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Monday, April 4, 2011

Seven (7) New Permits -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

Producers: CLR (2), Fidelity, Whiting, Hess, Oasis, and Hunt.

Fields: Green River, Bell, Alger, Dollar Joe, Parshall, and two wildcats.

One of the wildcats is a CLR wildcat south of Stockyard Creek, southeast of Williston.

The other wildcat, the Oasis permit, is north of Williston.

Interestingly, Fidelity's permit is in Green River. The Green River oil field is just north of Zenith oil field; the two fields share a common border. Remember Zenith? Yeah, that's where Empire Oil just paid $9,000/acre for five tracts.

Rigzone: The Bakken Helping to Make up the Deficit Due to the Permitorium -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

Link here. From the Rigzone:
A spill-related slowdown in the Gulf of Mexico could cut into oil production from the offshore basin for several years. But a number of emerging oil fields onshore, once thought out of reach, are helping the U.S. fill in the gap in the meantime.

Oil and gas companies, using techniques mastered in recent years to produce natural gas from shales and other dense rocks, are now having success extracting big quantities of oil from tight rock formations stretching from Texas to North Dakota.
A very nice article.
The Bakken shale, for instance, could hold more than 4 billion barrels of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil -- a 25-fold increase over what could be recovered in 1995, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Other emerging U.S. oil fields include the Granite Wash, from North Texas into Oklahoma.
That number -- 4 billion barrels -- probably includes both the Bakken formation and the Three Forks formation. Regardless, it's a huge number.

According to the Bismarck Tribune:
Bakken production had been just 13 million barrels until 2004 but jumped 191 million barrels since then, records show.
So, rounding, 200 million barrels so far from the Bakken. 4,000 million / 200 million = 20 years at current rates of production. Production is expected to increase significantly over the next few years however. But that fits the "Bakken analysis" which suggests new drilling will continue until 2030, and production from the Bakken will continue through 2100.

Harold Hamm, CLR/CEO opines there are 24 billion barrels of recoverable oil from the Bakken pool (Bakken and Three Forks formations).

Happy Anniversary: 60 Years in the Oil Patch, Williston Basin, North Dakota, USA

The Clarence Iverson well hit oil on April 4, 1951.

This is a nice review. Unfortunately it's a regional article and the link will probably break soon.  If I get time, I will provide some data points from the article.

The most important takeaway: the Bakken formation overshadows every other pay zone in the Williston Basin, but Bakken technology will eventually be used for those other non-communicating formations.

Heart of the Bakken: Another Record -- Snowiest Winter On Record for Williston, North Dakota, USA

It's official. Williston, North Dakota, set a new record for the most snow in any winter in its history: 95.1 inches. The previous record was 94.7 inches.

The year for the previous record was not given in this Bismarck Tribune story but it was probably pre-global warming days. [Update: yes, according to the Williston Herald, the previous record was set in 1895-1896 -- definitely before global warming.]

I can't make this stuff up. The linked article was posted one year ago, April 2, 2010.  Most interesting are the UN sessions in 2008 concerned about less snowfall in the future due to global warming.

The most interesting thing about this story is the fact that Williston has never been known for snow. It's been known for very cold winters, but with regard to snow, Williston seldom gets much snow. I remember all my high school years wishing there was more snow to go snowmobiling, but not to be. There were a lot of nearly snowless winters.

Can't wait to see what next year brings.

$120 WTI Oil? -- CNBC

Two talking heads on CNBC within the last hour, on two different segments, two different shows both suggested oil will go to $120.

One pundit noted there is some evidence of "demand destruction" or "pulling away from the pump." But he said that was good news: they will spend their money elsewhere. [Assuming they can get to there, as Tina Fey would say.]

It's good to remember that in his energy security speech President Obama was not concerned, noting that a $10 rise in a barrel of oil only translates to a 25 cent / gallon increase in the price of gasoline. And since gasoline is creeping up 20 to 40 cents, it appears that some folks are talking oil up to $120.

The increasing price of oil was related to a) weakness of the dollar; and, b) inflation. It was noted that disasters (Japanese nuclear reactor/earthquake), political events (Libyan "kinetic military action"), and improving global economy (China, India) might be playing a small role in the increasing price of oil.

Meanwhile, CNBC noted several times this morning that the spread between Brent and WTI was widening once again, after coming closer together last week.

BEXP Reports Two More Nice Wells -- Some Selected Wells Coming Off Confidential List Today -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

BEXP reported IPs on two wells. The Knoshaug had come off the confidential list awhile back but was on DRL status waiting to be completed. I believe the Gibbons is still on the confidential list:
  • 19406, 3,761, BEXP, Knoshaug 14-11 1H, Wildcat, Bakken, midway between Williston, and Stockyard Creek where SSN has some nice wells
  • 19561, 2,305, BEXP, Gibbons, 1-12 1H, Wildcat, Bakken, southwest of Williston, near Forts Buford and Union
Some selected wells that came off the confidential list today. The full list is here.

Hess, finally, had a well with a great IP, but first month's production is not remarkable; note the field:
  • 19189, 1,213, Hess, T R Slette 18-1H, Truax, Bakken, spudded 10/10; tested 2/11; 18K in 24 days 
Newfield, again, had what looks like a great well; Newfield continues to impress; again, note the field:
Burlington Resources and URSA report two nice wells:
  • 18675, 1,806, BR, Franklin 24-36H, Little Knife, Bakken, spudded 10/10; tested 1/11 
  • 19295, 1,004, URSA, Jeanie 25-36 2H, Pierre Creek, Bakken, spudded 10/10; tested 2/11;9K in 28 days
I am still not impressed with the Clear Water field:
  • 18479, 249, EOG, Sidonia 17-1324H, Clear Water, Bakken, spudded 7/10; tested 10/10; 25K in 5 months
I have not followed the Hofflund field:
  • 18811, 811, XTO, Sass 34X-8, Hofflund, Bakken; spudded 10/10; tested 12/10
And I have no idea what happened here:
  • 19446, 24, MRO, TAT USA 13-23H, Reunion Bay, Bakken, spudded 10/10; tested 2/11

Environmentalists Run Amok and Half Moon Bay One Step Closer to Bankruptcy -- Not a Bakken Story

This is a long, convoluted story that has nothing to do with the Bakken.

I am placing this here simply for my own use for later reference. I recommend folks who follow this site for information on the Bakken to ignore this post. Again, some times I find things I want to keep for future reference and have nowhere else to place it, so it goes here. (No, I don't want a separate blog.)

Many years ago, in a different life, I spent some time around Half Moon Bay, California. Most beautiful place in the world. Great memories.

So, I was quite surprised to see the headline on the Drudge Report that Half Moon Bay, to forestall bankruptcy, will be outsourcing its police department.

How could Half Moon Bay end up in such financial problems, to be on the brink of bankruptcy?

It all has to do with environmentalists running amok.

I knew nothing about the story until today. Fortunately for the blogosphere. The "Californians for Property Rights" tell the story. I have no connection with that group; in fact, I had not heard of it until now. But they can write a good story. Stories we would not find in the mainstream media.

1. The California Coastal Act was passed in 1976 by popular vote. Its language was so ambiguous and broad that potholes collecting water could be litigated to qualify as wetlands.

2. In the 1980s, Half Moon Bay installed storm drains. Over time, the storm drains became plugged with debris, and water backed up in the drains, resulting in large areas of water pooling in and around Half Moon Bay. One can argue how that occurred but most likely it was due to failure to maintain the storm drains.

3. Under pressure from environmentalists, the government confiscated a 24-acre swath of "wetlands." Twenty-four acres of land along the beautiful coast of California is worth a bit of money. The owner sued and was awarded $37 million. And that drove the city to insolvency.

The mainstream media article gave several inches of ink to the loss of the police department but provided a single paragraph reminding folks how this all occurred.
Everyone knew this day was coming. It's been coming for four years, ever since U.S. District Court Judge John Walker dealt the city a devastating $41 million judgment in a land-use case infamously known as Beachwood. The city then settled the suit for $18 million, which it will be paying off for the next 30 years.
Actions have consequences.

New Wells Reporting -- Second Quarter, 2011 -- North Dakota, USA

NOTE: Detailed background regarding this page down below the data.

Data for 2Q16: 2Q16
Data for 1Q16: 1Q16
Data for 4Q15: 4Q15
Data for 3Q15: 3Q15
Data for 2Q15: 2Q15
Data for 1Q15: 1Q15
Data for 4Q14: 4Q14
Data for 3Q14: 3Q14
Data for 2Q14: 2Q14
Data for 1Q14: 1Q14
Data for 4Q13: 4Q13
Data for 3Q13: 3Q13
Data for 2Q13: 2Q13
Data for 1Q13: 1Q13
Data for 4Q12: 4Q12
Data for 3Q12: 3Q12
Data for 2Q12: 2Q12
  Data for 1Q12: 1Q12   
Data for 4Q11: 4Q11 
Data for 3Q11: 3Q11 
Data for 2Q11: 2Q11 
 Data for 1Q11: 1Q11  
 Data for 2H10: 2H10 
Through 1H10: 1H10
(IPs in parentheses: press release, generally 24-hour flowback released by company)

19955, WI, Ward-Williston, LDCMU 9-13, Little Deep Creek, Madison (not a Bakken); WI;
20274, 1,253, MRO, One Featehr USA 11-17H, Deep Water Creek, Bakken, t11/11; cum 331K 3/19; offline for a couple of months in early 2019; now back on line, 3/19; subtle jump in production;
19839, 1,311, MRO, Windy Boy USA 12-35H, Antelope, Bakken, t8/11; cum 352K 10/18; offline as of 10/18; remains offline 3/18;

20160, 2,173, Equinor//Statoil/BEXP, Field 18-19 3H, Todd, Bakken, s3/11; t10/11; 229K 3/19;
19493, 627, Hess, EN-Uran A-154-93 2215H-1, Robinson Lake, Bakken; t1/11; cum 234K 3/19;
18827, 732, EOG, Liberty 10-36H, Van Hook, Bakken, t2/11; cum 321K 3/19;
19382, 287, EOG, Crowfoot 35-3031H, Clear Water, Bakken, t1/11; cum 154K 3/19;
19828, 404, Hess, Kostelnak 28-1H, Little Knife, Bakken, 23K in 30 days; t4/14; cum 181K 3/19;
19551, 215, Cornerstone, Olney 2-25H, Flaxton, Madison (not a Bakken well); t5/11; cum 70K 3/19;
19961, 2,816, Whiting/KOG, Koala 3-2-11-14H, Poe, Bakken, t7/11; cum 396K 4/17;
19484, 187, XTO, Normark 24X-31, McGregor, Bakken (despite no "H", this is a horizontal); t3/11; cum 83K 9/15;
19975, DRY, Armstrong Operating, Zastoupil 1-17, Wildcat, Lodgepole,  TA
20208, 980, CLR, Hawkinson 2-27H, Oakdale, Bakken, t9/11; cum 438K 4/17;
20022, 1,067, SM, Jaynes 16-12H, Poe/Wildcat, Bakken; t6/11; cum 225K 9/15;
19524, 113, Samson Resources, Denali 13-24-163-98H, Blooming Prairie, Bakken, t4/12; cum 49K 9/15;
20032, 9, OXY USA, Kannegieter 160-90-17 P-1H, Dimond, Bakken, low IP but seems to be recovering, t8/11; cum 128K 9/15;
18606, 117, Hess, RS-Nelson Farms A-156-90-2829H-3, Ross, Bakken, t1/11; cum 146K 9/15;
19275, 193, Fidelity, Wock 14-11H, Dutch Henry Butte, Bakken, t5/11; cum 118K 9/15;
19478, 1,458, EOG, Round Prairie 10-1819H, Round Prairie/Wildcat, Bakken, t1/11; cum 171K 9/15;
19056, 825, Hess, Devils Canyon 17-1H, Lone Butte, Bakken, t8/11; cum 215K 9/15;
20110, 3, Prima, Gunnison 41-23H, Clayton/Wildcat, Bakken; problems with fracking; only 3 stages; fracking will be completed later
19511, 793, Petro-Hunt, Brenna 152-96-14B-23-3H, Clear Creek, Bakken
20195, DRL, Oil for American, Dohrman 14-1, Wildcat, Lodgepole
19210, 637, EOG, Liberty 3-14H, Van Hook, Bakken
19749, 419, CLR, Bratlien 2-35H, Sadler, Bakken
19286,1,464, BR, Sunline 11-1TF-2SH, Clear Creek, Bakken, but no production after first month
19504, 539, XTO, Linda 41X-22, Capa, Bakken
20127, 462, CLR, Nielsen 1-12H, Wildrose, Bakken
19626, 1,060, MRO, Wardner 24-35H, Bailey, Bakken
19853, PNC, Core 54 Oil and Gas, Longshot 10-23 1, Wildcat, Three Forks
19637, 433, CLR, Akron 1-27H, Banks, Bakken
18590, 540, CLR, Chicago 1-26H, Banks, Bakken
19292, 1,358, XTO, FBIR Baker 34X-25, Heart Butte, Bakken
19323, 2,521, QEP/Helis, Thompson 1-29/32H, Grail, Bakken, t8/11; cum 560K 4/17;
19337, 772, WLL, Mann 21-18TFH, North Creek, Bakken
20116, 2,533, QEP, MHA 1-05-08H-17-92, Heart Butte, Bakken, t7/11; cum 362K 4/17;
19252, 561, G3, Anderson 1-24-13H, Wildcat, Bakken
19910, 949, XTO, Ernest Federal 31X-19, Haystack Butte, Bakken, Middle Bakken formation, 18 stages
19326, 1,287, Denbury Onshore, Koeser 41-15 SWH, Siverston, Bakken
19718, 205, Marathon, Forest USA 14-2H, Bakken
18064, 1,085, Zavanna, Cougar 1-35H, Stony Creek, Bakken
19559, 371, Murex, Ryan Curtis 33-4H, McGregor, Bakken
19567, PA, Legacy, Legacy Etal Bliss 13-10H-1H, Wildcat, Spearfish, note the pool
19941, 53, Ballantyne, Brandy 9-21, Spring Coulee, Madison, note the pool
19838, 1,069, MRO, Debbie Baklenko USA 12-26H, Antelope, Sanish, note the pool; t6/11; cum 130K 11/13;
18650, 258, Whiting, BSMU 3203v, Big Stick, Madison, note the pool, and note this is a vertical well
18111, 776, Petro-Hunt, Thompson 8D-4-4H, Charlson, Bakken, t5/11; cum 178K 11/13;
18974, 578, Hess, AN-Prosser-152-95-0211H-1, Antelope, Sanish, note the pool, t12/10; cum 152K 11/13;
19822, 342, North Plains, D. Cvancara 9-11H, Corinth, Bakken, t5/11; cum 47K 11/13;
19993, 1,242, Slawson, Hunter 2-8-17H, Big Bend, Bakken, t11/11; cum 251K 8/16;
19489, 21, Baytex, Haugland 9-162-99H, Ambrose, Bakken, 10K bbls in last 45 days reporting
19358, 698, EOG, Ross 22-07H, Alger, Bakken
19266, 38, Baytex, Haugland 4-162-99H, Ambrose, Bakken, producing about 3,000 bopm
18985, 1,556, OXY USA, State Knopik 1-21-16H-144-97, Little Knife, Bakken, t1/11; cum 188
K 8/16;
18823, 906, OXY USA, State -1-16-21H-143-96, Fayette, Bakken, t4/11; cum 256K 11/13;
19579, 470, American Oil and Gas, Barman 15-7H, Ray, Bakken
18954, 747, Slawson, Nightcrawler 2-17H, Van Hook, Bakken
CP, 1,904, Esther Hynek 10-11 1H
CP, 2,375, BEXP, Brad Olson 9-16 3H
CP, 3,091, BEXP, Erickson 8-17 3H
19807, 3,232, BEXP, Greenstein 30-31 1H, Camp, Bakken, t4/11; cum 215K 8/16;
19764, 3,249, Statoil/BEXP, Vachal 3-34 1H, Alger, Bakken, t5/11; cum 308K 4/17;
19834, 1,291, MRO, Jacob Madison 11-27H, Reunion Bay, Bakken
18778, 182, Hess, EN-Dolan-157-94-2833H-2, Pleasant Valley, Bakken
19495, 854, Hunt, McAlmond 1-32-29H 1, Parshall, Bakken
19635, 217, Newfield, Christensen 159-102-17-20-1H, Wildcat, Bakken
CP, 1,182, WLL, Barlow 14-6H
CP, 920, WLL, Deal 43-28TFH
CP, 1,416, WLL, Arndt 14-5XH
CP, 1,087, WLL, Scott Meiers 12-17TFH
CP, 1,529, WLL, Ness 42-31WH
CP, 715, WLL, Warden 43-9TFH
CP, 2,212, WLL, Hoover 14-1X
CP, 1,254, WLL, Guinn Trust 1-13TFH
CP, 2,028, WLL, Smith 14-29XH
CP, 1,232, WLL, Hollinger 21-14TFH
CP, 596, WLL, Hollinger 11-14TFH
CP, 440, WLL, Robert Patten 44-3TFH
CP, 2,247, WLL, State 12-32H
19257, 1,027, XTO, Michael State 31X-16, Grinnell, Bakken
18103, 915, Enerplus, Look Out Ridge 4-31H, South Fork, Bakken,
18575, 1,699, Slawson, Hunter #1-8-17H, Big Bend, long horizontal, Mountrail County, Bakken
19996, 1,285, Slawson, Alamo #2-19-18H, Big Bend, long horizontal, Mountrail County, Bakken
18735, 1,936, WPX/Dakota-3 E&P (WMB), Dakota-3 State of ND 10-3H, Van Hook, Bakken, t4/11; cum 505K 4/17;
19485, 880, Slawson, Loon Federal 1-24-25H, Van Hook, Bakken
19635, 217, Newfield, Christensen 159-102-17-20-1H, Wildcat, Bakken
18539, 191, EOG, Clearwater 8-0506H, Clear Water, Bakken
19712, 372, CLR, Ivan 1-29H, Elidah, Bakken
19627, 240, CLR, Hogan 1-16H, Haystack Butte, Bakken
19361, 408, CLR, Barney 1-29H, Brooklyn, Bakken
19784, 702, CLR, Holte 1-32H, Sauk, Bakken
19750, 2,338, BR, Devils Backbone 21-14H, Westberg, Bakken, t4/11; cum 242K 8/16;
19650, 48, Ward-Williston, Mouse River Park Sherwood Unit 30-24, Mouse River Park, Madison (NOT a Bakken)
19486, 766, Slawson, Genesis 2-13H, Van Hook, Bakken
19589, 699, Hunt, Halliday 1-25-36H 1, Werner, Bakken
18103, 915, Enerplus, Look Out Ridge 4-31H, South Fork, Bakken
19761, 1,074, Zenergy, Martell 36-25H, Glass Bluff, Bakken
19187, 510, XTO, Elaine Federal 12X-19, Lost Bridge, Bakken
19540, 2,032, Murex, Vanessa Abigail 33-28H, Midway, Bakken
19906, 823, BTA, 20711 Kreidle 3229 1H, Stockyard Creek, Bakken
20061, DRY, Oil for America, Dohrmann, 13-1, Wildcat, Bakken
19636, 408, Hunt, Shell 1-35-26H 1, Parshall, Bakken
19007, 372, Hess, EN-Will Trust B-157-94-2635H-3, Big Butte, Bakken
19552, 708, Hess/American Oil and Gas, Flaten 15-8H, Ray/Wildcat, t4/11; cum 68K 11/13;
19554, 1,933, Equinor/BEXP, Hovde 33-4 1H, /Sandrocks/Wildcat, Bakken, t6/11; cum 230K 4/19;
19728, 549, CLR, Dolezal 2-5H, Murphy Creek, Bakken
19753, 1,300, BR, Glacier 31-4TFH, Clear Creek, t3/11; cum 67K 11/13;
19630, 916, QEP, MHA 2-29-30H-150-90, Deep Water Creek Bay, Bakken
19574, 444, Oasis, Grimstvedt Federal 5703 42-34H, Strandahl, Bakken
19527, 135, Flatirons Resources, Lunde-Anderson 23-33, South Pleasant, Madison
19154, 1,883, BR, Crater Lake 21-14H, Hawkeye, Bakken, t4/11; cum 206K 8/16;
19772, 691, MRO, Larry Repp 11-16H, Lake Ilo, Bakken
19641, 526, Denbury Onshore, Lindvig 14-10NEH, Camp, Bakken
19974, 740, CLR, Winston 1-12H, Long Creek, Bakken
19575, 550, SM, Wolter 1-28H, West Ambrose, Bakken; 29K in 2.5 months; looks like a good one; 12,000 bbls in third month
19670, 378, Petro-Hunt, Monson Trust 157-101-26A-35-1H, Wildcat, Bakken
19795, 2,209, Newfield, Johnson 150-99-34-27-1H, South Tobacco Garden, Bakken
19096, 2,862, Newfield, Helsingborg 1-22H, Sand Creek, Bakken
19868, 2,541, BEXP, A. Tufto 18-19 1H, Cow Creek, Bakken
18525, 2,640, Denbury Onshore, Thompson 31-11SWH, Charlson, Bakken
19435, 2,836, Statoil/BEXP, L. Tufto 7-6 1H, Wildcat, Bakken, t6/11; cum 254K 4/17;
19532, 1,276, Statoil/BEXP, Hospital 31-36 1H, Alger, Bakken, 13K in first 16 days
19477, 435, ERF, Eagles Nest 34-44H, McGregory Buttes, Bakken, t3/11; cum 250K 4/17;
17646, 741, OAS, Peters 11-1H, Gros Ventre, Bakken
19472, 37, Renegade, A Trout 6H 3-14, Wildcat, Bakken
19108, 1,200, Arsenal Energy, Amy Elizabeth 11-2H, Stanley, Bakken
19462, 3,000, Legacy, Legacy Etal Emery Norm 4-19H, Bottineau, a Bakken well
19516, 798, Dakota-3, Dakota-3 Helena Ruth Grant 33-34H, Reunion Bay, Bakken
19716, AI, CLR, Della 31-17SH, Medicine Pole Hills, West Red River (not a Bakken); not sure what this one is doing; shows as active;
19534, 579, CLR, Lawrence 2-13H, North Tioga, Bakken
19807, 2,926, Equinor/BEXP, Greenstein 30-31 1H, Camp, Bakken, Camp, t4/11; cum 268K 4/19;
19267, 812, Dakota-3, Dakota-3 Wicker 34-27H, Mandaree, Bakken
19691, 1,470, XTO, Dwyer Federal 44X-1, Mondak, Bakken, t2/11; cum 263K 4/19;
19301, 2,526, Whiting/KOG, Koala 9-5-6-5H, Bakken, t4/11; cum 317K 4/19;
19535, 863, CLR, Omar 3-12H, North Tioga, Bakken
19106, 912, Arsenal, Brenlee 100-19H, Stanley, Bakken
18005, PA/DRY/SI, Foundation Energy/WLL, Jones 44-35, Wildcat, Bakken -- very interesting. Vertical. See link.The Red River lateral is dry; the Three Forks lateral is "shut in." Later, the Red River is producing. albeit very little; t6/13; cum 14K 2/18;
19277, 118, Fidelity, Oukrop 34-34H, Heart River/Wildcat, Bakken, t2/11; cum 40K 9/15;
19074, 629, Hess, EN-Frandson-154-93-2116H-1, Robinson Lake, Bakken; 42K in 4.5 months
19536, 986, CLR, Lawrence 3-13H, North Tioga, Bakken,
19520, 1,038, Sinclair, Hovden Federal 1-20H, Little Knife, Bakken, Little Knife, t3/11; cum 222K 4/19;
19825, 2,698, RimRock/Whiting/KOG, Skunk Creek 2-24-25-15H, Mandaree, Bakken, t9/11; cum 524K 4/19;
19645, 646, CLR, Vona1-13H, Hamlet, Bakken
19537, 698, CLR, Omar 4-12H, North Tioga, Bakken
19285, 2,325, BR, Rising Sun 11-1MB-3NH, Clear Creek, Bakken, Clear Creek, t7/11; cum 320K 4/19;
18993, 884, MRO, Rosa Benz 44-23H, Bailey, Bakken
19451, 423, EOG, Sidonia 23-2017H, Clear Water, Bakken
19757, 171, Cornerstone, SW Paradox 11-16H, Wildcat, Bakken
18982, 27, Baytex, Larson 3-162-99H, Ambrose, Bakken
18978, 75, Baytex, Haugenoe 15-162-99H, Ambrose, Bakken
19338, 44, Anschutz, Perry Larson 1-21-16H-158-97, Wildcat, Bakken
19605, 547, Hess/American Oil and Gas, Foss Family Trust 15-23H, Dollar Joe, Bakken
19390, 175, Oasis/SM, Broderson 13-35H, Siverston, Bakken, t2/11; cum 400K 4/19; just came off line 3/19;
19596, 219, Samson Resources, Torino 22-15-163-98H, Blooming Prairie, Bakken
19808, 2,461, Newfield, Malm 149-98-11-2-1H, Pembroke, Bakken, t5/11; cum 342K 4/19; just came off line 4/19;
19514, 527, MRO, Jones USA 14-14H, Reunion Bay, Bakken, t4/11; cum 586K 4/19;
19305, 2,640, Denbury Onshore, Hoffmann 149-98-1-12-1H, Siverston, Bakken
19886, A/GL, Halek, West Dickinson 1, Dickinson oil field, Lodgepole; I do not understand the "GL" status; NDIC has "GI" --> gas injected, but no explanation for "GL"; t4/11; cum 290K 4/17;
19104, 1,203, QEP/Helis, Henderson 16-34/27H, Grail, Bakken, t5/11; cum 417K 4/19;
18944, 917, XTO, Helen 11X-05
18924, 2,218, Slawon, Vixen Federal 1-19-30H, Van Hook, t2/11; cum 474K 4/17;
19615, 1,594, Oasis, Cowden 5404 13-35H
