Eleven (11) New Permits -- North Dakota, USA -- and a 3-Page Daily Activity Report

Producers: XTO (5), EOG, Marathon, Petro-Hunt, BEXP, Slawson, and Hess.

Fields: Clear Water, Van Hook, Heart Butte, Glass Bluff, Dollar Joe, Painted Woods, Cabernet, Basking and three wildcats.

Two of the XTO wildcats will be on one pad.

A couple of comments that may or may not be a bit accurate.

First, I'm sure it's just me, but it seems XTO has been more active with permits since it was bought by XOM.

Second, I have not been impressed with the EOG wells in the Clear Water field, based on IPs, but I don't think EOG would keep drilling these Clear Water wells if they weren't "economic." And if these wells are worth drilling, the EOG wells in the Parshall must be significantly better.

The daily activity report included permit #16223, a Whiting well, which was "recompleted from RR/Stonewall."  RR = Red River. Both the Red River and the Stonewall are oil producing formations in the Williston Basin. They are deeper than the Bakken formation. I do not know if this was horizontal well or a conventional (vertical) well.

Marcellus Caucus in Congress -- Not a Bakken Story

Link here. In case the link is broken in the future here are the first two paragraphs of that story:

Newly elected Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, said Wednesday that he plans to pull together like-minded members of Congress to push for fuller development of the natural gas reserves in the Marcellus Shale.

Only a day after the State Legislature approved a six-month ban on the controversial process of hydraulic fracturing to release the shale's gas, Reed -- in his first media conference call as a congressman--told reporters that the shale has great economic potential.

For newbies, the Marcellus Shale in New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and neighboring states is a natural gas formation, not oil, like the Bakken.

Posted without further comment.

The Spotted Horn Oil Field -- Helis Has a Nice Well in Spotted Horn -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA; Bear Den Wells (Spotted Horn, Bear Den, Lost Bridge Fields)

Updates

March 30, 2014: Grace, Honor, Courage, Pride in the Spotted Horn oil field. 

February 6, 2014:

• 23061, 1,206, EOG, Bear Den 23-2019H, Spotted Horn, Three Forks, 44 stages, 8.9 million lbs sand, 4 sections; the sundry form said the "Bakken" was fracked, but the "Summary" said 8,995 feet of lateral was drilled in the Three Forks; max gas was 7,175 units; the sundry form said 1280-acre spacing unit, but the NDIC scout ticket said 4 sections, the NDIC map clearly shows that #23061 is sited in section 20, and section 20 is spaced only for 2560-acre spacing, according to the NDIC GIS map, the horizontal is not yet shown; #23061 is on a 4-well pad; the earliest well on that pad was spaced for 640 acres (not shown by the map); #23063, also on the pad, was spaced on 2560-acres , t8/13; cum 128K 12/13; 
• 23063, 1,418, EOG, Bear Den 100-2017H, Three Forks, 50 stages; 10 million lbs sand; 10,202 feet in the Three Forks; max gas was 7,158 units; the sundry form showed this spacing unit would also be 1280 acres.
• Comment: designation for #23061 and the initial planning sundry form suggested this would be a Bakken, and everything in the report suggested a middle Bakken, but the summary stated the horizontal was drilled in the Three Forks. I know folks do a lot of "cutting and pasting" and that could explain it. 
• It only matters to mineral owners but not exactly sure whether 1280-acre spacing on the sundry form or 2560-acre spacing on the NDIC scout ticket makes a difference.

