Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts

Jon Krome
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Management

"Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts" will provide candid, entertaining interviews with retired or former Oil & Gas executives whose "unfiltered" perspectives offer unique value to the industry's ecosystem. The primary audience includes current professionals looking for mentorship, suppliers seeking executive insights, and former peers interested in the guests' current lives. Initially hosted on LinkedIn via Funk Futures, the 45-minute video and audio sessions will balance informative discussions with humorous observations from the host.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts: Stop the nonsense! Walter van de Vijver tells it straight on | Episode 9

    In this episode of Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts, Jon Krome sits down with Walter van de Vijver, a true legend of the oil and gas industry with over forty-five years of experience across Shell, private equity, and global energy leadership. A civil engineer by training from Delft University, Walter's career took him from early assignments in Bakersfield and Oman to the top E&P role at Shell, followed by successful ventures in the private equity world with Delta Hydrocarbons and leadership roles at Reliance Industries. Now a partner at Forager Energy, a Houston-based royalty and mineral rights company, Walter brings a wealth of perspective shaped by decades of international experience and a passion for creating value that has never dimmed. The conversation ranges across Walter's remarkable career journey, from the autonomy he enjoyed as a young engineer in California to the lessons learned navigating the complexities of Shell's global culture and the very different, trust-based environment at Reliance. He reflects on the pressures of entrepreneurship versus corporate leadership, the importance of taking ownership and sticking your neck out, and the value of transferring learnings across geographies and disciplines. The discussion also tackles the industry's biggest challenges, including the strategic missteps of European majors in the energy transition, the importance of effective communication about oil and gas's essential role, and the potential for AI and data management to drive the next wave of innovation. Walter's optimism about the industry's future is unmistakable, rooted in the conviction that oil and gas will remain indispensable for decades to come. Listen to the full conversation for a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and strategic thinking from one of the industry's most respected and thoughtful executives.

  2. Jul 15

    Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts: Getting real about AI: David Purvis on Technology, Careers and Leadership in Oil & Gas | Episode 8

    In this episode of Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts, Jon Krome sits down with David Purvis, a veteran leader with over three decades of experience across Shell and BHP Petroleum. A chemical engineer by training who discovered his passion for reservoir engineering through a serendipitous internship in New Orleans, Purvis went on to hold technical and leadership roles spanning the Gulf of Mexico, international assignments in Brunei, and ultimately the position of Vice President of Engineering and Operations at BHP. Now retired from the corporate world, he coaches business owners through The Alternative Board, teaches petroleum engineering at Mississippi State, and is the bestselling author of Climbing Your Career Tree: Life Lessons to Grow the Leader Within You. The conversation ranges across the evolving nature of technical work, the importance of building deep functional expertise before seeking broader leadership roles, and the enduring value of human judgment in an era of rapid technological change. Purvis reflects on the critical role of subsurface characterization as the foundation of upstream value creation, the distinction between protecting and creating value through operational excellence, and the importance of scenario planning in navigating geopolitical and market uncertainty. He also offers a grounded perspective on AI, distinguishing between its utility as a productivity tool for engineers and the need for human oversight in higher-stakes decisions. The discussion touches on emerging technologies like geothermal, the shifting landscape of innovation from major labs to mid-size operators and service companies, and practical advice for young professionals entering the industry today. Listen to the full conversation for an insightful look at career development, leadership, and the future of energy from a leader who has spent a lifetime learning, teaching, and coaching others to grow.

