oil guys drilling 100 wells in Sherwood Forest to power that invasion of D-Day.”
During that time, German submarines were sinking all of the American oil tankers being sent to England and they lacked proper drilling equipment to drill themselves.
The OK crew ended up sending over two million barrels of oil to British refineries, which powered D-Day and the end of World War II.
“It’s just important for the world to see history like this,” said Frederickson.
Sherwood Forest is scheduled for release in the Spring of 2022.
Energy expert and DocuFilm partner Mark Stansberry (right) and Gray Frederickson (left)From Variety:
Gray Frederickson, who was part of the Oscar-winning production team for Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now” and “The Godfather Part II,” died Nov. 20 of prostate cancer in Oklahoma City, Okla. He was 85.
Frederickson had been called as “the Godfather of Oklahoma film” for his efforts to boost filmmaking in his home state.
“Gray is one of the most accomplished people to have ever come from our city,” Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt told The Oklahoman.
Frederickson left Oklahoma to attend the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, then started his career in Rome as producer of “Natika” in 1963. He joined Sergio Leone’s “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” as production manager, where he met Clint Eastwood, who would become a longtime friend.
He met producer Albert S. Ruddy on the Robert Redford film “Little Fauss and Big Halsy,” which led to him coming aboard “The Godfather” as associate producer.
Among the films he produced were Coppola’s “The Godfather Part III,” “One From the Heart” and “The Outsiders,” which shot in Oklahoma, Weird Al Yankovic’s “UHF,” “South of Heaven, West of Hell” and “Dream No Little Dream: The Life and Legacy of Robert S. Kerr.”
He moved back to Oklahoma in the 1990s, and later helped launch the digital cinema production program at Oklahoma City Community College. Gray also played a key role in getting Oklahoma’s film production incentive passed.
Most recently, Frederickson was working on “Sherwood Forest,” a documentary about Oklahoma and Texas roughnecks who shipped to England in 1943.
Coppola traveled to Oklahoma to induct his friend in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2018.
“Oscar is an award for Best Picture. Oklahoma Hall of Fame is an award for me, so that’s why this is the best,” Frederickson told the Oklahoman at the time. “It’s special because of Oklahoma. I’m Oklahoma. I mean, it’s like another appendage for me. It’s part of me; it’s who I am. And to be accepted by Oklahoma is really the pinnacle of everything for me.”
He is survived by his wife, Karen, and two children.
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Click here for website
Join Podcasters from across the world and all walks of life as they unite to bring civil solutions to life and liberty.
Phone Line Sponsor: The United Podcast Of AmericaStudio Email and Inbox Sponsor: To Be Announced
Featured Music: Alma Cook
For guest, band or show topic requests, email studio@thecrudelife.com
Spread the word. Support the industry. Share the energy.
Follow on YouTube
Follow on Facebook
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Follow on Twitter
Is North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum creating his own Green New Deal?Dustin Gawrylow, founder and chairman of the North Dakota Watchdog Network joined Jason Spiess of ESG University to discuss whether North Dakota’s Clean Sustainable Energy Authority is a way for North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to create his own Green New Deal.
Gawrylow believes there is disagreement over the direction of the Clean Sustainable Energy Fund, and whether the funds should go toward new green energy or maintaining existing energy.
“When you look at the members of the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority there aren’t very many from solar or wind,” Gawrylow said.
In real time during the interview, Spiess logged onto the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority’s website and their committee members.
“This is the same list of people who sit on every other committee that oversees the allocation of tax dollars and access to government money. A lot of these people recieve tax money from these appointed committees.” Spiess said. “I have no idea how these people can do their day-to-day jobs because it seems all they do is go to meetings at some restaurant, bar or event center that is catered with linen tablecloths and multiple course meals. Or at least that’s what I see on social media from a lot of appointed government leaders.”
Gawyrlow agreed with Spiess’ observation and took it a step further.
“One of the biggest boondoggles of the last few years in North Dakota has been what was created in the 2021 Legislative Session called the ‘Clean and Sustainable Energy Fund,” Gawrylow said. “This was part of the $500 million coal industry bailout bill that we strongly opposed at the time.”
Governor Burgum’s proposals is to invest a $500 million revolving loan fund from the Legacy Fund into the Clean and Sustainable Energy Authority.
North Dakota’s Clean Sustainable Energy Authority was established in 2021 under the control of the Industrial Commission to enhance the production of clean sustainable energy in North Dakota.
To make it clear – taxpayers are now going to be asked to not only prop up coal, but also pay for the transition into energy sources that will make coal obsolete,” Gawrylow said. “Apparently, Governor Doug Burgum has his own Green New Deal.”
During that time, Governor Burgum proposed going carbon neutral by 2030 and a clean hydrogen plant near Beulah.
Gawrylow was also interviewed by KXNews in Bismarck regarding the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority
… a commission established by the Governor that consists of lobbyists from coal country, known as Empower ND Commission, has been circulating bill drafts explicitly stating that the money should not go toward new green energy but rather propping up existing coal energy in western North Dakota.
“If we go by the intent of the Governor’s plan, this money will essentially go to green energy and new energy sources. And, that’s going to be a fight that will bring in multiple factions of the Republican party, that don’t want to see the state going down the road of propping up green energy because they view that as diminishing existing energy, the coal, and oil,” explained North Dakota Watchdog Network founder Dustin Gawrylow.
KX News has obtained one of the bill drafts which states that the money should go toward supporting energy derived from Agriculture, Lignite Coal, and oil and gas.
It will be used for research and development of technological advancements that will reduce the emissions and environmental impacts of these traditional energies.
Spiess asked Gawrlow if Senator Hoeven and Governor Burgum were using the notoriously corrupt template by the Democrats where they use the “Rock The Vote” non profit as their day-to-day public relations, social media, youth engagement and administrative duties within the state of North Dakota.
“There is definately a model that uses government and non profits to push an agenda and quite frankly I think Governor Burgum is doing it because he is now realizing there isn’t much money in North Dakota and not a lot of outside money that wants to come in,” Gawrylow said.
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Click here for website
Join Podcasters from across the world and all walks of life as they unite to bring civil solutions to life and liberty.
Phone Line Sponsor: The United Podcast Of AmericaStudio Email and Inbox Sponsor: To Be Announced
Featured Music: Alma Cook
For guest, band or show topic requests, email studio@thecrudelife.com
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Here are this week’s special guests and energy experts on The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 486.
Jack Ekstrom, Policy Works America, former Mayor of Bismarck and talk show host Steve Bakken and The Crude Life‘s Jason Spiess take over SuperTalk 1270AM’s Talk of the Town to discuss energy leadership and the new direction America seems to be going down.
Jack Ekstrom, former principal for PolicyWorks America, as well as a veteran executive in the oil and gas industry, joined Steve Bakken and Jason Spiess on KLXX-AM SuperTalk 1270‘s for a live interview on the radio and podcast recording for The Crude Life.
The three discussed the recent election and how policy is dictating our lives in more ways than people can imagine.
Cybersecurity and energy independence was discussed in detail as one area of industry most people do not understand. The three talk about the disconnect with the current leadership on both sides of the isle. How the 10% extremes are ruling the 80% public with reactive politics and policies.
Nuclear energy was cited as an example of an energy that receives little media attention. The three discuss the environmental impacts on nuclear as well as the major innovations.
Joe Sinnott, Witting Partners and host of The Energy Detox Podcast discusses Moral Victories in business and whether they are real or an excuse for not achieving the goal.
“I think I mean, for one, I tend to be skeptical of the term moral victory because it seems somewhat defeatist. Right? It’s like you’re you’re searching for something. And you know, same thing, you’re looking for a silver lining, again, whether from a political standpoint, from a sports standpoint, it could sound a little bit like well, gee, you know, if you if you’re my leader, I don’t I don’t want you talking in those terms. Again, like we said before, I want to know what’s next. You know, I want to know what the path forward is how we can build upon things. I will say, however, Jason, that I am a fan of accentuating the positives, though. And I know that it’s a it sounds the same, perhaps. But I think there is a distinction there first, there’s an acknowledgement that yeah, there are positives, and it’s okay to emphasize them, instead of just searching for a moral victory and trying to kid and kid yourself into thinking that you What did you say, you know, what am I losing or whatever. So, I guess from a sports standpoint, from a leadership standpoint, a successful loss can happen.” – said Joe Sinnott during The Crude Life Week In Review.
The Crude Life presents Kids and Capitalism with an interview with North Dakota Secretary of State Al Jaegar on how kids can set up a business and Chris Olson of Treasure Island discuss precious metals, Pokemon Cards and the simple economics.
The Crude Life Content Correspondent and 8-year-old MultiMedia Kidtrepreneur Otis sat down with Sec. Jaeger to ask if kids under 18 can open a business and why they need to register with the state.
Later, Otis toured Treasure Island, a precious metals, rare coins and commodities investment center, and discussed how gold and silver work in today’s marketplace. Otis asked if they sold Pokemon cards, “because Pokemon cards are worth a lot of money”, which Chris explained how they used to, but had to make an inventory choice with some trendier investments like Pokemon, comic books and sports cards or focus more on the traditional gold, silver, stamps and coins.
Chris Olson, owner of Treasure Island, talks with MultiMedia Kidtrepreneur and The Crude Life Kid Correspondent Otis about precious metals, Pokemon cards and entrepreneurism. Levi Perkins, Perkins Electric Innovations, and Kenley Nebeker, TrainND Northwest, give an update on the EVolution Hybrid project. Perkins explains how weight becomes a major hurdle in trucking, fuel logistics and EV batteries.
In Part One, the two gave an overview of project EVolution Hybrid, which is integrating an electric battery into a traditional combustion engine while maintaining the classic trucking look. With maybe a hint of flare or contemporary fashions.
“One of the things we looked at with the EVolution Hybrid is the future of the transportation and trucking industry,” Kenley Nebeker, executive director, TrainND Northwest said. “We are really trying to find a way to expose our students and the community to the potential that lies within the electric truck, or in this case a hybrid truck. I’ve never been a believer in all-one-way or another.”
Nebeker is referring to an all EV solution or an all fossil fuel solution. Nebeker believes this project will shine a light on how a “marriage” between the two concepts will ultimately become a viable solution to an energy transition.
“One important part of this project is the look,” Nebeker said. “I like that traditional Americana semi truck look and understand that still connects with the public too.”
Click here for Part One of The Crude Life’s series on EVoltion Hybrid: Transporting Innovation Into A Sustainable Society
One of the ways the electric combustion collaboration can occur is weight. According to Perkins, the weight of fuel, the batteries and cargo are factors when determining your bottom line in business.
“Most Class A trucks vary as there are different models from the manufacturers, but there’s a lot that is similar” Perkins said. “The less a truck can weigh, the more freight you can haul and essentially, generate higher revenues because of it.”
For fleets, this could have significant savings. Perkins dives into the details of sleeper cabs, drop steer axles and other accessories when discussing the weight and revenues in trucking. All these additional details matter when discussing electric batteries and transition.
“Most electric trucks are going to be in the 400-600 kilowatt hour range. Tesla just released a 1000 kilowatt hour battery,” Perkins said. “But interestingly enough in the past three years the battery technology has allowed us to have reductions in weight but still, it is over 10,000 pounds in battery weight.”
The interview also discussed the difference between fuel weight and battery weight. Which would save money in the long haul? Host Jason Spiess cited an example of an interview with Keri Frank, CEO, Comply365, and her integration of iPads in aviation.
“Before iPads, the industry had a 50-plus-pound black metal box that contained procedure papers required by law,” Spiess said. “After Keri Frank got the industry to transition those papers to an iPad, not only did they see an immediate impact by not printing new sheets every time a new code was issued. But the real savings they saw was over a year in fuel savings. The weight over time was nickels turning into dollars.”
Both Nebeker and Perkins agreed with the sustainable savings and how trucking companies will see similar results.
Another area of change or transition EVoltion Hybrid will see is jobs. Nebeker is anticipating changes with mechanics, IT and other areas of trucking and transportation, and is in constant contact with the supply chain and supporting cast.
Here are some supporting interviews for EVoltion Hybrid and the community of Williston, ND.
Williston’s Wenko Says Economic Development Getting More Diverse
Williston Mayor Talks About The Bakken’s Continued Community Growth
Bakken Small Businesses Staying Busy
Bakken Boom Created An Astounding Educational Opportunity For Williston State Students
The project is scheduled to take 9-12 months, depending on the supply chain, according to Nebeker.
Alma Cook performs her hit song “5000 Candles” live at the 9th Annual Bakken BBQMusic heard on The Crude Life Week in Review is written and performed by Alma Cook of Cook Compliance Solutions. Support her music career at www.hearalma.com
Interviews are sponsored in part by TrainND Northwest – It’s a competitive world. Train for it.
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Click here for website
Join Podcasters from across the world and all walks of life as they unite to bring civil solutions to life and liberty.
Phone Line Sponsor: The United Podcast Of AmericaStudio Email and Inbox Sponsor: To Be Announced
Featured Music: Alma Cook
For guest, band or show topic requests, email studio@thecrudelife.com
Spread the word. Support the industry. Share the energy.
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Kenley Nebeker, executive director of TrainND Northwest and president of the TrainND Foundation, was voted to be the Chairman of the North Dakota Unmanned Aerial Systems this past week. Nebeker joins The Crude Life’s Jason Spiess on KLXX 1270AM SuperTalk’s Talk of the Town with Steve Bakken to talk about the new non profit that legislators and UAS leaders to “promote autonomous efforts in the state”.
The North Dakota Unmanned Autonomous Systems Council was created for the “purpose of promoting use cases for the UAS industry, as well as to provide outreach to communities”.
“As cheesy as this might sound, it’s a quality of life issue and making lives better,” Nebeker said. “Whether that is with the Ag sector or the energy sector or the package delivery sector, if it can be done faster and safer we want to look at that market.”
State representatives Mike Nathe (R-Bismarck) and Todd Porter (R-Mandan) pushed to create the council, according to KFYR News. The state reps say the industry needs an organization similar to other groups like the Petroleum Council or Lignite Energy Council.
Vice President of Membership Stacey Mesteth says North Dakota’s government and geography should make autonomous systems enticing to companies.
Nebeker described what the Vantis Network, dumbing it down to a simple highway system for drones.
“The statewide Vantis network is enabling UAS flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), if you want to think of it as the highway in the sky that will allow drones to go from border to border in North Dakota and other states as they come on,” Nebeker said. “Right now North Dakota is set up and poised to become the nation’s epicenter of commercial UAS activity. It’s an exciting time right now.”
The Vantis is the first such program of its scale in the United States.
In 2013, the FAA announced drone testing sites in six states: Alaska, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Texas and Virginia. Shortly after, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta signed a certificate of authorization making Grand Forks the first unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and test site in the nation.
“Ultimately what is contained within this network is the ability to communicate with a UAS beyond the visual line of sight,” Nebeker said. “So the communication, command and control of that unmanned vehicle and also what is going on in the airspace around that unmanned vehicle.”
Going to the next level in UAS will be a leap and springboard according to Nebeker.
“The airspace in the United States is heavily governed by the FAA, and in order to move forward using that airspace, we need to have some sort of system in place,” Nebeker said. “Vantis is North Dakota’s effort to try and solve that problem and begin moving beyond visual line of sight.”
The interview also discussed how consumers will benefit from the system, whether it be a pizza delivery, bird seed or driving an automated car. Entry level ideas and resources for entrepreneurs who want to get into the UAS industry where also discussed in the interview.
To contact Kenley Nebeker, email kenley.nebeker@willistonstate.edu
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Click here for website
Join Podcasters from across the world and all walks of life as they unite to bring civil solutions to life and liberty.
Phone Line Sponsor: The United Podcast Of AmericaStudio Email and Inbox Sponsor: To Be Announced
Featured Music: Alma Cook
For guest, band or show topic requests, email studio@thecrudelife.com
Spread the word. Support the industry. Share the energy.
Follow on YouTube
Follow on Facebook
Follow on LinkedIn
Follow on Twitter
Every December, The Crude Life looks back at some of the year’s best highlights, personality profiles and news nuggets of note. This year, the Year In Review enters it’s 10th year. Here is today’s feature with History Channel “Forged In Fire” winner Cody Adolphson.
Growing up in North Dakota, Cody Adolphson had always been around knives. He is a hunter and his father is a welder, so hot sharp metal was part of Adolphson’s upbringing.
“I’ve always wanted to get into making knives. I always carry a knife. I always use a knife,” Adolphson said. “I’m a welder by trade, so been around metal my whole life.”
One day Adolphson saw the show “Forged In Fire” on the History Channel and the creative metal smithing itch began to grow.
“I saw the show come on and I started getting into it more and more, then I finally made the decision in January 2020 to pursuit it and actually learn how to make knives,” Adolphson said.
He contacted a bladesmith via social media and was able to communicate his passion and path to the point to where today the two are “good friends”. Adolphson took a bladesmithing class with his mentor and friend in Wisconsin where he made his first damascus knife.
“I was hooked,” Adolpson said.
After the class in the Badger state, Adolphson began to learn more from his friend and mentor Tyler Hackbarth. In fact it’s this relationship that came out on the air during Adolphson’s Forged In Fire appearance.
“He’s actually a two-time Forged In Fire Champion,” Adolphson said.
His abilities caught the eyes of the producers at The History Channel too. Adolphson recently had an opportunity to compete on The History Channel’s “Forged In Fire“, a competition set to bladesmithing and blacksmithing weapons from specific time periods and cultures.
According to IMDB, “Forged in Fire” tests some of the best bladesmiths in the industry as they attempt to re-create some of history’s most iconic edged weapons. Former Army Ranger Wil Willis hosts the competition series that sees four master bladesmiths challenged in each episode to forge the swords, which are then tested by a panel of judges consisting of J. Neilson, who has been making knives for more than 20 years, hand-to-hand combat specialist Doug Marcaida, and David Baker, an authority on replicating period-accurate weaponry.
The contestant who survives the elimination rounds and wins the episode’s contest earns $10,000 and the title of Forged in Fire champion.
Adolphson was that bladesmith who survived, won and took home the $10,000 prize.
“I made a Cinquedea Sword,” Adolphson said. “It is an Italian Renaissance era sword that a nobleman carried and it’s a very wide blade at the base. Cinquedea actually means five-finger-blade, the base of the blade is the width of your five fingers.”
The championship sword took 32 hours to complete over 4 days. The show also allows the finalists to return to their “home forge” to forge the final entry.
“I can not reveal where we were for the show, but for the finale they were right here in my shop,” Adolphson said. “In the finale round the smith goes back to their home forge and makes a weapon from history. Then they bring you back and test it.”
Adolphson survived two preliminary rounds of knife forging before winning the finals, demonstrating his wide array of blacksmithing talents, concentration and artistic creativity.
“The show obviously helped jumpstart my knife-making business and look forward to forging a new chapter in life,” Adolphson said.
Adolphson started Living The Crude Life right after high school when he started welding for WesCon at the Marathon Refinery in Mandan, North Dakota.
“I started this when I was 18, jumped in a welding truck and went to work,” Adolphson said. “I started with WesCon, local company, and traveled around with them for a while. Built the refinery in Dickinson, worked up in Watford here and there and then ended up coming back to the refinery.”
Second generation welder, Adolphson has been welding since he was 10-year-old and, despite entering into knife making, sees it always in his future for the rest of his life.
“I’ve done welding for the past 11-years and knife making kinda caught my eye, one day I’d life to go full time,” Adolphson said. “That’s the goal, but I’ll always do some kind of welding in my shop here.”
Understanding the foundational opportunities welding can present for an entrepreneur, Adolphson found himself being drawn to the outdoors for the next chapter in life.
“Growing up in North Dakota, I’ve always been around hunting and always carried a knife,” Adolphson said. “I’ve always wanted to get into making knives and I am a welder by trade, and also have been around metal my whole life.”
Dipping a toe into the knife-making waters, Adolphson began taking an order here and there while working full time as a pipe welder. It was this part-time forging that opened his eyes to a whole new world of possibilities in the world of bladesmithing.
“I’ve made handles with meteorites and mammoth tusk,” Adolphson. “These knives are forever knives and meant to be handed down for generations.”
Custom 10th Annual Bakken BBQ meat cleaver forged in fire by Cody AdolphsonAbout The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Click here for website
Join Podcasters from across the world and all walks of life as they unite to bring civil solutions to life and liberty.
Phone Line Sponsor: The United Podcast Of AmericaStudio Email and Inbox Sponsor: To Be Announced
Featured Music: Alma Cook
For guest, band or show topic requests, email studio@thecrudelife.com
Spread the word. Support the industry. Share the energy.
Follow on YouTube
Follow on Facebook
Follow on LinkedIn
Follow on Twitter
The Executive Coach to Real Life Rock Stars Joe Sinnott of Witting Partners and host of The Energy Detox Podcast joined Jason Spiess for an update on the Appalachian Marcellus Utica Basin as well as comment on the recent release of CNX’s Appalachia First Vision.
Sinnott and Spiess also take a stroll into Toxicity and how it is impacting the workplace. Spiess put on his “holistic helmet” in order to become the Shale Play Prophet and predict that 2023 will be the Year of Toxicity. People will be personally and professionally cleansing their environments, according to Spiess. Sinnott agreed with the toxicity prediction, but looked at the solutions and road out a little different than Spiess.
Today CNX Resources Corp. (NYSE: CNX) launched “Appalachia First,” its vision for the future which draws on the company’s regional leadership, core operational strengths, and innovative business model.
As the region’s premier low carbon intensive natural gas development, technology, and applications company, CNX is uniquely positioned to help revolutionize Appalachia, one of the world’s most energy abundant regions, into an energy, manufacturing, and technology hub of the future.
CNX President and CEO Nick DeIuliis said, “The nation and world are waking up to stark energy realities: energy scarcity, deterioration of our power grid, and energy inflation stoking wider inflation. Policy often relies too heavily on applications such as wind, solar, and electric vehicles that can present large life cycle carbon footprints, require supply chains stretching thousands of miles, are costly, and face serious challenges when scaling in regions like Appalachia. If we don’t get energy and climate policies right, our economic competitiveness will be stifled, the environment will be worse off, and we will end up enabling our adversaries to wage war and forcing leaders to negotiate energy supplies from dictators and despots.”
Mr. DeIuliis continued, “There is a better, simpler, and more logical way. Appalachia can be the launchpad to a more efficient and sustainable future catalyzed by lower carbon intensity natural gas. This proud region and its people should be the solution to deliver reliable and affordable energy – our region’s abundant energy resources can and must be used more effectively to prioritize the improvement of the human condition, the environment, the nation, and the world. In other words, put our local communities first and watch what happens. We believe the strategic approaches integrated throughout this vision represent a clear roadmap to transform key sectors of our economy and workforce while also changing the world for the better.”
Specifically, Appalachia First is rooted in three key objectives:
- Leverage CNX’s and Appalachia’s natural gas opportunity by bolstering all sectors of the economy through lower-cost, lower-carbon, and locally produced natural gas.
- As one of the largest, most efficient, and environmentally sustainable sources of natural gas in the world, Appalachia (consisting of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia) are equipped with the tools to lead the sustainable revolution touching all sectors of the economy – including energy, manufacturing, technology, and transportation.
- Develop and deploy a new wave of innovative technologies and enhance local communities by using natural gas product derivatives for vertical market growth.
- Combined with new technology and derivative products, natural gas catalyzes a more sustainable future. CNX and Appalachia can fuel new industrial and manufacturing growth through local natural gas derivatives by:
- Using proprietary technology to change manufacturing processes for the extraction and delivery of natural gas.
- Capturing and converting GHG into sustainable products and applications.
- Jumpstarting the local hydrogen economy.
- Transform the sectors of aviation, plastics, rail, cargo, mass transit, trucking, and fleet and passenger vehicles by displacing higher carbon fuels with locally produced natural gas.
- The U.S. is the world’s largest producer and a net exporter of petroleum and natural gas products, but we still import a lot of foreign oil that can be supplanted with CNG and LNG to transform the region’s hard-to-abate sectors.
“From our founding more than 150 years ago, CNX has a rich history of innovating and bringing new technologies to market to meet the evolving energy needs of Appalachia and the world,” said CNX President of New Technologies Ravi Srivastava. “This strategy – focused on sustainably creating new local jobs and economic activity – embodies our mission of delivering benefits that are Tangible, Impactful, and Local.”
The full Appalachia first plan is available at: https://www.positiveenergyhub.com/appalachia-first
Headquartered just outside of Pittsburgh, the company is a leading Marcellus and Utica Shale producer with operations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. As part of the company’s sustainable business model and commitment to ESG excellence as well as shareholder value creation, CNX has made strategic investments in alternative fuel ventures as well as workforce development training, sustainable manufacturing, advanced methane abatement practices, and expanded its flagship partnership with the Pittsburgh International Airport. Learn more at cnx.com/news.
About CNX Resources
CNX Resources Corporation (NYSE: CNX) is unique. We are a premier, low carbon intensive natural gas development, production, midstream, and technology company centered in Appalachia, one of the most energy abundant regions in the world. With the benefit of a 158-year regional legacy, substantial asset base, leading core operational competencies, technology development and innovation, and astute capital allocation methodologies, we responsibly develop our resources and deploy free cash flow to create long-term per share value for our shareholders, employees, and the communities where we operate. As of December 31, 2021, CNX had 9.63 trillion cubic feet equivalent of proved natural gas reserves. The company is a member of the Standard & Poor’s Midcap 400 Index. Additional information is available at www.cnx.com.
Transcript from the Podcast
Jason Spiess 00:11
Let’s go to the audio line where we’ve got Mr. Joe Sinnott on the line. He of course, is with Witting Partners. He also does The Energy Detox. And that’s what we’re going to be talking about today, because in his most recent episode, he’s talking about something that’s known as TIL: Tangible, Impactful, Local. But in order to get to that, we got to start with what’s going on in the Marcellus that prompted him to do that episode of The Energy Detox. And it sounds like there’s a big local push happening out in the Marcellus Shale play. So, we need to talk to Joe Sinnott about our Marcellus update. This is like a three-for-one entry level question. Let’s make it four for one how’re you doing today?
Joe Sinnott 00:59
Doing all right, Jason got about one dozen days until Christmas getting in the in the holiday spirit and always happy to have a conversation with you.
Jason Spiess 01:08
Well, I was gonna say, you know, in the world of the media, it’s nice when you can like really check three boxes, often one news story. And that’s what this does, we get to promote your new episode, which I like to do, because you stay on top of current trends. I also want to make sure I know what’s going on out in the Marcellus and Appalachian. And you’re a great correspondent for that a trusted voice and we’ll get into some of the work you’re doing with some of the local organizations, but you know, CNX that popped up. So this story actually involves CNX getting into the local, I don’t know, it’s hard to say politics when you’re talking about supporting local businesses. That’s just you know, community pride, I guess I’m not sure but what’s going on out there in the Marcellus.
Joe Sinnott 01:56
So overall, the Marcellus, you know, continues to click along and produce plenty of gas, although the big story continues to be that it’s not able to produce as much gas as it could because it’s constrained by pipelines. So, you know, one of the big themes out there is, hey, how do you get, you know, the regulatory bodies sort of out of the way, or at least on board with continuing to develop this resource in a way that allows it to potentially exit the basin and, and help others either, you know, just outside our region, whether it’s in New England, or in some cases, you know, beyond our borders overseas. And with the announcement that you’re sort of alluding to this week, from CNX Resources, they came out and shared their vision and said, Hey, we can obviously support the world with natural gas that’s produced here in the Marcellus. But before we hone in and focus specifically on supporting the rest of the world, let’s make sure that we’re leveraging this resource right here in Appalachia and taking full advantage of it. So that’s sort of the buzz this week with CNX’s recent announcement, they’re “Appalachia First” announcement, as they’re calling it; and it again, speaks to maybe a differentiated focus on this natural resource that has the potential to transform the world, but obviously can transform sort of our local region, first and foremost. And that’s their message. And, again, it’s a message that I stole, actually, before this announcement; you know, they’ve been talking about this “local” message that’s also “tangible” and “impactful.” But this local message has been a theme of theirs for over a year. And it ties in very nicely to some leadership trends that I’m seeing and some leadership warnings that I offer to others. And so that actually happened to be the episode theme for the last episode of The Energy Detox as you lead the show off with and it just coincidentally happened to be tied into CNX’s updated announcement or updated defining of their mission this week. So maybe a long way to weave in all three of those boxes that you’re hoping to check. Hopefully, I did a good enough job of doing that, Jason, but happy to happy to continue the conversation with that theme, if you’re so inclined.
Jason Spiess 04:01
It was a five bagger because you know, we got the whole “How you doing?” in there too, but also, I’m going through the CNX, kind of their press release here. And they mentioned ESG excellence right in the final paragraph there before they get into the about CNX resources. So what is going on with some of the ESG either the vibe or the talk or with the companies out there, because I gotta be honest, in the Bakken, and in some of the other regions, I’m seeing a lot of mixed messages where a lot of the industry is against ESG. But also they’re still putting out the ESG reports. So I’m not really quite sure what to make about that, Joe.
Joe Sinnott 04:47
Yeah, I mean, in general, obviously, every public company on the planet seems to be embracing ESG initiatives, I will say here in the Marcellus and in Appalachia as a whole clearly there’s a lot of focus on what they are doing specifically for the communities in which they operate. So, you know, there’s different companies out there: Diversified Energy is a good example, over the last week or so, I think there’s been three or four clear, specific big initiatives that they’ve been touting, as Turkeys and Toys for Tots and 10,000 trees they donated; things like that, that, hey, emphasize, we’re not just going to talk generically about ESG. But we’re going to really hone in on impacting the local environment, impacting the local society, if you will, and checking the social box, if you will. So I think a lot of companies again–this is not unique, necessarily–but they really want to tout Hey, this is what we’re doing for the specific community. CNX, again, last week, this was the genesis for The Energy Detox podcast episode, they announced that they were donating $1 million to support the expansion of broadband in a county here in southwest PA that is fairly rural. So giving them access to the internet, and all of the things that that then leads to that that catalyzes, if you will. So again, I think you’re you know, you’re seeing something that’s common around the holidays, too, right? You know, hey, “shop local,” that’s, you know, you open that up at the beginning, right, hey, shop local, this is what we’re doing for the community, not just some generic sounding stuff. And I’ll add that, too, Jason that CNX and their CEO, Nick Deiuliis, they’ve really gone above and beyond and tried to differentiate their ESG message. In fact, their corporate responsibility report is named that…a “Corporate Responsibility Report,” they haven’t gone down the corporate “sustainability” report or “ESG” report for whatever that’s worth. But it really speaks to, hey, you know, we take our responsibility very seriously. And, you know, we’re not just going to talk in generic “sustainability” terms, because what does that word even mean?
Jason Spiess 06:50
That’s the thing that caught my attention was they’re doing a lot like what The Crude Life has decided and gone to do where we’ve never released an ESG report, we just highlight those ESG things that we do on a regular basis. And so when I’m looking at this, the little wordplay, trickery, man, we do the same thing. It’s kinda like, yeah, we’ll play your game, but we’re not going to play you know, Calvinball [a game invented by Calvin and Hobbes where players make up their own rules as they go along)–I heard that last night on Fox News. And when I was out, and about one of the anchors use the word Calvinball, and I thought that is a great way to describe ESG; they just kind of changed the rules to satisfy them. And, unfortunately, we’re in that position right now. So I anyway, so I applaud them for saying, you know, what, yeah, we get the good principles that you’re trying to do. And we’re already doing that. So we’re, you know–I like how they’re not even calling it a corporate sustainability report. They’re not even going down that far. That’s fantastic. But, so, but you know, what I mean, I think there’s value there with that–someone who’s saying, Hey, we’re willing to, you know, play along, but only to a certain point. And I respect that personally.
Joe Sinnott 08:10
Well, to add on to one thing you said, Jason, it’s them and other companies taking credit for what they’ve ALREADY been doing. That’s the funny thing, right? This vision that they laid out, it’s not really any different from what they’ve been saying for the last year, or two or two and a half since their CEO, Nick Deiuliis, has really gotten out there and has really been advocating and you know, getting up on stage–figuratively or literally–and saying all of these things. It’s a bit of a rebrand, if you will, but it further hones that message. Now, they already had that “tangible, impactful, local” message for I think about the last year or so. And this gets even more specific: “What is local?” “What does ‘local’ even mean?” Well, hey, we’re talking about Appalachia, you know, these four states that they highlight, you know, CNX is not just in the Marcellus, they also have significant operations down in Virginia, where a lot of their innovation is occurring; and a lot of their real ESG efforts, in fact, are brewing. And so they’re, you know, continuing to hone in on and redefine and get specific about the things they’re already doing, and in turn, get credit for the things that they’re already doing, instead of going the other direction, and becoming more broad and more vague and more tiresome, which quite frankly, Jason–you know, you cover enough companies, right? How often do these messages start to sound the same and start to become nauseous and soporific and, you know, ready to put you to sleep, right? Whereas a company like CNX is going the other direction, which is what we all should be doing as human beings, right? Getting specific about our message and not falling into the trap of just parroting the same stale talking points that every other company is doing.