December 29, 2013: see the November 19, 2013, note from a reader. There are now four completed wells on that pad:

• 19170, 1,882, EOG, Bear Den 07017H, one section; TD = 16,235 feet; t1/11; cum 160K 10/13;
• 23064, 459, EOG, Bear Den 108-1708H, 4 sections; TD = 20,325 feet; Three Forks; 45 stages; 9.05 million lbs sand; t6/13; cum 89K 10/13;
• 23065, 318, EOG, Bear Den 20-1708H, 2 sections; TD = 20,768 feet; t6/13; cum 101K 10/13;
• 23066, 696, Bear Den 102-1708H, 2 sections; TD = 21,441 feet; Three Forks; 51 stages; 10.3 million lbs sand; t6/13; cum 39K 10/13;

November 19, 2013: from a reader --

Just wanted to update you on the EOG Spotted Horn 4 section drilling unit of which Bear Den 108-1708H is one of. The 3 wells on the section 17 pad are now off of confidential. The total production for the 3 new wells is: 108-1708H - 74,053 @ 66 days production; 20-1708H - 78,869 @ 62 days; and 102-1708H - 13,174 @ 66 days. I'm not sure why the one is so different but feel it is probably intentional by EOG for some reason. Also the production for the 3 wells on the section 20 pad for the month of September was 70,226. This production is very encouraging for us. Another thing you may find interesting is if you look at the well file of any of the 3 that came off of confidential you will see the diagram of what EOG uses for a pad processing center for oil and gas for a pad connected to a pipeline. 

Permits/Wells

2019
35692, conf, Bruin E&P Operating, Fort Berthold150-94-3B-10-7H, Spotted Horn,
35693, conf, Bruin E&P Operating, Fort Berthold 150-94-3B-10-8H, Spotted Horn,
35964, conf, Bruin E&P Operating, Fort Berthold150-94-3B-10-9H, Spotted Horn,
2018 (not complete)

2017 (not complete)


2016 (not complete)
32687, conf, WPX, Grizzly 24-13HW,
32686, conf, WPX, Grizzly 24-13HS,
32685, conf, WPX, Grizzly 24-13HX,
32684, conf, WPX, Grizzly 24-13HG,
32683, conf, WPX, Grizzly 24-13HA,
32497, loc, QEP, Tipi V 13-12-7-18LL,
32496, loc, QEP, Tipi V 1-13-12T2H,
32495, loc, QEP, Tipi V 1-13-12BH,
32494, loc, QEP, Tipi V 1-13-12TH,
32493, loc, QEP, Tipi V 2-13-12BH,


2015 (list is complete)
32406, SI/NC, QEP,
32405, SI/NC, QEP,
32404, SI/NC, QEP,
32403, SI/NC, QEP,
32402, SI/NC, QEP,
32401, SI/NC, QEP,
31690, SI/NC, QEP,
31536, SI/NC, QEP, 
31535, SI/NC, QEP,
31534, SI/NC, QEP,
31533, SI/NC, QEP,
31532, SI/NC, QEP,
31531, SI/NC, QEP,
31458, loc, HRC, 
31457, loc, HRC,
31456, loc, HRC,
31455, loc, HRC,
31454, loc, HRC,
30909, 1,036, QEP, State 4-26-1TH, t3/16, cum 38K after 32 days;
30908, 564, QEP, State 4-36-1TH, t3/16; cum 10K after 17 days;
30907, 648, QEP, State 8-36-1BH, t3/16; cum 22K after 27 days;
30906, 1,110, QEP, State 4-36-1T2H, t3/16; cum 22K after 21 days;
30905, 2,385, QEP, State 9-36-1BH, 4 sections, t3/16; cum 61K 5/16;
30904, 2,024, QEP, State 5-36-1TH, 4 sections, t2/16; cum 56K 5/16 (46 days);
30712, 817, QEP, State 5-25-24TH, 4 sections, t2/16; cum 29K after 40 days;
30711, 670, QEP, State 9-25-24BH, 4 sections, t2/16; cum 49K 5/16;
30710, 139, QEP, State 4-25-24T2H, 4 sections, t2/16; cum 11K after 32 days;
30709, 991, QEP, State 8-25-24BH, 4 sections, t2/16; cum 53K 5/16;
30708, 375, QEP, State 4-25-24TH, 4 sections, t3/16; cum 10K after 14 days;
30707, 595, QEP, State 7-25-24BH, 4 sections, t3/16; cum 24K after 32 days;
30666, 2,553, WPX, Emma Owner 23-14HA, t3/16; cum 118K 5/16;
30585, loc, QEP, Tipi V 1-24-25T2H,
30584, loc, QEP, Tipi V 2-24-25BH,
30583, loc, QEP, Tipi V 1-24-25TH,
30582, loc, QEP, Tipi V 3-24-25BH,
30581, loc, QEP, Tipi V 2-24-25TH

2014 (this list is complete)
30290, 1,888, QEP, Dailey 4-12-13TH, t7/15; cum 67K 5/16;
30289, 2,197, QEP, Dailey 7-12-13BH, t7/15; cum 125K 5/16;
30288, 2,067, QEP, Dailey 4-12-13T2H, t7/15; cum 48K 5/16;
30287, 951, QEP, Dailey 6-12-13BH, t7/15; cum 175K 5/16;
30122, conf, WPX, Hackberry 34-27HG,
30052, conf, WPX, Good Voice 34-27HF,
30051, conf, WPX, Good Voice 34-27HU,
30007, conf, Enerplus, Arctic 150-94-36BH,
29629, 294, QEP, Foreman 6-2-1TH, t4/15; cum 144K 5/16; only half-months 4/16 and 5/16;
29531, SI/NC, Enerplus, Mink 150-94-04B-09H TF,
29530, SI/NC, Enerplus, Raccoon 150-94-04B-09H,
29529, SI/NC, Enerplus, Badger 150-94-04B-09H TF,
29528, 2,118, Enerplus, Muskrat 150-94-04B-09H, t4/16; cum 77K 5/16;
29449, 2,049, WPX, Emma Owner 23-14HW, t3/16; cum 91K 5/16;
29448, 1,986, WPX, Emma Owner 23-14HD, t3/16; cum 103K 5/16;
29447, 1,690, WPX, Emma Owner 23-14HC, t3/16; cum 90K 5/16;
29446, 1,871, WPX, Emma Owner 23-14HX, t3/16; cum 100K 5/16;
29445, 2,441, WPX, Emma Owner 23-14HB, t3/16; cum 134K 5/16;
29407, PNC, QEP, Foreman 4-2-1BH,
29406, PNC, QEP, Foreman 2-2-1TH,
29405, PNC, QEP, Foreman 3-2-1BH,
28984, 1,849, WPX, Mandaree 24-13HY, t9/15; cum 208K 5/16;
28983, 2,222, WPX, Mandaree 24-13HD, t9/15; cum 259K 5/16;
28982, 823, WPX, Mandaree 24-13HZ2, t9/15; cum 56K 5/16;
28981, 1,642, WPX, Mandaree 24-13HZ, t9/15; cum 194K 5/16;
28933, 2,704, QEP, Foreman 1-2-1TH, t5/15; cum 215K 5/16;
28932, 2472, QEP, Foreman 2-2-1BH, t5/15; cum 207K 5/16;
28931, 2,016, QEP, Foreman 1-2-1BH, 51 stages, 9.8 million lbs, t4/15; cum 210K 5/16;

2013 (the list is complete)

• 27070, 1,892, WPX, Good Voice 34-27HB, Spotted Horn, t11/14; cum 179K 10/15;
• 27069, 1,808, WPX, Good Voice 34-27HZ, Spotted Horn, t11/14; cum 56K 2/15;
• 27068, 502, WPX, Good Voice 34-27HD, Spotted Horn, t11/14; cum 84K 2/15;
• 25175, 1,199, WPX, Morsette 35-26HZ, Spotted Horn, Three Forks first bench, 35 stages; 2.4 million lbs sand, t9/14; cum 105K 2/15;
• 25174, 2,246, WPX, Morsette 35-26HD, Spotted Horn, t9/14; cum 97K 2/15;
• 25173, 1,597 (NDIC) / 1,218 (sundry form), WPX, Morsette 35-26HZ, Spotted Horn, Three Forks first bench, 35 stages, 5.2 million lbs sand, t9/14; cum 115K 2/15;
• 24753, 1,589, ERF, Fox 150-94-04A-09H, Spotted Horn, middle Bakken, 39 stages; 9.3 million lbs sand, t12/13; cum 262K 2/15;
• 24752, 1,377, ERF, Bobcat 150-94-04A-09H TF, Spotted Horn, t1/14; cum 132K 2/15;
• 26609, 1,703, ERF, Pride 150-94-06A-18H TF, Spotted Horn, t10/14; cum 140K 2/15;
• 26608, 1,601, ERF, Courage 150-94-06A-18H, Spotted Horn, middle Bakken, 55 stages; 13 million lbs, t6/14; cum 331K 10/15;

