

Energy Bytes
collide.
Welcome to Energy Bytes with John Kalfayan and Bobby Neelon. Your essential guide to the intersection of data and energy. This podcast dives deep into the world of energy, shedding light on how data, AI, and technology are revolutionizing this sector. Each episode equips listeners with insights into the most efficient tools and resources, paving the way for a data-driven future in energy. From technical nuances to broader industry trends, Energy Bytes offers an unparalleled perspective on the evolution of the energy industry. Join us as we decode the algorithms of energy, one byte at a time.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 21, 2024 • 1h 10min
EP 58: Jon Brewton from data²
AI and energy might sound like an odd couple, but data² is making it a match made in industrial heaven. With their GraphRAG tech hitting 99% accuracy, they’re tackling billion-dollar challenges like well abandonment and lease block acquisition while rethinking how the energy sector uses AI. Led by John Brewton, who’s blended big-league experience from Chevron with cutting-edge tech smarts, the team’s unique mix of energy pros, tech experts, and even military minds is driving solutions that are agile, scalable, and downright impressive. This isn’t just about data—it’s about turning AI into a true industry game-changer.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
00:00 - Intro03:36 - MIT Robot Learning Breakthrough06:24 - DataSqured’s Secret Sauce11:09 - Introduction to ContextSmith14:15 - Jon’s Background and Founding of ContextSmith21:59 - ExtraaD and Graph Usage23:40 - Understanding Graph Databases29:44 - Model Training Techniques32:28 - Introduction to RAG40:45 - Tech Community Challenges42:49 - Transition from POC to Production44:49 - AI Limitations: "I Don't Know"46:05 - Canvass AI Functionality54:35 - Data Integration into Models56:13 - A2D and Data Hosting Environments1:00:26 - Speed Round1:04:08 - Vector Databases Insights1:05:27 - Houston Restaurants Discussionhttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcatters

Nov 14, 2024 • 1h 14min
EP 57: EZ Ops and Detechtion
Get ready for a deep dive into field data capture with Brandon Ambrose, the mastermind behind EZ Ops, and Ruchita Rosario, data science whiz from Detechtion. They’re breaking down how they’re making life easier for the folks on the ground in oil and gas by bringing AI and smarter data to field operations. Instead of drowning in raw data, operators now have tools that actually make sense of it all—highlighting what matters most, cutting the clutter, and boosting efficiency. From the roots of EZ Ops in Western Canada to becoming a game-changer for blue-collar teams, Brandon and Ruchita share how they’re building a smarter, more connected future for oil and gas.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
00:00 - Intro01:14 - Detection and EZ Ops02:56 - How EZ Ops Started05:29 - Challenges of Field Data Capture08:26 - Achieving Consistent Field Data Capture13:18 - One Platform to Rule Them All18:01 - Reporting and Analytics20:10 - Advice for Entrepreneurs24:45 - Mobile First vs Web App First25:55 - What is a Progressive Web App28:35 - Original Tech Stack30:25 - Role of a Data Scientist34:35 - Snowflake and Sigma40:18 - AIML Applications for EZ Ops43:33 - Early Wins from Operator Optimization46:20 - EZ Ops Historical and Future Target Users53:00 - Gamification Strategies58:11 - Closing Remarks1:00:42 - Speed Round1:05:23 - Book and Podcast Recommendations1:09:04 - Where to Eat in Toronto1:10:55 - Finding Ruchi and Brandonhttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcatters

11 snips
Nov 7, 2024 • 1h 18min
EP 56: Spotfire: The Ultimate Guide for Data Scientists
Atheer Al-Attar, a principal data scientist from Spotfire, and Jose Leviaguirre, a telecommunications engineer and AI expert, share insights on revolutionizing data analysis in the oil and gas sector. They discuss how Spotfire’s AI-driven co-pilot enhances decision-making with real-time visualizations. Listeners will learn about the platform's adaptability, the significance of user empowerment in data manipulation, and how innovative features like automation and the data science library set Spotfire apart from traditional tools.

Oct 31, 2024 • 1h 16min
EP 55: Hatem Nasr from Softserve
Hatem Nasr, Global Director of Digital Energy O&G at SoftServe, joins John on the Energy Bytes Podcast to discuss the transformative impact of AI and data science on the oil and gas sector. With over 15 years dedicated to the digital oilfield, Hatem shares his vision for integrating smart systems and generative AI to tackle the industry's knowledge drain and boost production efficiency. He highlights the pressing issue of declining petroleum engineering graduates and advocates for investing in technology today to secure the industry's future. Through a compelling conversation, Hatem explores how Gen AI can raise the sector’s operational IQ, emphasizing its critical role in sustaining and optimizing oil and gas production.https://www.linkedin.com/in/hatemnasrphdhttps://www.softserveinc.com/en-us/industries/the-energy-sector/energy-oil-and-gasJoin the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
00:00 - Intro00:40 - SoftServe04:00 - Generative AI07:00 - JAIG Impact on Oil and Gas IQ12:02 - OpenAI in Energy17:45 - Industry Knowledge Loss21:58 - Significance of Generative AI23:55 - AI's Role in Oil and Gas25:29 - AI Use-Cases: Subsurface Data Processing26:10 - AI Use-Cases: ESP Optimization27:38 - AI Use-Cases: Methane Detection29:13 - AI Use-Cases: Regulatory Compliance30:31 - AI Use-Cases: Preliminary Diagnostics35:14 - Multimodal AI Applications38:16 - Industry Challenges: Peak Production40:35 - Industry Challenges: Low Discovery Rates51:00 - IoT Innovations in Oilfield52:54 - Future of Wireless Sensors54:00 - Laura57:18 - Edge Computing in Energy59:34 - Video Analysis Applications1:06:25 - Technology for Injury Prevention1:07:20 - Understanding AI's Limitations1:11:50 - Knowledge Transfer Urgency in Oil and Gashttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcatters

Oct 25, 2024 • 60min
EP 54: Special Episode - PetroPapers with Yoshi Pradhan
Yogashri Pradhan, Lead Production Engineer at Chevron, explores John's journey from hands-on fieldwork in wind energy and oil to becoming a key figure at Digital Wildcatters. The conversation emphasizes the importance of field experience and adaptability in the fast-changing oil and gas industry. John discusses his transition from mechanical engineering to internships, the evolving nature of the energy sector, and the significance of humility and hard work for career success. He also offers insights into how AI and digital innovations are reshaping industry processes and shares the forward-thinking vision for Digital Wildcatters and the Collide platform.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
00:00 - Intro01:49 - Career Journey in Energy06:49 - Overview of Collide11:26 - Understanding Reservoir Data Systems15:46 - Introduction to Hivecell18:03 - Meeting Colin and Alex22:19 - Importance of Field Experience27:32 - Field vs. Office Disconnect34:15 - Influential Role Models39:11 - Impact of Role Models40:54 - Significance of Field Experience43:26 - Future Plans and Aspirations43:39 - Updates from Digital Wildcatters50:18 - Career Advice for Newcomers53:20 - Entering the Energy Industry55:54 - Energy Industry as an Adventure57:58 - Outrohttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcatters

Oct 17, 2024 • 58min
EP 53: Meet Ionian Labs' Game-Changing Tools
Texas A&M engineering graduates Yazan and Eugen are leveraging AI and advanced technology to modernize outdated processes, particularly in land acquisition and title work within the energy industry. Their career paths took unexpected turns, shifting from premed and engineering to founding Ionian Labs, where they tackle the industry's reliance on old software systems. Their AI-powered solutions streamline data entry and document analysis, reducing errors and saving time. They also address the broader challenges of digitizing data in the energy sector and explore the potential for multi-modal AI models to transform operations. With a startup mindset focused on rapid prototyping, Ionian Labs is driving ongoing innovation in the field.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
00:00 - Intro00:30 - Yazan and Eugene’s Backgrounds04:00 - What is IONIAN Labs07:15 - How IONIAN Labs Came About11:00 - IONIAN Labs Tech Stack Overview14:55 - Challenges with Land Descriptions19:18 - IONIAN Labs Tech Stack Overview27:46 - Lessons Learned and What to Change28:04 - Collide's Current Journey28:51 - Customer Feedback Insights32:10 - Data Sources for IONIAN Labs34:48 - Architectural Framework38:40 - Startup Masochism Explained39:44 - Fine Tuning Machine Learning Models45:54 - Identifying Your Customers47:28 - Future Plans for IONIAN Labs52:24 - Speed Round Discussion55:36 - Where to Find Ionian Labshttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcatters

Oct 10, 2024 • 1h 24min
EP 52: Robert Brook from RBAC, Inc.
With over 40 years of experience in natural gas markets, Dr. Brooks offers valuable insights into the challenges and benefits of integrating hydrogen into the energy mix. He discusses how RBAC’s cutting-edge software enables companies to forecast market trends and navigate the evolving energy landscape. Key topics include hydrogen’s environmental advantages versus its production hurdles, innovations in natural gas market forecasting, and the potential for collaboration between hydrogen and natural gas in shaping the future of energy markets. Dr. Brooks also reflects on his journey from MIT to founding RBAC, revolutionizing energy market analysis along the way.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
00:00 - Intro00:27 - Hydrogen Energy06:49 - RBAC Overview and Services16:44 - Enverus Startup Journey18:20 - Original SAS Model Explained22:40 - Dr. Rao's Entrepreneurial Journey24:55 - Natural Gas Market Evolution27:09 - Data in the 90s: A Retrospective32:37 - Incorporating Data into Models35:44 - The Danger of Good Design38:04 - Beautiful vs. Ugly Equations41:03 - User-Friendly Systems and Algorithms44:30 - Energy Systems: Poor vs. Rich Countries46:13 - Energy Policy Class Insights51:51 - Understanding Negative Gas Prices58:23 - Flat Natural Gas Prices Explained1:02:40 - Early Natural Gas: The Nuisance Gas1:05:12 - Forecasting Techniques in Energy1:06:48 - Platform Users and Applications1:12:18 - Likelihoods and Risk Analysis1:16:34 - Learning in Resource Economics1:19:20 - Finding David: A Guidehttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcatters

Oct 3, 2024 • 1h 24min
EP 51: Robert Stover from Enverus
Robert shares insights into how data analysis is revolutionizing the industry, emphasizing the critical role of efficient data queries and the tools that manage large volumes of information. He discusses the transition from relying on spreadsheets to adopting more organized and structured data systems. Tools like Snowflake and DBT are driving this shift, enhancing data processes and improving data quality within the oil and gas sector.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
00:00 - Intro01:34 - Distributed Compute Necessity07:05 - Enverus Role Overview10:51 - Transitioning from Spreadsheets17:12 - Data Quality Testing Techniques19:00 - Understanding DBT (Data Build Tool)21:15 - DBT Orchestration Explained24:35 - DBT Documentation Importance28:03 - Tech Stack Insights30:17 - Type 2 Slowly Changing Dimensions33:01 - FiveTran vs. Homegrown Pipelines36:00 - Rudderstack Overview38:20 - Snowflake's Semantic Layer40:40 - Hex Analytics Tool45:00 - Experience at Parsley47:43 - Journey from Planning to Engineering49:28 - Importance of Domain Experience54:55 - Changing Your Data Stack1:01:14 - ODBC Usage Today1:06:00 - Microsoft Power BI Overview1:07:40 - Lakehouses Explained1:11:50 - Speed Round1:14:20 - Exciting Open Source Packages1:19:41 - Favorite Roadside Stops1:21:52 - Podcast Wrap-Up1:22:34 - Where to Find Matthttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcatters

Sep 26, 2024 • 1h 16min
EP 50: Britany Devlin from Energy Ogre
Energy Ogre's CTO, Britany Devlin, shares her expert advice on reducing electricity costs and navigating the complexities of the energy market. Drawing from her extensive experience in trading floors and risk management, Britany explains how fluctuations in natural gas and electricity prices affect consumers and how Energy Ogre helps clients optimize their power plan contracts. She also highlights the transformative role of AI and automation in the energy sector, enhancing customer experience and providing innovative solutions in a volatile market. Learn about the future of renewables, energy storage, and strategic ways to lower your power bills.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to watch a video of this episode.
00:00 - Intro01:17 - Toby Rice: Sub $3 Henry Hub Outlook05:22 - Electricity Costs vs. Natural Gas Prices07:35 - Introduction to Energy Ogre13:26 - How Energy Ogre Operates17:51 - Importance of Customer Service in Energy23:10 - Overview of the Texas Energy Market27:19 - Energy Generators Explained31:24 - Incentives for Homeowners in Energy Markets32:30 - Understanding the Power Grid Dynamics40:05 - Energy Ogre Insights42:40 - Managing Tech Debt and Scaling Strategies44:30 - Role of AI in Energy Sector49:20 - Customer Support in Energy Services52:11 - Griddy's Data Analysis Methods54:11 - Historical Data Utilization by Griddy57:50 - AI and Data Generation Impacts1:02:48 - Learning from Human Decision-Making1:06:28 - AI for Workplace Productivity Enhancement1:10:31 - Recommended Books and Podcasts1:11:15 - Top Social Media Influences1:11:50 - Future Plans for Energy Ogre1:13:16 - Finding Energy Ogre Onlinehttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcatters

Sep 19, 2024 • 1h 12min
EP 49: AI Driller's Wild Journey on Energy Bytes
AI is revolutionizing traditional practices, streamlining complex processes, and enhancing operational efficiency. The discussion addresses the industry's initial skepticism toward AI and how AI Driller is overcoming these challenges through real-time data analysis and decision-making tools. Listeners will hear the unique story behind AI Driller and its role in advancing automation and data processing, alongside the broader influence of AI on modern workflows. Richard and Marat share their perspectives on how AI is transforming perceptions and driving sustainable growth in the oil and gas sector, with a glimpse into future advancements and deeper AI integration in energy markets.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to watch a video of this episode.
00:00 - Intro01:06 - Fun AI in Minecraft04:38 - AI in Business Models08:07 - Headwinds from AI Buzzwords10:35 - Overview of AI Driller13:57 - User Interaction with AI Driller19:10 - Non-AI Features of AI Driller21:40 - Modern Perspective’s Software Solutions25:28 - Tools Used by Modern Perspective27:24 - Architectural Decisions in Startups31:03 - Advice for Oil & Gas Software Startups36:31 - Startup Budget Misconceptions43:26 - Data Modeling Techniques46:12 - Real-Time Data Ingestion Strategies51:05 - Completions Market Insights54:45 - Ideal Completions State55:37 - Innovation Challenges in Oil & Gas1:02:26 - Favorite Databases1:05:58 - Collide’s Partnership with Tullow Oil Announcementhttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcatters


