The Energy Pipeline

Hosted by Josh Lowrey

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144

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Nov 2026

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About the show

The Energy Pipeline, powered by Upright Digital and sponsored by Cat Oil & Gas, is hosted by Josh Lowrey. Each week, the show explores the conversations shaping today’s oil and gas industry from operations in the field to innovation, technology, and long-term sustainability. Featuring insights from industry leaders and decision-makers, The Energy Pipeline dives into the challenges, opportunities, and tools driving progress across the energy value chain, and how the industry continues to evolve in a rapidly changing world.

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November 4, 202647 min

Kathy Norris on Strategic Growth, Reliable Natural Gas Infrastructure, and Kodiak Cares | Ep. 143

Reliable energy takes more than equipment. It takes people, planning, and infrastructure built to meet growing demand. Sponsored by Cat Oil & Gas, Josh Lowrey hosts the Energy Pipeline Podcast live from Upright Digital Media Studios in Houston with Kathy Norris, VP of Enterprise Commercial Strategy and Strategic Accounts at Kodiak Gas Services. Kathy discusses Kodiak’s people-first culture and the Kodiak Cares Foundation, her role supporting strategic customers through reliable natural gas infrastructure, and the importance of equipment performance, supply chain planning, and environmental readiness. The conversation also explores mentorship, career lessons, and natural gas's growing role in meeting rising power demands. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:55 Meet Kathy Norris 03:32 Kodiak Cares Story 06:49 Her Role Explained 09:58 ESG Meets Strategy 12:36 Career Path Power 16:52 Infrastructure Lifecycle 19:56 Supply Chain Deep Dive 23:08 Name Game Bosses 24:47 Lessons From Kathy 26:30 War Stories And Respect 28:49 Mentoring And Merit 30:44 Thinking Ten Steps 33:14 Future Of Natural Gas 34:40 Kodiak Growth Mindset 38:25 Personality And Persistence 40:03 AI And Supply Chain 43:56 Busy Culture At Kodiak 46:28 Wrap Up And Where To Connect

October 28, 20261 hr 2 min

Erik Milito on Offshore Energy Policy, Jobs & the Gulf’s Future | Ep.142

Offshore energy policy, global investment, and the Gulf’s economic impact are shaping the industry’s future. On the Energy Pipeline Podcast, sponsored by Cat Oil & Gas, host Josh Lowrey is joined by a special co-host Mr. Stephen Preng of Preng & Associates. Together, they invited Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), to explore the policies and investments driving offshore energy. Milito discusses Gulf of America production, the industry’s support for more than 400,000 jobs, and the importance of communicating offshore energy’s environmental progress and contributions to coastal communities. 00:00 Welcome and Co-Host 01:32 Introducing NOIA Guest 02:33 NOIA Mission and Community 04:07 Policy Uncertainty and COVID 05:48 Who NOIA Represents 08:42 Membership Growth and Competition 10:21 Deepwater Tech and Regulation 12:41 Durable Policy and Jobs 16:19 Telling the Industry Story 29:21 Tools for Better Messaging 33:09 Caterpillar Storytelling 34:16 Real HSE Commitment 36:01 Containment Readiness 37:30 Integrity and Collaboration 40:10 Aligning NOIA Members 42:52 Educating Policymakers 44:16 Workforce and TWIC Reform 46:17 AI Offshore Opportunities 51:20 Beyond the Gulf Leasing 01:01:54 Wrap Up and Thanks

October 21, 202624 min

Keith Chometsky on UAE Shale, Drilling Efficiency & Turnwell | Ep. 141

In this special edition of the Energy Pipeline Podcast, sponsored by Cat Oil & Gas, recorded in Dubai, host Josh Lowrey interviews Keith Chometsky, Senior VP of Technology at Turnwell, about adapting the U.S. shale model to the UAE’s unconventional resources. A joint venture between ADNOC Drilling, Patterson-UTI, and SLB. Turnwell has reduced drilling cycle times from 43 days to under 20 on average, while increasing fracturing efficiency from 1–2 to 8–10 stages per day. Keith also discusses supply chain challenges and the outlook for ADIPEC and the AIQ Global Energy Soirée. 00:00 Dubai Special Edition 00:49 Meet Keith Turnwell 01:23 Keith Career Journey 03:05 NOV Alumni Era 04:49 Caterpillar Show Setup 05:49 What Is Turnwell JV 06:46 Exporting Shale Playbook 07:35 Surprises In UAE 08:48 Scaling Unconventionals 10:44 Adapting And Training 12:44 Customer Culture Shift 13:54 Supply Chain Risk 14:38 Drilling Speed Breakthroughs 16:32 UAE Ambition Runway 18:08 What Success Looks Like 20:58 ADIPEC And Soiree Preview 23:47 Closing Thanks And Plug

