Energy 101: We Ask The Dumb Questions So You Don't Have To
Education & Explainer
About
Welcome to Energy 101 with Julie McLelland and Jacob Stiller. Join us on our mission to help raise the world's energy IQ.
Episodes
- The Renewable Energy Hiding 4,000 Feet Below The Ocean
Dan Grech, Founder and CEO of Global OTEC, explains ocean thermal energy conversion. This technology uses the ocean's heat to produce continuous baseload power.
- The World Can’t Quit Oil (No Matter What They Say)
This episode of Energy 101 features Mark Meyer discussing the global reliance on oil. He covers topics such as the Strait of Hormuz, Heathrow's jet fuel crisis, and the IEA's net zero targets.
- Robots Are Taking Over Oil Rigs… But Not How You Think
Andrew Richard, CEO and Co-Founder of Automated Rig Technologies, discusses how automation is transforming the oilfield. He highlights technologies such as the jointed pipe injector and addresses the impact of automation on jobs within the…
- The Most Important Chemical You've Never Thought About
This episode features Roxanna Delima from Rushnu, who explains the importance of chlorine in US manufacturing. She also discusses how Rushnu is innovating the chlorine industry by using heat instead of electricity and converting waste carb…
- The Country With the Most Energy in the World Can't Keep Up With Its Own Grid
David Holt, President of Consumer Energy Alliance, discusses the challenges facing the US energy grid, including energy affordability, politics, and the impact of data centers. He also explores solutions such as nuclear power and carbon ca…
- The Hidden Energy Crisis Powering Your ChatGPT Search
This episode features Shawn Cutter, Founder & CEO of EnergiAcres, discussing the energy crisis, particularly how data centers impact power demand and grid stability. Cutter explains his company's circular energy model, pairing power plants…
- Australia Is About to Become the Most Important Energy Suppliers on Earth
This episode discusses the Beetaloo Basin in Australia's Northern Territory, its potential as a shale play, and the factors influencing Australia's energy landscape, including the lifting of a fracking moratorium and the application of US…
- Inside the Most Advanced Offshore Drillship on Earth
Justin Forrest from Valaris Limited explains the role of a driller on an advanced drillship, detailing managed pressure drilling, life aboard rigs, and his experiences in offshore drilling.
- Why Developers Are Switching From ChatGPT to Claude
The Collide team discusses their reasons for choosing Claude over ChatGPT for building AI tools in the oil and gas industry, detailing their use of agentic workflows and AI in their daily work.
- How Social Media Changed Oil & Gas Forever
Clint Wagner and Juan Macias Jr. of Wagner Energy Services, along with Peter Brecht, discuss hydrostatic testing, business growth through social media platforms like TikTok and LinkedIn, and initiatives to encourage young people in Ohio to…
- He Worked Global Oil & Gas, Then Built a Brewery
Sean Hanrahan, founder of Platypus Brewing, shares his journey from a 25-year career in global oil and gas to opening a craft brewery. He explores the commonalities between the energy sector and the beer industry, discussing his experience…
- How Dead Oil Fields Became Clean Energy Goldmines
Eclipse Energy CEO Prabhdeep Sekhon explains how his company uses microbes to generate hydrogen from abandoned oil fields, converting liabilities into clean energy assets. The episode covers their initial California project, upcoming deplo…
- The Insane Engineering of Deepwater Oil Production
Austin Draughon, with nine years of experience at BP, details the engineering behind deepwater oil production in the Gulf of Mexico. The discussion covers the significantly higher costs, longer timelines, and increased personnel required f…
- The Real Reason Your Electric Bill Is Absurdly High
Brittany Devlin of DOB Ai explains the complexities of the Texas electricity market, including deregulation, provider choices, and strategies for saving money. The episode touches on grid operations, the impact of AC on budgets, energy agg…
- How Chemicals Prevent Billion Dollar Well Failures
Brandon Wamsley from Flatirons Chemicals explains how chemicals prevent major issues in oil and gas production, including bacteria control and pipeline corrosion prevention. The episode covers his career path, the challenges of the Bakken…
- Inside America's First 100% Renewable Diesel Program
Joe Natale joins Energy 101 to discuss the first 100% renewable diesel pilot program for commuter rail locomotives in Massachusetts. The episode covers the logistics of renewable diesel distribution, compares different fuel types, and expl…
- Why Small Teams Beat Big Companies
This episode discusses startup building, focusing on founder mindset, company culture, and motivation. It explores why talent density and velocity are more important than headcount, and how teams stay motivated during challenging times.