Jason Spiess 09:48
You hit the nail on the head right there where people are tired of just the empty rhetoric. They they want to see actions. They want to see examples. They want to know what is going on; and the people who are doing it. Unfortunately, they need to kind of play a little bit of, hey, we’re gonna call it “this” instead of “that,” because they have to stand out from all that ridiculous noise. So I don’t know if you’re a paid spokesman for CNX–I know I’m not–but just Who are they? Are they natural gas? Do they do any oil? There’s been so much changes that’s happened out in the different shale plays, you know, especially with Coterra–that was the big merger out there. So who is CNX Resources? Are they primarily natural gas?
Joe Sinnott 10:53
So CNX Resources is primarily natural gas; their origins, though, Jason, go back about 160 years. So they go back to the age of coal. So there was a time not that long ago that it was Consolidated Coal Company; and then you go back a couple of decades, and they realized that, hey, you know, there’s methane in the coal mines; and methane was the enemy of the coal miner. And so you want to release that methane before you would go ahead and mine and at some point they said, “Hey, wait a second…this natural gas, this methane, has value; so then you begin to capture it and intentionally extract it. And that got them into the natural gas game, if you will. And then fast-forward to the early 2000s, when the Marcellus is just starting to rear its head and it made sense, then–you already have this asset base, you already have some of this land–to then transition that natural gas development focus into extracting gas from the Marcellus. So you know, they got into the horizontal shale development. And since then, they’ve separated the coal company from the natural gas company. So CNX resources, as it is today, is a natural gas company, although they still do have assets down in Virginia, which are not Marcellus assets, but they still have CBM–coal bed methane–assets down there. And they are still doing a lot of work in terms of capturing methane from mines. And again, capturing that methane–which is obviously good for the environment, from a from an ESG standpoint, from a global warming standpoint–and they are partnering with other companies (and this is all public information) to take that methane and actually turn it into goods and products that we all use, whether it’s new forms of plastic, if you will, that are biodegradable, and that, again, check all of these ESG boxes in a very real way, in a very tangible way that actually boosts the profile of and the contributions to the world that Appalachia has the ability to do.
Jason Spiess 12:54
“TIL: Tangible, Impactful, Local…the mantra of the CNX Foundation is clearly reflected in the $1 million commitment that CNX is making to broadband expansion in Greene County.” [reading from show notes for recent episode of ‘The Energy Detox’] That’s a great way to put it because, for me, I’m in the communication business. And when we started The Crude Life, you know, we had other aspirations of, you know, the crude life coffee, the crude life clothing, all kinds of different things. But because of my education, because of my background, because of my American upbringing, the communication business is the way to start. You need to get your message out there. And so, investing in broadband, investing in communication abilities is such a fantastic way to go. In fact, in warfare, what they say is one of the first things that you do is you take out their communication towers; that way that people can communicate with each other. So you can see how on both sides of the coin it can become extremely important with what you do. Now, when I take a look at, you know, they’re tangible, impactful, and local. There’s also a political side of this, which is, they raised a good point, Joe, which is why are we investing so much money in the global energy…”grid,” I guess, when we have our own energy grid that really needs to be taken care of here? So what is their message or your interpretation of what they’re trying to get across to either the industry or the local people or the professionals out there?
Joe Sinnott 14:38
Well, I think, my interpretation–and again, this is just my interpretation…I’m certainly not speaking on behalf of CNX in any way, shape, or form–but my interpretation is, who cares about the impact, you know, beyond our borders when we have enough challenges here and when we have these opportunities here? That doesn’t mean you ignore the rest of the world, of course. And in fact, if you go through CNX’s materials from the recent release, they talk about that we can absolutely have a positive impact on the rest of the world. But why wouldn’t we start here first? And I think my–again, interpretation–of why this matters, is because when you’re talking about talent, and you’re talking about getting people on board–and you just mentioned the word politics, right?–we’re talking about getting politicians on board, shouldn’t we be focused on giving them a message that DIRECTLY ties to their constituents to get them to pay attention? I mean, it’s one thing to talk about saving the planet from the dangers of global warming…and we’re gonna do all of these things that may or may not have an impact 50 years from now. Yeah, okay, you could talk about those things. I’m not saying they’re not real. But what about doing something that’s actually going to have a tangible impact within the next, say, five years on the people that actually live here? And a great example of that, Jason, coming back to the Marcellus region is the Shell cracker plant; This was years in the making, billions of dollars of investment, the Shell cracker plant finally went online here a couple of weeks ago. And it’s a huge, huge boon for the local economy; that is a tangible, impactful, local impact that clearly, politicians cannot ignore. And when you have their attention, then you can say, hey, here’s what else you need to do if you want to keep these things rolling. So again, it’s not to shy away from the rest of the world. It’s not to, you know, close our eyes and become protectionist or whatever. But it’s simply saying, Hey, before we help the rest of the world, or the rest of the country, why don’t we help ourselves and take advantage of the resources we have; take advantage of the history of innovation that we’ve had here in Appalachia for the last 150+ years? And do it in a way that actually transforms all of these industries: whether it’s aviation, plastics, transportation, whatever it is; why don’t we do all that transformation here? Because it’s simpler–right, Jason?–instead of trying to transform, you know, the other side of the world? Why don’t we start by transforming the people and the industries and the makeup of our communities that are, you know, 10s, or maybe hundreds of miles away, not 1000s of miles away. So, you know, that’s my interpretation, if you will–or summary–of what I’m reading and I’m seeing out of CNX. And I think, again, looking at this through the lens of a leadership coach, it’s the type of approach and vision that successful leaders have; where they focus on the here and now and what’s in front of them instead of [giving in to] the urge to broaden their message to look beyond and to, you know, unwittingly come across as ignoring what’s right in front of them–which in many cases, Jason, is their people, their teams. So in this case, again, CNX is clearly saying, Hey, we’re focused on our people, and Appalachia, our teams that are driving this forward; and our commitment is to you first…and then we’re all together going to help transform the rest of the world.
Jason Spiess 17:51
A, quote Lee Tillman, CEO of Marathon on this very program here, it takes a lot of resources to ship a molecule across continents. So being local with your energy is the cheapest way to go. So understand the need for exporting but at the same time, turning your back on your own citizens and country and everything like that does make it political. It really does. You know, as long as we’re doing a little bit of political, I gotta have some red meat. What’s going on with that Fetterman guy? I saw the he wears hoodies and stuff, huh? He just kind of dresses. Like, like my son on the weekend.
Joe Sinnott 18:43
Oh, I don’t know, Jason after he was elected, he was spotted wearing a suit. I think when they had their orientation or whatever, down in Washington, but he has totally disappeared from headlines here.
Jason Spiess 18:55
I think first big acting role he has I saw he’s an actor now, too.
Joe Sinnott 18:59
Oh, he’s a jack of all trades. There’s really no title, Jason, that can accurately define Senator-elect John Fetterman from here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Jason Spiess 19:13
Well, he’s gonna be in a movie in a movie with Christian Bale. I did see that. That, you know, that was kind of a good deal for him. But is he at all reaching out to the energy industry at all out there? Or is he just busy, you know, kind of just still soaking in the limelight and the fame stuff?
Joe Sinnott 19:30
I can’t say what he’s been up to. I can’t speak to how much outreach he’s had since being elected, although I don’t get the sense that he was doing a heck of a lot of outreach before being elected. But I will say one thing, it’s interesting you bring up John Fetterman, because some would argue that one of the reasons that he was elected is that he arguably took this this hyper “local” focus, right? I mean, whether it was you know, warranted or not, he came across as the Everyman, right? In the local community.
Jason Spiess 20:02
Yeah, that’s what I’m bringing it up!
Joe Sinnott 20:03
Oh, well, while we’re on the same page…look at that, Jason. I expect nothing else! But yeah, I mean, you got Dr. Oz…Nobody cared about the politics…it wasn’t as important as the image.
Jason Spiess 20:14
…Drinking tea at a beer kegger. Absolutely, man. So he came off as the wrong way. Absolutely. Yeah. But I find it interesting because that’s what Fetterman won on was the local image. And so when you bring this up, it again just seems like there’s more contradiction amongst the leadership. So, Joe, this is what you do for a living man, you put leaders on the right path, give yourself a plug quick.
Joe Sinnott 20:44
Well, hey, look, my role is behind the scenes, kind of like John Fetterman. I’m, you know, hanging out in my basement and, trying to make a difference–Maybe making a pitch for myself and drawing parallels between John Fetterman is not the way to go…But you said “put people on the right path.” I don’t put people on the right path, Jason; I’m working with individuals within the energy industry who are already on a good path or they’ve been on a good path. My job is to help keep them on the right path or to help make decisions easier and more confidently that are in front of them as far as which way to go next; which fork in the road to take–to quote Yogi Berra. So, you know, the way I do that, Jason is by asking questions, getting to the heart of what their ultimate purpose is, helping them understand when they are getting too broad or too vague, when their people are looking at them and feeling like maybe they’re being abandoned, helping them understand when those occasions are happening, and then pulling them back on that path that they’re likely already on; and, more importantly, helping to get other people on that same path moving in the same direction. So again, the way I do that is by being embedded in the energy industry, understanding the technical challenges, the political challenges, the corporate challenges, the business challenges, having been a part of that industry, having been in that technical role and those leadership roles; taking those experiences to ask better questions of individuals so that when they drift off that path–or they’re feeling like they’re going to drift off the path–bringing them back and saying, “so what, why does this matter? Why does this initiative matter? Why is this this sexy, new leadership messaging that you’re delivering to your team…why do you actually think it’s going to make a difference?” And [then] having them hone in on the things that actually will make a difference, the things they can say, the things they can ask, and more importantly, the things they can do. So, that’s what I do. That’s what I enjoy. Jason; it’s fun, still being part of the energy industry, not falling into the trap of being one of the millions of other generic coaches out there that can help people generate results–I’m not trying to bash other coaches. But you know, being embedded in this industry, particularly here in Appalachia, it’s a heck of a lot of fun, helping, quite frankly, companies do the types of things that CNX is trying to execute upon, which is innovate, take advantage of their local resources, not reinvent the wheel. And I think you used the word “easier” earlier, Jason–help make being a leader easier. Because it doesn’t have to be complicated. It shouldn’t be complicated. But one of the biggest hurdles that leaders face is overcomplicating leadership, and missing out on the simple things they can do, which is focusing on their people, focusing on existing resources, and, quite frankly, doing those “local,” small, but visible things that people actually care about.
Jason Spiess 23:36
Time now for the shale play profit–the prognostication segment as we wind down the year 2022 and we look ahead to 2023; and the shale play profit–if I’m putting on my hard helmet, the holistic helmet that allows me to see into the future. I see a lot of toxicity in the next year, Joe. And that’s mostly because of social media, in my opinion, to where companies, until they get a handle on their social media policies on what their employees are doing during the day. It’s like a smoke break where you can just pick on people or promote certain people or it’s really the Wild West. So I personally, I think social media, and just kind of the wild west of it right now is creating a lot of toxicity in workplaces. Maybe it’s because now that people are bringing back the workplace and people like working at home, maybe that’s part of the toxicity reasons. Everybody might have their own little, you know, slice of the pie, if you will. But at the end of the day, I think the pie being presented in 2023 is going to be toxicity in the workplace through a variety of different ways. I know that your business actually can help with that. So I’m not trying to plug your business in that way, but at the same time, hey, serendipitous or not, let’s talk about it. Do you have any prognostications for next year? And let’s talk a little bit about the toxicity and workplace view in mind.
Joe Sinnott 25:14
As far as prognostications, I agree with the toxicity prediction, if you will, Jason, but I don’t think it’s going to come from, you know, people hating each other necessarily; I think it’s that the toxicity–or sort of the nausea-inducing social media that’s out there…we talked about it earlier, right?–these generic messages from companies; I think, at some point, it’s going to come to a head, and individuals, whether they’re current employees or prospective employees, they’re going to be looking for companies with a differentiated message that sounds a little bit fresher, that isn’t just overly polished and, you know, comes across as sort of nothing or sounding the same as everybody else. So my prediction–and I see some of this now, I see rumblings within companies where it’s, “Hey, how can we differentiate our message? How can we get our employees out on social media more in a way that is actually more natural and positive,” but doesn’t come across as forced, doesn’t come across as them just copying and pasting scripts that the company gives to them? I think that’s the holy grail for a lot of companies. Jason, and again, it’s sort of a–not a direct toxicity, necessarily. It’s not an overt toxicity. But it’s that toxicity that comes when it sounds like people are just talking generically. I mean, I hate that. And again, I’m not saying I haven’t been on my soapbox talking in some vague terms today. But you know, when I’m working with leaders, that’s the number one thing I’m on the lookout for; are you just saying these generic, trite, cliche leadership things–you read four leadership books, and now you think you’re an expert? And you know, your employees aren’t stupid; they want you to talk to them in real terms. And I think companies have an opportunity to do that, to attract talent and to retain talent. So I think companies are going to do that, like I said, because some companies are starting to do that. So there’s my there’s my 2023 prediction: I think you’re gonna see some pretty clear attempts at unleashing the real people working within these organizations.
Jason Spiess 27:16
Yeah, I think what is happening, I guess, just kind of existentially–if we’re going to do a little existential energy–The woke culture is happening in so many different areas that people are just awakening. And what they’re awakening to is an authenticity of themselves. And so they are questioning a lot more things. And, you know, it can be you know, everything from the supply chain, did the Titanic really sink? I have no idea. I mean, what people are doing. So I just know that a lot of people are educating themselves in a variety different ways. And people are, you know, waking up and woke culturing in their own way. And at the end of the day, what they’re looking for is truth and authenticity. So those companies that are able to do that are the ones that in my opinion, are going to navigate through this toxic sea that we seem to be going into. I don’t know if you want to comment on that at all.
Joe Sinnott 28:19
Yeah, I’ll add one thing, because “authenticity” is another one of those buzzwords; it’s real, and it’s important, and leaders absolutely need to embrace authenticity. But then the question is, “how?” Right, Jason? How do you demonstrate authenticity? And one of the best and most effective ways to do this–to generate actual results is to connect what your stated vision is, what your stated mission is, what your corporate talking points are…connect that back to the work that the individuals are doing. So it’s, “why does any of this stuff matter?” And again, it comes back to what we talked about at the outset…and throughout this conversation, it’s that “local” idea, right? Not local from a, you know, community standpoint (hey, we donated X dollars to the local, whatever, 4H club or whatever it is–it’s to you as an individual employee; how is what the company’s doing make a difference in your world, and how is what you’re doing make a difference in what the company’s bottom line is? So often, Jason, companies fail to make that connection. There’s, you know, silos…talk about silos, again, another generic term that millions of coaches are going to talk about: “we’re gonna knock down silos!” But it’s not just the silos between operational groups. It’s the silos between, you know, the people in the in the C-suite or the marketing department that are putting this stuff out…and obviously, the workers who have their boots on the ground, that are in the field, that are on location that are doing things; those are the connections that you need to make internally. It takes time, it takes energy, but when you build those authentic connections that are strong and clear and quantifiable, that’s the key for these companies, Jason; and, again, there’s some real ways to do that. It’s not complicated, it…can cost a heck of a lot less money than then some slick marketing campaign. So, that’s it–you hit the nail on the head with “authenticity,” but it’s how do you demonstrate it?
Jason Spiess 30:19
Well, I think a lot of these companies like CNX, that we were talking about earlier, is they’re just showing and illustrating and citing examples of the body of work–what’s already been done. And when you can do that, versus “we’re gonna be gonna be gonna be,” I always called that the bartender–that the bartender is always going to be doing something, I mean, all you got to do is listen to them, and they’re so charming, because they’re just constantly dreaming, they’re gonna be gonna be gonna be, well, at some point, you got to put it into reality. And I think that is coming home to roost in a lot of people; and what I mean by that is–and Joe, are you ready for your next interview right here on The Crude Life, because this is a topic that we should do a cross-promotional podcast and figure out how to do that, because it’s so good. It needs to have two different sources to distribute the sucker through because we’re working on a column right now for our ESG University. And we’re flat out asking the question, you know, did you hire Milli Vanilli, Vanilla Ice, or Queen? Because Milli Vanilli, they didn’t even write the music or sing the music. So they just copied and pasted everything. Okay, Vanilla Ice, he changed one note, he changed one note, and he was a one hit wonder. So Queen, who seemed to not be the cool band during all that time, they were the ones that were putting together their legacy. So did you hire, you know, Freddie Mercury and Queen? Who’s actually the person who’s producing the content and the real talent and putting it out? Getting the job done? Whatever it might be? Or did you get Vanilla Ice? Who changed one note claimed it as their own? And now they don’t have anything? Or was it Milli Vanilli–who, by the way, Milli Vanilli might work the best, especially with the overseas Asian outsourcing that you can do for five bucks, you could have your own personal assistant, you could do a whole bunch of things in the Milli Vanilli world nowadays. So we’re gonna, you know, that’s how we’re gonna approach it. We’re not we’re gonna look at all the pros and cons. So just kind of, you know, your thought on that a little bit when it when it comes to employees and trying to determine, you know, what did I hire here? I mean, there’s a workforce shortage everywhere. So people are getting desperate. They’re just grabbing people. And it’s tough to get by that initial, you know, sizzle, if you know what I mean.
