Click here to listen to the Audio verison of this story! In the September 2025 issue we share the story of the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum at its milestone 50th anniversary. What I want to share here is the particular genius that is the oil and gas industry, and the way that that genius […]
Oil’s Citadel
Click here to listen to the Audio verison of this story! MIDLAND, TEXAS—A lot of different words could be used to describe the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, but here is one that will ring true for many, especially for the young: magical. The Petroleum Museum is a magical place. Surrounded by its wondrous collections […]
The Comeuppance of BKR, the Price of Plastics, and the Pride of Texas
Earnings and Warnings Continue. Few beats, few hits, more misses, and almost everyone lowered guidance. That [was] the earnings report for the OFS sector [in late July]. As an analyst and investor, what you did last quarter matters most. It gives me insight into the trailing market. But what happens now? That is what matters. And what is happening now, for […]
Keeping the Pipeline Flowing
Click here to listen to the Audio verison of this story! Liquids emitted by oil wells are by nature harsh and corrosive in most cases. That includes the crude oil and the associated water. Between paraffin buildup and corrosion breakdowns, the oil industry must constantly fight to keep the liquids flowing and inside the infrastructure. […]
Back to the Beginning: Training
Welcome back to everyone’s favorite topic—safety! I say that because most of the people that read anything about safety are safety people. Some people in operations will glance through safety articles on the chance there may be something new or a new rule or ruling from OSHA, MSHA, EPA, NIOSH, FMCA, or—if they operate in […]
Making Information Technology Work
Click here to listen to the Audio verison of this story! “Information is a source of learning. But unless it is organized, processed, and available to the right people in a format for decision making, it is a burden, not a benefit.” —C. William Pollard, author and former CEO of ServiceMaster (1938-2025) “Knowledge […]
The World of Work is Changing
I continue to hear around the Basin that majors are moving a lot of staff to Houston. It is understandable. There are many contributing factors. In the past week, I learned that a nurse and a teacher were leaving for Houston with their newly transferred spouses. Transfers are good if you want to advance and […]
The Permian’s Oilfield Services in 2025: Pain Points, Bright Spots, and a Path Forward
After a bumpy first half, the year 2025 has put the Permian Basin’s oilfield services (OFS) sector squarely in the squeeze. Crude and gas prices have softened from 2023–24 highs, leaving exploration and production (E&P) budgets tighter, drilling schedules leaner, and pricing power tilting back toward operators. Yet this is also a cycle of reinvention: […]
It’s a Changing World… and Then There’s the Whole AI Thing
Baseload Fuel. The output of Spanish gas-fired power plants has jumped 58 percent since the April 28th nationwide outage. The hope is to better stabilize the network after record usage of air conditioning has been seen this year across Europe. You know, the more reliable power generation. Soar Like an Eagle. We have all been told […]
The Show That Makes the Basin Relate-able
Click here to listen to the Audio verison of this story! It has to be fairly common knowledge by now that the Paramount+ streaming series Landman is returning for a Season 2. Yes, by sometime in November you can once again follow your favorite Permian Basin-based characters as they carry on with their winsome […]