- The Forgotten Science That Made Shale Possible
This episode features Peter Duncan discussing geophysics, explaining the difference between seismic and microseismic, and how microseismic technology aids fracking and geothermal energy development.
- The Insurance Industry That Quietly Runs Energy
Rodney Garrard of Arch Insurance International shares his journey from geology to the insurance industry, explaining how insurance underpins energy operations with real-world examples and advocating for energy realism.
- This Tiny Detail Costs Oil Companies Millions
This episode of Energy 101 discusses the significant costs of corrosion in the oil industry, explaining how Altor Solution tackles the issue by lining production tubing with stainless steel. It also covers the diverse career journey of Tyl…
- How Geophysicists Turn Noise Into a Map
This episode explains how geophysicists use seismic data, essentially ultrasound for the Earth, to create maps of the subsurface. Colton Dudley details the process of collecting and interpreting sound wave data to understand what lies bene…
- The Lawyers Who Decide Where Energy Gets Built
This episode of Energy 101 features Kerry McGrath discussing the crucial role lawyers play in the energy sector. She explains how legal professionals help projects like pipelines, wind farms, and nuclear plants obtain necessary permits and…
- The Battery Recycling Revolution No One’s Talking About
Dr. Robert Miles discusses rare earths, battery technology, and global supply chains, covering lithium-ion battery challenges and modular recycling with insights into AI and robotics. The episode touches on China's dominance in rare earths…
- Why This Engineer Said No to Houston and Yes to California
Diana Elizabeth Lima Sagui shares her unconventional career path, starting in Mexico and moving through Germany to North America. The episode details her experiences in the chemical and oil and gas industries, challenges in STEM, and lesso…
- Why There Are Almost No Energy VCs
This episode discusses the unique venture capital ecosystem in Los Angeles, exploring how its blend of deep tech, robotics, and creative industries influences energy investing. Andrew Chan details the specific challenges and characteristic…
- Can This Carbon-Negative Chemical Replace Oil?
This episode discusses Mars Materials' technology, which converts captured carbon dioxide into carbon-negative chemicals such as acrylonitrile. Aaron Fitzgerald explains how this process can reduce emissions, create fresh water from air, a…
- Could You Build an Oil Company with Public Data?
This episode of Energy 101 features John Ferrell of WellDatabase discussing the difficulties of accessing and utilizing public data in the energy industry due to inconsistent standards and outdated systems. Ferrell explains how WellDatabas…
- Why Roughnecks Hate the Safety Guy (And Need Him)
David Valerio from DNOW explains oilfield safety, covering HSE roles, OSHA regulations, and environmental compliance. The episode discusses safety culture, new technology, and industry challenges, particularly in North Dakota.
- Why We’re Fracking the Same Wells Twice (And It Actually Works)
This episode of Energy 101 explains the process of re-fracking existing oil wells, known as refracs. Guest Bob Barba details how this method can increase production and maximize the use of existing resources, answering questions from hosts…
- The Real Reason Our Power Grid Keeps Failing
This episode discusses the impact of AI and Bitcoin mining on power grids, exploring how these technologies, along with high-performance computing, are influencing energy demand. It features Haley Juarez from Pioneer Miner and touches on t…
- WTF is Coring?
This episode explains the energy process of coring, detailing how rock samples provide vital underground information for oil and gas exploration. Courtney Rubin from Baker Hughes discusses field experiences, sample retrieval, and emerging…
- Why Oil Companies Are Always Short on Cash
Philip Reed, the "OFS Finance Guy," discusses the financial realities of the oilfield, explaining concepts like invoice factoring and the challenges OFS companies face. The episode covers his journey, industry experiences, and strategies f…
- Inside the Life-Saving World of Well Control
Dana Varisco and Ryan Hays from Well Control School explain the fundamentals of well control, emphasizing the role of blowout preventers, crew responsibilities, and the significance of proper training and technology in ensuring safe drilli…
- Why Digitizing Energy Infrastructure Is So Hard
This episode explores the difficulties in digitizing energy infrastructure, focusing on practical applications of technology and AI. It addresses challenges like change management and data centralization, offering insights into improving e…
- Can Technology Make Drinking Water From Thin Air?
This episode of Energy 101 features Terell Jones discussing SkyH2O's atmospheric water generation technology. The conversation covers how the technology works, its applications in disaster relief, farming, and industry, and its potential t…
- Data is Energy's Most Untapped Resource
Jacob and Julie speak with Bobby Neelon from Drill Down Analytics about the importance of data in the energy sector. They cover data management challenges, the influence of AI, and differentiate tools like Power BI, Snowflake, and Databric…
- WTF is Wireline?
Massiel Diez provides an inside look into wireline operations, discussing the demanding nature of the job, the technology and tools involved, and her personal experiences as a woman in the oilfield industry.
- How Fracking Made Energy Affordable Again
This episode of Energy 101 discusses fracking, explaining the science, engineering, and history behind the process with Justin G. Hayes. It covers how fracking works, its role in making energy affordable, and details various equipment used…
- Large Language Models Explained
This episode of Energy 101 explains large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, discussing their impact on industries and daily life, their differences from search engines, and the energy required for their training. It also touches upon AI…
- How West Texas Took Over Global Energy
In this episode of Energy 101, hosts Jacob and Julie discuss the Permian Basin
- Revolutionizing Oil & Gas Completions with Data
In this Energy 101 episode, Lee Payne explains oil and gas completions and the evolution of data usage, moving from thumb drives to real-time platforms. He also highlights the growing importance of collaboration and community in the modern…
- Navigating the Complex World of Energy Law with Expert Insights
Energy 101 features energy lawyers Lauren and Ashley discussing energy law and trials. They cover common misconceptions about lawsuits and provide advice on communication, privilege, and navigating legal challenges for managers, employees,…
- Microseismic 101: Turning Science into a Business
Dr. Peter Duncan, founder of MicroSeismic, discusses his journey and the development of microseismic technology. The episode covers the difference between microseismic and conventional seismic, and its applications in areas like fracking a…
- Power Struggles: The Texas Grid and ERCOT's Role
This episode of Energy 101 features an expert discussion on the Texas grid and ERCOT, explaining the deregulated market, the importance of ancillary services for grid stability, and how Bitcoin miners contribute to balancing supply and dem…
- From 3D to 4D: The Evolution of Seismic Data with Deborah Sacrey
Geologist Deborah Sacrey discusses the foundational role of seismic data in drilling, the industry shift from 2D to 3D and 4D seismic, and the increasing use of machine learning for subsurface insights. The conversation also touches on her…
- Nuclear for Newbs
This episode of Energy 101 features John Chaplin of Last Energy discussing nuclear power, clarifying myths about fission and fusion, and examining industry challenges. The conversation includes Last Energy's approach, potential new uses, a…
- Getting Down and Nerdy on Frac Chems
Energy 101 features Kye Yocham of Fluid Energy discussing frac chemicals, drilling mud, and additives. The episode covers the evolution of frac fluids from gels to slickwater, safety, environmental impacts, and transparency tools like Frac…
- The Hidden Foundation: Why Geology is Vital for Energy Development
This episode of Energy 101 features Andrew Muñoz of 4Cast discussing the importance of geology and seismic data in energy development. The conversation covers geophysics, software for project valuation, common industry misconceptions, and…
- From Oilfields to the Boardroom: Navigating the Technological Revolution in Energy
Hema Prapoo, Microsoft’s Worldwide Oil and Gas Leader, shares her career path from field engineering to tech leadership. The episode explores how real-time data, AI, and quantum computing are transforming the energy industry, emphasizing t…
- No Transition Without Transmission
Energy 101 discusses energy regulation and grid infrastructure with Reilly from Arbo, covering how data informs actionable intelligence, the current state of the power grid, and the challenges of transmission bottlenecks and siting issues.