Joe Sinnott 33:02
Yeah, and again, it’s–I do love that it’s tied into your ESG university classes or whatever, because it’s “sustainability,” right? It’s all of those three employees or employee groups…who’s the most “sustainable?” Because the first two, yeah, they can generate results. And that’s where, again, a lot of leaders get misled, right? Oh, we’re all about “results” here. Look at the bottom line results. Well, you know, hey, look at the record sales for those…for Vanilla Ice and Milli Vanilli and all this stuff. You could say, hey, look skyrocketing and look at this growth, whatever. But the results can be misleading. It’s one of the huge themes in the work that I do is that results don’t always speak for themselves. And again, that’s where a lot of leaders become unconscious. You know, they’re, unaware, they’re unwittingly latching on to results, because it seems easy. It seems safe. It’s what everybody else is doing. And it points to the fact that Milli Vanilli, Vanilla Ice…”oh, no, no, those are the ones you want on board.” Meanwhile, yeah, Queens chugging along, actually doing great work. And people aren’t asking the right questions. And now you got a whole team of Milli Vanilli’s and Vanilla Ice’s and, again, it’s not sustainable. So, you hit the nail on the head. The other thing you said, Jason, was maybe going back to taking advantage of the stuff you’ve already done–your body of work, that foundation…you take a company like CNX, and it’s actually kind of funny, because a year or so ago, they started calling themselves, “net zero or carbon negative” and I think at least maybe scope one and scope two emissions, because they have that methane capture program–that coal mine methane capture program. So they’re saying, hey, you know what, we’re already at zero, right? Or we’re carbon negative already. “What next?” Which again, is just a funny way to say, hey, look, we’re already generating results. We’re doing these things already. We’re not just going to lean on promises of what’s going to happen 50 years from now; we don’t have “a plan to come up with a plan” to be net-zero in 30 years “maybe if the stars align” and ever thing else. No, they said, hey, look, this is what we’re doing right now. And so when you combine current real results with that foundation that an entity like Queen has, you put those together and you’re on a sustainable path. And that’s what you want to be as a leader; you want to take advantage of existing resources. Yes, you need to generate some short term results. But you need to make sure that you’re always taking full advantage of that foundation, strengthening that foundation, and being on guard against the things that can chip away at that foundation. You need to protect the things that actually matter. And again, that’s where, a lot of the coaching that I do comes into play…making sure that people aren’t unwittingly opening themselves up for that foundation to crumble or for people to start casting stones unfairly at you, which could lead to your your message getting lost and your your ultimate demise as a leader and then, in turn, as an organization.
Jason Spiess 35:54
Milli Vanilli, of course, won the Best New Artist Grammy. How many Grammys did Queen win?
Joe Sinnott 36:04
I don’t have an answer for you today, Jason.
Joe Sinnott 36:06
Well, the best is the people that stumble upon thinking it’s some sort of cleanse, you know? They had a late night of drinking and they’re looking for some sort of detox and they stumbled across it; but either, way we welcome people however they came across it; we welcome everybody.
Jason Spiess 36:06
And that is the correct answer: zero. So there you go, folks, Queen did not win any Grammys, did not get recognized as one of the best bands in their particular industry. But Milli Vanilli who did not even sing or write the song got the Best New Artist Award. So that is a whole ‘nother topic for another day. We could talk about organizations and awards and all kinds of things. But again, let’s just kind of circle back here and kind of do a little bit of a wrap up here. So great talk today on a number of things. Of course, you’ve got your podcast, The Energy Detox, that’s just gaining more popularity because people in the industry love it and, of course, people outside the industry, they liked the name so they check it out and they find out “oh, this is just useful stuff for every day…Doesn’t matter if I’m in the industry or not. This was great.”
Jason Spiess 37:16
That’s why you were doing yoga the other morning…I was wondering why that podcast had yoga, but now I get it…your energy detoxing, appeasing that audience…look at you trying to…I’m joking people out there. Okay. All right. So what was the other thing I was gonna ask you? Let’s see. Oh, are you still doing the kind of the moderating role for, is it, the Society of Petroleum Engineers that you are doing that for?
Joe Sinnott 37:43
Yeah, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, SPE, they have Tech Talks, it’s a live show. They have it about two times a week, I’m hosting maybe three or four times a month. So still doing that, still moderating; fun way for me to, again, stay abreast of latest technological developments in the world of oil and gas. Which, again, for those listeners of The Energy Detox, you know that we like to weave in current technology in oil and gas along with current headlines and political themes and leadership themes and kind of bring them all together in a way to help you think more clearly and make better decisions. So, yes, still happy to be a part of that. And welcome folks to check that out as well…go ahead and follow Society of Petroleum Engineers on LinkedIn is probably the easiest way to see as episodes pop up there; and you can watch them live and interact live. And you can go to their streaming.spe.org site as well and check them out there.
Jason Spiess 38:40
Well, there, you got your homework; we are going to have our next podcast as a cross-promotional podcast in some way where we’re going to talk about the Milli Vanilli, the Vanilla Ice, and the Queen employee. Maybe we’ll add some more bands. All I know is the hits are just going to keep coming, Joe. That’s all I know.
Joe Sinnott 39:01
All right. Well, there are a few conversations I can think that I would be more excited to have, Jason, so I look forward to the next rendition of The Crude Life with you.
Jason Spiess 39:10
Outstanding man, well, how can people get a hold of your content? What’s the website?
Joe Sinnott 39:17
Always happy to connect with folks on LinkedIn, of course, but you can also navigate on over to WittingPartners.com; or if you’re interested in checking out The Energy Detox, you can go ahead and find that on whatever your favorite podcasting platform happens to be, as well as YouTube and a couple other places if you use the ol’ Google.
Jason Spiess 39:42
Well, make sure to Ask Jeeves it and Alta Vista my way to the energy detox podcast. There you go, folks. There’s some mid-90s humor for you. And yeah, awesome, man. Well, we’ll talk down the line, sir.
Joe Sinnott 39:57
All right. Well, thank you, as always, Jason. Hope you have a great day…and remember, as we head closer to Christmas here, you want to “shop local,” you want to “think local,” and, of course, you want to “lead local.”
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
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Every December, The Crude Life looks back at some of the year’s best highlights, personality profiles and news nuggets of note. This year, the Year In Review enters it’s 10th year. Here is today’s feature with then-North Dakota Commerce Commissioner James Leiman.
The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Ken Lavin sits down with then-North Dakota Commerce Commissioner James Leiman, about how the state of North Dakota and the Bakken oil field can assist the energy issues with the Ukraine as well as other European countries. (Leiman resigned from his position in June 2022)
“The state can help by putting more oil and gas online into supply chains,” Leiman said. “So when you think about the pressures the Russians are currently manifesting in Western Europe and the constant back and forth of whether we are going to shut off your oil and gas.”
Other states like Wyoming and Texas have also stepped up to the global podium in anticipation of sending resources overseas to America’s allies during this global crisis. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon recently spoke with Jason Spiess about how their state can assist overseas and the logistical infrastructure in West Texas (Odessa Mayor Javier Joven and Midland Mayor Patrick Payton) is being built to produce next level energy.
“North Dakota, West Texas, Oklahoma, all those places, Wyoming too, all those can put more energy capacity online right now,” Leiman said.
He continued saying that if the Department of Energy was more accessible and receptive to American Energy Independence, the Bakken and other states could “inspire” new development and innovation.
“Why that is important is it creates slack in other markets, and in the global marketplace we all compete for the same energy resources,” Leiman said. “The more we can put online the better negotiating position Europeans are in as well as Americans.”
Carbon storage and the infrastructure being built to continue the evolution of how oil and gas companies are becoming a true “all of the above” energy company.
“North Dakota, a third of it, is geological capiable of storing every carbon molecule produced in the United States for 50 years,” Leiman said. “So here’s the deal, because of that we have seen a massive expansion of the types of projects we’ve been able to attract.”
One of those carbon capture projects involved Continental Resources, Carbon Summit Solutions and the Tharaldson Ethanol Plant. Continental Resources Inc. will commit $250 million over the next two years to help fund the development and construction of Summit’s $4.5 billion carbon capture and sequestration project.
Continental Resources Chairman Harold Hamm and CEO Bill Berry along with Summit Agricultural Group CEO Bruce Rastetter attended a press conference hosted by North Dakota entrepreneur Gary Tharaldson at the Tharaldson Ethanol Plant in Casselton, which is participating in the carbon capturing project.
“Continental Resources has called North Dakota home over 25 years. As the state’s largest leaseholder and producer, no company knows the geology better than we do,” said Harold Hamm, Continental Resources Founder and Chairman. “I want to thank the tremendous leadership of Senator Hoeven who, as governor, had the foresight to lay the groundwork for a project like this. North Dakota’s regulatory environment is second to none as the state will continue to lead in finding innovative ways to help reduce carbon emissions around the world.”
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts also attended the press conference which highlighted the importance of carbon capture and storage to U.S. energy security.
ND Commerce Commissioner Leiman said more investments like the Continental Resources one is happening across the state. He points to “the big gas-to-liquids facility” that announced near Trenton, which is attracting customers who are searching for Net Zero supply chain producers.
“So they are able to take gas, convert it to a sustainable aviation fuel, and then bury the carbon,” Leiman said. “Someone pays a premium, you’ve got billions of dollars invested here, you’ve got a home for significant quantities of gas and you are able to increase oil production as a result.”
North Dakota Department of Commerce worked with the North Dakota Development Fund to approved the initial support for Cerilon Inc. to develop a major gas-to-liquids (GTL) complex in North Dakota, with the initial phase estimated at $2.8 billion.
The Development Fund Board approved $3 million in initial developmental capital to Cerilon GTL Inc., a subsidiary of Calgary, Albert-based Cerilon Inc., for the GTL complex, with further financial support anticipated.
With this support, Cerilon GTL will proceed with the remaining development in anticipation of construction of the $2.8 billion Phase 1 GTL facility in Williams County. The GTL project supports state leadership’s strategy to diversify the energy industry and support clean, environmentally responsible energy development.
Lavin and Leiman then direct the conversation to yet another investment opportunity in the Bakken involving enhanced oil recovery.
“So you got what was once considered a liability in and around our region, we are able to monetize six or seven times over,” Leiman said. “From capturing their carbon and moving it to our geology, some people like 45Q, I personally would like to see more incentives for enhances oil recovery.”
Leiman continues with his opinion on why incentives and investments into EOR technologies would be beneficial to America’s industry, the planet’s environment and our global economy.
“I think if you were to reverse maybe the storage in the enhanced oil recovery number we would see those projects go a little more west for EOR,” Leiman said. “This way we can produce the cleanest meanest barrel of oil in the country and people will pay a premium for that.”
https://youtu.be/J3n9HeiP3t4About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Click here for website
Join Podcasters from across the world and all walks of life as they unite to bring civil solutions to life and liberty.
Phone Line Sponsor: The United Podcast Of AmericaStudio Email and Inbox Sponsor: To Be Announced
Featured Music: Alma Cook
For guest, band or show topic requests, email studio@thecrudelife.com
Spread the word. Support the industry. Share the energy.
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Warren Martin, executive director, Kansas Strong, joins Jason Spiess on The Crude Life Content Network with an update on the historic oil spill in Washington County, Kansas.
According to Martin, there is no release or information on what caused the spill, but the site has been maintained and no drinking water wells have been impacted.
“The site has been contained, emergency response and company officials are all working together to ensure the spill handled,” Martin said. “No drinking water wells have been impacted, an earthen dam has been constructed so the oil can be contained and the water can continue to flow without contamination.”
According to Martin, The Keystone Pipeline spilled into a creek running through rural pastureland in Washington County, Kansas, about 150-160 miles north of Wichita.
“TC Energy has mobilized additional resources, such as vacuum trucks and oil skimmers, to support oil recovery from Mill Creek,” Martin said.
Martin said the price of oil and impact on inflation seem to be the number one issue to the locals.
“Jason I can tell you the number one concern locally here is will this impact the price of oil, because that will impact inflation,” Martin said. “When will the pipeline get back online is another concern here locally.”
A U.S. Government Accountability Office report last year said there had been 22 previous spills along the Keystone system since it began operating in 2010, most of them on TC Energy property and fewer than 20 barrels.
The total from those 22 events was a little less than 12,000 barrels, which is 2,000 less than last Friday’s spill.
Environmentalists, the media and politicians have been using this accident to attempt and advance a political narrative.
“As an industry we have always used barrels when discussing oil,” Martin said. “You see headlines now that use gallons in the story or headline. So instead of 14,000 barrels of oil, it’s something just shy of 600,000 gallons.”
Congressman Donald Payne tweeted his “watchful eye” from New Jersey.
As Congress looks to begin work on reauthorizing pipeline safety, I'm watching this situation closely to learn more about this latest oil leak and inform ways to prevent future releases and protect public safety and the environment.https://t.co/v0sKz0Dq1l
— Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (@RepDonaldPayne) December 9, 2022
TC Energy said it had set up environmental monitoring at the site, including around-the-clock air quality monitoring.
“Our primary focus right now is the health and safety of onsite staff and personnel, the surrounding community, and mitigating risk to the environment,” a company statement said.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the Keystone pipeline moves about 600,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada to Cushing, Oklahoma, where it can connect to another pipeline to the Gulf Coast.
The interview also discussed the “energy ecumenical” work Martin has been doing with the schools and local communities in Kansas.
“I spent 4-and-a-half-hours teaching kids all about the oil and gas industry,” Martin said. “Generally when I go into a classroom, I take core samples, take rocks and talk about geology, a lot of drawing on the board to kind of map things out as we go along and try to get as many hands on activities we can to show the kids how many things are made from petroleum products.”
The Kansas Oil & Gas Resources Fund, better known as Kansas Strong, is a nonprofit organization voluntarily funded by oil and natural gas producers in Kansas. Kansas Strong works to educate and inform people about the important role our industry plays in their lives. The Kansas oil and natural gas industry provides the energy and security our nation needs.
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Click here for website
Join Podcasters from across the world and all walks of life as they unite to bring civil solutions to life and liberty.
Phone Line Sponsor: The United Podcast Of AmericaStudio Email and Inbox Sponsor: To Be Announced
Featured Music: Alma Cook
For guest, band or show topic requests, email studio@thecrudelife.com
Spread the word. Support the industry. Share the energy.
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Geoff Gordon-Creed of the Well Done Foundation joined Jason Spiess on The Crude Life and KLXX 1270AM’s Talk of the Town with Steve Bakken to discuss orphan wells, his recent presentation at COP27 and what’s next for for the non profit in 2023.
Gordon-Creed starts off the interview by discussing what the Well Done Foundation is and what orphan wells are.
The Well Done Foundations, founded in 2019, builds partnerships between regulators, owners and adoptive parties to plug “orphan” oil & gas wells. The non-profit is based in Montana but is also building capacity in Pennsylvania, Louisiana and several other states.
“Orphaned” wells are those for which no former owner or operator can be located, while the term “abandoned well” typically refers to an unproductive well with a known owner/operator. In either case, the wells remain uncapped.
Gordon-Creed also shared a story about an orphan well last year that the industry in Ohio located next to a senior living home.
Working with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Cleveland Fire Department, management of Franciscan Village and Moore Well Services the collective group of people and organizations banded together to plug the orphan well.
There may have been more than an orphan well discovered too. Gordon-Creed explains how state records show the well had been drilled more than a century ago to extract natural gas, but was plugged in the 1950s with a substance called fire clay.
“This was the industry standard at the time,” Gordon-Creed said. “However what they found was that what was commonly used by the industry at the time, had cracked and shrunk over time.”
Gordon-Creed explained how many orphan wells from the early 1900’s were capped with rocks, landfill and wood casings.
“Wood was the industry standard then,” Gordon-Creed said. “You would be shocked at the things we have found used to cap wells from centuries ago.”
Bakken shared a story about how he heard stories of plywood used to “cap” a well hole with a rock put on top to hold down the board, then in the spring when it was time to “pick rocks” the kids just piled the rocks on top of the board and rock.
“You see those rock piles next to a field that are 100-years old. How many rock piles out there have a well underneath?” Bakken asked.
Spiess pontificated if there was an E.T. Atari cartridges or Honda 3-Wheelers used to cap well because landfills are littered with them.
Gordon-Creed said the Well Done Foundation is going to continue more of the same with more energy education and carbon awareness.
