Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Fracking Slowdown in North Dakota?

I've posted for the past year that it appears that about half the wells that come off the confidential list are not completed/fracked, but apparently the backlog is narrowing, based on the "Director's Cut," suggesting that although the wells may not be completed by the time they come off the confidential list, they are fracked shortly after that.

But then, yesterday, I received this note (with some editing -- original, unedited comment was posted):
I am wondering if anyone knows of a site or group more attuned to the oilfield workers.

We're wondering why absolutely NO fracking seems to be happening lately - can we assume we're just going through a slowdown and things will pick up or should we pack up and head to TX for work? Any feedback from the workers or a link to a site would be appreciated! Thank you!
Thoughts? I've heard similar stories over the past few weeks from truckers not hauling ceramics/sand.
Posted by at

11 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 18, 2012 at 12:33 PM

    Bruce,

    I had heard that Continental was laying over 6 Drilling Rigs 2 weeks ago and that OXY was having a temporary shutdown on Fracing with two (2) of their dedicated frac crews due to wells not performing up to expections. I think Herold Hamm's comments about costs was a shot across the bow and slowdowns will happen until well completion costs are reduced.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bruce OksolJuly 18, 2012 at 1:01 PM

      And, of course, Newfield was one of the first to complain about the high costs.

      I see oil is flirting with $91 again; the rigs will be back!

      Delete
  2. AC22July 18, 2012 at 8:20 PM

    Companies are fracking and truckers are hauling sand. Just not the ones the poster is obviously working for. No fracking slow down in my neck of the woods. Actually is busier now than it has been in months. Operators are asking for reductions, service companies are asking for reductions, BUT they are still fracking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bruce OksolJuly 19, 2012 at 10:40 AM

      Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

      Delete
    2. MicheleJuly 24, 2012 at 9:12 PM

      AC22 - where is your neck of the woods, if you don't mind me asking? It seems that a lot of things are busier north of Williston rather than down here in Mountrail County.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJuly 23, 2012 at 12:13 PM

    I have a relative who is involved with fracking. He said fracking has slowed a little bit because they are actually caught up for the most part due to the extremely mild winter. They have for the most part been able to keep up with the new wells and frack them almost right away. I'm not sure though why there are still new wells drilled that have yet to be fracked? But his company is still busier than ever with fracking jobs.??? Must be certain companies cutting back? But definately not all of them. As far as rigs being shuttered? I haven't seen any evidence of it yet...the rig count is still hovering in the 207 to 214 range. Changes day to day...up and down...but no big decline. It has been very consistant.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bruce OksolJuly 23, 2012 at 12:40 PM

      Thank you. That's been my general impression; maybe some slowdown by individual companies, but overall still a lot of activity. And you are correct; probably day-to-day changes; takes several months to see trends in some cases.

      Delete
  4. MicheleJuly 24, 2012 at 9:10 PM

    Bruce, thanks in general for your blog and especially for addressing my original comment in this post. I appreciate the feedback from you and all of the others. An update of sorts - the larger trucking company which employs my husband as an owner/operator just said today that work will be extremely slim until November elections. Any thoughts/feedback? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bruce OksolJuly 24, 2012 at 10:20 PM

      Thank you for your kind words. I certainly don't have any idea what's likely. I see oil is back into the upper 80's -- not good. Despite unrest in Mideast, oil still in the 80's. Lots of anxiety about world economy, in general.

      It's hard to believe the activity in North Dakota oil patch would be affected by November's elections, but that is very interesting to hear. I wish I could be of more help. Mostly in a holding pattern right now.

      Delete
  5. MicheleJuly 25, 2012 at 12:12 AM

    I started a group on Yahoo simply titled "ndoilfield" for those workers and I who want to share from our viewpoint. Would you please be kind enough to pass it along? It is meant for those of us who work out here; to share where the best work/housing/companies are. Much appreciated!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bruce OksolJuly 25, 2012 at 12:50 AM

    I will gladly post and link it, but I just went to Yahoo Groups, did a search and not yet able to find it. Either I have the wrong name, or it is still being vetted by Yahoo and will be up in another day or two.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)