Wednesday, October 7, 2015; Bakken Economy Marches Along

Bakken briefs -- The Bismarck Tribune:

• Williston -- Final hurdle passed; Williston airport relocation approved; $27 million federal funding.
• Crosby -- building surge planned this year; 2016 "will be a construction year unlike any Crosby has seen in 50 years."
• Ray -- new clinic will open soon.
• Stanley -- $11.5 million elementary school construction begins.

Active rigs:

	10/7/2015	10/07/2014	10/07/2013	10/07/2012	10/07/2011
Active Rigs	67	192	182	190	194

RBN Energy: ninth in a series, propane.

U.S. propane production growth in the shale era and the addition of new domestic and export terminal infrastructure has resulted in a radical transformation of the U.S. propane market. But even as the market responds to these positive developments, the memory of shortages and price spikes during the Polar Vortex winter of 2013-14 lingers. The market response since that crisis, and what further actions the industry might take to be better prepared for future market disruptions are the subjects of RBN’s latest Drill Down report reviewed in today’s blog.

Top story over at Yahoo!Finance right now, from WSJ: Tesla's Model X mystery.

Analysts at Morgan Stanley, who have been bullish on the stock, lowered their delivery forecasts in a note Tuesday, due to average transaction prices that are “easily $10,000-$15,000 higher” than previously expected. Morgan Stanley now expects 20,000 deliveries of Model X in 2016, down from 25,000.

Writing on his personal Twitter account Friday night, Tesla chief Elon Musk said a version of the company’s Model X car running on a 70 kilowatt-hour battery will be available in “about 12 months.” The smaller battery, as compared with a 90 kilowatt-hour battery in the recently unveiled model, could help lower the vehicle’s price point.

While Tesla hasn’t previously given a time frame for a Model X with a smaller battery, the time frame stated by Mr. Musk wouldn’t appear to help the company’s 2016 delivery prospects. And that tweet apparently has since been deleted.

US EIA sees tighter 2016 oil market as demand accelerates -- Reuters/Rigzone.

Oil jumps $2, breaking range as supply seen ebbing -- Reuters/Rigzone.