Earlier this year, the Well Done Foundation entered into a partnership with Newlight, which is a biotechnology company producing advanced sustainable materials.
Over 10 years of research and development, Newlight developed a biotechnological process to harness microorganisms found in the ocean to convert greenhouse gas into a meltable energy material found in all living things: a naturally-occurring, biocompatible material that can be used to make fibers and solid parts, and help reduce the flow of carbon and synthetic plastic into the environment.
Following commercialization in 2013, AirCarbon was named “Biomaterial of the Year” by the Nova Institute in 2013, “one of the 100 most technologically significant innovations of the year” by R&D Magazine in 2013, and “Innovation of the Year” by Popular Science in 2014, and received the prestigious EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge award in 2016. Today, Newlight is focused on growth through both internal and licensed production to help fulfill the company’s mission: to protect and improve life by accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable, regenerative materials.
This partnership continues the momentum of corporate sponsors helping plug orphan wells across America. Texas-based distillery Tito’s Handmade Vodka and the Felty Family Challenge recently funded the non-profit’s first well-plugging project of 2022. The well, known as Fenner #2, was installed near Caddo Lake on the Louisiana/Texas border in 1985, and abandoned in 2017.
According to the Well Done Foundation website, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates there are 2.5 million unplugged abandoned wells in the United States. That includes 31 states, emitting 7.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year. They say that is equal to 798 million gallons of gasoline used, 1.54 million passenger vehicles for a year, or 7.85 billion pounds of coal burned.
For more information, or to contribute or sponsor a well plugging project, visit welldonefoundation.org.
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Click here for website
Join Podcasters from across the world and all walks of life as they unite to bring civil solutions to life and liberty.
Phone Line Sponsor: The United Podcast Of AmericaStudio Email and Inbox Sponsor: To Be Announced
Featured Music: Alma Cook
For guest, band or show topic requests, email studio@thecrudelife.com
Spread the word. Support the industry. Share the energy.
Follow on YouTube
Follow on Facebook
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Every December, The Crude Life looks back at some of the year’s best highlights, personality profiles and news nuggets of note. This year, the Year In Review enters it’s 10th year. Here is today’s feature with Tara Norris Rasmuson sat down with host Jason Spiess to discuss her journey from petroleum to publishing. Tara was a landman (aka landwoman …. aka land negotiator) while working in oil and gas. Now she is the publisher of the Greeley Lifestyle Magazine.
“I started out at the bottom answering phones in the oil and gas industry,” Tara said. “I really just worked my way up. I studied Petroleum Land Management at Oklahoma City University. I then got an internship with a little group called Tekton Energy in Highlands Ranch and they had a project here in Windsor Colorado.”
Windsor is just a “stones throw” away from Greeley, which is the home rule municipality city that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Weld County. Weld County hosts approximately 20,000 well pads or active well sites and producing roughly 85-90% of Colorado’s oil development.
Before Tara’s internship and work answering phones, she absorbed a respect for the industry through her geography and father’s profession.
“I actually grew up in the industry, my dad’s a geologist, so I watched my entire life the ups and the downs of the industry,” Tara said. “I saw a lot of people leave and I felt really sad when they had to leave oil and gas. But now I feel so much gratitude having now transiting out of the oil and gas industry, now I can look at it from a different lens.”
Tara’s work in oil and gas continued after her start up and in Colorado, and she found herself with numerous opportunities to dive into the real culture of industry. From the travel to the colorful personalities to the corporate structures to being on the front line of town hall meetings discussing oil and gas projects and community collaborations.
Furthermore, Tara believes there are “so many good stories in oil and gas” because she has seen them first hand.
“There’s a lot going on here. So many stories from industry that can be told… need to be told,” Tara said. “People think it’s (Greeley) always think agriculture, farming and cattle. There’s a lot more to Greeley. The oil and gas industry is so big here, but they are quiet about it.”
Tara continues citing humility as the main reason for the lack of positive oil and gas stories being shared in the local communities. However, those times are slowly changing and publications like the Greeley Lifestyle Magazines are sharing those stories.
One thing is clear for Tara’s next chapter in life. She is more interested in personal growth and sharing the experiences than the pursuit of private jets and record-profits.
“As we wound down Bear Lake Resources and realized we weren’t going to get the funding to drill that we wanted and our big plans were not going to come to fruition, I started to be open to other opportunities,” Tara said. “I loved starting at the bottom of the oil and gas industry and working my way to the top. I found so much joy in that journey. So I looked at other industries that I could have a similar experience of just the joy of the journey.”
That industry is publishing. Tara started the Greeley Lifestyle Magazine, which is a community-focused magazine that aims to connect the residents to the people, places, businesses and cultures that make Greeley a special city to live and work.
When asked if she looks at herself as an Ambassador of sorts for the industry as many are finding themselves at a crossroads, she sees how one could make that leap and connection as her transition out of industry is a transition, not exit.
Right now Tara sees how publications like the Greeley Lifestyle Magazine can assist industry immediately.
“We are actually working with a large operator right now to do some stories,” Tara said. “What I think we need to do is put the faces of the oil and gas employees in the magazine and we need to tell their stories. We need to say these are families with children that live and work and play, they give back, are great people and do the right thing.”
Tara continued.
“Number two is sharing what the industry businesses and companies are doing to give back to the community,” Tara said.
After a bit more discussion about Tara’s journey from petroleum to publishing, she offers some advice for those experiencing the uncertainty that exists in industry today.
“When I was looking at transitioning out, I sat down with myself. Myself. And I asked myself what do I love the most about the industry and the everyday life in the industry and what am I really good at,” Tara said. “The answers to those questions really help frame what I was looking for in the next stage of my life.”
Kunal Patel is a senior business economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas joins Jason Spiess for an update on the oil and gas activity in the 11th District, including the Permian Basin in Texas.
Activity in the oil and gas sector expanded at a strong pace in the third quarter, according to oil and gas executives responding to the Dallas Fed Energy Survey. The business activity index—the survey’s broadest measure of conditions facing Eleventh District energy firms—remained elevated at 46.0 but below the 57.7 record-breaking reading last quarter. This suggests the pace of the expansion decelerated slightly but remains solid.
Oil and natural gas production increased at a similar pace compared with the prior quarter, according to executives at exploration and production (E&P) firms. The oil production index held fairly steady at 31.7 in the third quarter. The natural gas production index was essentially unchanged at 35.6.
Costs increased for a seventh straight quarter, with the indexes near historical highs. Among oilfield services firms, the index for input costs remained elevated but slipped from its series high to 83.9. None of the 58 responding oilfield services firms reported lower input costs. Among E&P firms, the index for finding and development costs was 64.7, down slightly from its high last quarter of 70.6. Additionally, the index for lease operating expenses was 70.2, easing slightly from the high last quarter of 74.1.
It is taking longer for firms to receive materials and equipment. The supplier delivery time index remained elevated at 28.4 in the third quarter, down slightly from a series high of 31.9 in the second quarter. Among oilfield service firms, the measure of lag time in delivery of services declined from 36.0 to 21.1 but remained well above average.
Oilfield services firms reported broad-based improvement, with key indicators remaining in solidly positive territory. The equipment utilization index remained elevated but fell from 66.7 in the second quarter to 55.2 in the third. The operating margin index remained positive but declined from 32.7 to 25.4. The index of prices received for services inched higher, from 62.7 to 64.9—a record high.
All labor market indexes in the third quarter remained elevated, pointing to strong growth in employment, hours and wages. The aggregate employment index posted a seventh consecutive positive reading, increasing from 22.6 in the second quarter to a record 30.0. The aggregate employee hours index was 33.3, close to its historical high. The aggregate wages and benefits index remained elevated and was largely unchanged at 47.3.
Optimism waned somewhat this quarter as the company outlook index posted a ninth consecutive positive reading but fell 33 points to 33.1. The overall outlook uncertainty index jumped from 12.4 to 35.7, suggesting uncertainty became much more pronounced this quarter, especially among E&P firms. The uncertainty index was 17.8 for services firms versus 45.2 for E&P firms, with 53 percent of E&P firms reporting an increase in uncertainty.
On average, respondents expect a West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price of $89 per barrel by year-end 2022; responses ranged from $65 to $122 per barrel. Survey participants expect Henry Hub natural gas prices of $7.97 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) at year-end. For reference, WTI spot prices averaged $85.49 per barrel during the survey collection period, and Henry Hub spot prices averaged $8.16 per MMBtu.
To read the entire report, click here
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Click here for website
Join Podcasters from across the world and all walks of life as they unite to bring civil solutions to life and liberty.
Phone Line Sponsor: The United Podcast Of AmericaStudio Email and Inbox Sponsor: To Be Announced
Featured Music: Alma Cook
For guest, band or show topic requests, email studio@thecrudelife.com
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Here are this week’s special guests and energy experts on The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 485.
Levi Perkins, Perkins Electric Innovations, and Kenley Nebeker, TrainND Northwest, give an update on the EVolution Hybrid project. Perkins explains how weight becomes a major hurdle in trucking, fuel logistics and EV batteries.
In Part One, the two gave an overview of project EVolution Hybrid, which is integrating an electric battery into a traditional combustion engine while maintaining the classic trucking look. With maybe a hint of flare or contemporary fashions.
“One of the things we looked at with the EVolution Hybrid is the future of the transportation and trucking industry,” Kenley Nebeker, executive director, TrainND Northwest said. “We are really trying to find a way to expose our students and the community to the potential that lies within the electric truck, or in this case a hybrid truck. I’ve never been a believer in all-one-way or another.”
Nebeker is referring to an all EV solution or an all fossil fuel solution. Nebeker believes this project will shine a light on how a “marriage” between the two concepts will ultimately become a viable solution to an energy transition.
“One important part of this project is the look,” Nebeker said. “I like that traditional Americana semi truck look and understand that still connects with the public too.”
Click here for Part One of The Crude Life’s series on EVoltion Hybrid: Transporting Innovation Into A Sustainable Society
One of the ways the electric combustion collaboration can occur is weight. According to Perkins, the weight of fuel, the batteries and cargo are factors when determining your bottom line in business.
“Most Class A trucks vary as there are different models from the manufacturers, but there’s a lot that is similar” Perkins said. “The less a truck can weigh, the more freight you can haul and essentially, generate higher revenues because of it.”
For fleets, this could have significant savings. Perkins dives into the details of sleeper cabs, drop steer axles and other accessories when discussing the weight and revenues in trucking. All these additional details matter when discussing electric batteries and transition.
“Most electric trucks are going to be in the 400-600 kilowatt hour range. Tesla just released a 1000 kilowatt hour battery,” Perkins said. “But interestingly enough in the past three years the battery technology has allowed us to have reductions in weight but still, it is over 10,000 pounds in battery weight.”
The interview also discussed the difference between fuel weight and battery weight. Which would save money in the long haul? Host Jason Spiess cited an example of an interview with Keri Frank, CEO, Comply365, and her integration of iPads in aviation.
“Before iPads, the industry had a 50-plus-pound black metal box that contained procedure papers required by law,” Spiess said. “After Keri Frank got the industry to transition those papers to an iPad, not only did they see an immediate impact by not printing new sheets every time a new code was issued. But the real savings they saw was over a year in fuel savings. The weight over time was nickels turning into dollars.”
Both Nebeker and Perkins agreed with the sustainable savings and how trucking companies will see similar results.
Another area of change or transition EVoltion Hybrid will see is jobs. Nebeker is anticipating changes with mechanics, IT and other areas of trucking and transportation, and is in constant contact with the supply chain and supporting cast.
Here are some supporting interviews for EVoltion Hybrid and the community of Williston, ND.
Williston’s Wenko Says Economic Development Getting More Diverse
Williston Mayor Talks About The Bakken’s Continued Community Growth
Bakken Small Businesses Staying Busy
Bakken Boom Created An Astounding Educational Opportunity For Williston State Students
The project is scheduled to take 9-12 months, depending on the supply chain, according to Nebeker.
Canada’s Greatest Export Terry Etam gives an update from North of the Border on their energy policies, trade flow with the US and Germany trying to buy coal from Canada. Terry Etam is the author of The End of Fossil Fuel Insanity: Clearing the Air Before Cleaning the Air; columnist for the BOE Report and writer for Public Energy Number One
Canada’s Greatest Export shares a story about the country of Germany coming over to Canada to accelerate their divestment from fossil fuels and direct their attention towards hydrogen.
Etam, who also works with a Natural Gas Company, said they weathered the regulatory storm the past couple of years, and are back to a comfortable pace for business. He also elaborated on several of the Canadian Regulations that are hindering oil and gas development.
Yale Preston (left), Jason Spiess (middle) and Shawn Forbes (right) at the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in Bismarck, ND.Jason Spiess and Shawn Forbes are joined by Yale Preston, NESET and iaintjack productions
Yale talks about working for NESET and what a few of his side hustles are. iaintjack productions is the first other business bantered about. From the Science of Awe to the humanity of oil and gas, the three discuss a variety of ways industry enhances our outdoors lifestyles.
The three dive deeper into the humanity of oil and gas into the world of water. The Crude Life’s June Theme is Oil and Water Do Mix and Preston cites numerous examples of how petroleum products allowed him to experience the singing of humpback whales underwater in Hawaii.
Another side business Preston and his wife are involved with is hydroponics and growing mushrooms. Jason chimes in with his Hippie Capitalist ways and shares information on his vertical garden that grows 36 plants.
Odessa (TX) Javier Joven joins Jason Spiess to talk about Odessa’s investment into their water, roads and infrastructure. The Mayor also presents Jason Spiess with a “Jason Spiess Bobble Head” in appreciation for all his positive work for the energy industry.
The mayor attended at special ceremony for DistributionNOW, who had a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Celebration at their new facility in Odessa, Texas. The event was well attended with local community members, professional colleagues and special guest dignitaries like Mayor Hoven and also the neighboring city Midland (TX) Mayor Patrick Payton.
“You see the creativity of how you have to survive,” Mayor Joven said. “This regional DistributionNOW warehouse will be the nerve center for the entire Permian basin into New Mexico to resupply the satellite service companies from valves to fittings and other equipment from the oilfield.”
DistributionNOW operates primarily under the DistributionNOW and DNOW brands. Through its network of approximately 195 locations and 2,600 employees worldwide, NOW Inc. offers a comprehensive line of products and solutions for the upstream, midstream and downstream energy and industrial sectors. Its locations provide products and solutions to exploration and production companies, energy transportation companies, refineries, chemical companies, utilities, manufacturers and engineering and construction companies.
Mayor Hoven was very excited about the commitment from DNOW, as well as their innovative remodeling capabilities.
“Basically DNOW has retooled the Halliburton facilities back into a regional distribution center,” Joven said. “You know the old industry is retooling itself since we’ve had the downtown and the nature of issues like inflation.”
Not only are investments coming to the Permian Basin domestically, but according to Mayor Joven, there are international interests and investments as well.
“We’ve been contacted by a couple groups based in Mexico who represent a dozen companies each, so 24 or more companies are looking at Odessa right now for international expansion,” Mayor Joven said. “So we do have professional businesses who want to come in and build multi-family apartments downtown. We also have another group interested too. We will be having more announcements coming over the next two weeks.”
Mayor Joven expanded his international context a bit by layering in the current administration’s recent actions and desires towards American Independence and Domestic Energy.
DNOW’s Harlow Tripp (far left), David Cherechinsky (second far left), Mayor Javier Joven (left center), Midland Mayor Patrick Payton (right center), Dan Pratt (second far right) and Josiah Black (far right)“If we could get this administration to stop battling with what we are dealing with. The thing is we have a 4M-a-barrel-a-day gap for the reasons that are happening in the Ukraine and Russia,” Joven said. “Now we are going down to Venezuela, this administration is now trying to deal with Iran, OPEC won’t deal with them. It’s just insanity.”
Host Jason Spiess brings up an interview with Dickinson (ND) Mayor Dennis Johnson back in 2014 when their city was growing at a rate beyond double their highest growth year in history.
“I will never forget Dickinson Mayor Dennis Johnson coming on The Crude Life and just shattering everyone’s $100 oil dreams by stating not one more shovel will enter the ground until a new water treatment plant is constructed,” Spiess recalled. “Mayor Johnson hammered home the maximum usage of basic city services like water, sewer and roads.”
Mayor Joven understood those challenges more than most can appreciate living in the literal desert.
“Right now we’ve already put in financing for two major water and sewer projects running north and south on the east side of Odessa” Mayor Joven said. “One we were able to bring in $15M under budget. So there’s money in place and infrastructure investments without putting increasing the burden on the tax payers.”
Mayor Joven continued with other investments and innovations happening in the epicenter of the Permian Basin.