October 14, 202651 min

Wayne Richards on AI, Automation & the Future of Wireline | Ep.140

The future of completions is being shaped by automation, AI, and machine learning. On the Energy Pipeline Podcast, sponsored by Cat Oil & Gas, host Josh Lowrey welcomes Wayne Richards, President and CEO of GR Energy Services, to explore how technology is improving efficiency, reliability, and recovery across the oilfield. Richards discusses robotic gun assembly, real-time machine learning, AI-enabled inspection, and the potential for more remote and autonomous wellsite operations. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:54 Caterpillar Shoutout 01:52 Wayne Life Update 02:34 Oilfield Then vs Now 05:21 Rig Count and Completions Shift 06:06 Chasing Better Recovery 09:51 What Operators Want 12:16 GR Vertical Integration 15:08 Robotics and HSE Gains 18:49 Real Time Machine Learning 22:08 From 1981 to Today 27:09 Turning Data Into Value 27:43 Turning Data Into Action 28:43 Building Tools That Prevent Failures 30:20 Proving Value In The Field 32:14 Future Of Oilfield Services 35:22 Autonomous Wellsite Blueprint 38:07 AI Quality Control With X Ray 45:15 Entrepreneurial Culture And Safety 47:02 Mentorship And Giving Back 49:24 Closing Thoughts On Industry

October 7, 202629 min

How AIQ Is Turning AI Into Applied Intelligence for Energy | Ep. 139

At AIQ’s Media Day in Abu Dhabi, Josh Lowrey sits down with Dennis Jol, the Chief Executive Officer of AIQ, to talk about applied AI, agentic workflows, and how the company is expanding from its work with ADNOC into global markets. They discuss how AIQ is tackling complex energy challenges, navigating sovereign data and cybersecurity requirements, expanding into North America, and building Genesis, its AI-native operating system for enterprise agents. Sponsored by Cat Oil & Gas. 00:00 Welcome to Abu Dhabi 01:45 UAE Business Mindset 03:57 Inside AIQ Media Day 04:34 AIQ Origin Story 05:54 Where AIQ Fits in AI 09:54 Scaling AIQ Globally 10:19 Trust and Data Sovereignty 11:34 Applied AI Value Creation 16:00 North America Expansion 20:33 Genesis AI Operating System 24:32 ADIPEC Soirée Preview 27:10 ADIPEC Plans and Wrap

September 30, 202643 min

Eric Fierson on Technology, Emissions & the Evolution of Natural Gas | Ep. 138

The energy industry is evolving, and technology is changing how natural gas operations keep up. On The Energy Pipeline, sponsored by Cat Oil & Gas, host Josh Lowrey welcomes Eric Fierson, Emissions Manager at Caterpillar Oil & Gas, to discuss how emissions regulations shape oil and gas operations, how AI is supporting regulatory research, and the growing role of natural gas compression. Eric also explores rising demand from data centers and G3600 technology updates that can reduce methane exhaust emissions by up to 40% through retrofit options. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:14 Meet Eric Fierson 02:13 Eric Career Origins 03:47 Why Cat Culture Works 07:54 Emissions Team Scope 09:22 Emissions Rules Explained 12:58 AI And Customer Insights 17:28 Compression Basics 18:40 Data Centers Drive Demand 20:32 Cross Division Collaboration 23:05 Conferences vs Lobbying 24:45 Regulations Drive Innovation 27:03 Testing for Reliability 28:09 Methane Cut Breakthrough 30:20 More Than Methane 31:16 From Motorcycles to Engines 32:32 Product Strategy Role 35:41 Closing Question Confidence 36:12 University Partnerships Pipeline 37:21 Arizona Rivalry Banter 39:20 Staying Ahead of Rules 40:18 EWTC and Industry Training 42:33 Podcast Wrap and Thanks

September 16, 202644 min

Kasey Hohl on Rethinking Power in Frac Operations | Ep.137

Electric frac is reshaping how operators approach power and efficiency. Host Josh Lowrey welcomes Kasey Hohl of Evolution Well Services to discuss the rise of electric frac, Evolution’s integrated eFrac systems, and how field gas and power generation can deliver fuel savings and operational flexibility. Kasey also shares insights on Evolution’s PRISM culture and the growing role of engineering, automation, and AI in the field. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:09 Studio Setup and Podcast Habits 02:48 Tech Adoption and Plaud Notes 04:55 Casey Background and Education 06:52 Pioneer to Evolution Story 08:37 Early eFrac Skepticism 10:22 Evolution Culture and Offices 12:37 Why Operators Choose eFrac 14:26 Integration and Customer Demands 18:19 Field Gas and New Partnerships 20:28 Winning Partner Trust 21:02 Long Term Value 23:34 Evolve Beyond Fixes 26:39 PRISM Culture Model 29:46 Customer Success Bridge 34:29 Challenge The Organization 36:15 AI And Data Centers 39:01 Podcast Reach Story 41:34 Supply Chain Spotlight 42:43 Wrap Up And Links