2012

• 23922, PNC, Helis, Henderon Federal 5-25/36H, Spotted Horn, 
• 23639, 1,482, WPX, Patricia Kelly 2-1HB, Spotted Horn, 16 stages; 3.2 million lbs; t3/13; cum 261K 5/16;
• 23542, 1,007, ERF, Grace 150-94-06B-07H, Spotted Horn, t2/13; cum 253K 5/16;
• 23541, 1,545, ERF, Honor 150-94-06B-18H TF, Spotted Horn, t6/14; cum 345K 10/15; choked back or off-line for operational reasons; cum 419K 5/16;
• 23270, 2,139, EOG, Bear Den 8-1621H, 2 sec, t7/13; cum 243K 5/16;
• 23269, 1,607, EOG, Bear Den 24-1621H, Spotted Horn, 2 sec, t8/13; cum 257K 5/16; only 10 days 5/16;
• 23268, 1,487, EOG, Bear Den 25-16H, 2 sec, t7/13; cum 210K 5/16;
• 23267, 110, EOG, Bear Den 17-16H, 2 sec, t7/13; cum 204K 5/16;
• 23178, 1,812, ERF,  Prairie Dog 150-94-04A-09H (was TF), Spotted Horn, t1/14; cum 389K 5/16;
• 23066, 261, EOG, Bear Den 102-1708H, 2 sec, Spotted Horn, t6/13; cum 355K 5/16;
• 23065, 282, EOG, Bear Den 20-1708H, 2 sec, Spotted Horn, t6/13; cum 378K 5/16;
• 23064, 459, EOG, Bear Den 108-1708H, Three Forks; 2 sec, Spotted Horn, 45 stages; 9 million lbs; t6/13; cum 344K 5/16;
• 23063, 1,418, EOG, Bear Den 100-2017H, 2 sec, Spotted Horn, 4 sections, t8/13; cum 430K 5/16;
• 23062, 455, EOG, Bear Den 101-2019H, 2 sec, Spotted Horn, 4 sections, t8/13; cum 308K 5/16;
• 23061, 1,206, EOG, Bear Den 23-2019H, 2 sec, Spotted Horn, 4 sections, t8/13; cum 303K 5/16;
• 22897, 1,510, WPX, Kate Soldier 23-14HZ, 2 sec, Spotted Horn, t12/12; cum 273K 5/16;
• 22629, 180, WPX, Sweet Grass Wman 22-15HB, 2 sec, Spotted Horn, t7/12; cum 304K 5/16;