“We’ve even found environmentally friendly ways to clean the water (in the Permian),” Mayor Joven said. “Right now, we are even finding new ways to recycle water into drinking water. This is the creativity we have out here in West Texas.”
Plus there are more diverse investments into communications and industry coming too.
“We are now in the discussion phase of finalizing over a $100M capital investment into the city of Odessa where we will run fiber throughout the entire city limit,” Mayor Joven said. “The thing is that is will not cost us, they are actually paying us one-dollar a connection on a monthly basis, so the potential there are in the thousands monthly and billions over the life of it.”
Javier Joven (left) and Jason Spiess (right) who is holding up a container of Bakken Crude Oil.Interviews are sponsored in part by TrainND Northwest – It’s a competitive world. Train for it.
Music heard on The Crude Life Week in Review is written and performed by Alma Cook of Cook Compliance Solutions. Support her music career at www.hearalma.com
About The Crude Life
Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions.
The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Click here for the website
Weekly Sponsor: Stephen Heins, The Practical Environmentalist
Historically, Heins has been a writer on subjects ranging from broadband and the US electricity grid, to environmental, energy and regulatory topics.
Heins is also a vocal advocate of the Internet of Everything, free trade, and global issues affecting the third of our planet that still lives in abject poverty.
Heins is troubled by the Carbon Tax, Cap & Trade, Carbon Offsets and Carbon Credits, because he questions their efficacy in solving the climate problem, are too gamable by rent seekers, and are fraught with unreliable accounting.
Heins worries that climate and other environmental reporting in the US and Europe has become too politicized, ignores the essential role carbon-based energy continues to play in the lives of billions, demonizes the promise and practicality of Nuclear Energy and cheerleads for renewable energy sources that cannot solve the real world problems of scarcity and poverty.
Click here for website
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Click here for website
Join Podcasters from across the world and all walks of life as they unite to bring civil solutions to life and liberty.
Phone Line Sponsor: The United Podcast Of AmericaStudio Email and Inbox Sponsor: To Be Announced
Featured Music: Alma Cook
For guest, band or show topic requests, email studio@thecrudelife.com
Spread the word. Support the industry. Share the energy.
Follow on YouTube
Follow on Facebook
Follow on LinkedIn
Follow on Twitter
Jack Ekstrom, former principal for PolicyWorks America, as well as a veteran executive in the oil and gas industry, joined Steve Bakken and Jason Spiess on KLXX-AM SuperTalk 1270‘s for a live interview on the radio and podcast recording for The Crude Life. The three discussed the recent election and [...]
In this installment of a Decade of Discussion is from 2017, the featured guest is professional wrestler and plant-based speaker Austin Aries. Recognized for his in-ring and his verbal skills on the mic, Austin Aries’ impressive resume includes multiple championship titles, most notably in Ring of Honor Wrestling (First 2x [...]
Here are this week’s special guests and energy experts on The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 484. The Mayor of Williston Howard Klug may be the busiest man in the Bakken right now. “Just got done with a two-hour meeting with the National Guard Emergency Management and statewide radio, [...]
Here are this week’s special guests and energy experts on The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 483. Keith Olson, Regional Director of the North Dakota Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) shares recent data indicating the Bakken’s small business case load is slightly ahead of the state’s largest city – [...]
When it comes to life, time is money. In transportation it’s time and weight that equal money. Well in the world of EV Transportation, it’s time, weight and temperature that mean money. In this exclusive interview with Levi Perkins, Perkins Electric Innovation, and Kenley Nebeker, TrainND Northwest, the two discuss [...]
Joe Sinnott, Witting Partners and the host of The Energy Detox Podcast, joins Jason Spiess to talk about laying eggs in business, how to communicate internally and why leadership needs to step up their humanity game right now. Below is the transcript from the interview. Jason Spiess Let’s head over to [...]
The city of Williston, ND, looks very different than it did when Shawn Wenko was growing up. “I was born and raised in Williston, moved away in the 90’s because there wasn’t a lot of opportunity,” Wenko said. “But today, it is such a different industry than it was back [...]
Here are this week’s special guests and energy experts on The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 482. Keith Olson, Regional Director of the North Dakota Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) shares recent data indicating the Bakken’s small business case load is slightly ahead of the state’s largest city – [...]
The Mayor of Williston Howard Klug may be the busiest man in the Bakken right now. “Just got done with a two-hour meeting with the National Guard Emergency Management and statewide radio, the days just keep going,” Mayor Klug said. “The day started with a county liaison meeting and unfortunately [...]
Stephen Heins, The Energy Pragmatist, comments on several recent ESG news items including the recent report on ESG Annual Report filings are up again this year. Heins also discuss the growing movement known as Anti-ESG. States, political leaders and energy professionals are among the topics mentioned in the Anti-ESG talks. Host [...]
While the rest of the country faces uncertainty, the Bakken is still keeping their small business owners busy. “Most of the customers I work with on the oil and gas front are staying very busy,” said Keith Olson, Regional Director of the North Dakota Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). “Right [...]
Hunter Berg has a fantastic job these days. Finding students who want a “free education” at Williston State College. According to Hunter Berg, executive director, Williston State College Foundation, the university has been blessed by the Bakken Boom. Over the past 50 years, scholarships were created by the generosity of [...]
Here are this week’s special guests and energy experts for The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 481. Dr. Loren Scott just finished his annual Economic Forecast for the State of Louisiana and the news is the economy is going to get better, but first it’s going to get worse. [...]
After a very successful loss in the Republican primary for the Texas Railroad Commissioner, America’s Energy Influencer Sarah Stogner is now documenting the oil and gas wells that are coming back to life as Zombie Wellz in a new series on TikTok. According to Stogner, Zombie Wells are wells that have [...]
Terry Etam, author of The End of Fossil Fuel Insanity: Clearing the Air Before Cleaning the Air, columnist for the BOE Report and writer for Public Energy Number One, gives an update on the oil and gas activity north of the border. Canada’s Greatest Export shares a story about the [...]
Here are this week’s guests for The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 480. The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Ken Lavin interviews Harold Hamm, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Continental Resources, after he spoke at Wildcatters Wednesday at The Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma. Hamm talks about the importance [...]
Dr. Loren Scott just finished his annual Economic Forecast for the State of Louisiana and the news is the economy is going to get better, but first it’s going to get worse. The interview explains why from OPEC to European gas to natural disasters to Biden’s policy’s. “People should be [...]
Here are this week’s guests for The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 479. Kenley Nebeker, executive director, TrainND Northwest and Levi Perkins, Perkins Electric Innovations explain what the EVolution Hybrid is all about. Curtis Shuck, Chairman, Well Done Foundation gives an update from Midland, Texas as well as their [...]
Here are this week’s guests for The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 478. Kenley Nebeker, executive director, TrainND Northwest and Levi Perkins, Perkins Electric Innovations explain what the EVolution Hybrid is all about. Curtis Shuck, Chairman, Well Done Foundation gives an update from Midland, Texas as well as their [...]
The Industrial EVoultion has begun in the Bakken oilfields. In the heart of the Bakken, TrainND Northwest has taken on a project to help transition fossil fuel jobs and training into a hybrid world. “One of the things we looked at with the EVolution Hybrid is the future of the [...]
Curtis Shuck has been extremely busy the past three years plugging orphan wells, monitoring methane levels and cutting through government bureaucracy. This past April, on Earth Day, The Crude Life interviewed Shuck regarding his recent orphan well work in Ohio and Louisiana, and Texas was off the radar due to [...]
It’s Back-To-School with Executive Coach, Podcaster and Professional Speaker Joe Sinnott of Witting Partners and The Energy Detox Podcast as he talks with Jason Spiess about the shift in the workplace, home life and society. The two discuss how the shift in energy can make the workplace a completely new [...]
Kenley Nebeker, executive director, TrainND Northwest, joins Jason Spiess to talk about their “$2.8M grant” they were able to obtain from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) as well as their Drone Light Show in Williston after the Babe Ruth World Series. The “sustainability” grant is funded by the American Rescue [...]
Tom Shepstone, founder of NaturalGasNow, joins Jason Spiess to discuss some of the activity happening on the eastern portion of the United States, specifically the Marcellus Utica Appalachia Basins. “In terms of regulations, we are still involved with the Delaware Basin Commission to allow us to drill on our side [...]
Kunal Patel is a senior business economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas joins Jason Spiess for an update on the oil and gas activity in the 11th District, including the Permian Basin in Texas. Activity in the oil and gas sector expanded at a robust pace in second [...]
United States Air Force Veteran Mark J. Lindquist joined Jason Spiess live from the Ukraine with a boots on the ground report for media platforms The Crude Life and the Bismarck-Mandan KLXX SUPERTALK 1270AM. “Jason, they are calling this the Instagram War,” Lindquist said. “This war is being fought on social media.” [...]
North Dakota State School Superintendent and Administrator of the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler joins Jason Spiess to discuss the upcoming school year as well as a public meeting September 8 regarding Critical Race Theory. According to Brookings.edu, Critical Race Theory is: Simply put, critical race theory [...]
Joe Sheehan, Benchmark Mortgage, joins Jason Spiess to discuss the recent actions from the Federal Reserve and how they impact the average American. Sheehan also comments on what loans are favorable right now, while other traditional avenues are not what they once were. The two discuss “bank deposit” loans and [...]
After Living The Crude Life since high school working in the heavy industrial construction industry, Brittany Diederich has began her next professional chapter in life – The Business Lesbian. According to Brittany, The Business Lesbian is a podcast to highlight humans and businesses using their power for good. Brittany is a [...]
Joe Sinnott, Witting Partners and the host of The Energy Detox Podcast, joins Jason Spiess to talk about transition in life and how to determine what you really really want. Transcript From The Interview And we’re gonna go over to our zoom line and talk to Mr. Joe Sinnott, about [...]
Kenley Nebeker, executive director, TrainND NorthWest and president of the TrainND Foundation, joins Jason Spiess to discuss whether Williston has made enough investments into the present to turn a “potential” into a “reality”. The two discuss the UAS industry and how it could become a Hub due to it’s geography [...]
When it comes to gas prices, there are very few not impacted. Truckers, politicians and oil companies seem to attract most of the attention, but for the average person, a trip to the grocery store or work can become more expensive than budgeted. Bailey Midkiff is one of those individuals [...]
Amanda Preddice Milne joined Jason Spiess for an interview at The Crude Life’s 3rd Annual Podcast Party held in the Triple Tower of Power constructed by WIC at the 22nd Annual Energy Exposition. “The mission of the Wyoming Cowboy Challenge Academy is to provide a safe, disciplined and professional learning [...]
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon is one of the busiest governor’s in the nation. Not only is his state building on of the largest wind farms in the nation, but also ramping up other areas of energy like solar, gas, coal hydrogen and even uranium. “We have the solution to our [...]
Shawnee Christensen, Bodell Construction, gives an update on the recent activities from the heavy construction industry. “We are a full service general contractor,” Christensen said. “We do everything from demolition to new construction and everything in between. We work coast to coast on everything from mine sites to gas and [...]
Jake Milne, Chief Operating Officer, WIC, talks about Wyoming energy and their adaption to the market. Milne explains how their past couple of years have been adapting to the market after COVID. “We just started recycling wind turbines now,” Milne said. “In fact our first order is being picked up [...]
Recently Chevron CEO Mike Wirth publicly stated he does not expect another oil refinery to be built in the U.S. ever again. Well one person who disagrees with Wirth is William Prentice, CEO, Meridian Energy Group. “I tend to agree that there will probably never be another large refinery again [...]
Growing up in North Dakota, Cody Adolphson had always been around knives. He is a hunter and his father is a welder, so hot sharp metal was part of Adolphson’s upbringing. “I’ve always wanted to get into making knives. I always carry a knife. I always use a knife,” Adolphson [...]
Here are this week’s special guests on The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 455: The Crude Life’s Chief Intention Officer Jason Spiess interviews Curtis Shuck, Chairman of the Board, Well Done Foundation regarding a major announcement of a 10-year partnership with Newlight Technologies as well as their four-well-plugging awareness effort. [...]
Joe Sinnott, Witting Partners and the host of The Energy Detox Podcast, joins Jason Spiess to discuss Summer Change and how businesses have to adapt and roll with the punches when kids get let out. New schedules, balancing life and work, new employees and new career paths are several themes [...]
The first segment includes Lignite Energy Council President Jason Bohrer and Johnathan Fortner and Mike Holmes. The three discuss innovation and technologies surrounding clear air and clean energy solutions. Jason Bohrer’s background as an attorney, a communications director for the Idaho Republican Party and as chief of staff to U.S. Rep. [...]
Jason Spiess interviews Doug Wiles, City of Bismarck, City Forester, about their Arbor Day celebration that included city events and youth engagement. Wiles ran down their activities and talked about their continues work after Arbor Day with homeschool children. “Arbor Day in North Dakota falls on the first Friday in [...]
Here are this week’s special guests on The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 455: The Crude Life’s Chief Intention Officer Jason Spiess interviews Doug Wiles, City Forester, about the oil and gas industry’s contribution to their city tree programs. He explains how community minded sponsors have partnered together with [...]
Burleigh County Commission Kathleen Jones talks about the use of eminent domain from governments and how they are used. The issue is in response to a group of landowners who showed up to the county commission meeting. It was a surprise to the commission. “A gentleman from Richland County showed [...]
Golf goes with about anything in the professional world. Corporate America, industry, trade shows, white collar and even blue collar folk seem to do business on the golf course. Chief Intention Officer of The Crude Life Jason Spiess sat down with PGA Member Professional Matt Nadeau at Hawk Tree Golf [...]
Jason Spiess interviews Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon talk about how the state of Wyoming can help global energy crisis and ease some of the issues from the Russia/Ukraine conflict. “The point shouldn’t be lost on anyone right now that here in this country we do a better job, safer job [...]
Josh Swanson, attorney, Vogel Law Firm joins Jason Spiess to talk about how eminent domain is used, has been used and may be used in energy development. Swanson, who is considered one of the top eminent domain attorneys in the state, recently won a ND Supreme Court Case Wilkinson vs. [...]
Here are this week’s special guests on The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 452: Alma Cook, Cook Compliance Solutions talks about how Alma, a female environmentally minded professional gravitated to industry. She explains how her brother in Thailand was the catalyst for her journey in oil and gas. Texas [...]
Executive Coach Joe Sinnott of Witting Partners shares his insight on how organizations respond to turnover and culture changes. Host Jason Spiess and Sinnott use the recent transpirings at St. Peter’s University, who experienced a historic NCAA March Madness run only to have their coach leave and several players enter [...]
Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EarthDay.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. The official theme for 2022 is Invest In [...]
Alma Cook joined Jason Spiess on the Zoom Line to talk about her new music video “5000 Candles” and the final stretch of completing her music album. Spiess contends that while many in the oil and gas industry are still searching for ways to connect with tomorrow’s leaders today, Alma [...]
When I saw the recent news about NFL Quarterback Dwayne Haskins death, I immediately thought of Matthew Nelson, brother of Gunner Nelson, son of Ricky Nelson and grandson to Ozzie and Harriet. Then I thought of the late Sarge Summers and how old his children were. The reason I thought [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Ken Lavin sits down with North Dakota Commerce Commissioner James Leiman, about how the state of North Dakota and the Bakken oil field can assist the energy issues with the Ukraine as well as other European countries. “The state can help by putting more [...]
Here are this week’s special guests on The Crude Life Week In Review Episode 450. Jason Isaac, Director of Life:Powered, a national initiative of the Texas Public Policy Foundation to raise America’s energy IQ, joined Jason Spiess to talk about how Texas became the first state to break through on [...]
In this Decade of Discussion, The Crude Life looks back at our interview with Stephen Moore, Writer and Commentator. In this exclusive interview, host Jason Spiess drives and drops off Moore at the airport in order to get this industrial-sized energized interview. The two talk about the importance of energy [...]
In 2013, Mary Hodell was the owner and operator of the Farmer’s Daughter Cafe in South Heart, N.D. This local eatery was the closest eating establishment to the then-new 20,000-barrel- per-day Dakota Prairie Refinery (Calumet Specialty Products Partners and MDU Resources) as well as a stone’s throw from a trailer [...]
U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Environment and Public Works committee, delivered remarks on the Senate floor on the Biden Administration’s “9,000 Lease Lie” amidst a backdrop of skyrocketing inflation, soaring gas prices, and Biden’s ongoing supply chain crisis. “We have a geopolitical opportunity right now to cut Putin’s [...]
The relationship with agriculture and oil and gas is one that goes back to the foundation of the petroleum industry. Since day one, the two industries have had to co-exist, which is one of the main reasons oil producers call their departments that work with the surface owners “Land Departments”. [...]