  3. Jun 30

    Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts: Dennis Creech on Building Skills, Human Relationships, and the Art of the Possible | Episode 7

    In this episode of Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts, Jon Krome sits down with Dennis Creech, a seasoned executive with over thirty-eight years of experience in upstream oil and gas, including leadership roles at Shell, Aera Energy, and Hess. Creech's career has taken him across the globe, from North America to West Africa, giving him a uniquely broad perspective on global supply chain management, contractor relations, and Lean business improvement. Now serving as the president and CEO of Modumetal, a metals manufacturing startup, he brings a wealth of practical insight into how operational rigor, financial discipline, and cross-cultural leadership intersect in one of the world's most complex industries. The conversation ranges widely across the strategic and operational challenges facing energy leaders today. Creech challenges conventional procurement thinking, arguing that true cost efficiency comes from rethinking the quantity of work rather than simply negotiating lower prices. He shares powerful stories from the field, including a lesson on aligning contractor objectives that reveals how executive assumptions can disconnect from frontline reality. The discussion also explores the evolving role of AI and robotics in upstream operations, the importance of resilient and nearshored supply chains in a geopolitically uncertain world, and how leaders must cultivate both technical expertise and emotional intelligence to drive organizational performance. Listen to the full conversation for a thoughtful and practical look at leadership, operational excellence, and the future of energy from an executive who has spent nearly four decades navigating the industry's toughest challenges.

  4. Jun 16

    Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts: Greg Hill on Trust, Toughness, and Why Your Handshake Is Your Bond | Episode 6

    In this episode of Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts, Jon Krome sits down with Greg Hill, former President and Chief Operating Officer of Hess Corporation, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, global energy, operational excellence, and the future of oil and gas. Greg reflects on his Wyoming roots, the leadership lessons he carried from rodeo culture into the boardroom, and the importance of humility, resilience, trust, and servant leadership. He also shares perspective from a career spanning more than 40 years and 56 countries, including lessons learned from leading across cultures, building high-performance teams, and creating long-term supplier partnerships rooted in trust rather than price alone. The conversation also dives into lean manufacturing in oil and gas, the role of reliability and waste reduction in operational performance, America’s strategic energy advantage, LNG, AI, material science, fusion, and why Greg believes the industry may be entering a new exploration renaissance. This is a thoughtful and candid conversation with one of the industry’s most experienced leaders on what it takes to lead well, innovate responsibly, and keep oil and gas competitive in a changing world.

  5. Jun 2

    Uncapped with Executive Roustaboust - David Bert on Deepwater Horizon, Haynesville, and the Future of LNG | Episode 5

    In Episode 5 of Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts, Jon Krome sits down with longtime drilling and completions executive David Bert for a wide-ranging conversation on offshore operations, shale development, LNG, leadership, and the future of oil & gas. Dave reflects on his career journey from Mobil and Amoco to BP, Chesapeake, and Southwestern Energy, sharing stories from the North Sea, Thunder Horse, Haynesville, and some of the industry’s most technically challenging drilling environments. The conversation explores lessons learned from Deepwater Horizon, leadership in high-pressure operations, and why collaboration and communication matter more than ever in modern energy development. Jon and Dave also dive into the technologies shaping the future of drilling and completions, including AI, real-time operations centers, rotary steerable systems, managed pressure drilling, and the growing role of automation in engineering workflows. They discuss LNG demand growth, AI data centers competing for natural gas feedstock, the long-term outlook for Haynesville gas, and what the future may hold for the next generation of oil & gas professionals. Along the way, the episode mixes technical insight with stories from the field, practical jokes from the early Mobil days, thoughts on LANDMAN and Deepwater Horizon, and candid perspectives on what truly creates value inside an upstream organization.

  6. May 19

    Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts: Gary Birdwell on AI, Innovation, and the Future of Oil & Gas | Episode 4

    In this episode of Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts, Jon Krome sits down with longtime technology and energy executive Gary Birdwell for a wide-ranging conversation on AI, innovation, and the future of oil and gas. Gary shares his journey from treasury and finance into technology leadership roles at Baker Hughes, Oracle, Noble Energy, and Chevron, offering a unique perspective on how business, operations, and technology intersect across the energy industry. Together, Jon and Gary explore how oil and gas has quietly remained one of the world’s most technologically advanced industries, from early geoscience computing to today’s rapid acceleration of AI and automation. They discuss where AI can create the most value, why operational systems matter more than back-office efficiency alone, and how companies should think about innovation, safety, and competitive advantage in a carbon-conscious world. The conversation also dives into leadership, career development, technology adoption cycles, and the importance of combining technical expertise with business understanding to build lasting impact in the industry. Whether you work in energy, technology, or operations, this episode offers an insightful look at where the industry is headed and the mindset needed to navigate what comes next.