2011

• 21689, 1,665, EOG, Bear Den 104-2116H, 2 sec, sited right in the middle of the two sections; Spotted Horn, t9/12; cum 242K 5/18;
• 21688, 957, EOG, Bear Den 103-21H, 2 sec, sited right in the middle of the two sections, Spotted Horn, t9/12; cum 199K 5/18;
• 21539, 1,852, ERF, Arikara 150-94-32D-29H TF, Spotted Horn, 2 sections, t3/15; cum 295K 5/18;
• 21538, 2,143, ERF, TAT 150-94-32D-29H, Spotted Horn, 2 sections, t3/15; cum 352K 5/18;
• 21537, 1,522, ERF, Hidatsa 150-94-32C-29H, Spotted Horn, 2 sections, t2/15; cum 360K 5/18;
• 21536, 1,348, ERF, Mandan 150-94-32C-29H TF, Spotted Horn, 2 sections, 40 stages; 10 million lbs, t2/15; cum 341K 5/18;
• 21521, 1,521, QEP/Helis, Dailey 4-12/13H, t3/12; cum 425K 5/18; 2 sec; Spotted Horn;
• 21331, 2,164, QEP/Helis, Foreman 5-2/1H, t1/12; cum 379K 5/18; 2 sec; Spotted Horn;
• 20981, 1,048, ERF, Hall 5-11H, Spotted Horn, 1 section, t2/14; cum 288K 5/18;
• 20915, 3,363, Bruin/HRC/G3 Operating/Petro-Hunt, Fort Berthold 150-94-3B-10-2H, 2 sec; Spotted Horn, t8/13; cum 275K 5/18;
• 20578, 1,667, EOG, Bear Den 18-21H, 2 sec, sited right in the middle of the two sections; Spotted Horn, t9/12; cum 274K 5/18;
• 20577, 1,886, EOG, Bear Den 19-2116H, 2 sec, sited right in the middle of the two sections; Spotted Horn, t9/12; cum 178K 5/18;
• 20575, PNC, EOG, Bear Den 17-2116H, 2 sec, sited right in the middle of the two sections;
• 20556, 185, WPX/Zenergy, Gerald Hale 33-28H/Dakota-3 Gerald Hale 33-28H, Spotted Horn, t12/11; cum 307K 5/18;
• 20359, 96, WPX/Zenergy, Bear Den 24-13H2/Dakota-3 Bear Den 24-13H2, middle Bakken, Spotted Horn, 12 stages; 2.7 million lbs; gas as high as 5,000 units, but decreased near the end of the lateral; compressor placed 8/13 for sole purpose of reducing flaring; t10/11; cum 479K 5/18; choked back to 1,400 bbls over 10 days in February, 2015;

• 20149, PNC, EOG, Bear Den 3-30H,
• 19604, PNC, WPX/Zenergy, Mandaree 24-13HD/Dakota-3 Mandaree 24-13H, Spotted Horn, 2 sec,
• 19341, 645, EOG, Bear Den 05-31H, Spotted Horn, t10/11; cum 178K 5/18; one section;
• 19297, PNC, EOG, Bear Den 08-21H, 2 sections; sited in the middle to the west;
• 19278, 593, ERF/Peak ND, Audrey Rabbithead Hall 33-11H, Spotted Horn, t11/10; 141K 5/18;
• 19170, 1,882, EOG, Bear Den 07-17H, Spotted Horn, t1/11; cum 269K 5/18; one sec;
• 19157, 1,476, EOG, Bear Den 04-20H, Spotted Horn, t3/12; cum 302K 5/18;one sec;
• 18948, 1,912, WPX/Zenergy, KYW 27-34H/Dakota-3 Kyw 27-34H, Spotted Horn, t10/10; cum 330K 5/18;
• 18803, 1,066, WPX/Zenergy, Morsette 35-26H, Dakota-3 Morsette 35-26H, Spotted Horn, t10/10; cum 479K 5/18;

Before 2010

• 18248, 644, SM Energy, Bear Den Federal 4Z-30H, Bear Den, t1/10; cum 198K 5/18;
• 17662, 903, SM Energy, Bear Den Federal 4Y-30H, Bear Den, t1/10; cum 298K 5/18;
• 16446, PA/97, SM Energy, Bear Den Federal 4-30H, Madison, t3/07; cum 123K 5/16;
• 16319, 410, XTO/Newfield, Bear Den State 2-36H, Bear Den, t4/08; cum 141K 5/18;
• 11913, 17, SM Energy/Flying J, Bear Den Federal 10-25HR, Bakken;  t12/01; cum 60K 5/18;
• 11913, 1,476/PNA, SM Energy/Flying J, Bear Den Federal 10-25HR, Red River; t3/86; cum 173K

