New podcast episode explores advances in drilling and their energy sector impacts

The IEA today released the second of a three-episode podcast miniseries focused on energy innovations that have influenced our lives and economies.

The new episode looks at technological advances in drilling, from the first commercial oil well in 1859, which paved the way for the modern oil industry, to the development of offshore rigs, directional drilling, and hydraulic fracturing (or fracking), which have reshaped energy market dynamics in the 21st century. It also looks at how many of these same techniques have laid the basis for next-generation geothermal energy projects, which could unlock heat as a reliable and low-emissions energy resource in many parts of the world.

Guests on the episode include IEA energy analyst Courtney Turich; Sjoerd Brands, technical manager in Europe for well construction at SLB; Iain Hutchison, Chief Executive Officer of Merlin Energy; and Kristie McLin, Principal Investigator of the Utah FORGE project.

The episode is available now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The first episode in the innovation miniseries looked at the silicon solar cell and how its development has underpinned today’s solar power boom. The final episode, coming soon, will explore the invention – and continued development – of air conditioners.

The IEA’s Everything Energy podcast offers insights and perspectives on leading global energy issues. In recent episodes, IEA experts have unpacked a number of topics linked to the energy crisis stemming from the war in the Middle East – including an underused resource for lowering energy costs, how the crisis is reshaping energy investment trends, the impact of cooking fuel shortages, and what the energy world looked like on the eve of the crisis. All past episodes are available here.