Altitude by Talon Podcast

Episode 6: Pioneering U.S. Energy with Scott Sheffield

We sit down with Scott Sheffield, Founder and Former CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources, to unpack one of the most consequential careers in modern energy. He shares how he scaled Pioneer Natural Resources from a small West Texas operator into a shale powerhouse that ultimately sold to ExxonMobil for $70 billion, and the key decisions that shaped that journey. Sheffield walks through the rise of U.S. shale, the fight to lift the crude export ban, and how global supply, geopolitics, and capital discipline continue to reshape energy markets. He also reflects on leadership, navigating downturns, and managing activist investors across multiple cycles. 🎧 Episode Highlights [00:50]: Growing up in Tehran and early exposure to global energy [14:52]: Joining a 4-person company and building Parker & Parsley [30:07]: The Mesa merger and surviving a major oil downturn [41:23]: Discovering 10 billion barrels in the Permian [50:51]: Lifting the U.S. crude export ban and reshaping energy markets 🔑 Key Takeaways: ● Building a great energy company is about long-term conviction through cycles. Sheffield’s journey shows that success didn’t come from timing the market perfectly, but from staying focused through downturns, scaling patiently, and making bold decisions like doubling down on the Permian before shale was fully proven. The ability to operate through volatility and not overreact to short-term price swings was a defining advantage. ● The U.S. shale revolution fundamentally reshaped global energy power dynamics. By unlocking massive resources in the Permian and pushing for the removal of the crude export ban, Sheffield helped position the U.S. as a dominant energy exporter. This shift not only changed domestic production but also had major geopolitical implications, especially for Europe and global supply stability. ● Capital discipline and resource quality ultimately determine long-term value. From navigating activist investors to selling Pioneer for $70 billion, a consistent theme is the importance of focusing on high-quality assets, efficient capital allocation, and sustainable returns. Growth alone wasn’t enough. what mattered was building a business that could generate durable free cash flow and remain competitive across multiple market cycles. 👤 Guest Spotlight: Scott Sheffield Scott Sheffield is one of the most influential leaders in modern energy, best known as the founder and former CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources. He built the company from a small West Texas operator into a shale powerhouse, ultimately leading its $70 billion sale to ExxonMobil. With decades of experience across multiple cycles, he has also played a key role in shaping U.S. energy policy, including efforts to lift the crude export ban, and continues to serve on boards and advise across the industry. Stay Connected: ● https://www.talon-cap.com ● https://www.linkedin.com/company/talon-capital-corp ● https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-leykum-1622ba ● https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-sheffield-8106511a7 Website: https://www.talon-cap.com/ [https://www.talon-cap.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talon-capital-corp/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/talon-capital-corp/]Contact: contact@talon-cap.com [contact@talon-cap.com]

Episode 05: Energy Super-Spiked: Arjun Murti on His Career on Wall Street, Goldman Sachs, and Energy Markets

In this episode of Altitude, we dive into what’s really driving energy markets today with Arjun Murti, former Goldman Sachs Partner, leading energy analyst, and the voice behind the “supercycle” oil call in 2024. He walks through his Wall Street career and how he developed a view on energy that challenges a lot of conventional thinking as well as energy stock picking. Murti explains why global demand keeps rising, why oil and gas commodities aren’t going away anytime soon, and how investors should focus on real supply and demand instead of narratives. He also shares a more grounded take on the energy transition. With decades of experience across many cycles, he breaks down how to read energy markets and what could shape what comes next. 🎧 Episode Highlights [02:15]: From Wall Street to energy markets: Arjun’s path into oil and gas [12:40]: The “supercycle” call and how he saw oil differently [25:10]: Why global energy demand keeps rising [38:55]: Supply, demand, and what investors often miss [52:30]: Energy transition vs reality in today’s markets 🔑 Key Takeaways: ● Global energy demand continues to rise, and that reality is often underestimated. Murti emphasizes that population growth, economic development, and improving living standards across the world are structurally increasing energy consumption. As a result, oil and gas remain essential parts of the energy mix, regardless of how quickly transition narratives suggest otherwise. ● Energy markets should be understood through supply and demand, not ideology. A core theme throughout the conversation is that investors often get energy wrong when they rely on narratives instead of fundamentals. Murti stresses the importance of focusing on real market signals like supply constraints, capital discipline, and demand growth to make better investment decisions. ● Today’s energy market is defined more by volatility than a clean supercycle. While there are periods of tight supply and strong pricing, Murti explains that the market is likely to move in cycles driven by underinvestment and shifting demand. This creates opportunities for investors, but only for those who can navigate uncertainty and stay grounded in how the market actually works. 👤 Guest Spotlight: Arjun Murti Arjun Murti brings over 30 years of experience across energy, investing, and research, with a career spanning both traditional oil and gas and newer energy technologies. He spent most of his time on Wall Street at Goldman Sachs, where he became a partner before retiring in 2014. He writes Super-Spiked, a Substack exploring the realities of today’s energy transition. Alongside that, Arjun serves on the board of ConocoPhillips and advises other firms, ClearPath, and the Center on Global Energy Policy. Stay Connected: https://www.talon-cap.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/talon-capital-corp https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjun-murti-energy-analyst Website: https://www.talon-cap.com/ [https://www.talon-cap.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talon-capital-corp/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/talon-capital-corp/]Contact: contact@talon-cap.com [contact@talon-cap.com]

Episode 04: Global Energy at a Crossroads: Andrew Gould on his personal career, history of SLB and Outlook for AI and Energy

