#45. EEP Things I Learned This Week

The biggest risks in energy may still lie ahead.In this episode of Energy Espresso, Jim Wicklund sits down with Marshall Adkins, Managing Director and Head of Energy Investment Banking at Raymond James, to discuss how the Iran conflict, Strait of Hormuz concerns, and shifting global demand have driven oil prices back toward $75.Is the market underestimating what comes next? They explore why crude prices remained relatively resilient despite supply disruptions, China’s role in balancing the market, and what’s next for oil, inflation, and U.S. production. The conversation also highlights the long-term growth outlook for natural gas, fueled by LNG exports, data centers, and expanding energy infrastructure.00:00 Welcome And Setup00:52 Ceasefire Ends Oil Jumps03:17 Supply Losses And Skepticism05:44 Unprecedented Disruptions06:52 China Demand Management09:46 Refinery Outages Crack Spreads11:10 Why Oil Stayed Low12:42 Inventory Math Breakdown16:52 Tank Bottoms Explained20:12 Politics And SPR Refill21:04 Glut From Trapped Barrels23:41 Hormuz Control And Iran25:51 Iran Regime And Public Optics27:01 IRGC Survival Logic27:54 Hormuz Rerouting Timeline29:09 Product Shortages Inflation30:35 Trump Middle East Leverage32:06 Drill Baby Drill Limits34:55 Oil Market Glut Dynamics37:21 Gas Demand Surge Ahead44:13 Pipelines Unlock Supply47:42 Energy Powers Growth51:57 Final Takeaways Volatility

Can shipping decarbonize without a clear fuel winner?Live from the Baker Hughes Annual Meeting in Florence, Energy Espresso host Jim Wicklund sits down with Raimondo Giavi, VP, Hydrogen at Baker Hughes; Carlo Luzzatto, CEO of RINA; and Claire Wright, Senior Vice President of Hanwha Ocean Europe, to unpack the future of maritime decarbonization.They discuss regulatory uncertainty between the EU and IMO, the rise of green shipping corridors and port hubs, and why flexibility, through dual-fuel systems, efficiency gains, and adaptable turbine technology, may be the industry’s most realistic path forward.00:00 Welcome From Florence00:30 Meet The Guests01:31 Maritime Rules And ETS06:59 Net Zero And Flexibility09:56 Ship Design And Efficiency12:55 Energy Density Reality Check15:12 Baker Hughes Gas Turbines20:29 Certification And Proven Tech22:41 Ports Bunkering And Corridors28:00 Top Global Port Hubs29:53 Pathways To Zero Fuels30:16 Ammonia and Offsets31:13 Fuel Competition Crunch32:43 Piggybacking Infrastructure33:30 Efficiency as Hero34:39 Hydrogen Blending Reality36:27 Green Hydrogen Economics38:28 Materials and Repurposing39:20 Value Chain Collaboration40:51 Innovation Hubs and TRL44:36 Building Trust and Culture52:00 Data Sharing Barriers55:37 AI for Operations

Things I learned this week.

What Moves Oil: $40 or $60?On the Energy Espresso Podcast, host Jim Wicklund sits down with Jan Stuart, Global Energy Economist at Piper Sandler, to break down what could actually move oil prices.After talk of $40 oil, Stuart pushes back, arguing it would take a recession-level shock and missteps from OPEC+. Instead, he sees ~$60 with upside, pointing to tight spare capacity, steady demand, and low inventories, while also unpacking LNG volatility and a potential near-term glut.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:45 Elevator Oil Trader Story01:37 Can Oil Hit 4002:04 Iran Risk and Spare Capacity02:55 Global Demand Growth Outlook04:05 Surplus Debate and NGLs04:20 OPEC Plus Adds Barrels Back05:44 Thin Spare Capacity Reality07:26 Just In Case Stockpiling08:30 Putting a Price Forecast10:25 Why Not 100 Dollar Oil11:19 Tier Two Tech Upside11:57 Oil Price Reality Check12:50 Global Supply Shifts13:15 Europe Net Zero Backlash14:37 LNG Export Boom Risks15:10 Early Signs Of Glut17:42 China Power Mix Reality19:11 Cheap Power Wins20:07 Clearing LNG With Price22:31 Tech Squeezes Margins23:45 Wrap Up And Thanks

Can the energy system keep up with AI power demand, and rising geopolitical risk?Live from Daniel Energy Partners’ Thrive Event at Houston’s Daikin Field, Energy Espresso host Jim Wicklund sits down with Loren Singletary, Vice President-Global Accounts and Investor Relations at National Oilwell Varco, to break down oil price uncertainty tied to Middle East tensions and the Strait of Hormuz, the coming surge in U.S. gas demand, and the infrastructure challenges standing in the way.They also explore deepwater’s comeback, LNG market shifts, and why pipeline bottlenecks, especially out of the Marcellus, could shape the next phase of U.S. energy growth00:00 Welcome and Banter00:56 Geopolitics Driving Oil01:23 Strait of Hormuz Risks03:20 Politics and Price Targets04:15 Oil Price History05:12 Forecasting and Boone07:09 Gas Demand Surge09:30 Pipelines and Permitting12:27 All of the Above Energy13:30 SMRs and AI Timing14:34 NOV Leadership Shift15:05 Deepwater Returns16:13 Rigs and Day Rates17:16 Where to Drill Next19:21 Geoscience Breakthroughs20:46 Evolution of Drilling Tech21:37 Consolidation And Completion Science22:28 Automated Rigs And Bigger Hookloads23:51 Automation Versus Robotics24:38 Safety Driven By Operators25:29 Rig Supply Dayrates And Discipline28:02 Bananas And Water Disposal Earthquakes31:06 Treating Produced Water Economics32:55 Power Crunch Data Centers And Coal34:14 Ohio Mega Gas Plant And Scale36:04 2026 Risks Gas Prices And Saudi Capacity41:43 Wrap Up And Thanks