19885, 524, Hess, Tattu 19-1H, Elk, t4/11; cum 248K 4/19;
19382, 287, EOG, Crowfoot 35-3031H, Clear Creek, t1/11; cum 155K 4/19;
18760, 2,240, Statoil/BEXP, Brown 30-19 1H
19346, 388, XTO, Almer 31X-6, Midway, Bakken
19784, 933, CLR, Holte 1-32H
19061, 1,323, Zenergy, Zi Payette 10-15H,
19255, 1,453, Slawson, Muskrat Federal 1-28-33H
19396, 82, MRO, Ernest Scharchenko 34-33H, Murphy Creek, t2/11; cum 68K 11/13;
20025, 511, Hunt, Shell 1-3-34H
20127, 462, CLR, Nielsen 1-12H, Wildrose, t3/11; cum 82K 11/13;
19410, 1,249, Whiting/KOG/Ursa, Borseth15-22 1H, Bully/Wildcat, Bakken, t3/11; cum 122
K 4/17;
19208, 800, Slawson, Water Moccasin 4-34-TFH/Water Moccasin 1-34H, Van Hook, t4/11; cum 280
K 8/16;
19207, 613, Slawson, Vagabond 1-27H, Van Hook, t4/11; cum 132K 11/13;
19677, 31, Zargon, Zargon Truro TMU 22 HZ, Truro, Madison (not a Bakken)
19440, 453, OXY, Sunshine 31-16H, Dimond, Bakken
19468, 866, Whiting/North Plains, Wold 16-7H, Banks, Bakken, t3/11; cum 408K 4/19;
19673, 863, Hess, Wahlstrom 18-1H, Sather Lake/Wildcat, Bakken, southwest of Arnegard
19546, 197, North Plains, Collyer 9-8H, Corinth/Wildcat, Bakken, NW of Tioga, outside Wildrose, t3/11; cum 65K 4/17;
19665, 1,126, Slawson, Bandit 2-29H, Van Hook, Bakken, t2/11; cum 317K 4/19;
19571, 710, Petro-Hunt, Anderson 152-96-35C-26-2H, Clear Creek, Bakken, t4/11; cum 304K 4/17;
19785, DRY, Oil for America, Froelich 27-2, Wilcat, Lodgepole,
19434, 1,221, Denbury Onshore, Satter 44-34SWH, Siverston, Bakken, t4/11; cum 311K 4/17;
17445, 1,155, BEXP, Afseth 34-2 1-H, Kittleson Slough, Bakken,  t4/11; cum 204K 4/17;
19339, 592, XTO, Madisyn State 44X-1, Alkali Creek, Bakken, t1/11; cum 118K 4/17;
19372, 1,057, MRO, RMJK 31-26H, Reunion Bay, Bakken, t6/11; cum 350K 4/17;
18517, 1,595, RimRock/KOG, Two Shields Butte 2-24-12-2H, Wildcat/Mandaree, Bakken, t9/11; cum 547K 4/19;
19747, 338, CLR, Tempe 1-29H, Upland, Bakken, t101/11; cum 123K 4/17;
19246, 1,425, Whiting, Smith 14-29XH, Mountrail County, Bakken, t3/11; cum 580K 4/19;
19208, 800, Slawson, Water Moccasin 4-34-TFH, Mountrail County, Bakken, t4/11; cum 299K 4/17;
18790, 1,773, ERF, Henry Bad Gun 16B-21-1H, Dunn County, Bakken, t10/10; cum 470
K 4/19;
19465, 288, Cornerstone, Pomerol State 7-36H, Clear Water, Bakken, t6/11; cum 95K 4/17;
19447, 1,393, XTO, Tuckerman 11X-11, Lost Bridge, Bakken, t2/11; cum 300K 4/17;
19663, 1,448, Hess, JCB 17-1H, Truax, Bakken, t3/11; cum 336K 4/17;
19361, 408, CLR, Barney 1-29H, Bakken, t3/11; cum 273K 4/17;
19586, 539, CLR, He 1-20H, Bakken, t2/11; cum 304K 4/17;
18785, 852, CLR, Daniel 1-33H, Bakken, t4/11; cum 241K 4/17;
19380, 497, CLR, Norway 1-5H, Bakken, t3/11; cum 212K 4/17;
19158, 333, CLR, Gronfur 1-28H, Bakken, t1/11; cum 240K 4/17;
19712, 372, CLR, Ivan 1-29H, Bakken, t3/11; cum 192K 4/17;
19433, 3,000, XTO/Denbury, Satter 44-34NWH, Siverston, Bakken, t5/11; cum 169K 1/15;
19875, 230, CLR, Haag 1X-21H, Blacktail/Wildcat, Bakken, t3/11; cum 61K 8/16;
19654, 386, CLR, Muir 1-7H, Dolphin, Bakken, t1/11, cum 101K 8/16;
19162, 37, SM Energy/Baytex, Grundstad 5-162-99H, Ambrose, Bakken, low IP but 3,000 bbls in 19 days in March, 2011; t10/10; cum 103K 8/16;
19393, 22, CLR, Cody 13-21H, Cedar Hills, North Red River B, t1/11; cum 8K 4/17;
19436, 930, Zavanna, Louise 1-35H, Stockyard Creek, Bakken, t6/11; cum 258K 4/17;
19562, 412, WLL, Brueni 28-1H, Green River, Bakken, t3/11; cum 118K 8/16;
19572, 1,549, Slawson, Bonanza 1-21-16H, Elk, Bakken, t5/11; cum 155K 8/16;
19306, 840, G3 (GEOI), Siirtola 1-28-33H, Wildcat/Strandahl, Bakken, t3/11; cum 135K 8/16;
19763, 165, Berenergy, Glenburn North Madison Unit 36-1H, Glenburn, a Madison well; t2/11; cum 165K 8/16;
19564, 305, SM, Wolter 13-21H, West Ambrose, Bakken, t1/11; cum 130K 8/16;