******************

21331, 2,164, QEP/Helis, Foreman 5-2/1H, Spotted Horn, Bakken, t1/12; cum 379K 5/18; this one has been off-line since 9/14; back on line 5/15; lots of flaring; off-line about 15 days (or more) each month;
17254, 1,313, QEP/Helis, Henderson 4-25H, Spotted Horn, Bakken; this is a short lateral, t8/10; cum 247K 5/18;

Spotted Horn field is a relatively small field: only about one township (approximately 36 sections in size): T150-94W.  (For more about this well, scroll down.)

It is located entirely within the reservation, west of the river. It is immediately west of Reunion Bay, east side of the river, which in turn is west of the very active Van Hook. The junction of state highway 73 (east - west) and state highway 22 (north - south) is pretty much right in the center of this field.

By the way, the scenery along state highway 22 is absolutely stunning.

It looks like this field is going to be active with mostly short laterals throughout.

Spotted Horn Oil Field

Spotted Horn is a small field on the southwestern side of the reservation, with Reunion Bay on the east, Squaw Creek on the south, Blue Buttes on the west, and Antelope on the north. All these fields are pretty good little fields.

As noted above, it is for all practical purposes, one township: T150-94, with about 39 sections now.

Here is the status of the activity (as of December 31, 2010; wells are updated above):

• 17251, Helis, short lateral, 416, t10/08/ cum 165K 5/18;
• 17266, Helis, short lateral, 912, t10/08/ cum 202K 5/18;
• 17254, Helis, short lateral, 1,313, Henderson 4-25H, t8/10; cum 247K 5/18;
• 17260, Helis, short lateral, 535, t10/08; cum 208K 5/18;
• 17197, Sundance, 284, Chase 21-30H, t11/08; cum 74K 5/18; -- needs to be re-fracked
• 17978, WPX/Zenergy, short lateral, 993, Dakota-3 Nathan Hale 4-25H, t1/10; cum 304K 5/18;
• 18803, 1,066, WPX/Zenergy, Dakota-3 Morsette 35-26H, t10/10; cum 479K 5/18;
• 19341, 645, EOG, Bear Den 05-31H, t10/11; cum 178K 5/18;
• 18948, 1,912, WPX/Zenergy, Dakota-3 KYW 27-34H, t10/10; cum 330K 5/18;
• 19157, 1,476, EOG, Bear Den 04-20H, one section, t3/11; cum 302K 5/18;
• 19297, PNC, EOG, Bear Den 08-21H
• 19170, PNC, EOG, Bear Den 07-17H
• 20088, 1,390, 2-well pad (20086), HRC/Petro-Hunt, Fort Berthold 150-94-3B-10-1H, Sanish pool, t1/12; cum 515K 5/18;
• 20086, 1,266, 2-well pad (20088), Petro-Hunt, Fort Berthold 151-94-34C-27-1H, t1/12; cum 470K 5/18;
• 20149, PNC, EOG, Bear Den 3-30H; this one is just 1500 feet to the east of 17197

It will be interesting to see how the EOG wells do; and, then, of course, the 2-well Petro-Hunt pad

The Lost Decade -- Not a Bakken Story

I am currently on the road (again).

One week ago, gasoline at the local service station was $2.99 for "87" grade. Today it's $3.17, after passing through $3.07 fairly quickly. (The price of oil, by the way, went over $89/bbl, earlier today, but has since dropped back a bit.)

Now I read about the severe cold in Atlanta, Georgia, and how folks are standing in line for government aid to help pay for heating bills.

"I never thought I would be in the line," [applicant Deandre] Marshall said. "It's almost like being in a soup line during the great depression."

The fact that "we've" gotten to this point in the US is very, very frustrating for me. It's frustrating, because I know it didn't have to be this way. I am absolutely convinced the US lost a decade tilting at windmills (literally) when there were better options. In my mind, the last decade, 2000 - 2010, will be remembered as the lost decade for the US for achieving energy dependence.

