Episodes

As global conflicts disrupt shipping lanes and drive up transportation costs, what does the future hold for America’s maritime industry and energy security? On this episode of The Crude Truth, Rey Trevino welcomes maritime expert Dr. Beatriz Canamary to discuss the growing connection between oil and gas, global shipping, and national security. Together, they explore how geopolitical tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and the war in Ukraine are impacting shipping costs, insurance rates, a...

Big data is transforming the way businesses operate—and Texas is quickly becoming a major hub for data centers, AI, and the infrastructure needed to power them. In this episode of The Crude Truth, we sit down with Jay Lewis, Founder and CEO of Big Data, to break down what “big data” really means and why clean, reliable, and secure data is becoming one of the most valuable resources in the modern economy. Jay Lewis explains how businesses can turn data from a cost of doing business into an asse...

Why are energy costs continuing to rise, and how much of it comes down to infrastructure? On this episode of The Crude Truth, Rey sits down with David Holt, President of the Consumer Energy Alliance, to break down the forces affecting energy prices across the United States. They discuss America’s position as a major global energy producer, the impact of infrastructure on electricity and natural gas prices, and the challenges facing the nation as energy demand grows. David explains why transmis...

Rural Texas is sitting on the biggest economic opportunity it has seen in a generation, and most people have not connected the dots yet. Data centers are coming to this state whether anyone plans for them or not. The only question left is whether small towns end up with the schools, the jobs, and the tax base, or whether someone else writes the rules first. Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian joins The Crude Truth to lay out the case. Data center expansion could push billions in private...

In early 2026, the global oil market experienced a seismic shift. When geopolitical tensions with Iran escalated, crude prices surged—and Texas responded. In this episode, economist Karr Ingham, oil producer Rey Trevino, and energy journalist Stu Turley break down how a single conflict triggered a cascade of market changes: rig counts climbing for the first time in years, jobs returning to the industry, and a historic deal securing 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil. But here's the real story:...

Texas produces nearly six million barrels of oil every day — but alongside it comes roughly 30 million barrels of produced water. So what happens to all that water? On this episode of The Crude Truth, Rey Treviño III welcomes back Texas Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright for an in-depth conversation about one of the biggest challenges facing the state’s oil and gas industry: produced water. Commissioner Wright explains how the shale revolution dramatically changed the way Texas handles produced...

Former Miss America and nuclear fuels engineer Grace Vanderhei returns to The Crude Truth to break down why nuclear energy is making a major comeback in the United States. From the restart of Three Mile Island Unit 1 — now the Crane Clean Energy Center — to the growing demand for clean, reliable power, Grace explains how nuclear energy can help fuel America’s future. Connect with Grace on her LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracevanderhei/ Rey Trevino and Grace discuss her work with Cons...

The Crude Truth: Navigating Legal Complexity in Modern Energy In an era where energy demands are skyrocketing and the industry is at a crossroads between traditional oil and gas production and emerging clean technologies, the legal landscape has never been more complex. From royalty disputes and investor protection to the explosive growth of data centers demanding unprecedented power consumption, oil and gas companies face multifaceted challenges that require more than just operational expertis...

What makes West Texas networking different from anywhere else? In this episode of The Crude Truth, Rey Trevino sits down with Derrick Black, a respected oil & gas professional, community leader, and founder of Coffee & Connections. Derrick shares his journey from telecommunications with AT&T to building a successful career in the Permian Basin, while using his passion for networking to connect people, businesses, and nonprofits throughout West Texas. The conversation explores the culture of th...

Human trafficking is one of the world's most hidden and devastating crimes—and it's happening closer to home than many realize. In this episode of The Crude Truth, host Rey Trevino sits down with David Reid, CTO and CMO of NOV and founder of Red M, to discuss how he's using his platform in the energy industry to bring awareness to human trafficking and protect vulnerable children and families. We recommend connecting with David Reed on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidred/ David shar...

This was a fun interview with Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne on my recent trip to Washington, DC. I had some great meetings, and she is doing great things for her constituents. 1. American Energy Independence & Oil Production The interview emphasizes Texas's historical and ongoing role in American energy. It references the 1901 Spindletop discovery and argues that despite alternative energy sources (wind, solar, electric), America still fundamentally depends on oil. The discussion highlights the...

In this episode of The Crude Truth, Rey Trevino sits down with DrillChem's Prater Vincent and Richard Collins to explore the critical role downhole technology plays in today's oil and gas industry. From drilling fluids and wellbore stability to lubrication systems and completion solutions, the conversation dives into how operators maximize production, reduce costs, and overcome increasingly complex drilling challenges. Richard also shares insights from nearly 30 years in the industry, including...

Live from NAPE 2026, The Crude Truth welcomes Kasey Cox of Metal One America for a conversation on OCTG connections, supply chain shifts, deeper wells, and where drilling technology is headed in 2026. Kasey shares what operators are asking for today, how tariffs and commodity pricing are affecting steel markets, and why service companies are watching geothermal and lithium extraction as emerging opportunities. 1. Metal One America & OCTG Connections Casey Cox explains his role at Metal One Am...