Every March since 1987, Congress and U.S. Presidents have designated March as Women’s History Month. This year, The Crude Life celebrates and honors their accomplishments and contributions in history with interviews and stories that center around women’s experiences in industry. The Crude Life believes woman are vital in energy. Today [...]
Everyone is talking about ESG these days. From Wall Street to Madison Avenue to the podcaster-of-the-week. It’s everywhere these days and everyone is trying to figure out how to figure it out. Well one individual is on the right path when it comes to having a complete understanding of the [...]
Every March since 1987, Congress and U.S. Presidents have designated March as Women’s History Month. This year, The Crude Life celebrates and honors their accomplishments and contributions in history with interviews and stories that center around women’s experiences in industry. The Crude Life believes woman are vital in energy. Today [...]
The City of Odessa, Texas, Mayor Javier Joven is feeling good these days despite all the economic and energy issues happening across globe. The reason Joven is feeling optimistic is he knows the Permian can become a solution to the global energy problem. The mayor attended at special ceremony for [...]
Kunal Patel, senior business economist, at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas joined Jason Spiess to discuss the new Energy Survey release March 21, 2022. As a member of the Research Department’s energy group, Patel analyzes and investigates developments and topics in the oil and gas sector. He is also [...]
Every March since 1987, Congress and U.S. Presidents have designated March as Women’s History Month. This year, The Crude Life celebrates and honors their accomplishments and contributions in history with interviews and stories that center around women’s experiences in industry. The Crude Life believes woman are vital in energy. Today [...]
Every March since 1987, Congress and U.S. Presidents have designated March as Women’s History Month. This year, The Crude Life celebrates and honors their accomplishments and contributions in history with interviews and stories that center around women’s experiences in industry. The Crude Life believes woman are vital in energy. Today [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Ken Lavin scores an exclusive interview with Ward Polzin, CEO, Camino Natural Resources, LLC, less than a day after he returned from Antarctica. “My wife and I just got back from 30 days in Antarctica. It was a trip of a lifetime.” Polzin said. [...]
Every March since 1987, Congress and U.S. Presidents have designated March as Women’s History Month. This year, The Crude Life celebrates and honors their accomplishments and contributions in history with interviews and stories that center around women’s experiences in industry. The Crude Life believes woman are vital in energy. Today [...]
Wyoming is all in when it comes to energy. All The Above and all forms too. Even if the Governor doesn’t agree with everything politically, he is savvy enough to understand all energy has a purpose and sometimes the road to development can become a bit bumpy. However, your bumpy [...]
Here are the winners and losers from a wild Thursday in first round The Crude Life March Madness Tournament. PODCAST: Jason Spiess interviews Joe Sinnott about his big upset in The Crude Life March Madness Tournament, while the two weave in Executive Coaching, Catholic Schools Dominating First Day and How [...]
Every March since 1987, Congress and U.S. Presidents have designated March as Women’s History Month. This year, The Crude Life celebrates and honors their accomplishments and contributions in history with interviews and stories that center around women’s experiences in industry. The Crude Life believes woman are vital in energy. Today [...]
Commissioner Christi Craddick is one of three commissioners at the Texas Railroad Commission, and she is also the longest serving of the three to this elected position. We were lucky enough to get some time with Commissioner Craddick to recap the last year and catch a glimpse of what she [...]
Does your organization need a Chief ESG Officer. That is a question many within the inner ESG circles have been asking. And by there way, there are many ESG inner circles right now floating around the planet, which is one of the best arguments for a Chief ESG Officer. However, [...]
Every March since 1987, Congress and U.S. Presidents have designated March as Women’s History Month. This year, The Crude Life celebrates and honors their accomplishments and contributions in history with interviews and stories that center around women’s experiences in industry. The Crude Life believes woman are vital in energy. Today [...]
Every March since 1987, Congress and U.S. Presidents have designated March as Women’s History Month. This year, The Crude Life celebrates and honors their accomplishments and contributions in history with interviews and stories that center around women’s experiences in industry. The Crude Life believes woman are vital in energy. Today [...]
Every March since 1987, Congress and U.S. Presidents have designated March as Women’s History Month. This year, The Crude Life celebrates and honors their accomplishments and contributions in history with interviews and stories that center around women’s experiences in industry.The Crude Life believes woman are vital in energy. Today more [...]
It’s an ENCORE airing after a donation to the University of Mary (after Oklahoma State University), The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Ken Lavin interviews Harold Hamm, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Continental Resources, after he spoke at Wildcatters Wednesday at The Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma. Hamm talks about [...]
The Crude Life had the privileged to be invited on to the production studio and set of Sherwood Forest, a docufilm about a historic time in American Oil and Gas’s impact on global independence and empowerment. By the summer of 1942, the future of Great Britain and the outcome of World War [...]
Jason Isaac, Director of Life:Powered, a national initiative of the Texas Public Policy Foundation to raise America’s energy IQ, joined Jason Spiess to talk about how Texas became the first state to break through on the ESG Narrative allowing fossil fuels to have a seat at the table. “We were [...]
Daniel Turner, Founder and Executive Director, Power The Future (PTF) joins Jason Spiess to talk about Nord Stream 2, Russia and the Ukraine. “After the Biden Administration consistently got it wrong on Nord Stream 2, it’s truly unfortunate that it took Germany to stop the process from moving forward. America [...]
Move over Survivor and Amazing Race, the Texas Railroad Commission election has become one of the most interesting reality shows in the nation. This year’s race has almost everything. It’s got an incumbent fighting to keep his spot, a newcomer endorsed by the state’s largest newspaper and an upstart female [...]
Bobby Adkins, iTankData, joins The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Ken Lavin at NAPE to discuss how time is money. Adkins explains how their software is allowing companies to access real data on their phones and laptops in order to see uptime, downtime and other metrics. “CFOs get it in [...]
After spending some time on his literal death bed, The ESG Doubting Thomas is back full of ESG and Vinegar! Wordsmith and poet Stephen Heins returns to The Crude Life to share his continued doubts about the ESG movement and it’s intention. Host Jason Spiess discusses some of the recent [...]
Here are this week’s special guests on The Crude Life Week in Review Episode 444. Heath Holloway, CEO, Titan Solutions, joins Jason Spiess to talk about their 3-Year Anniversary with Incident Free Operations in their Greeley, Colorado offices. Todd Garland, CEO, Great American Mining company is one of those “smart [...]
Thomas Ratliff, co-owner and geophysicist at DDD Exploration, (pronounced 3-D Exploration) joins The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Ken Lavin at NAPE 2022. Ratliff and Lavin begin the interview talking about conventional methods in oil and gas. “We built our company around 3D seismic, and we’ve always liked to use 3D [...]
Drew Allen is a Texas-bred, California-based millennial author, columnist, and political analyst. Fluent in Italian, Drew has lived and worked in Italy in the fashion industry and in New York City and Los Angeles as an actor, screenwriter, and independent film producer. He is a fresh, young, bold voice for [...]
Professional Executive Coach, Father, Husband, Business Owner and Podcaster Joe Sinnott joins Jason Spiess to talk about how to navigate the management waters of the Monday Morning Quarterbacks the day after the Super Bowl and water cooler talk when people are not able to meet at the water cooler. Since [...]
Scott St. John, Reagan Smith, joins The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Ken Lavin live at NAPE 2022 in Houston TX. The two discuss how the environmental and cultural past impact the present and future projects. Primarily the interview discusses how Indian (Native American) land, Federal Land and cultural archeology [...]
Trent Korby, Owner/CEO, Korwell Energy Services, joins Jason Spiess to talk about their company’s journey, which has been a roller coaster of dedicating full time, part time and full time once again of personal and professional time allocation. Korby gives an overview of their services as well. Korwell Energy is [...]
Matt Welch, State Director at Conservative Texans for Energy Innovation, talks with Jason Spiess about the The Texas Geothermal Energy Alliance (TXGEA) and how he sees geothermal energy playing a role in oil and gas. The Texas Geothermal Energy Alliance is a Texas-based, Texas-led advocacy organization created for the purpose [...]
The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) Texas A&M Student Body Chapter has scheduled their second ESG event titled Oil & Gas ESG Summit: From the Perspective of Academia, Regulatory, & Industry Representatives. “We are excited to bring people together this year because last year we had to go online [...]
Sarah Phillips sat down with Jennifer McIntyre Morris, RLI Solutions Company, to discuss how Women are EmPowering the World and energizing the industry. The two discuss their daily professional lives working in the energy industry to navigating through the patriarchal culture that still exists in many areas of the workplace. [...]
Dwayne Farris of Black Creek K-9 Pipeline Leak Detection joins Jason Spiess for an update on working dogs within industry. Farris talks about the different types of dogs doing a variety of work for oil and gas operators, as well as others. Farris gives an overview of how their dogs detect [...]
The Crude Life‘s Jason Spiess joined Steve Bakken on Talk of the Town on SuperTalk 1270AM Bismarck to talk about ESG, Harold Hamm‘s donation and why Mercedes Benz just separated itself from the pack. Host Steve Bakken starts the conversation out by recapping the donation of $10 million to the [...]
Here are this week’s special guests on The Crude Life Week in Review Episode 443. Colorado State Senator Ray Scott gives an update on the 2022 Colorado Legislative Session. According to Scott, the Department of Natural Resources spoke right before the interview with Jason Spiess and Scott said they reported [...]
Curtis Shuck, Chairman of the Board, Well Done Foundation, joins Jason Spiess to talk about their latest partnership with Texas-based distillery Tito’s Handmade Vodka and the Felty Family Challenge. The craft spirits company will funded the non-profit’s first well-plugging project of 2022. The well, known as Fenner #2, was installed [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Ken Lavin was Live and Local in Tulsa for the ClearSign Technologies Corp. ribbon cutting and press conference. The reason for the event was to recognize ClearSign Technologies’ moving its headquarters from Seattle to Tulsa. Ken Lavin spoke with their CEO Jim Deller about [...]
Heath Holloway, CEO, Titan Solutions, joins Jason Spiess to talk about their 3-Year Anniversary with Incident Free Operations in their Greeley, Colorado offices. Heath is fourth generation oil and gas with Greeley the headquarters for their service company. Titan Solutions also has operations in Wyoming that services the Powder River [...]
Todd Garland, CEO, Great American Mining company is one of those “smart clever capitalists” who has cracked multiple codes to figure out ways to mine bitcoin across Shale Play USA. Garland joins Jason Spiess for an update on their goal to mine a solution for emission management while generating value [...]
U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss his trip to Ukraine last week, Ukraine-Russia tensions, and Democrats’ failed Build Back Broke plan. Excerpts and the full video are below. On Joe Biden’s Leadership: “What we should have [...]
Listen how Brian Lash’s journey in oil and gas lead him to be the founder of Target Logistics after making the decision to leave medical school and start a sports entertainment travel company. His decision evolved into creating temporary housing company where he did work for the soldiers in Iraq, [...]
Here are this week’s special guests on The Crude Life Week in Review Episode 442. The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Ken Lavin interviews Harold Hamm, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Continental Resources, after he spoke at Wildcatters Wednesday at The Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma. Hamm talks about the [...]
Brandy Johnson, Chief Technology and Engineering Officer, Babcock & Wilcox, joins Jason Spiess to discuss carbon capture and storage technologies. Johnson talks in detail about their new ClimateBright™ and how it is seeing productive results for industry. “The ClimateBright suite of decarbonization technologies are designed to help utilities and industry [...]
Colorado State Senator Ray Scott gives an update on the 2022 Colorado Legislative Session. According to Scott, the Department of Natural Resources spoke right before the interview with Jason Spiess and Scott said they reported that in 2018 the state of Colorado approved 447 Form 2A’s, which are required for [...]
Matt Young of Flowco Production Solutions talks with Jason Spiess at the PBIOS Podcast Party sponsored by The Wireline Group at the Permian Basin International Oil Show (PBIOS) in Odessa, Texas. Flowco Production Solutions is artificial lift. Flowco specializes in the design, installation and optimization of gas lift and plunger lift systems, made in the USA, serving oil [...]
Texas Senate Candidate Kevin Sparks spoke about foster care and the issue of sex trafficking at the social action event Flock Sock & Barrel at Frisky’s in Odessa, TX. Sparks joined Jason Spiess and The Podcast PreShow Party with special co-host Ashley Smith of Truckers Against Trafficking to discuss several [...]
Here are this week’s special guests on The Crude Life Week in Review Episode 441. Bakken BBQ co-founders Tiffany Steiner and Jackie Jenkin give a recap of the 9th Annual Bakken BBQ and preview of the 10th Annual Bakken BBQ. The 9th Annual Bakken BBQ raised $87K with donations of [...]
Tara Norris Rasmuson sat down with host Jason Spiess to discuss her journey from petroleum to publishing. Tara was a landman (aka landwoman …. aka land negotiator) while working in oil and gas. Now she is the publisher of the Greeley Lifestyle Magazine. “I started out at the bottom answering [...]
Kunal Patel, senior business economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, joins Jason Spiess to dissect their 4th Quarter Survey of 134 energy firms, 90 were exploration and production firms and 44 were oilfield services firms. The oil and gas sector continued growing in fourth quarter 2021, according to oil and [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Ken Lavin interviews Harold Hamm, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Continental Resources, after he spoke at Wildcatters Wednesday at The Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma. Hamm talks about the importance of synergy and collaboration in energy, education and empathy. Understanding each energy’s strengths rather [...]
Watford City High School alumni Hailey Carns and Lily Olson talk about growing up in the oil patch and what college is like now. The Crude Life Content News Correspondents Matthew Hill interviews Camelia Knapp, head of Boone Pickens School of Geology and Thomas Cronin, CEO of K. Stewart Exploration [...]
Sarah Stogner feels her past has lead her to be exactly where she is today. Basic overview is Sarah is an attorney with an oil and gas background who happens to be living on a ranch with regular blow outs in the Permian Basin. On one hand her passion for [...]
Weld County Councilman At Large Elijah Hatch joins host Jason Spiess to discuss his recent announcement that he is running for an Weld County At-Large seat in Colorado. Hatch explains how his background in technology, energy and agriculture have led him down a path towards humane and logical policies for [...]
Here are this week’s special guests on The Crude Life Week in Review. Clark Williams-Derry, Energy Finance Analyst for the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) shares his views and insight on a recent report “Has the Bakken Peaked? Exhaustion of High-quality Drilling Sites Could Point to Falling [...]
Growing up in an oil town can create a number of unique opportunities. Watford City may be the center of it all too with their remarkable community facilities and school amenities. Watford City High School alumni Hailey Carns and Lily Olson talk about growing up in the oil patch and [...]
Tom Slocum joins Jason Spiess regarding his recent announcement running for Railroad Commission of Texas in 2022. Slocum explains why he is running for office and how he would approach the position in a modern way. Slocum talks about introducing Bitcoin to well sites, repealing the Flared Gas Tax, making [...]
Here are this week’s special guests on The Crude Life Week in Review. Texas Senate Candidate Kevin Sparks joined Jason Spiess and The Podcast PreShow Party with special co-host Ashley Smith of Truckers Against Trafficking to discuss several social issues, like homelessness, sex trafficking and foster care, in the Permian [...]
Don Blakeman, National Earthquake Information Center and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), gives an overview of the 4.5 earthquake registered just north of Stanton, Texas. Midland (TX), which is considered the epicenter of oil and gas activity in the United States, is located about 15 miles southwest of where the quake [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Matthew Hill interviews Ryan Nostrud with Targeted GeoVision, LLC at the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Mid-Continent Convention. GeoVision provides its clients a dedicated outsourced service for the geological steering of horizontal wells across the globe. #FossilFuelFridays is an industry weekly episodic webisode [...]
The city of Odessa (TX) Mayor Javier Joven talks about why the city of Odessa is primed for growth in the oil and gas industry during the Permian Podcast Party sponsored by The Wireline Group at the Permian Basin International Oil Show. The Mayor also presents podcast host Jason Spiess [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Matthew Hill interviews Patrick Jordan, MS with Raptor Consulting Inc. at American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Mid-Continent Convention. Jordan talks about their company’s well site geology, onsite and remote geosteering, gas detection, and geologic well evaluations. #FossilFuelFridays is an industry weekly episodic webisode [...]
Bakken BBQ co-founders Tiffany Steiner and Jackie Jenkin give a recap of the 9th Annual Bakken BBQ and preview of the 10th Annual Bakken BBQ. The 9th Annual Bakken BBQ raised $87K with donations of $70K to Make A Wish North Dakota and $17K to local Bakken charities. The event [...]
U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer joins Jason Spiess with The Crude Life for a Year End update and Energy Outlook for 2022. The senator expresses his concern for the future of the oil and gas industry if President Biden’s policies continue down the path they are heading. Spiess sits down with [...]
