Permian as Proving Ground with Derek D. Adams, Matt Kolesar

In this episode of the Energy Perspectives Podcast, recorded live at the Permian Energy Dialogues in Austin in September 2025, Derek D. Adams (Managing Director, Permian Energy Development Laboratory) and Matt Kolesar (Chief Environmental Scientist, ExxonMobil) sit down with Molly Determan (President, Energy Workforce & Technology Council) to discuss how the Permian is scaling the next generation of operational and environmental technology.

From continuous methane sensors and satellites to CO2 enhanced oil recovery, produced water treatment, and hydrogen pilots, the conversation explores why the basin remains the world's most active laboratory for energy innovation, and why its technical progress increasingly shapes what's possible across the global energy system.

Key Themes:

• Methane detection and mitigation at basin scale

• CO2 enhanced oil recovery paired with direct air capture pilots

• Produced water treatment, beneficial reuse, and brine valorization

• Emissions transparency and credible reporting for global buyers

Learn more about Energy Dialogues and upcoming forums at: https://www.energy-dialogues.com

Learn more about the Permian Energy Dialogues: https://energy-dialogues.com/events/permian-energy-dialogues/

Subscribe for more episodes of the Energy Perspectives Podcast.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction

• 0:55 Why emissions transparency matters now

• 2:18 The Permian as a natural laboratory

• 3:26 Methane detection: sensors, drones, and satellites

• 6:00 ExxonMobil's leadership and DOE's role

• 8:25 CO2 enhanced oil recovery and DAC hub pilots

• 9:57 Produced water, brine valorization, and hydrogen

• 11:33 Why scale makes the Permian different

• 13:36 Barriers to scaling new technologies

• 15:28 Pilots, workforce, and community development

• 18:34 Emissions reporting and global trust

• 21:05 The future of Permian innovation

• 23:12 Closing