The Crude Truth

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 America, a Japanese-owned company specializing in Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) connections:

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 episode is recorded live at the NAEP (North American Energy Prof...

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.linkedin.com/in/m-surge/

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 Texas for stability

• The future of produced water...

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 beyond.

Connect with Leigh on her LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-haas-5...

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. Better pe...

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 and Legal Practice

Lauren Varnado, a trial...

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 https://flippingthebarrel.com/

 @flippingthebarrel 

1. Women in Energy & Empo...

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 and Gas's massive international project in Western Australia. Key details...

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 generations.

Connect with Dr. Tiffany Legg on her LinkedIn here...

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 and transportation), it does not yet affect methane regulation from oil and gas operations. The discussion highlights the tension between...

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 drilling and completions

Key Service: Full closed-loop systems that contain all waste an...

Relationship-Driven Business: The LFS Chemistry Story

In this episode of The Crude Truth, we’re coming to you LIVE from NAPE 2026 with special guest Jim Holmes, President & CEO of LFS Chemistry.

From the show floor energy to real conversations about oil markets, minerals, and smart investing, this episode dives into what’s actually happening in the industry right now.

1. The Oil & Gas Industry's Continued Importance

The episode opens with a historical perspective on Texas oil production (Spindletop Hill, 1901) and emphasizes that, despite alternative energy sources like...

Shannon Vint, Kight Hawk Safety & Rescue, stops by the Crude Truth Podcast Live at NAPE.

This was a fun interview from the floor at NAPE with Snannon Vint, a 20-year veteran of the oil and gas market, and we had a blast talking about how to stay safe and have a career.

The conversation explores the historical significance of the oil industry, particularly the landmark Spindletop Hill discovery in 1901. It discusses how oil and gas remain central to America's energy landscape despite the rise of alternative e...

Live from NAPE 2026, we’re joined by Jeff Krimmel of Krimmel Strategy Group to dive deep into the "value calculus" of the energy industry. From analyzing P&L statements to forecasting the next big shifts in the Permian, Jeff shares why understanding financial flows is the only way to truly see where the industry is headed.

1. Oil & Gas Industry State

The discussion centers on the current health and trajectory of the US oil and gas sector, particularly in Texas. Key points include the industry's resilience despite geopolitical challenges (like the Venezuela situation) and it...

Live from NAPE 2026, we’re joined by Michael Tanner to discuss the shift in capital allocation within the oil and gas sector. As more family offices and real estate investors enter the space, understanding the "decline curve" has never been more critical.

1. The NAPE (North American Prospect Expo) Conference

The discussion around this major annual oil and gas industry event is a critical venue for deal-making and networking. They note that this year's NAPE is the largest in 3 years, signaling industry recovery. The conference has evolved from being primarily deal-focused to more networking-oriented, th...

What does it really take to build a business from scratch—and scale it fast?

In this episode of The Crude Truth, we sit down with Addison LaBonte, founder of Sweet Addison’s, who turned a personal health journey into a booming nationwide cookie brand. From baking alone in her apartment to shipping over 500 orders a week, Addison shares the real story behind the grind—late nights, hiring a team, and learning to let go of control.

We dive into:

How she scaled from 5 orders a day to tho...

Live from NAPE 2026! This episode of "The Crude Truth" features an insightful discussion on the future of energy security and the impact of the growing tech sector on our power grid. Host Rey Trevino sits down with Dr. Ann Bluntzer Pullin, President of the Hamm Institute for American Energy, and Texas State Representative Helen Kerwin. They dive into the challenges of meeting the massive power demands of new data centers and the importance of collaboration between government, industry, and local communities. Watch the full episode to learn more about how Texas is leading the way in energy innovation.

Are government regulations holding back America’s energy future?

In this episode of The Crude Truth, we sit down with Tyler Lindholm, President of Americans for Prosperity Wyoming, to break down the real impact of federal policies on energy production, land use, and economic growth across Western states.

From coal and oil to permitting reform and federal land control, this conversation dives into:

Why Western states are fighting back against overregulation

How federal policies are slowing energy and infrastructure projects

The truth about co...

What do Iran, California, and electricity have in common? More than you think.

In this episode of The Crude Truth, energy expert Ronald Stein breaks down the complex (and often misunderstood) relationship between global conflict, energy policy, and everyday life. From rising gas prices to refinery shutdowns in California, this conversation uncovers how deeply oil impacts everything—from transportation to the products we rely on daily.

We dive into:

Why crude oil is useless without refineries

How California’s energy decisions could create major risks

The...

The Crude Truth is that we cannot achieve energy dominance with our current maritime structure.

Talk about National Security, this is a huge topic, and Dr. Beatriz Canamary brings the Receipts.

