The smallest cost… with the biggest impact.

On In-Basin Observations podcast, host Bill Austin sits down with Cody Sutton, Co-Founder & CEO at Guide Energy Solutions, to unpack how completions chemistry is becoming a major performance driver.

From produced water reuse to AI-powered decision-making, they dive into how smarter chemistry, tighter vendor accountability, and data-driven insights are reshaping frac outcomes.

Tune in now!

00:00 Conference Intro

00:47 Guide Overview

01:20 Founder Background

03:03 Why Guide Started

04:47 Chemistry Market 2026

06:12 Cost Pressure Opportunity

08:42 Water Treatment Expansion

10:21 Managing Variable Water

11:36 Good Water KPIs

12:34 Iron And Scaling Risks

14:01 Outcome Based Partnerships

15:33 Chemistry Impact Reality

16:43 Predictable Accountability Wins

17:25 Fast Low Cost Solutions

18:03 Completions Outlook 2026

19:31 Bigger Jobs Reuse Pressure

20:52 Market Share Consolidation

22:14 AI Agents In Operations

26:14 Sensors Real Time Data

26:57 Surfactants Boost Recovery

28:04 Tune Systems With Data

29:25 Closing Thanks

At THRIVE 2026, Bill Austin sat down with Matt Wilks of ProFrac to discuss the current state of the U.S. completions market and how operators are thinking about the next phase of shale development.

A key theme was the underlying tightness in pressure pumping capacity following years of fleet attrition, with the market appearing stable but lacking meaningful spare capacity. Wilks also highlighted a shift back toward recovery and well performance as efficiency gains begin to plateau, with increased focus on data, automation, and closed-loop fracturing to improve stage quality and consistency.

The conversation also explored how new Permian gas takeaway capacity could unlock additional inventory and support higher activity levels into the second half of 2026.

During a recent visit to Carbo Ceramics’ office in Houston, Bill Austin sat down with Max Nikolaev to discuss how operators are reassessing completion design as U.S. shale matures. A key theme was the renewed focus on fracture conductivity and long-term well performance, particularly as supermajors take a longer-term development view of key basins. Nikolaev noted that while the industry’s shift to low-cost sand delivered clear economic benefits, operators are increasingly revisiting proppant design as tier-one inventory declines and recovery optimization becomes more important. The conversation also explored growing interest in lightweight proppants following Exxon’s recent comments, as well as how Carbo’s R&D efforts and customer-driven innovation continue to shape new applications in energy and beyond.