Episodes

  • What’s Really Inside a Barrel of Crude Oil? | Ep 13

    What’s Really Inside a Barrel of Crude Oil? | Ep 13
    Jul 2 2026
    Sponsored by Tracerco – Direction, Measurement and Diagnostics SolutionsLearn More at tracerco.com Most people think a barrel of oil is just gasoline waiting to happen. The reality is far more fascinating. In this episode of Refining Reality, Brian and Bill unpack one of the most fundamental questions in the energy industry: what actually comes out […]
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    21 mins
  • Location, Location, Refining: The Hidden Edge | Ep 14

    Location, Location, Refining: The Hidden Edge | Ep 14
    Jul 8 2026
    Sponsored by Tracerco – Direction, Measurement and Diagnostics SolutionsLearn More at tracerco.com What if the future of refining looks completely different from the past? In this episode of Refining Reality, Brian Pieri and Bill Shanahan explore one of the most overlooked forces in the energy industry: location. From the first oil refineries in Pennsylvania to […]
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    24 mins
  • Refinery Capacity: When the Dial Hits 11 | Ep 15

    Refinery Capacity: When the Dial Hits 11 | Ep 15
    Jul 15 2026
    Sponsored by Tracerco – Direction, Measurement and Diagnostics SolutionsLearn More at tracerco.com What happens when global fuel supply gets tight, refinery margins explode, and aging refinery equipment is pushed beyond its comfort zone? In this episode of Refining Reality, Bill and Brian break down why refineries are running near maximum capacity, how crack spreads are […]
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    27 mins
  • Why Refineries Can’t Make “Just Diesel” | Ep 16

    Why Refineries Can’t Make “Just Diesel” | Ep 16
    Jul 22 2026
    Sponsored by Tracerco – Direction, Measurement and Diagnostics SolutionsLearn More at tracerco.com You cannot just turn crude oil into diesel. That sounds simple, but it is one of the most misunderstood realities of refining. In this episode of Refining Reality, Bill and Brian break down what actually happens inside a refinery when crude oil moves […]
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    19 mins
  • Why America Imports Oil While Exporting It | Ep 12

    Why America Imports Oil While Exporting It | Ep 12
    Jun 24 2026
    Sponsored by Tracerco – Direction, Measurement and Diagnostics SolutionsLearn More at tracerco.com The United States produces nearly 14 million barrels of oil per day, imports more than 6 million barrels, exports almost 6 million barrels, and refines over 16 million barrels daily. So what’s really happening? In this episode of Refining Reality, Brian and Bill […]
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    22 mins
  • Crack Spreads, Refining Margins & Market Chaos | Ep 11

    Crack Spreads, Refining Margins & Market Chaos | Ep 11
    Jun 17 2026
    Sponsored by Tracerco – Direction, Measurement and Diagnostics SolutionsLearn More at tracerco.com What happens between a barrel of crude oil and the gasoline in your car? More importantly, why are refinery margins exploding while oil prices remain relatively tame? In this episode of Refining Reality, Brian and Bill break down one of the most misunderstood […]
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    23 mins
  • Nitrogen Without the Truck: Refining’s Hidden Safety Play | Ep 10

    Nitrogen Without the Truck: Refining’s Hidden Safety Play | Ep 10
    Jun 10 2026
    Sponsored by Tracerco – Direction, Measurement and Diagnostics SolutionsLearn More at tracerco.com In this episode of Refining Reality, Bill and Brian sit down with Brett Rogers of Purity Gas to unpack one of the least glamorous but most critical molecules in refining and energy operations: nitrogen. From tank blanketing and pipeline preservation to refinery safety, […]
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    34 mins
  • How Refineries Find Problems Without Shutdowns | Ep 9

    How Refineries Find Problems Without Shutdowns | Ep 9
    Jun 3 2026
    Sponsored by Tracerco – Direction, Measurement and Diagnostics SolutionsLearn More at tracerco.com The refinery isn’t broken… it’s trying to tell you something. The question is whether you can see it before it costs millions. In this episode of Refining Reality, hosts Brian Pieri and Bill Shanahan sit down with Fabio Pires from Tracerco to uncover […]
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    27 mins