  7. May 5

    Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts: From Marine Corps to CEO - Mike Yeager on Leadership, Risk, and Growth | Episode 3

    In this episode, Jon Krome sits down with Mike Yeager, former CEO of BHP Billiton Petroleum and former ExxonMobil executive, for a candid conversation on leadership, career growth, shale development, LNG, regulation, and the future of the oil and gas industry. Mike shares lessons from his Marine Corps background, his 26-year career at ExxonMobil, global leadership across more than 20 countries, and the pressure of leading major projects when the stakes are high. From goats in first class to billion-dollar capital decisions, this episode captures the humor, grit, and perspective that only a career spent across the field, boardroom, and global energy stage can provide.

  8. Apr 21

    Uncapped With Executive Roustabouts: What the Best Oil Companies Never Forget, Dr. Jon Olson on Talent and Technology | Episode 2

    In this episode of Uncapped With Executive Roustabouts, Jon Krome sits down with Dr. Jon Olson, former Petroleum Engineering Department Chair and Professor at the University of Texas at Austin, for a wide-ranging conversation on what the best oil companies never lose sight of: technical excellence, strong people, and long-term thinking. Drawing from decades in both industry and academia, Olson shares lessons from his time at Mobil, his 30-year career at UT Austin, and his experience developing the next generation of engineers. The conversation explores career advice for young professionals, the role of regulation, what truly defines “core work” in an oil and gas company, and how AI and automation are reshaping the industry. They also dive into the future of LNG, global energy dynamics, and the balance between efficiency, innovation, and long-term value creation. This is a candid and thoughtful discussion about leadership, technology, and why fundamentals still matter, even as the industry continues to evolve.

  9. Apr 7

    Uncapped With Executive Roustabouts - Ambition Isn't a Dirty Word: Rod Skaufel on Career, Culture, and Crude | Episode 1

    In the first full episode of Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts, Jon Krome sits down with former colleague and longtime industry leader Rod Skaufel for a candid conversation on career growth, leadership, culture, shale development, safety, regulation, AI, and the future of oil and gas. Drawing on decades of experience across Mobil, Aera Energy, ExxonMobil, BHP Billiton, and Cobalt, Rod shares practical advice for younger professionals, including why ambition is not a dirty word, why excellence still matters, and how strong teams are built over time. Jon and Rod also revisit lessons from heavy oil and shale, discuss the challenges of remote work and mentorship, and explore how the industry is evolving through technology, automation, and changing workforce expectations. This episode sets the tone for what Uncapped is all about: honest, experience-based conversations with executives who have led through complexity and still have plenty to say.

  10. Mar 31

    Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts | No Filters, Just Real Oil & Gas Leaders

    Welcome to Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts, hosted by Jon Krome. In this intro episode, Jon shares the vision behind the podcast, his journey into the oil and gas industry, and why now is the time for more honest, unfiltered conversations with the people who have actually led it. This is not another industry podcast filled with headlines and surface-level takes. Uncapped is about real experience, real perspective, and the kind of insight you only get from decades in the field. If you’ve ever wanted to understand how oil and gas executives actually think, this is where it starts.

Trailer

About

"Uncapped with Executive Roustabouts" will provide candid, entertaining interviews with retired or former Oil & Gas executives whose "unfiltered" perspectives offer unique value to the industry's ecosystem. The primary audience includes current professionals looking for mentorship, suppliers seeking executive insights, and former peers interested in the guests' current lives. Initially hosted on LinkedIn via Funk Futures, the 45-minute video and audio sessions will balance informative discussions with humorous observations from the host.

Information

You Might Also Like