PBE Podcast

About PBE Podcast

Energy innovation is born in the Permian Basin, we’re on the front lines of it! Let’s build a community for the next generation of energy needs.

Publisher

People Behind Energy

Category

education · science · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 Mar 2019

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

258 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Oct 2026

   173: Joaquín Ambía

   This video podcast episode features an in-depth conversation with a researcher deeply involved in the University of Texas at Austin’s Formation Evaluation Consortium (FEC) and in developing the UTAPWeLLS software. The discussion begins with a personal background, tracing the guest’s academic path from Mexico City and Monterrey to the University of Houston and beyond, highlighting a strong foundation in physics and computational biophysics. The guest shares insights into the practical application of Monte Carlo simulations in DNA structural analysis and the transition into energy-sector software. The episode focuses on the story and evolution of UTAPWeLLS, a comprehensive suite of physics-based simulators designed to replicate well-logging measurements and invert data to characterize subsurface formations. Developed since the late 1990s under the leadership of Carlos Verdín, this open, collaborative, consortium-based software integrates multiple industry tools, giving participants a unique platform to test hypotheses with minimal liability. The discussion explores the software's scientific rigor—grounded in Maxwell's equations and incorporating complex physics such as resistivity, gamma ray, nuclear, and sonic measurements—to accurately simulate tool responses through layered earth models. The software’s capacity to unify disparate simulators into an accessible, user-friendly platform has made it invaluable to the petroleum engineering and petrophysics community. Looking ahead, the guest highlights the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on coding, simulation speed, and user accessibility. The team is actively migrating the software from MATLAB to Python to improve integration with commercial platforms and support scripting and natural language interfaces to meet evolving industry needs. The consortium’s unique "safe space" enables collaborative problem-solving between operators and service companies without commercial constraints or liability. Carlos Verdín's strong leadership is highlighted as a critical factor in sustaining the consortium for over 26 years. His ability to unite major industry players and foster an environment of transparent scientific dialogue is central to UTAPWeLLS’ enduring success. The guest concludes with reflections on career trajectory, the future potential of automated software maintenance, and the evolving landscape of energy sector problem-solving driven by AI and computation. Highlights Deep physics foundation drives UTAPWeLLS’ accurate well logging simulations. UTAPWeLLS functions as an industry consortium software hub for formation evaluation. Key focus: matching synthetic earth models to real data via inversion techniques. Leadership and collaboration by Carlos Verdín fuel 26+ years of consortium success. AI is revolutionizing coding speed and usability, prompting a Python migration. ️ Software integrates multiple simulators, enabling experimental and off-the-shelf testing. Consortium provides a low-liability environment for open R&D among operators and service companies.

2. 

   8 Oct 2026

   172: Domenico Crisafulli

   This episode of the PBE Podcast features Domenico Crisafulli, a recent PhD graduate from UT Austin’s Formation Evaluation Program, who shared his academic journey, research innovations, and views on emerging technologies like AI in the energy sector. Domenico’s PhD research focused on leveraging modern physics and technology, particularly acoustic and electromagnetic measurements using drones, to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of petrophysical data acquisition and interpretation. His work bridged laboratory experiments, numerical modeling, and practical field applications, resulting in novel methods to analyze rock properties through non-traditional means. He emphasized the importance of collaboration, persistence, and adaptability during his doctoral studies, noting that working with colleagues accelerated breakthroughs and sharpened his research. After completing his PhD, Domenico transitioned into an industry role at BP as a petrophysicist, practicing conventional log analysis while applying the disciplines and teamwork mindsets cultivated during his academic tenure. The conversation also explored the transformative influence of AI and machine learning in geoscience and engineering workflows. Domenico sees AI not as a replacement but as a powerful tool that, when combined with human expertise, can significantly accelerate data analysis, improve decision-making, and refine scientific outputs. He stressed adopting AI responsibly and avoiding over-reliance, reflecting a broader generational perspective. Finally, Domenico underscored the enduring value of the consortium led by Dr. Carlos Verdeen at UT Austin. With over 26 years of industry-academic collaboration, this consortium continues to evolve to meet industry demands, foster innovation, and support talent development—ensuring its legacy and impact on future energy leaders. Highlights Domenico developed advanced drone-based acoustic and electromagnetic measurement systems for core sample analysis. His PhD combined lab measurements, numerical modeling, and field data to better characterize rock properties. Collaboration and persistence were key themes in overcoming PhD challenges and advancing research. Domenico views AI as a complement to human skills, enhancing geoscience workflows when used wisely. After graduation, Domenico joined BP as a petrophysicist, applying both traditional and innovative approaches. The UT Austin consortium adapts dynamically to industry needs, linking academia and energy companies effectively. The consortium’s support network fosters career growth, with alumni now industry leaders sustaining its legacy.

3. 

   7 Oct 2026

   171: Alejandro D. Lopez Rojas and Julio C. Villarroel

   This episode features an insightful conversation from UT Austin’s Formation Evaluation program with two PhD students, Alejandro and Julio, guided by Professor Carlos Torres-Verdin. The dialogue explores cutting-edge research in petrophysics, focusing on energy challenges such as identifying lithium resources, hydrogen storage, geothermal energy, and carbon capture. By applying modern physics, especially nuclear physics and formation evaluation tools like pulsed neutron methods, the researchers aim to revolutionize how energy resources are detected, quantified, and optimized. Alejandro’s research focuses on detecting and quantifying lithium brines within subsurface formations using petrophysical techniques combined with nuclear physics and isotope geology. Given lithium's critical role in batteries and clean energy, their work explores the complex geology of lithium-rich “salars” in South America and how integrating physics measurements can improve resource estimates. Julio’s work centers on using pulsed neutron tools to evaluate hydrogen storage capacity in depleted reservoirs or aquifers, essential for optimizing emerging hydrogen energy solutions. The podcast also highlights the importance of communication skills alongside technical expertise for scientists aiming to lead the evolving energy sector. Overall, the conversation emphasizes collaboration, curiosity, and the evolution of energy research, showcasing how young scholars leverage interdisciplinary methods to address global energy and environmental challenges. Highlights Alejandro’s PhD research pioneers the use of nuclear physics to detect lithium concentrations in subsurface brines. Julio’s work applies pulsed neutron techniques to monitor hydrogen storage, key for future clean energy systems. Lithium resources in the Andes region, particularly in Bolivia’s salars, are complex and critical for global energy demands. UT Austin’s Formation Evaluation program integrates advanced petrophysics and formation evaluation in energy research. Strong communication skills are vital for technical experts aspiring to managerial roles in the energy industry. Collaboration among multidisciplinary scientists accelerates innovation and problem-solving in geoscience and engineering. The SPWLA student chapter at UT Austin fosters leadership and outreach, with plans for digital media engagement.

Who has been a guest on PBE Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• DeWitt Smith
• Andrew Welshans
• Trey Cortez
• West Texas Geological Society experts
• geologists and industry experts

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

15,585

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

17 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 66 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

64

Social presence

0

YouTube

85

Engagement

85

Contact PBE Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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