19388, 980, CLR, Nordeng 1-8H, Elidah, Bakken; t6/11; cum 274K 8/16;
19146, 988, Hess, Little Chase Creek 21-1H, Little Knife, Bakken, 18K in first month, t2/11; cum 225K 8/16;
19408, 813, MRO, Trinka 41-18H, Bailey, Bakken, t3/11; cum 153K 8/16;
19309, 100, Hunt, McAlmond 1-35-26H 1, Parshall, Bakken t1/11; cum 44K 8/16;
19395, 778, American Oil and Gas, Haug 14-19H, Wildcat/Wheelock, Bakken, t4/11; cum 183K 8/16;
19347, 44, Hess, AV-Schwartz-163-93-0211H-1, Short Creek/Wildcat, Bakken; t8/12; cum 36
K 8/16;
18951, 616, Hess, EN-Heinle-156-94-2536H-2, Big Butte, Bakken, 25K in 2 months; t11/10; cum 222K 8/16;
18840, 684, Hess, EN-Abrahamson-155-93-30-19H-3, Alger, Bakken, 35K in 2.5 months; t12/10; cum 235K 8/16;
18605, 339, Hess, RS-Schuhart-156-90-2726H-2, Ross, Bakken; one of 6 on one pad; t11/10; cum 120K 8/16;
19200, 437, EOG, Sidonia 36-2722H, Clear Water, Bakken, 45K in 4 months; t10/10; cum 247K 8/16;
18872, 1,829, Slawson, Mustang 1-22H, Van Hook, Bakken, t5/11; cum 204K 8/16;
19651, 1,919, Whiting/KOG, Koala 9-5-6-12H3, Poe/Wildcat, Bakken, t4/11; cum 314K 4/17;
19397, (1,417), 417, CLR, Buelingo 1-20H, Elm Tree, Bakken, t3/11; cum 217K 8/16;
19661, 999, Statoil/BEXP, MacMaster 11-2 1H, Bull Butte, Bakken, t5/11; cum 135K 8/16;
19448, 1,049, Hess/American Oil and Gas, Dahl 15-22H, Dollar Joe, Bakken, 35K in first 28 days; t2/11; cum 99K 8/16;
19181, 1,088, MRO, Elk USA 11-17H, Van Hook/Wildcat, Bakken, t5/11; cum 468K 4/19; cum 512K 5/21;
19487, 2,108, BR, Cleetwood 11-27H, Elidah, Bakken, t6/11; cum 326K 4/17;
19302, (1,181) 765, CLR, Kleist 1-35H, Upland, Bakken, t1/11; cum 172K 8/16;
19178, 2,300, BR, Stafford 13-34H, Blue Buttes, Bakken, t3/11; cum 291K 8/16;
19490, 900, Petro-Hunt, George Tank 151-96-10C-3-3H, Clear Creek, Bakken, t3/11; cum 304K 4/17;
19539, 3,240, BEXP, Lloyd 34-3 1-H, Sandrocks, Bakken, t1/11; cum 216K 1/15;
19233, 1,747, Murex, Mandy Kay 14-23H, Beaver Lodge, Bakken
18905, 904, Bruin/HRC/Petro-Hunt, Fort Berthold 152-94-13B-24-1H, Antelope, Sanish, t3/11; cum 459K 4/19;
19445, DRY, Ballantyne, Cleo 7-1, Wildcat, Duperow; up north, east of Lansford, south of Mohall
19573, 147, Prima, Larson 41-30, Great Northern, Madison (not a Bakken); this might be a good well; about 1,200 bbls/month first two months (remember, this is a Madison well, not a Bakken well), t12/10; cum 39K 5/15;
16728, 323, EOG, Ruud 1-18H, Parshall, Bakken, t10/10; cum 53K 5/15;
19437, 2,805, BR, Inga 24-12H, Haystack Butte, Bakken, t3/11; cum 212K 5/15;
18585, 470, EOG, James Hill 5-24H, Ross, Bakken, t10/10; cum 75K 5/15;
19542, IA/30, EOG, Austin 102-05H, Parshall, Bakken, t1/11; cum 36K 5/15;
19439, 292, CLR, Salveson 1-7H, Hanson, Bakken, t1/11; cum 86K 5/15;
18734, AB/166, Hess, EN-Will Trust A-157-94-2734H-3, Big Butte, Bakken, t11/10; cum 83K 1/14;
19350, 1,162, Zenergy, Ceynar 29-32H, Banks, Bakken, t3/11; cum 229K 5/15;
19152, 2,538, Oasis, Hagen 5792 44-31H, Wildcat/Cottonwood, Bakken; 2,538 bbls in first four days of production; t5/11; cum 248K 5/15;
19576, 1,223, BTA, 20711 Erickson 3130 1H, Epping, Bakken, t5/11; cum 250K 1/15;
17355, 3,909, Equinor/BEXP, Cvancara 20-17 1H, Alger, Bakken, spudded 10/10; BEXP press release: 4,402 bbls during early 24-hour peak flowback period; the Sorenson 29-32 2H and Cvancara 20-17 1H were the first two BEXP wells drilled on a BEXP SmartPad (my spelling); t3/11; cum 353K 4/19;
18963, 1,345, WPX/Zenergy, Dakota-3 Spotted Rabbit 14-23H, Van Hook, Bakken, t4/11; cum 468K 4/19; cum 496K 5/21;
19185, 1,377, XTO, Alwin Federal 12X-19, Lost Bridge, Bakken, t5/11; cum 176K 1/15;
19565, (1,396), 637, CLR, Hartford 1-19H, Dollar Joe, Bakken, t3/11; cum 318K 4/19;