A new chapter begins for The Energy Espresso Podcast ☕In this special transition episode, Dave Bosco announces his departure and passes the mic to industry veteran Jim Wicklund. Together, they reflect on the evolution of oil and gas, the role of natural gas, and what lies ahead for the industry. Plus, Jim shares his vision for the podcast and previews his first episode.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:02 Jim Wicklund's Career Journey05:01 Industry Insights and Technological Advancements11:03 The Future of Energy and Natural Gas18:01 Reflections on the Energy Espresso Podcast23:08 Vision for the Future of the Podcast24:17 Industry Insights and Education Goals25:25 Media Misunderstandings and Industry Realities25:47 Venezuela's Oil Industry Challenges28:22 The Importance of Hydrocarbons37:04 Personal Reflections and Future Plans40:39 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

Can the grid keep up with the future of energy?PWR-HR, a segment of the Energy Espresso Podcast, is back, this time live from Daniel Energy Partners BBQ in Midland, with hosts Dave Bosco and Travis Simmering setting the stage before diving into the future of the grid.Joining them are Paddy Finn, Co-founder, CEO & CTO of VIOTAS, and Del Hilber, Managing Director of VIOTAS Texas, as they break down as they break down key topics like demand-side solutions, flexible industrial loads, distributed generation, and data center growth—and what it all means for grid reliability in the ERCOT market.Tune in now!00:00 Introduction to Energy Espresso Podcast00:45 Live from the DEP BBQ in Midland, Texas01:43 Special Guests: Paddy Finn and Del Hilber02:16 Understanding TIS and Its Market Impact03:44 The Importance of Customer Relationships07:00 Technical Insights and Innovations17:31 Global Market Strategies and Expansion24:04 Building a Resilient Energy Portfolio24:18 The Role of Renewables in Texas24:47 Technological Advancements and Team Expertise25:59 Customer Trust and Flexibility26:28 The Future of Open-Source Data in Energy29:48 Challenges and Opportunities in Grid Management35:15 Regulatory Changes and Market Dynamics44:28 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions

How do you protect high-risk operations when every second counts?Join host Dave Bosco and guest Josh Jones from AFEX Fire Suppression Systems as they explore the critical role of fire suppression systems in the oil & gas sector. Recorded live from the Daniel Energy Partners Barbecue in the Permian Basin, Josh shares how Apex evolved from forestry roots to becoming a key safety partner in energy. With practical insights on reducing risks and protecting assets in high-hazard environments, this episode offers a clear look at the future of safety and innovation in the industry.00:00 Welcome to Energy Espresso01:08 Introduction to AFEX and Fire Suppression Systems04:44 The Genesis and Evolution of AFEX11:07 Josh's Journey into the Oil and Gas Industry17:33 Global Expansion and Challenges22:14 Fire Suppression in Mining and Oil & Gas22:38 Global Team and Market Expansion24:16 Management Style and Team Culture28:17 Industry Challenges and Innovations32:26 Leadership and Industry Evolution41:01 Podcast Conclusion and Final Thoughts

How tech and leadership are reshaping the future of energy?In this episode of The Energy Espresso, host Dave Bosco sits down with Del Hilber from VIOTAS, who flew in from Baltimore to Houston, to share his journey from Constellation Energy to his current role. Del offers sharp insights on demand-side management, renewable integration, and the power of corporate culture to spark innovation. Grab your coffee and hear Del’s unique perspective on the Texas energy market, regulatory changes, and lessons learned from Ireland’s renewable boom.Don’t miss this deep dive into how technology and strong leadership are redefining energy management!00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:16 Weather and Travel Banter01:01 Energizing the Conversation with Coffee02:04 Del's Journey in the Energy Sector02:58 Demand Response and Business Ventures04:40 Transition to TIS and Current Role07:24 TIS Overview and Global Presence09:13 Understanding Qualified Scheduling Entities (QSE)12:16 Technology and Market Participation20:29 Regulatory Changes and Market Dynamics27:14 Ireland's Energy Market and Lessons for Texas37:18 The Uncertainty of Future Programs37:30 Data Center Challenges and Solutions38:06 Navigating the Energy Market39:27 Supply Chain and Regulatory Hurdles41:20 The Importance of Grid Resiliency57:21 Leadership and Team Building01:08:33 Conclusion and Future Outlook

PWR-HR, a segment of the Energy Espresso Podcast, returns with hosts Dave Bosco and Travis Simmering taking on a seven-iron challenge at Pebble Beach and sharing quick sports updates, from DJ Dad’s softball coaching to the FedEx Cup and Ryder Cup. They then shift to power markets: natural gas outlook, SMRs, AI-driven demand, and Caterpillar’s 1.1-GW sale to a Utah data center.Tune in now!00:00 Welcome to The PWR-HR00:26 Inaugural Episode Competition02:28 DJ Dad and The Bomb Squad07:02 Golf Talk: FedEx Cup and Ryder Cup09:40 Nuclear Power and SMRs Discussion13:21 Upcoming Energy Projects and Natural Gas Outlook16:35 Fusion Technology and Future Energy Innovations17:55 Geothermal Energy and Natural Gas Dominance18:40 Challenges and Opportunities in Power Generation21:09 Data Centers and Energy Efficiency25:01 The Future of Power Generation and Efficiency29:57 Engaging with the Audience and Closing Remarks