EP 73: Steven Barrow from Patronus Energy

AI is no longer just a buzzword in oil and gas, it’s reshaping how the entire industry works. Steven Barrow grew up as a fourth-generation oilfield guy, but instead of sticking with tradition, he’s pushing things forward with Patronus Energy. We got into everything from using computer vision to spot safety issues, to drones inspecting sites, to automating the headache of P&IDs. Steven’s story ties it all together: a blend of family legacy, startup grit, and some seriously cool applications of AI that are cutting through inefficiencies and making oilfield operations smarter. It’s equal parts tech talk and real-world problem solving, with a few glimpses into where energy might be headed next.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Intros01:58 - Patronus Energy Overview04:02 - Founding Patronus Energy11:04 - Field Experience Insights14:07 - Effective Learning Methods15:46 - Software Development Background18:14 - Coding Journey19:06 - Smart Pigging Technology20:00 - Software Development for E&Ps22:53 - MLOps in Energy Sector25:57 - Product Development Inflection Point27:54 - Project Preferences30:36 - Computer Vision Innovations36:00 - Impact of Ukraine War on Process Safety39:30 - AI Applications in Process Safety41:40 - Drone Survey Usage44:53 - Drone Lighting Solutions46:43 - Technology Stack Overview49:50 - Underrated Tools and Frameworks51:44 - Future of Work in Energy55:12 - Prototyping Techniques56:06 - Scripting to Production1:00:34 - Dining Recommendations in Bentonvillehttps://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters