Why The Bakken Continues to Surprise, Impress -- Haystack Butte -- Bakken, North Dakkota, USA

Elsewhere someone asked whether "19129" was on a pump yet.

The NDIC reports are about two months behind. The current data was probably posted as of August 31, 2011, about six weeks ago, and paperwork getting to NDIC could have been delayed, so it's very possible that "19129" is now on a pump, but as of August 31, 2011, NDIC report, it was still flowing on its own.

And how is "19129" doing? In less than a year, it has produced almost 90,000 bbls of oil. It's operator, Burlington Resources, has a history of shutting in wells early on and this well has produced all 31 days in one month on only one occasion, back in January.

So, although it tested in October, 2010, it has produced only about six full months (202 days to be exact; 6.7 months).

• 19129, 1,680, BR, Aiden 31-13H, Haystack Butte, Bakken, s7/10; t10/10; 89,000 bbls as of August, 31, 2011 (but as noted: only 7 months of production).

Haystack Butte is in the east-central McKenzie County area which is turning out to be quite a productive area. Here are some exciting fields around Haystack Butte: Siverston, Bear Den, and Little Knife.

By the way, speaking of "Bear Den," if you haven't seen this video, you are in for a treat (I love the music):





The views are spectacular. Imagine how pretty it is during the summer; how dangerous it is during the worst part of winter. If you are impatient, move ahead to 6:00 minute-mark. This should change your view forever about North Dakota's topograph.

These roads, by the way, were built by the oil companies, belong to the oil companies, and are off-limits to the public.

The big trucks in the Bakken: Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth, and Western Star. It seems Kenworth might have the edge, followed by Western Star.

I have a special spot in my heart for Western Star trucks.