The Driller Newscast

Brock Yordy exposes the real nightmares on the rig: silica dust, 88-hour burnout, and viral social media OSHA fines. Brock Yordy examines some of drilling’s most serious real-world threats, including respirable silica dust, unsustainable work schedules and unsafe practices caught on video. The episode closes by revisiting the historic Chilean miner rescue, showing how precision drilling and expert...

Job sites across the country are facing relentless, unseasonable heat as a supersized El Niño fuels a permanent shift in our operating climate baseline. In this episode, host Brock Yordy examines the escalating strain on our built environment—from sagging high-voltage transmission lines and thermal plant curtailments to older public school classrooms fighting extreme temperatures.

In this episode of The Driller Newscast, Brock Yordy tackles the growing global and domestic water crisis—from unprecedented wildfires and record droughts in the American West to water cutoffs in Puerto Rico. Responding to a viewer question on whether we can simply pump water back into dried-up underground aquifers, Brock dives deep into Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR). He explains the critical rea...

In this episode of the Driller Newscast, Brock Yordy prepares drilling professionals for peak season with the "Summer Safety Four," covering vital protocols for trenching, extreme heat, air quality, and volatile atmospheres. Plus, Brock offers a sneak peek into the 2026 South Atlantic Jubilee, highlighting its fun pirate theme, essential technical sessions, and hands-on rig demonstrations.

Data centers are exploding in rural America. Brock Yordy reveals the hidden, destabilizing cost to your water supply.

El Niño is coming. Brock Yordy explains the impacts on groundwater, drilling job sites, and global water infrastructure.

Breaking down the opportunities of geothermal from water conservation to a workforce opening new doors to lead the geothermal movement. This editorial podcast is brought to you by:

Episode 158 of The Driller Newscast brings host Brock Yordy together with geothermal advocate John Ciovacco to unpack the biggest conversations coming out of the NY-GEO conference. From policy advocacy to the expanding role of geothermal in building electrification, the discussion highlights how the industry is organizing, scaling, and preparing for the next phase of growth. This editorial podcast...

Episode 157 of The Driller Newscast finds host Brock Yordy connecting winter safety, major DOE restructuring, and the growing overlap between water, drilling, and geothermal energy. From freeze hazards on the rig to aquifer mapping and geothermal expansion, the episode highlights how policy and field realities are reshaping the energy grid.

In Episode 156 of The Driller Newscast, host Brock Yordy sits down with Dan Surgeson, Geothermal Discipline Manager at Salas O'Brien, to explore how the geothermal industry can better bridge the critical gap between engineering design and field execution.

In the final Driller Newscast of 2025, Brock Yordy brings Festivus to the jobsite — no tinsel on the derrick, just grit, steel, and teamwork. The episode reframes Festivus traditions through drilling life: the Airing of Grievances becomes the pre-bid spud meeting, the aluminum pole turns into high-strength drill rod, and the Feats of Strength play out against geology and winter weather. From a yea...

Episode 154 of The Driller Newscast connects global climate urgency with real-world infrastructure work, starting with COP30’s message that water is now the frontline of the climate crisis. Brock Yordy then sits down with retired Army National Guard sergeant Shane Banks, who shares his path from Purdue engineering student to military well driller and water-wastewater construction leader.

In The Driller Newscast Episode 153, host Brock Yordy welcomes Nick Fry, a U.S. Army veteran turned geothermal consultant, to explore the deep connection between military service and energy work.

With the right investment and awareness, geothermal energy could become a cornerstone of sustainable heating and cooling worldwide - The Driller's conversation with Paul Frith.

This episode blends boots-on-the-ground experience with critical commentary on America’s summer drought patterns and what they mean for the future of water access.

In The Driller Newscast #150, Brock Yordy celebrates a major milestone with a special episode that blends heartfelt storytelling with industry insight, with an appearance from his arch nemesis, Bron. This episode is a boxing match of an interview between Brock and “Bron,” a Ron Burgundy-style character with flair and plenty of sass. But in between the laughs and jabs, Brock shares his most memorab...

In The Driller Newscast #149, Brock Yordy dives into the vital topics of employee engagement and job site safety—two pillars of a productive and thriving workforce. He discusses how building a culture of communication and accountability can drive performance and reduce risks in the field. The featured interview spotlights Paul Firth, the OGA Board Convention Chair, who shares insights on the evolv...

In this episode of The Driller Newscast, Host Brock Yordy dives into the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” making waves in Washington—legislation with major implications for the drilling, HVAC, and geothermal industries.

In Episode 147 of The Driller Newscast, host Brock Yordy welcomes John Ciovacco, president of Aztech Geothermal and co-chair of the NY-GEO Conference, for a wide-ranging discussion about the future of geothermal energy—and why NY-GEO 2025 might be the most ambitious edition yet.

In this episode of The Driller Newscast, host Brock Yordy is joined by Christine Hoffer, Executive Director of the New York Geothermal Energy Organization (NY-GEO), to give you an exclusive inside look at the upcoming 2024 NY-GEO Conference happening April 22–24 in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Episode 145 of The Driller Newscast discusses the urgent need for more drillers, breaking down industry workforce statistics and highlighting the growing demand for skilled professionals.

Soren Soe, Rig Developer, discusses the advantages of utilizing Coiled Tubing Drilling.

In episode 143 of The Driller Newscast, host Brock Yordy discusses key regulatory agencies like the EPA and OSHA, their roles in environmental and workplace safety, and the ongoing debates over government overreach. He highlights the importance of scientific research in shaping policies that protect workers and communities from environmental hazards. The episode also features an interview with Sor...

In episode 142, host Brock Yordy explores key policy changes, leadership shifts, and their impact on the drilling industry. From new agency heads in D.C. to energy independence and climate change, he highlights the balance between environmental protection and economic growth. Yordy also examines historical drilling advancements, resource management, and the geopolitical impact of Arctic minerals....

Control of a nation's natural resources is vital to sustaining growth. Episode 141's feature continues Episode 140's discussion on water and its necessity to drive government goals.  Brock drills into the importance of understanding a nation's resource consumption versus its availability in the 21st century.