On today’s episode of Altitude, we sit down with Andrew Gould, the former Chairman and CEO of Schlumberger ("SLB") and Executive Chairman of BG Group, to discuss how the global energy system works. He provides a window into the corporate history of SLB, including his own 37-year journey at the company. He explains why oil and gas will remain part of the mix, what is driving demand for natural gas and LNG, and how AI and data centers are changing energy demand. Gould also reflects on key leadership decisions, including both winning strategies and learning opportunities. With over three decades of experience across global energy markets and operations, he shares with Charlie practical insights on leadership, making decisions under pressure, building teams that can execute at scale, and the impact of artificial intelligence and power needs on the global energy outlook. 🎧 Episode Highlights ● [00:00]: Why oil and gas aren’t going away ● [08:22]: Building a global career at Schlumberger ● [31:05]: Leadership under pressure in the field ● [40:29]: Calling the energy cycle early ● [1:07:58]: Natural gas demand and price risks 🔑 Key Takeaways: ● Oil and gas will remain part of the energy mix longer than many expect. Gould emphasizes that global energy infrastructure is massive and cannot be replaced quickly, making a full transition a decades-long process. The focus should be on gradual mitigation through new technologies rather than assuming a rapid phase-out. ● Natural gas demand is rising, but it comes with risks. Growth in LNG exports, domestic consumption, and power needs from AI and data centers could strain supply and trigger price volatility. If prices spike too high, regulatory intervention could follow, creating uncertainty across markets. ● Great leadership comes from listening and broad exposure. Gould credits his success to working across regions, functions, and roles, which allowed him to connect macro trends with operational realities. He stresses that leaders must listen closely to their teams, stay curious, and build organizations with strong morale to perform at scale. 👤 Guest Spotlight: Andrew Gould Andrew Gould is one of the most respected leaders in the global energy industry, having spent 37 years at Schlumberger, including serving as CEO, and later leading BG Group through its landmark sale to Shell. With decades of experience across operations, technology, and global markets, he brings a rare perspective on how energy systems evolve and scale. Today, he continues to advise and shape the industry through board roles and investments across energy and technology.   Stay Connected: ● https://www.talon-cap.com/ ● https://www.linkedin.com/company/talon-capital-corp/ ● https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-gould-8a54b239/ Website: https://www.talon-cap.com/ [https://www.talon-cap.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talon-capital-corp/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/talon-capital-corp/]Contact: contact@talon-cap.com [contact@talon-cap.com]

Episode 03: The Energy Transition Explained: Dr. Diana Gragg on Electrification, Efficiency & the AI Surge

Dr. Diana Gragg leads the Explore Energy Program at Stanford’s Precourt Institute for Energy and teaches one of the university’s most popular courses on understanding energy. In this episode, she breaks down the “electrify everything” strategy, why solar and batteries are reshaping the power market, and how rising AI and data center demand is testing the limits of the U.S. grid. Drawing on her background in air quality research and energy systems modeling, Diana explains how policy, markets, and technology intersect to drive real-world change. She also unpacks the uncertainty facing power planners today, how to build fast enough without overbuilding, and how to balance cost, reliability, and climate goals. 🎧 Episode Highlights: ● [12:13 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WU4GKJUcRY&t=733s]]: Ethanol, air quality, and why “green” fuels aren’t always cleaner ● [34:55 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WU4GKJUcRY&t=2095s]]: Electrify everything and the case for efficiency ● [37:18 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WU4GKJUcRY&t=2238s]]: Solar is now the cheapest and batteries change the game ● [44:40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WU4GKJUcRY&t=2680s]]: AI, data centers, and the grid’s uncertainty problem ● [47:01 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WU4GKJUcRY&t=2821s]]: Building the next generation of energy leaders at Stanford 🔑 Key Takeaways: ● Electrifying everything is about making energy cleaner and more efficient. When we switch cars, heating, and other services to electricity, we use less energy overall and reduce pollution in homes and communities. Over time, the electricity itself can get cleaner, which makes the whole system better. ● Solar and wind have become some of the cheapest ways to produce new power. Adding batteries helps store that energy so it can be used at night or during peak demand. The real challenge now isn’t just building renewables, but making the grid flexible and reliable enough to handle them. ● AI and data centers are driving a new surge in electricity demand. The problem is that power plants take years to build, while data centers can go up much faster. The biggest risk is not knowing exactly how much power will be needed, which makes planning and investing in the grid more complicated. 👤 Guest Spotlight: Dr. Diana Gragg Dr. Diana Gragg is the Managing Director of the Explore Energy Program at Stanford University’s Precourt Institute for Energy, where she leads interdisciplinary energy education and student engagement initiatives. She also teaches Stanford’s popular “Understanding Energy” course, helping students build a systems-level view of electricity markets, renewables, and the energy transition. Dr. Gragg focuses on electrification, renewable integration, and how rising AI-driven demand is reshaping the future of the grid. Stay Connected: https://www.talon-cap.com/ [https://www.talon-cap.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/talon-capital-corp/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/talon-capital-corp/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-gragg-b793184/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-gragg-b793184/] Website: https://www.talon-cap.com/ [https://www.talon-cap.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talon-capital-corp/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/talon-capital-corp/]Contact: contact@talon-cap.com [contact@talon-cap.com]

TRAILER: Inside the Thunderbirds: Col. Justin “Astro” Elliott on Leadership + the New F-47

A quick preview of Inside the Thunderbirds with Col. Justin “Astro” Elliott. We talk leadership under pressure, how boundary avoidance quietly wrecks teams, and what leaders can do to address issues directly. Plus, a look at the news around the new F-47. Catch the full episode: Inside the Thunderbirds: Col. Justin "Astr...  [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hlp4DDodsnE] #TalonTalks [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/talontalks] #Leadership [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/leadership] #Thunderbirds [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thunderbirds] Website: https://www.talon-cap.com/ [https://www.talon-cap.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talon-capital-corp/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/talon-capital-corp/]Contact: contact@talon-cap.com [contact@talon-cap.com]