One of her most important points: " After the Second World War, the U S owned 50% of the global fleet, international fleet, and today we own only 0.4%. " The United States could end up like the UK, and not even be able to send anything to defend our national interests if we do not act now.

With the new system...

Just one month into 2026, oil prices have surged nearly $10, Venezuela’s regime has been shaken, Iran is facing internal unrest, and Texas is gearing up for a high-stakes U.S. Senate battle. What does it all mean for energy, politics, and the future of the Lone Star State?

On this episode of The Crude Truth, we sit down with George P. Bush, Managing Partner of Pine Cove Strategies, to break down:

The geopolitical impact of U.S. action in Venezuela

Iran, global LNG demand, and shifting energy al...

As we kick off 2026, financial planning is facing major changes — from new tax laws to retirement strategy shifts and global economic transitions. On this episode of The Crude Truth, Ray sits down with wealth strategist Rebecca Walser to break down what’s happening now and what it means for your financial future.

They dive into retirement tax traps, why 401(k)s may not be enough, Roth and post-tax strategies, the pressure of retiring baby boomers, and how upcoming tax changes could impact everyday Americans. Rebecca also shares insights on emerging technologies, AI, blockchain, energy, and why...

From NASA to the oilfield. A literal rocket scientist, Chad Hanak, explains how precise well placement can boost production by 11%—without changing your AFE. This is the crude truth operators need to hear. Chad Hanak is the President at Superior QC, a Patterson-UTI Company, and is our guest today.

Thank you, Dr. Hanak, for stopping by the Crude Truth Podcast - Rey.

1. The ba...

The Crude Truth Panel discusses Venezuela, Iran, Iraq, and even Greenland.

My opening line is “With so much going on in the world today, is it safe to say that the world is actually healing? But we do have a few more bumpy roads ahead.” may be an understatement.

I am currently writing several articles on new trends in molecule demand, oil demand, pricing, natural gas, and how AI is impacting the oil and energy markets, and this podcast helped kick off the discussion to a great start in 2026.

The...

Texas faces a critical crossroads on energy, taxes, and immigration—and Sanjay Narayan is stepping up with clear solutions. On The Crude Truth, Sanjay shares how cutting property taxes, securing our energy grid with oil, gas, and nuclear power, and enforcing the rule of law can keep Texas thriving. Tune in to hear why this Texas House candidate is ready to fight for conservative values and real economic growth.

Key points discussed in the Crude Truth Podcast are:

1. Sanjay Narayan's candidacy for the Texas House of Representatives District 108, which covers the Hi...

Doing things the TEXAS way. In this segment, the conversation takes a bold turn into the realities of Texas power and America’s energy future with Americans for Prosperity ????

Texas now boasts the 8th-largest economy in the world—bigger than Russia’s—which means the Texas governor holds influence that rivals global leaders. The panel dives into why energy is the backbone of that strength: no energy, no economy.

With AI data centers, Bitcoin miners, and rapid tech expansion demanding more power, Texas sits at a crossroads. Some fear new energy-hungry industri...

The Crude Truth about the American Dream

In this powerful episode of The Crude Truth, host Rey Treviño III interviews Kristina Krykhtin, an entrepreneur, investor, and Miss Florida Entrepreneur, who joins Rey to share her incredible journey from Belarus to the U.S., her rise in Miami real estate, and how she’s helping others build generational wealth through multifamily investing and tax-efficient strategies.

I had fun visiting with Kristina on these huge topics.

1. Alternative investments, particularly in real estate and multifamily properties. We discuss the benefits of investing in rea...

Leadership, chemistry, and the lessons forged in the oil field—they have far more in common than you think. In this unscripted, off-the-cuff episode of The Crude Truth, host Rey Treviño III sits down with longtime friend, mentor, sponsor, and all-around force-of-nature Jim Holmes, Executive at LFS Chemistry, Exec Crew mentor, Eagle Scout, oilfield veteran, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast.

What began as a casual lunch turned into one of the most candid conversations in show history. Rey and Jim talk about chemistry innovations in the oil field, navigating volatile markets, adapting to extended laterals, men...

We have taken The Crude Truth on the road to the PBIOS Permian Basin International Oil Show. (https://pbioilshow.org/) 

In this special episode of "The Crude Truth", Host RT Treviño III interviews two influential Texas mayors that live and breath West Texas: Mayor Lori Blong of Midland and Mayor Cal Hendrick of Odessa. These cities share their collaboration successes.

"We lead the nation and set the example for the entire world!"

Midland is thriving! The largest Costco in Texas is in Midland if that is an...

The government shutdown is hitting home — and Texas Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne returns to The Crude Truth to call it like she sees it.

