Permitorium in North Dakota? Don't Worry, Be Happy

Updates 

December 9, 2012: fracking is doomed, story posted July 27, 2012, at CNBC.  I don't know if fracking is doomed, but if anyone thinks solar and wind is going to replace oil and gas anytime in the next ten years hasn't followed the news. Or done the math.  We need to follow this up in 2030. 

Later, 9:00 p.m.: this article may help resolve some of the confusion regarding mineral oil, fracking, and several other issues. It's been linked before at this blog, but I had forgotten. A lot of information in this story but it explains a lot, and, to me suggests several options (all with good outcomes). 

Later, 7:40 p.m.:  See first comment. It almost sounds like diesel is no longer an issue. If so, diesel is another Hitchcockian McGuffin, or a "red herring."


Don't Worry, Be Happy, Bobby McFerrin

Original Post

Link here to Bismarck Tribune.

Helms said the permitorium, while better than a moratorium, could delay each oil well permit at least 45 days compared to the 15 days it takes now for a state permit.

“The activity level will be hugely impacted,” Helms said.

All but one well driller in North Dakota use diesel in fracking, where it activates certain chemicals and makes the frack fluid thick and slippery in the formation.

Helms said even 45 days to hold hearings and test water sources is a “best case scenario.

This will tie it up in red tape.”

Tripling the time needed for a federal permit is the "best case scenario." We've seen this movie before. It was the (non)-development of oil in the reservation about then-Senator Dorgan stepped in and got the BLM to streamline the process.

Not good news.

One step forward, two steps back. 

And just the other day someone sent me a comment telling me not to worry about the EPA. I didn't post it; it added nothing to the conversation. Whoever sent it was clearly "out of the loop."

What crazy science! The faux environmentalists are worried about a few bbls of diesel going down a pipe that will eventually produce 900,000 bbls of oil coming up that same pipe.

Two Three Four Five questions:

• if diesel is not used, will that allow the driller to avoid the EPA permitorium?
• how is that one operator that does not use diesel doing?
• can operators use Newman's Own Salad Oil instead of diesel? 
• what about Willie Nelson Biodiesel?  -- if you have not heard of this company, it's not too late
• could sunflower oil be used instead of diesel? This is a great initiative for the man who gave ND, SD, and IA farmers ethanol (then-Senator-turned-lobbyist Daschle). Wow, what an opportunity!