DiscoverComplex Systems with Patrick McKenzie (patio11)The mad science of drilling the earth with Austin Vernon
The mad science of drilling the earth with Austin Vernon

The mad science of drilling the earth with Austin Vernon

Update: 2024-08-29
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Description

Patrick McKenzie (patio11) is joined by Austin Vernon, a petroleum engineer, to discuss the technology and economics of fracking. Austin explains the evolution of drilling technology, the financial ecosystem supporting the oil industry – including the unique "doctor and lawyer money" funding model – and the complex interplay of mineral rights laws and state/local politics in the United States. Patrick and Austin also discuss the cross-pollination of technologies between fracking and emerging fields like geothermal energy extraction.


Full transcript available here: www.complexsystemspodcast.com/fracking-austin-vernon/


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Links:

Austin Vernon's Blog: https://austinvernon.site/


Twitter:

@patio11

@Vernon3Austin

Timestamps:

(00:00 ) Intro

(01:38 ) Fracking technology and horizontal drilling

(05:12 ) The history and development of fracking techniques

(12:26 ) Communication methods in drilling operations, including mud pulse technology

(15:50 ) The economics of drilling operations

(17:28 ) Scale and cost comparisons between different types of drilling projects

(19:30 ) Safety considerations in onshore vs offshore drilling

(20:50 ) Sponsors: WorkOS | Check

(24:04 ) Discussion of small-scale "mom and pop" oil operations

(27:13 ) The impact of oil drilling  on local economies

(31:45 ) The lifecycle of fracked wells and their long-term production

(36:15 )  Financing in the oil and gas industry

(39:19 )  Unique aspects of US mineral rights laws and leasing practices

(42:38 ) The process of setting up and funding new drilling operations

(52:55 ) Environmental concerns and groundwater protection measures in fracking

(56:40 ) The physical footprint of drilling operations

(59:12 ) Learning curves in fracking and geothermal energy extraction

(59:56 ) Diamond drill bits are not quite forever

(01:03:59 ) Where fracking goes from here



Complex Systems is part of the Turpentine podcast network.

Comments (1)

Trevon Noiva

learned another about a topic I hadn't really thought about

Sep 8th
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The mad science of drilling the earth with Austin Vernon

The mad science of drilling the earth with Austin Vernon

Patrick McKenzie