???? In this episode, Rey Treviño III and Congresswoman Van Duyne dive into the real impact of the “Schumer Shutdown” — from families struggling with halted paychecks to the political gridlock keeping America closed for business.

Takeaways:

Why Democrats admit they’re using the shutdown as “leverage” — and who’s paying the price.

The truth about the $1.5 trillion spending demand and how it affects small businesses an...

How Trucking Keeps America Moving | Tracy Dhamers on The Crude Truth

Transportation and trucking expert Tracy Dhamers joins The Crude Truth to reveal how the trucking industry literally fuels America’s economy — and why this West Texas business owner believes oil, grit, and entrepreneurship keep the country running. ????????????

Tracy, owner of North Country Oil, shares her incredible journey from earning a PhD to becoming one of the only women in the oil trucking industry — learning the ropes from the ground up as a “swamper.” From buying a truck on her honeymoon to managin...

Building a business isn’t easy, and few people know that better than Clayton Carmack. On this episode of The Crude Truth, Clayton shares his journey from growing up in the oil and gas world to building a multimillion-dollar company, facing major setbacks, and eventually shifting his focus to helping other business owners succeed.

He talks about the lessons he’s learned on scaling a business, avoiding common financial traps, and finding smarter ways to support employees like bringing affordable health insurance to small companies. Clayton also opens up about how his faith shaped his outl...

From Washington politics to Main Street impacts, this episode dives deep into the truth behind the headlines — and what America can expect if the government shutdown drags on

Guest: Congressman Pat Harrigan (North Carolina’s 10th District)

Topic: Could This Be a Long Government Shutdown? What Happens Next for the American Economy? ????????

In this episode of The Crude Truth, host Rey Treviño interviews Congressman Pat Harrigan, a former Green Beret, two-time Bronze Star recipient, and now U.S. Representative North Carolina’s 10th District. Together, they unpack...

In this episode, host Rey Treviño III welcomes back Keri Laine, founder of KLES and a trusted advocate for executives navigating the evolving HR landscape. Rey opens the show by sharing updates on his own family business growth plan and why “human resources is more than HR.” https://kerilaine.com/team

Let’s talk about HR and the C-Suite: Leading People, Driving Profit

Keri dives into why she left corporate America to launch KLES, building a firm focused on helping leaders drive profit by leading people. Rey and Keri also explore...

In this episode of The Crude Truth, host Rey Treviño sits down with Tim Paton and Allison Kelley from Superior QC — a company that’s literally applying NASA rocket science to drilling. From Blackhawk helicopters in the Army to cutting-edge algorithms that optimize horizontal wells, Tim and Allison share how technology is transforming production, safety, and efficiency in today’s oilfields.

We will lower costs for consumers by utilizing technology. Taking the well data from the rig to the cloud, and back for decisions. This helps understand the best position of the wellbore and extract...

In this episode of The Crude Truth, host Rey Treviño is joined by co-host Michael Tanner and special guest Wasif Latif, President & CIO of Sarmaya Partners. Together, they dive deep into the concept of the “Return to Tangibles” a powerful shift back to commodities as the foundation of global growth.

From the rise of the commodity supercycle to the future of oil, natural gas, uranium, gold, and copper, this conversation explores how energy, finance, and geopolitics are shaping investment strategies today. Wasif shares insights on thematic investing, inflation, fiscal risks, and why commodities remain critical de...

Join The Crude Truth as we break down the most impactful oil and gas legislation from the latest Texas legislative session and what it means for operators across the state — and beyond. From inactive well plugging requirements to waste management rules, we explore the changes shaping the industry’s future. We’ll also cover how Texas policies often set the standard for other states and federal regulations, plus the latest updates on methane rule rollbacks and upcoming events for industry leaders.

Whether you’re an operator, investor, or simply passionate about energy, this episode offers insider in...

Taxes don’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. In this episode of The Crude Truth, host Rey Treviño III sits down with tax strategist Barbara Schreihans to break down practical, legal strategies for reducing your tax bill and keeping more of what you earn.

From paying your kids and spouse through your business, to maximizing deductions, to leveraging oil & gas investments for significant tax benefits, Barbara explains how to think ahead, not just look back at last year’s returns. She also shares insights on the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill,” tax credits vs...

In this episode of The Crude Truth, Rey Treviño III sits down with Keri Laine, executive advisor and transformation strategist known as “The Advocate for the C-Suite.” With a background in HR and a track record of helping companies scale from 100 to 4,000 employees, Keri unpacks how executive leadership directly fuels business growth—especially in high-stakes industries like oil and gas. This episode discusses business challenges from a general business perspective so listen and enjoy as you apply your personal business mindset to this episode with Rey and Keri!

Connect with Keri: https://kerilaine.com/

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