Chuck Yates Needs A Job

I wanted to hear about Bryan and Max’s recent merger so I had them on to tell me all about it.  Bryan’s company Aegis is a leader in hedging advisory for commodities; Max’s company Encova has a leading technology platform and strong marketing expertise in the physical markets.  I’m always skeptical of deals that seem like perfect fits, tons of synergies, asset-less but people based businesses.  But this merger seems to have really worked.  Cool discussion on culture, fit and complementary skill sets.  And of course, having Bryan and Max on, we geeked out on a lot of energy trends  - nukes, AI, electricity demand, heck we even chatted about campus protests and the media.  These guys are great. CHAPTERS:0:29 - Aegis and Encova Merge1:48 - Merging a People Business6:48 - What Does Aegis Do Today13:18 - Ideal E&P Company Size15:29 - Financial Pitch to Customers17:41 - Physical Pitch to Customers19:54 - How ANCOVA is Different23:53 - Power of Machine Learning26:37 - What ANCOVA Does27:00 - Nat Gas Producers Selling Electrons31:18 - Nat Gas Key for AI34:58 - How Nat Gas Producers Should Sell Electrons39:10 - AI Applications42:17 - Nuclear Energy Discussion46:08 - Enverus Team Insights51:37 - Matt's Quarterly Director Survey56:20 - College Campus Protests59:50 - Media Incentives1:01:40 - Wrapping Up1:03:25 - Cancel Culture1:06:50 - Closing Thoughts1:10:45 - Perception of TechFind us here👇🏼https://digitalwildcatters.com/https://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcatters/https://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcatters

In this rollicking episode of "Chuck Yates Needs a Job," I, the perpetually clueless host, Chuck Yates, bumble my way through the mind-blowing world of AI with Jag Gattu, the genius Founder & CEO of UptimeAI Inc. Buckle up as I try to wrap my old-school brain around how AI is basically becoming the Yoda of industrial operations, solving problems faster than I can say, "What’s a Wi-Fi?"Here's the scoop: We’re losing those seasoned experts who could fix anything with a wrench and a glare. Enter UptimeAI, Jag’s brainchild, which acts like a virtual expert, connecting all the tech dots to make refineries, power plants, and other heavy industries run smoother than a greased-up slide. While I try to figure out how to turn on my own microphone, Jag breaks down how AI is diagnosing issues and making operations safer, more efficient, and a heck of a lot more profitable.Jag also takes a contrarian dive into the moral and societal impacts of AI, which is way more interesting than my usual rants about kids these days. We chat about the future of AI and how startups like UptimeAI are leading the charge. Oh, and did I mention Jag’s inspiring backstory? It involves his dad, water treatment plants, and a lot of smarts—none of which I can relate to.So, join us for some laughs, a few tech-induced head scratches, and a whole lot of insight into how AI is kicking butt in heavy industries. Don’t worry, I’ll still be here, fumbling with my tech and making sure you’re entertained.0:00 - Intro1:15 - What is Uptime AI4:18 - What is AI11:14 - Is AI Good or Bad13:45 - What Rules Would You Make16:39 - The Impact of AI on Democracy20:22 - Why Did You Start UptimeAI23:56 - The Great Crew Change27:18 - The Next Level of Efficiency31:55 - Looking at the Whole Picture33:55 - Starting a Company34:21 - Starting a Company During COVID39:08 - Your First Sale44:00 - How Did You Finance Your Business47:35 - Advice for CEOs51:47 - Who Should Call You53:33 - How Much Does It CostFind us here👇🏼https://digitalwildcatters.com/https://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcatters/https://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcatters

I had Travis on the podcast and we just name dropped for an hour.  Yeah, we talked a bunch of energy stuff - Halcon and the shale revolution, debt deals with Oak Tree, nuclear powering tech, hydrocarbons powering the developing world - but then we went through celebrity encounters - Justin Timberlake, Jeff Skilling, Michael Milken, Bret Michael, David Lee Roth.  The only thing strange about this energy finance bro hash session was we weren’t wearing Pickering Energy vests.Find us here👇🏼https://digitalwildcatters.com/https://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcatters/https://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcatters

I wanted to learn more about lithium because this mineral is a big deal for batteries.  Phones EVs everything needs lithium.  So I had the guys from International Battery Metals on to talk lithium and their extraction methodology.  Direct lithium extraction (DLE) is a thing, a real thing, even Exxon is doing it.  Think about it, oil and gas guys, if you got waste water, why aren’t you extracting the lithium?Find us here👇🏼https://digitalwildcatters.com/https://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcatters/https://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcatters

Always cool getting to chat with Kathleen Kelley a/k/a the OPEC Whisperer.  She’s doing some really cool charity stuff, volunteer led disaster relief with All Hands and Hearts.  She also level sets us on oil prices - demand, supply, China, Middle East unrest.Find us here👇🏼https://digitalwildcatters.com/https://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcatters/https://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcatters

I had heard all about the Midland County school bond election last winter. $1.4 billion for new buildings, upgrading old ones, new technology.  I didn’t realize that right next door the Ector County Independent School District had a similar election for $423 million that passed too.   A large part of the proceeds will be used for the  Career & Technical Education Center.  CTE sounds totally dope - trains high school kids for real world stuff like welding, rig operations, electrical, roustabouting.  Longtime active Odessa resident Kevin Searcy was kind enough to come on and walk me all through the ECISD’s initiatives.

The head of Stephens Inc.’s Energy practice told me he’s got family offices investing in oil and gas.  I cried “bull shit, that’s up there with UFOs, Bigfoot and pleasant ex-wives.”  Keith doth protest so I had him, Brad Nelson and Evan Smith on to convince me otherwise.  Cool discussion on family offices - how to find them, how they operate, how they view the energy world. 

