Episode 367 | Texas Energy as the Global Stabilizer from Venezuelan Oil to the AI Boom

Dean Foreman, Chief Economist at the Texas Oil and Gas Association joined Grayson Brulte on The Road to Autonomy podcast to discuss the evolving landscape of global oil markets and the critical intersection of natural gas and artificial intelligence.

With sanctions lifted on Venezuela, the conversation analyzes the flow of heavy crude to the US Gulf Coast, noting the potential need for over $200 billion in investment to restore Venezuela’s production capacity. Dean explains how US refiners are capitalizing on this heavy feedstock while simultaneously navigating a global market where the US has surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia as a leading energy producer.

Looking toward the future of energy demand, the discussion identifies natural gas as a stabilizing force for the power grid, essential for supporting the exponential growth of data centers and generative AI. By co-locating power generation with data infrastructure in West Texas, the industry is leveraging record efficiencies to fuel The Road to Autonomy and ensure long-term economic resilience.

Episode Chapters

0:00 Venezuela

7:25 Increasing Global Demand for Oil

9:08 Petroleum Byproducts

11:39 Oil and Natural Gas Exports

13:40 Permian Basin

16:11 Infrastructure Buildout

22:11 Oil and Natural Gas Impact on Texas’ Economy

25:01 Automation & AI

27:52 U.S. Consumer

34:00 Next Quarter

Recorded on Tuesday, January 20, 2026

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