September 2, 202645 min

Paul Dunn on The Future of Carbon Capture | Ep.136

Capturing CO2 is only half the challenge. On The Energy Pipeline, sponsored by Cat Oil & Gas, host Josh Lowrey sits down with Paul Dunn, Chief Engineer, Low Carbon Solutions at Caterpillar, to explore the technology, economics, and future of carbon capture. Dunn explains Caterpillar’s thermal swing adsorption approach, compares it with other capture technologies, and revisits a 2019 field demonstration. He also discusses 45Q tax credits, carbon monetization in Canada, demand from AI data centers, and a Solar Turbines technique that doubles CO2 concentration while cutting exhaust flow in half. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:12 Meet Paul Dunn 01:05 Rhode Island Vs Houston 03:07 Paul’s Engineering Path 06:06 Carbon Capture Options 08:41 Thermal Swing Breakthrough 11:56 Prototype And Acquisition 13:39 Caterpillar Business Model 16:08 Carbon Capture In 2026 17:25 CO2 EOR Explained 20:18 Books And Practicalities 21:32 Where Will CO2 Go 23:06 45Q Credit Gets Real 24:11 Bipartisan Support for CCS 25:35 Canada and Paris Monetization 27:16 From Theory to Deployment 30:23 AI Data Centers Demand Power 33:44 Biggest Barrier: Storage Sites 36:12 Caterpillar Approach Thermal TSA 37:06 Gas Turbine CO2 Concentration Trick 41:01 Scaling Inside Caterpillar 44:53 Wrap Up and Where to Find Them

August 5, 20261 hr 2 min

Building Energy Events with Mark Immekus | Ep.135

What separates a good event from a day attendees will never forget? On The Energy Pipeline, sponsored by Cat Oil & Gas, host Josh Lowrey sits down with Mark Immekus, President of Events at Upright Digital, to discuss his journey through oil and gas, media and the evolution of O&G industry events. Mark shares how he helped grow the DUG conferences, navigated industry downturns and COVID-19, launched the Thrive Energy Conference, and how he has built memorable experiences by focusing on customer experience, attention to detail, and long-term relationships. 00:00 Podcast Returns 00:43 Meet Mark Immekus 02:10 Why Mark Matters 03:36 Handball to Houston 09:21 Breaking Into Events 11:55 Crisis and Hart Energy 13:58 Building DUG Powerhouse 20:30 Deals Made on Show Floor 23:10 COVID and New Chapter 32:15 Launching Thrive Blueprint 34:30 Building Thrive Fast 35:11 Why Its Called Thrive 37:05 Thrive 2021 Breakthrough 39:55 DEP Barbecue Takes Off 40:50 Ranch Chaos And Rainout 43:42 Camaraderie Over Trade Shows 44:58 Exclusive No Soliciting Rules 47:59 Caterpillar Booth Strategy 50:58 Obsessing Over Details 54:55 Team Culture And Praise 57:51 Post Event Self Critique 01:00:39 Bands Riders And Wrap Up

July 21, 20261 hr 0 min

The Future of Energy Leadership with Stephen Preng | Ep. 134

What does it take to find the leaders shaping the future of energy? On The Energy Pipeline, sponsored by Caterpillar Oil & Gas, host Josh Lowrey sits down with Stephen Preng, Consultant and Practice Leader of Global Energy Services at Preng & Associates, to discuss executive search, talent strategy, and the future of leadership in the energy industry. Preng shares how Preng & Associates has built its reputation through deep industry expertise, retained executive search, and a rigorous evaluation process. He also explores leadership trends across oil and gas and power, the impact of AI-driven energy demand, the "great crew change," and the qualities that define exceptional leaders in today's evolving energy landscape 00:00 Podcast Welcome 01:11 Preng Global Reach 03:34 Not Just Recruiters 06:57 Stephen’s Career Path 09:37 Why Companies Outsource 10:49 Networking at Conferences 13:05 Research Team Insights 16:18 Hottest Talent Markets 17:49 Great Crew Change Debate 20:43 Assessments and Culture Fit 27:09 AI in Executive Search 30:01 Defining Great Leaders 30:46 Servant Leadership Traits 31:48 Leadership In Different Markets 32:45 Books And Influence Lessons 35:05 Transferable Success Debate 37:04 Culture Clash In Energy 40:33 AI And Power Shift 43:46 Leaders Who Inspire 52:07 Preng Firm Differentiators 54:44 Favorite Placement Story 59:03 Wrap Up And Where To Find