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating intersection of the energy sector and technology through the lens of Bitcoin mining. With insights from industry insiders at Digital Wildcatters and special guest Chuck Yates, we explore how energy companies are increasingly becoming tech companies, and vice versa, driven by the demands of high-performance computing and the opportunities presented by Bitcoin mining.This episode dives into:The strategic decision by EQT, the largest natural gas producer in the US, to curtail production due to low natural gas prices and the potential impact of redirecting that energy towards Bitcoin mining.The acquisition of a data center by AWS for $650 million, highlighting the trend of tech companies venturing into energy management to support their computing needs.The evolution of Bitcoin mining from a niche activity to a significant player in the energy market, offering innovative solutions for managing flare gas and optimizing energy use.The role of high-performance computing in driving the demand for energy and the implications for energy companies to adapt and innovate.The challenges and opportunities for oil and gas companies to integrate Bitcoin mining and other tech-driven energy solutions into their operations, including considerations for infrastructure, maintenance, and regulatory compliance.The potential for energy companies to leverage Bitcoin mining not only as a revenue stream but also as a strategic tool for energy management, environmental compliance, and enhancing operational efficiency.Join us as we explore how the convergence of energy and technology is reshaping the landscape of both industries, offering new opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and profitability.

I didn’t know much about Diversified Energy and their approach to the oil and gas business and they operate more wells than anyone else in the US so I wanted Doug to come on and tell me all about it.  Pretty cool stuff they’re doing to manage end of life issues for old producing wells.  Plus some really cool finance stuff they’re doing - securitizing debt in the insurance markets to get higher advance rates, cheaper interest rates.

Mark is one of the smartest guys I know so I had him on to explain to me what the hell is going on in the economy, the implications for the energy business and what his fund is looking at these days.  Pretty fascinating opportunity in hydroelectricity.  Mark is buying century old dams, modernizing and selling electricity into the grid.  Cool way to play the demand for baseload power.   

Pretty cool to talk to the dude that runs the Bunkie Perkins account on X, sports sarcasm at its finest.   And it’s even cooler when you talk about starting an oil and gas company with a rural SBA loan.  

When I first started the podcast, Collin would always ask me:   How long is this week’s episode?   And did somebody cry?   It did seem like in the early days, when the industry was hanging by a thread, we did a lot of serious mental health content.  I joked I was the Brene Brown of the oil business.  So I did a thing this week.  I went on my friends Donnie and Stephanie’s podcast called Angst and shared a lot, probably too much.  Hey, anxiety is something we all share….hit me up with how you think I did….cheers, Chuck

Going Old School this week.  Going into the CYNAJ vault to rerelease the original podcast with BRV and Shake Unikitty.   From October 2020.   We covered it all (the shale revolution, private equity, the world) while being fueled on wine and white claw.   And more white claw.

Chuck chats with literally one of the most interesting people on X, hell on the planet.  Anonymously known as Oilfield Rando on X….Chuck and Rando riff on the world, Melanie Trump, greatest Bond and … bidets.  Yes, bidets.  Recorded two years ago but still relevant today.

Chuck and Dan chat ocean thermal energy conversion.  Pretty sure Chuck still couldn’t explain what OTEC is but at least recognizes how super cool it could be. Basically you can use the thermal heat of the ocean to run an electric turbine which would be an ideal, environmentally friendly application for warm ocean islands.  First Chuck Job episode recorded internationally (London).  

In this episode of "Chuck Yates Needs a Geography Lesson," Chuck chats with David Hobbs, the Executive Chairman of Pantheon Resources, an independent oil and gas exploration and production company that somehow found its way to the icy tundras of Alaska. Pantheon holds sway over a whopping 200,000 acres on the Alaskan North Slope, making you wonder if they discovered oil or just a secret British love for sub-zero temperatures.With discoveries like the Kodiak and Ahpun fields in their portfolio, Pantheon is clearly on a mission to make Alaska more than just a cold vacation spot. And speaking of Brits, David Hobbs brings his British charm to the show, much like Chuck, who's dating a Brit and thinks he's now an expert on all things UK.Join us for this chilly, oil-soaked rendezvous, complete with an Alaska joke to warm your spirits. It's the podcast where oil, Brits, and bears (the Kodiak kind) collide in a frosty adventure of epic proportions.

The Jones Act is always in the top ten for worst US economic policies.  Passed in 1920, it basically restricts all goods and services transported between US sports to be on US built, owned and crewed vessels.  While that sounds great it skyrockets costs on US citizens particularly those in Puerto Rico, Alaska and Hawaii.  Why does this matter to us energy geeks?  Because the US doesn’t have a Jones Act compliant ship that can transport LNG, Massachusetts imports LNG from primarily Trinidad but occasionally from Russia.  WTF?!?   Colin is an expert on the Jones Act and breaks it all down for us. 

Chuck has the Shannon brothers on to talk cyber security. Bottom line:   It’s freaking scary.  Hackers can mimic your voice with artificial intelligence and it’s only getting more sophisticated.   And 84% of hacking is because of human error so we discuss how to prevent that.  

SHOW ALERT!   Engineering porn episode.  Chuck and Ted absolutely geek out on all things reservoir engineering. Artificial learning to forecast reserves.  Well design matters. Recent performance in the DJ is rocking.  The Permian, not so much.  Emerging plays in the Vaca Muerta, Uinta and some new stuff in the Permian. And data, lots of data talk.  

Keith and Chuck talk through intellectual property, trade marks and non-competes from the Company’s point of view and the employees’ points of view.  As the kids say these days “it’s complicated”…