I don't like it, but I guess things happen that way.


I Guess Things Happen That Way, Norah Jones and Kris Kristopherson

Since President Nixon, the federal government has talked about energy independence, and in fact, it's gotten worse, not better. Under the current administration, the rate of going backwards with regard to energy independence has accelerated.

But I digress. With regard to the folks in Atlanta, natural gas would go a long way to help these folks. New York state has put a moratorium on shale gas drilling until at least May, 2011. It's just a matter of time before Sears starts advertising [Benjamin] Franklin stoves again, and folks start burning trees.

On a related note, Europe is experiencing a devastating early-winter cold spell. By the way, this cold weather was predicted: this article was published October 4, 2010 -- forecasters predict the coldest winter in Europe in 1,000 years. Not ten years, not one hundred years, but 1,000 years.

With regard to price of gasoline, ... well, I've already talked about that ... won't start again....

Shale Gas: Too Good to Be True?

This is quite an incredible article, authored by someone who "believes" in man-made greenhouse gases contributing to global warming.

Finally, some common sense.

Oh, by the way, the other reason natural gas is too good to be true: natural gas is NOT a fossil fuel.

High Speed Train -- Actually Only the Track -- to Nowhere -- Not a Bakken Story

Don't worry; we will get back to the Bakken momentarily.

This will eventually be filed under "I Can't Make This Stuff Up."

Despite the significant debt we already have, California plans to build a high speed rail but will not provide any trains or maintenance facilities for the track segment ... because ... drum roll.... it won't connect to any existing track. It will not only "go nowhere," it won't "start anywhere."

It will literally be a bridge with no highways leading to it.

But California a) needs the jobs; and, b) deadline for grabbing Federal money is slowly approaching.

The French and Chinese continue to "beat the pants off the US" when it comes to high speed rail; a Chinese passenger train just hit a new record, 300 mph. This train will run between Shanghai and Beijing, certainly not a train that goes nowhere.

But the US is great at sending seven astronauts into space every seven months (when the weather cooperates).

Meanwhile, the President's debt commission will vote today on a debt reduction program which includes cutting subsidies to farmers.

*******

CNBC talked about this story on December 28, 2010.

Unemployment Numbers Stunned Analysts -- Not a Bakken Story

The unemployment rate, back up to 9.8 percent, stunned analysts and talking heads on early morning television. It is being reported that even the White House was surprised by the numbers, having expected to see better growth in jobs.

I can't recall if I posted it or not, but I definitely discussed the unemployment rate in private e-mails. Several months ago I opined that the moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico would have a bigger effect than most folks realized. I can only imagine the number of jobs lost in Louisiana. Not only jobs directly related to the oil industry, but all the jobs indirectly related to the oil industry are being affected: food services, health services, transportation services, and the list goes on.

This is not rocket science.

New York state halts hydraulic fracturing until at least May, 2011. I assume those workers will be idle or laid off, receiving unemployment benefits at a fraction of what they were earning while working. [Update: following my posting, others were reporting the same thing. The moratorium on hydraulic fracking means loss of American jobs.]

Off-shore drilling ban is extended for another seven years. [Update: mainstream media is starting to sit up and take notice.]

Gulf of Mexico: permit purgatory. Obama may have mortally wounded the industry offshore Louisiana. This administration has done more to set back any chance of energy independence than any previous administration. It really is quite remarkable.

Prominent members of Congress want to stop TransCanada's Keystone XL project.

The federal government is holding up leases on federal land (previously awarded) in the west.

Oh, by the way, back to the unemployment. The government said that 39,000 jobs were created last month. 39,000 jobs. That's a rounding error. There's no way the numbers could be that precise. That is neither reproducible nor statistically significant.

Huge Pick Up in Pickup Sales in North Dakota -- Not a Bakken Story

Due to robust farm economy, the number of pickups that are being sold has increased remarkably.