Drilling Is Changing Faster Than You Think with Brett Schellenberg | Ep 124

About this episode

Josh Lowrey interviews Brett Schellenberg about the rapid changes in drilling technology and market dynamics.

What’s really behind Nabors’ comeback? It’s not just better rigs. Live from the Thrive Energy Conference 2026 at Daikin Park, Josh Lowrey talks with Brett Schellenberg of Nabors Industries about how automation is changing the game. Faster iteration beats perfect tech Knowing when to cut losses matters Open platforms unlock real scale (with partners like Halliburton and Schlumberger) Meanwhile, growth is shifting, away from North America and toward markets like Saudi Arabia and Argentina. 00:00 Live From Thrive 00:17 Meet Brett Schellenberg 01:15 40 Under 40 Talk 02:52 From Roughneck To Sales 04:12 Rig Tech Then Now 05:44 Fail Fast Learn Faster 08:01 Killing Your Baby 09:03 Nabors Legacy And Acquisitions 11:28 Reinvention And Innovation Bets 15:59 Brand Power Story 17:00 Caterpillar And Product Thinking 18:50 Tech And AI Tease 19:26 Rig Automation Highlights 19:57 Razor Pipe Handling Lessons 21:24 Open Rig App Ecosystem 21:49 Vertical Integration Edge 22:57 North America Rig Outlook 24:47 Tier Two Acreage Debate 26:37 International Footprint Growth 29:26 Argentina Tech Adoption 31:49 Travel And North Africa 32:24 Phone Safety Callout 34:16 Career Advice And Mentors 37:34 Wrap Up…

People in this episode

Host: Josh Lowrey

Guest: Brett Schellenberg

Topics covered

• automation in drilling
• Nabors Industries
• rig technology
• international market growth
• career advice
• innovation in energy

Keywords

• drilling automation
• Nabors comeback
• rig technology
• international growth
• career advice
• Thrive Energy Conference

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Nabors Industries, Halliburton, Schlumberger

Places: Saudi Arabia, Argentina, North America, North Africa

More episodes of The Energy Pipeline

• Molly Determan and Tim Tarpley on The Energy Challenge Behind the AI Boom | Ep. 131 · June 10, 2026 · 53 min
• Dallas McCauley & Nathan Getschel on Natural Gas-Powered Frac Operations | Ep. 130 · May 13, 2026 · 38 min
• Matt Rayson on Autonomy & Digital Oilfield Solutions | Ep. 129 · May 6, 2026 · 45 min
• Chris Combs on AI Power & Grid Constraints | Ep. 128 · April 22, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Chris Berrie on Powering AI & Behind-the-Meter Energy | Ep. 127 · April 15, 2026 · 32 min
• Karen Harbert on Natural Gas, AI Demand, and the Future of Energy | Ep 126 · April 8, 2026 · 40 min