Conversation with Karen Olson, President, Olson Turner Enterprises, Houston, TX in person at the 2026 HFTC | Ep 334
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In this in-person episode of the Oil & Gas Upstream podcast recorded at the 2026 Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference in The Woodlands, Texas, host Elena Milker interviews Karen Olson, President of Olson-Turner Enterprises and a key figure in the HFTC's history since its inception in 2007. Olson shares the conference’s evolution from a modest 800-person event to a major gathering of over 2,000 attendees, highlighting the impact of keynote speaker Chris Wright, U.S. Secretary of Energy and former oil producer. The conversation dives into the strategic reorganization of the Department of Energy’s Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office, the role of national labs—especially the government-owned National Energy Technology Laboratory—in advancing energy innovation, and the importance of public-private partnerships in tackling complex challenges like increasing recovery from unconventional reservoirs and repurposing produced water. Olson reflects on her decades-long career, including pioneering horizontal drilling in the 1990s, the early days of hydraulic fracturing research, and the enduring mystery of prop-int (sand) placement in fractures. She emphasizes the need for continued R&D, the potential of AI in analyzing subsurface data, and the importance of creative problem-solving in a sector that thrives on innovation. The episode closes with a heartfelt tribute to Olson’s trailblazing legacy as a woman in engineering and sustainability leader in the oil and gas industry.
The HFTC has grown from 800 attendees in 2007 to over 2,000, reflecting the industry’s sustained momentum and innovation.
The U.S. Department of Energy is reorganizing its energy offices to emphasize hydrocarbons and geothermal, with a focus on centers of excellence at national labs.
Produced water from shale operations presents both a challenge and opportunity—treatment and reuse could support drought-prone regions and extract valuable minerals like lithium.
The fundamental question of where prop-int (sand) goes during fracturing remains unresolved, despite advances in tracer technologies and modeling.
Public-private partnerships, like the Hydraulic Fracturing Test Sites, have proven effective in advancing technology from lab to field at scale.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction to the Oil & Gas Upstream Podcast and HFTC 2026
Elena Milker introduces the Oil & Gas Upstream podcast, sharing her background at the U.S. Department of Energy and her transition into podcasting. She sets the stage for the episode by describing the vibrant atmosphere at the 2026 Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference in The Woodlands, Texas.
The Birth and Evolution of the HFTC
Karen Olson recounts the founding of the Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference in 2007, including the surprise turnout of 800 attendees in College Station, Texas. She reflects on the early days, the role of Steve Holditch, and the conference’s shift from a niche event to a major industry gathering.
Chris Wright’s Keynote and the Energy Portfolio Vision
“You can't lift people up if you have worries about energy—it's not going to be available to you.”
The New Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office
Olson explains the renaming and reorganization of the Office of Fossil Energy into the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office, highlighting its mission to leverage petroleum engineering skills for broader subsurface resource development.
National Labs and the Role of the National Energy Technology Laboratory
Olson details the unique role of the government-owned, government-operated National Energy Technology Laboratory in national security and high-stakes energy challenges, such as the Deepwater Horizon response, and its new center of excellence structure.
“Produced water is not just waste—it’s a resource that could be reused, treated, and even mined for rare minerals like lithium.”
“You can't lift people up if you have worries about energy—it's not going to be available to you.”
“I still don't know where the prop-int is really going. That’s the billion-dollar question.”
Host
Guest
Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference
other
Karen Olson
person
U.S. Department of Energy
organization
Chris Wright
person
Elena Milker
person
National Energy Technology Laboratory
organization
Steve Holditch
person
Permian Basin
other
Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office
organization
Marcellus Shale
other
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