Live from NAEP Expo 2026, Brent Franklin (CEO of Rise Capital) breaks down how deals, money, and opportunity collide in the oil & gas industry. From investing strategies to building relationships that change everything—this is where business gets done. Connect with Brent Franklin on his LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-franklin-606294193/ If you're serious about energy, investing, or scaling your network… YOU need to hear this. Main Topics 1. NAEP Expo 2026 Overview The epis...

Live from NAPE 2026, this episode of The Crude Truth dives into the software and data side of the oil & gas industry with W Energy. Joined by Joe Fuda, Gary Napotnik, and Michael Tanner, we break down how modern energy companies are using cloud-based software, data analytics, and AI to streamline operations from field to finance. Check out W Energy https://wenergysoftware.com/ Connect with Joe on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-fuda-420392127/ Connect with Gary on LinkedIn https://www...

Crude Oil Needs to Run Through Texas. Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright breaks down why Texas remains the backbone of American energy—and where the industry is headed next. Check out the Texas Railroad Commission Site: https://www.rrc.state.tx.us/about-us/commissioners/jim-wright/ Key Points: • Texas produces ~43% of U.S. crude oil • Balancing environmental responsibility with economic growth • The Railroad Commission’s critical role in regulation • Why global demand is shifting toward Tex...

In this episode of The Crude Truth, recorded live at NAPE 2026, Rey Trevino sits down with Leigh Haas, founder of Mockingbird Land Services, to discuss entrepreneurship, land rights, energy infrastructure, and the growing demand driven by AI and data centers. Working on - - Leigh shares how her background in politics, pipeline right-of-way, permitting, and safety training came together to launch her own company and why land services are becoming increasingly important across the Gulf South and ...

Live from NAPE 2026, Cool Edge Drill Bits reveals breakthrough technology that’s extending bit life, improving wellbore quality, and saving operators serious money. Special Guests Jim McCoy and Trey Poteet, with Cool Edge Bits, and this is how we get more out of each well drilled. With the global energy crisis at hand, we need to save money on every well drilled. Connect with Trey https://www.linkedin.com/in/trey-poteet/ Check out Cool Edge Bits https://www.cooledgebits.com/ Fewer trips. Bett...

In this episode of The Crude Truth, we sit down with oil & gas trial attorney Lauren Varnado to uncover the realities of litigation in the energy industry. From high-stakes courtroom battles to the rise of litigation funding, Lauren shares insider knowledge on how companies protect themselves, when they should take legal action, and the biggest risks facing oil & gas today. Connect with Lauren Varnado on her LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-varnado-7b5b7761/ 1. Oil & Gas Litigation...

From podcast to movement—Jamie Elrod and Massiel Diez break down how Flipping the Barrel is reshaping conversations in the energy industry. Recorded live at NAPE 2026, this episode dives into storytelling, growth, and building a brand that actually matters. Connect with Jamie Elrod on her LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-elrod-46829136/ Connect with Massiel Diez on her LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-diez-b0942a60/ We recommend following the Flipping the Barrel Podcast h...

Live from NAPE 2026, Black Mountain Oil & Gas President George Witman breaks down a massive international project with billions on the line. - Monday the 4th From Australia to Texas, this is what large-scale energy development really looks like. Connect with George Witman https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-witman-497b98125/ Black Mountain Oil & Gas https://blackmountainoilandgas.com/ 1. Valhalla Project in Australia (Primary Focus) The centerpiece of the conversation is Black Mountain Oil an...

What happens when academic geology meets real-world energy development? At NAPE Expo 2026, The Crude Truth sat down with Tiffany Legg, a PhD candidate in geology at University of Oklahoma, to talk about carbonates, the Fort Worth Basin, why “good rocks” still drive the industry, and how the next generation is stepping into oil and gas. Tiffany shares why geology remains critical to exploration, how academic research translates into industry value, and why energy careers still matter for future...

In this episode of The Crude Truth, recorded live at NAPE 2026, Rey Trevino sits down with Karr Ingham, President of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, to discuss major developments impacting the oil and gas industry. - 1. EPA Regulatory Changes & Endangerment Finding Repeal The conversation centers heavily on the recent rescission of the "endangerment finding" established by the Obama administration in 2009. Carl Ingham explains that while this repeal applies to mobile sources (vehicles ...

Live from NAPE 2026, this episode of The Crude Truth features Randy Nicodemus of Complete Solids Control. - getting ready for today- 4-30 Randy shares his journey of building an oilfield service company from the ground up, navigating COVID challenges, and why authenticity and relationships matter more than ever in today’s energy industry. 1. Complete Solids Control Services Randy Nicodemus discusses his company's core business: Specialization: Fluid conditioning and solids handling for drill...