Chad Frizzell, CDX Energy, talks about how the chemical industry has evolved over the years. From their new ESG approach to the oil and gas industry to their new revenues in the world of agriculture, chemicals are seeing changes happen in many ways. Frizzell explains to host Jason Spiess how [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Matthew Hill interviews Barbara Hill and Oniel Wint with Schlumberger Oilfield Services at AAPG – American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Founded in 1917, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists’ original purpose of AAPG, to foster scientific research, to advance the science of geology, to [...]
Byron Bolles, president, and Bette Bassford, director of marketing, of Seal Tite, which manufactures PVC & CPVC lined pipe for the Energy Industry. The interview dives into supply chain issues and how Seal Tite has been managing effectively. Emission management and recycled water are also topics of discussion. Upcoming regulations [...]
Jason Spiess interviews Ken Mertz and Jesse Swindell of Mertz Manufacturing in Ponca City, OK. The three discuss new innovations in industry and how Mertz’s has kept up with the times and technology. For years, Mertz has designed and manufactured quality built equipment for industries around the world. Mertz is [...]
Clark Williams-Derry, Energy Finance Analyst for the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) shares his views and insight on a recent report “Has the Bakken Peaked? Exhaustion of High-quality Drilling Sites Could Point to Falling Oil Output”, which he was co-author of. Host Jason Spiess challenges the data [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Matthew Hill interviews Lee Krystinik of Equus Energy, LLC Partners at American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG). Krystinik talks about his journey into oil and gas and how it has evolved. Equus Energy Partners, LLC is a team of oil finders, covering a spectrum [...]
Bill Shanahan, Energy Rogue, explains how oil and gas data is impacting more than the fossil fuel industry. Trucking companies making bulk fuel purchases, feed stock buyers and other industries use EnergyRogue.com to understand how the market is moving. Host Jason Spiess and Shanahan compare much the recent data mining [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Matthew Hill interviews Tara Benda, the executive chair of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Mid-Continent Convention (AAPG). Founded in 1917, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists’ original purpose of AAPG, to foster scientific research, to advance the science of geology, to promote technology, [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Matthew Hill interviews Genna Blair Lee of Drill2Frac Corporation at the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Mid-Continent Convention (AAPG). Drill2Frac is the first to assemble an integrated platform of solutions to accurately characterize rock heterogeneity from drilling data, to optimize horizontal well completions. A [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondents Matthew Hill and Ken Lavin Interview Mark McGill, US Ceramics at the PBIOS Podcast Party sponsored by The Wireline Group at the Permian Basin International Oil Show in Odessa, Texas. The three talk about the difference between sand and ceramics in fracking and why [...]
The Crude Life had the privileged to be invited on to the production studio and set of Sherwood Forest, a docufilm about a historic time in American Oil and Gas’s impact on global independence and empowerment. By the summer of 1942, the future of Great Britain and the outcome of [...]
U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer joins The Crude Life for a Year End update and Energy Outlook for 2022. The senator expresses his concern for the future of the oil and gas industry if President Biden’s policies continue down the path they are heading. He explains what issues specifically are impacting [...]
The Crude Life Week in Review Episode 436 special guests are: Jason Spiess and co-host Ken Lavin interview Danielle Robertson, senior director, and Kaitlin Paonessa, marketing director, of the Good Will West Texas at the Permian Basin Hiring Event in Odessa, Texas. Spiess and special guest co-host Ashley Smith of Truckers [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Sarah Phillips joins host Jason Spiess for an update from the Marcellus/Utica/Appalachian Basin and some innovations in the next generation of performance materials and chemical technologies. She explains how micro-hold technology is finding some traction in shale plays. Before that, Sarah shares her journey in oil [...]
Jordan Sadler joins Jason Spiess to talk about the genesis of Drag Up Coffee. Sadler, a former oilfield worker, shares his processing and experience of leaving the oilfield to become a CEO and business owner. The opportunities that exist in the new marketplace are discussed as well as how his [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondents Matthew Hill and Ken Lavin interview Adrienne Mains with Silver Fox Energy at SOER | OERB | Oklahoma Energy Resources Board | The Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma Oil & Gas Expo At the time she was with The Austin-Montana Project and is often the [...]
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon talks with Jason Spiess during the 2nd Annual Podcast Party at the Energy Exposition and Symposium in Gillette. Governor Gordon gives an update on the oil and gas activity in the Powder River Basin as well as other parts of Wyoming. Gov Gordon also explains how [...]
Jason Spiess and co-host Ken Lavin interview Danielle Robertson, senior director, and Kaitlin Paonessa, marketing director, of the Good Will West Texas at the Permian Basin Hiring Events in Odessa, Texas. The interview circles around jobs in west Texas and how the recent oil activity has impacted the marketplace. Goodwill-West [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Matthew Hill interviews Richard Ball, Detring Energy Advisors about the monetization of business through market-leading research, cutting-edge analytics, and seamless, well-documented sell-side processes. Hill conducted interviews at the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) MIDCON. Founded in 1917, the original purpose of AAPG was [...]
The Crude Life Week in Review Episode 435 special guests are: Zach Bowman, CEO, Innoverse, talks with Jason Spiess about ESG at the PBIOS Podcast Party sponsored by The Wireline Group at the Permian Basin International Oil Show in Odessa, Texas. Spiess also interviews Kaes de Jong, Sage Oil Services [...]
Dr. Jon Spiers, candidate for Texas Land Commissioner stops by for an interview with Jason Spiess at the PBIOS Podcast Party sponsored by The Wireline Group at the Permian Basin International Oil Show (PBIOS) in Odessa, Texas. Dr. Spiers gives a run down of what his platform is and why is a qualified candidate for [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondents Matthew Hill interviews Camelia Knapp, head of Boone Pickens School of Geology and Thomas Cronin, CEO of K. Stewart Exploration representing Oklahoma Geological Foundation at American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Mid-Continent Convention. From the very beginning, the Oklahoma Geological Foundation has been focused [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondents Matthew Hill & Ken Lavin interview Codie McDaniel with Canary Wellhead Services for an episode of #FossilFuelFridays at the OERB | Oklahoma Energy Resources Board Board SOER Oklahoma Oil & Gas Convention. #FossilFuelFridays is an industry weekly episodic webisode and podcast hosted by Matt [...]
Scott Theriot, Danos, (and i2ms) joined podcast party host Jason Spiess at the PBIOS Podcast Party sponsored by The Wireline Group at the Permian Basin International Oil Show (PBIOS) in Odessa, Texas. The interview talks about their push into the off shore market, past renewable projects and what their Permian activities have been. Founded in [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Matthew Hill interviews Jack Hamlin of Energy Strong and Sargent & Lundy about about his mission and passion to promote and advocate for reliable, abundant, and affordable oil and gas giving a platform for energy literacy and equip other industry leaders with educational efforts. [...]
The Crude Life Week in Review Episode 435 special guests are: Zach Bowman, CEO, Innoverse, talks with Jason Spiess about ESG at the PBIOS Podcast Party sponsored by The Wireline Group at the Permian Basin International Oil Show (PBIOS) Oil Show in Odessa, Texas. Spiess also interviews Kaes de Jong, [...]
Podcast party host Jason Spiess interviews Jeremy Parker, Integrity Services at the PBIOS Podcast Party sponsored by The Wireline Group at the Permian Basin International Oil Show (PBIOS) in Odessa, Texas. Headquartered in the heart of the Permian Basin, Integrity Services provides a wide array of oilfield solutions and services. [...]
Kaes de Jong, president, Sage Oil Services is interviewed by Jason Spiess at the PBIOS Podcast Party sponsored by The Wireline Group, at the Permian Basin International Oil Show in Odessa, Texas. The two discuss the latest activities in the Permian Basin as well as how 2022 looks for Sage [...]
Troy Habben, Gavin Schmitz and Philip Hinojosa, Wellhead Systems Inc, talks with Jason Spiess about ESG (Environmental Social Governance) in oil and gas with Jason Spiess at the PBIOS Podcast Party sponsored by The Wireline Group at the Permian Basin International Oil Show in Odessa, Texas. Ron Guskek, president, Liberty [...]
Juan Torres, general manager, Danos, joined podcast party host Jason Spiess at the PBIOS Podcast Party sponsored by The Wireline Group at the Permian Basin International Oil Show (PBIOS) in Odessa, Texas. The interview talks about their push into the off shore market, past renewable projects and what their Permian [...]
Joe Sinnott, Witting Partners, joins The Crude Life for a podcast series within a podcast titled “Sustainable Leadership Series: Tommy Boy’s Velvet Glove”. Host Jason Spiess and Sinnott discuss the traditional and new age definitions of a “Velvet Glove” leader. Traditional definition is an outwardly gentle or friendly manner used [...]
Jaime Long and Marcus Turner of Long Industries stopped by the PBIOS Podcast Party to talk with podcast party host Jason Spiess of The Crude Life. The interview starts off talking about Long’s family history with oil and gas through entrepreneurship. Trades are discussed in detail from welding to pipe [...]
The Crude Life Content News Correspondent Matthew Hill Interviews Nicholas Vandivere, CEO, ThoughtTrace about Big Data and how it is currently being used in the oil field. They also discuss how it will be used in the future. During his tenure, Vandivere has led the transformation of ThoughtTrace into a [...]
Kathy Keiser, Ronald McDonald House Charities Bismarck, gives an overview of their services. The RMHCB operates an 8-bed house which acts as temporary housing for people whose families have been struck by medical issues. Keiser said the majority of the people who use the house are families with premature babies. [...]
Josh Swanson, Vogel Law Firm and NDSU Bison Podcast talks about Wilkinson Lake Sakakawea court case that is impacting oil and gas mineral ownership. The interview also discusses the pattern of government adapting new policies from private companies with potential conflicts of interest. Second half of the interview, Josh Swanson [...]
Nicholas Bures, Magna Bures Oil, gives an update from the Illinois Basin and their $75K well, including signing a deal with a major international oil company. Bures, Magna Bures Oil, headquartered in Wyoming, talks about their Paradise, CA, wildfires and how it impacted their offices and partners.
MultiMedia Cafe Special Guest and Topics Menu Thursday January 17, 2019 Piers Marini, professional piano player talks about playing piano during Happy Hours as a way to make some money during retirement. Tiffany Steiner, gives an update on the API Gumbo Cookoff and the Bakken BBQ. Peter Kearl, inventor and [...]
Interview: Richard Wardner, Senator Majority Leader of North Dakota In this interview, Wardner discusses the importance of Hub City support and financing in the Bakken. After explaining the genesis of “Hub Cities”, Wardner describes how the drop in oil prices caused a shortfall in revenue to some local communities. In [...]
This week’s guest on A Social Media Exhange is North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Randy Christmann. Christmann and host Jason Spiess talk about upcoming energy projects in North Dakota, states with Civil Wars, whether leadership needs to be reinvented and his upcoming political campaign. Christmann is running for North Dakota [...]
Greg Walcher, President of the Natural Resources Group, a consulting firm specializing in energy, water, public lands, forestry and wildlife. In addition, Walcher has served in the Governor’s Cabinet as the head of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and he also has spent a decade working in the U.S. [...]
Greg Walcher, President of the Natural Resources Group, a consulting firm specializing in energy, water, public lands, forestry and wildlife. In addition, Walcher has served in the Governor’s Cabinet as the head of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and he also has spent a decade working in the U.S. [...]
Greg Riedl, NAPE Expo , gives an overview of the industry’s major event, held in Houston, TX. This year, NAPE Summit is celebrating 25 years of bringing together dealmakers from all around the world to connect, reconnect and make deals happen. NAPE is the oil and gas industry’s marketplace for [...]
Interview: Terry O’Clair, Director, Division of Air Quality, North Dakota Department of Health In this interview, host Jason Spiess circles back with O’Clair regarding the reported number of email comments regarding the Davis Refinery. O’Clair said out of the 11,000 email all but 500 were duplicates. Spiess speculated whether it [...]
This Weekly Word with Jason Spiess and the professor Stephen Heins hosts Tom Shepstone from Pennsylvania, who is an urban consultant, community planner, researcher and advisor for zoning and land use in the Northeast of the U.S. Shepstone began the conversation by providing a history of the Appalachian Basin over [...]
The Weekly Word is a weekly high level discussion about energy, quality of life, globalism and the environment. This week Professor Stephen Heins and Jason Spiess are joined by Tsering Ngudu is a Senior Equity Analyst at Tocqueville Asset Management L.P.. Summary written by Stephen Heins, The Word Merchant. Jason [...]
Summary written by Stephen Heins Sterling Burnett, Ph.D, a senior fellow on environmental policy and the Managing Editor of the Environmental & Climate News at the Heartland Institute, joined Jason Spiess and Stephen Heins on the Weekly Word. After hearing Burnett’s introduction, Spiess was particularly impressed by the fact the [...]
Summary written by Stephen Heins Seth Whitehead, a spokesman for Energy in Depth, joins Jason Spiess and Stephen Heins on the Weekly Word. Whitehead is a part of one of the leading advocate for the many benefits of unconventional drilling and he has just published a study about the release [...]
Interview: Susan Mickley, MPH – the author of a new report that reviews Pennsylvania Department of Health data on mortality rates in the most drilled counties in the Marcellus, Professor Stephen Heins, energy columnist, owner of the Word Merchant; and Jason Spiess, The Crude Life Media Network. Summary written by [...]
Interview: Paul Driessen, senior fellow with the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow and Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise; Professor Stephen Heins, energy columnist, owner of the Word Merchant; and Jason Spiess, The Crude Life Media Network. Paul Driessen, author of “Eco-Imperialism” and a major voice on energy and [...]
Weekly Word Guest: Professor Stephen Heins, energy columnist and owner, Word Merchant and Craig Richardson, Energy & Environment Legal The Crude Life’s host and Weekly Word moderator Jason Spiess and Professor Stephen Heins had a special guest join them in a discussion on the Weekly Word about a recent court [...]
Interview: Professor Stephen Heins, energy columnist and owner, The Word Merchant In this week’s episode of The Weekly Word, host Jason Spiess and Heins talk about the ever-changing global oil industry. A big portion of the discussion is on the addition of oil and gas jobs across the country, and [...]
After reading the recently published Lancet Report for the first time, I am struck by a few thoughts: The narrative of the study could have been written by any number of environmental groups; the actual statistics tell a different story; and, finally the real story which may very well be [...]
Weekly Word: Professor Stephen Heins, owner, Word Merchant Professor Stephen Heins shares his thoughts on the Clean Power Plan and how the courts are playing into the regulation. Heins believes the Clean Power Plan will be deemed unconstitutional. Heins also shares his thoughts on the “real reason” the EPA was [...]
Mark J. Lindquist understands the power of timing and networking in North Dakota. Lindquist shares his experience on how he ended up speaking at the 2016 North Dakota Petroleum Council’s annual meeting. “I didn’t necessarily have a foot in the door with the oil and gas industry,” Lindquist said. “People [...]
In a recent interview on The Crude Life with Jason Spiess, Lynn Helms, director, North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources, reiterated comments from North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum regarding the next big development in oil and gas. “The Governor touched on it and that is automatic data collection and data [...]
Interview: Michael Filloon, Heart Streat LLC Michael Filloon of Heart Street LLC believes the industry needs to start looking at rig rates differently. In fact, not at all. “Everyone looks at rig rates when they really shouldn’t,” Filloon said. “They should look at completion crews. They pop those holes in [...]
Watford City is located in the heart of the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota in McKenzie County. “The past couple of years we really did see the oil industry hit a slowdown and we’ve viewed it as a gift of catch up,” Stenberg said. “This allowed us to build [...]
Daniel Stenberg sees the oil and gas activity every day in Watford City. Watford City is located in the heart of the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota in McKenzie County. According to Stenberg, McKenzie County Economic Development, this activity isn’t in a hiring blitz, rather a workforce development [...]
According to Anthony McDaniels, HEAL Corporations, some oil and gas companies are falling behind with updating their well sites. “People are starting to say ‘if I want to be profitable in the 21st century, I have to apply 21st century technology.” McDaniels said. “I can’t just drill 21st century [...]
Interviews: John Harju, Charlie Gorecki, Energy and Environmental Research Center Gives an overview of their study on hydrocarbons, value added gas and other projectional Bakken datas. Interview: Dan South, Dome Technology, Idaho Falls, ID Describes how their concrete domes are aiding the energy industry. From oil and gas refineries to [...]
Click Here For Video, and Here for Audio of Heitkamp Discussing Her Participation at the Sedona Forum FARGO, N.D. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today departed for Arizona, where she will discuss with world leaders, philanthropists, and the business community her efforts to combat sex and human trafficking. At the [...]
BISMARCK, N.D. – U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz has responded to an inquiry made by Congressman Kevin Cramer last week at a hearing of the U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Committee. Cramer asked about the status of a research plan due to Congress over a year ago. An [...]