19237, 862, Abraxas, Stenehjem 27-34-1H, North Fork, Bakken, t7/11; cum 125K 1/15;
18744, 3,094, Statoil/BEXP, Wright 4-33, Alger, Bakken, t8/10; cum 254K 1/15;
19539, 3,240, Equinor/Statoil/BEXP, Lloyd 34-3 1H, Poe field (near Tobacco Garden), Rough Rider, Bakken, 36 frac stages; t1/11; cum 291K 4/19;
19561, 2,582, BEXP, Gibbins 1-12 1H, Buford field (southwest of Williston), Rough Rider, Bakken, 33 frac stages, t2/11; cum 193K 1/15;
19647, PA/12, Ballantyne, Diepolder 8-36, Great Northern, Madison, not a Bakken, no oil produced in 2/11; 1,545 bbls of water produced in seven days in 2/11;
19513, 4,661, Equinor/Statoil/BEXP, Sorenson 29-32 2-H, Alger, Bakken (5,330 boepd), t3/11; cum 448K 4/19; cum 483K 5/21;
19391, 42, EOG, Austin 117-08H, Parshall, Three Fork, one section, 15 stages; 1 milion lbs, t12/10; cum 31K 1/15;
19383, 48, Prima, Gunnison 44-25H, Little Butte/Wildcat, Bakken, t5/11; cum 58K 1/15;
19303, (1,883) 683, CLR, Seattle 1-35H, Camp, Bakken, t3/11; cum 231K 1/15;
19290, 439, CLR, Hamlet 2-11H, Temple, Bakken, tested 12/10; cum 162K 4/19;
19264, 595, Kaiser-Francis Oil/Fidelity, Kostelecky 31-6H, Heart River/Wildcat, Bakken, t2/11; cum 132K 4/19;
19219, 811, Hess, Brostuen 6-1H, Glass Bluff, Bakken, t12/10; cum 191K 4/19;
18774, 526, EOG, Mandaree 5-16H, Squaw Creek, Bakken, t10/10; cum 180K 4/19;
18822, 1,304, Lime Rock Resources/OXY USA/Anschutz, Dennis Kadrmas 1-9-4H-143-96, Fayette, Bakken, Middle Bakken; 22 frac stages; 1 lateral and 4 sidetracks; t1/11; cum 375K 4/19;
19041, 287, Crescent Point Energy/Petro-Hunt, Njos 157-100-26B-35-1H, Marmon, Bakken, t3/11; cum 168K 4/19;
  • 18809, 753, Enerplus/Peak North Dakota, Baker 20-34H, Heart Butte, Bakken, t8/11; cum 461K 4/19; cum 503K 5/21; cum 531K 12/22;
  • 19363, 200, Lime Rock Resources/OXY USA, Moose Drool 9-16H, Dimond, Bakken, t2/11; cum 84K 4/19; cum 96K 12/22; 
  • 19601, DRY, Oil for America, Wieglenda 23-1, Wildcat, Lodgepole (this is one of five Lodgepole wells in southwest ND with significant personal interest); spudded 10/10
  • 19157, 1,476, EOG, Bear Den 04-20H, Spotted Horn, Bakken, t3/11; cum 316K 4/19; cum 354K 12/22;
  • 18545, 1,676, ERF, Ethan Hall 6B-7-1H, Moccasin Creek, Bakken, t2/11; cum 447K 4/19; back on line 3/19 after being off line for quite some time; cum 482K 5/21; cum 499K 12/22;
  • 19424, (1,984) 662, CLR, Bud 1-19H, Wildcat (about 3 miles south of Stockyard Creek), Bakken, t3/11; cum 438K 4/19; huge jump 8/17; no re-frack; see this post; cum 492K 12/22; 
  • 19404, 1,388, Slawson, Jackknife Federal 1-27H, Van Hook, Bakken, t3/11; cum 329K 4/19; cum 345K 5/21; was offline 5/20 through 4/21; back on line 5/21; cum 292K 11/22; off line 11/22;
  • 19182, IA/812, EOG, Austin 107-31H, Parshall, Bakken, t10/10; cum 133K 4/19; cum 145K 5/22; off line;
  • 19168, 313, CLR, Rhonda 2-28H, Jim Creek, Bakken, t2/11; cum 294K 4/19; cum 340K 12/22;
  • 17473, 299, CLR, Fagerland 1-1H, Upland, Bakken, t2/11; cum 154K 4/19; cum 177K 12/22;
  • 18576, 1,190, BR, Concord 24-10H, Little Knife, t2/11; cum 217K 4/19; cum 294K 12/22;
  • 19389, 1,936, Equinor/Statoil/BEXP, M. Olson 20-29 1-H, Painted Woods, t12/10; cum 314K 4/19; cum 361K 12/22;
  • 19438, 756, EMEP Operating/Bruin/Lime Rock Resources/Anschutz, Fisher State 1-21-16H-142-97, Dunn County, t3/11; cum 257K 4/19; ccum 272K 12/22;
  • 19269, 410, Sinclair, Porcupine 1-19H, Little Knife, Bakken, t9/11; cum 203K 4/19; ccum 264K 12/22;
  • 17543, 450, EOG, Oakland 4-21H, Parshall, Bakken, t10/10; cum 132K 4/19; cum 149K 12/22;
  • 18487, 2,280, XTO/DNR, Thompson 31-11NWH, Charlson, t3/11; cum 183K 4/19; cum 200K 5/21; cum 210K 12/22;
  • 16994, 122, EOG, Model 1-05H, Parshall, t10/10; cum 89K 4/19; cum 98L 5/21; cum 104K 12/22;
  • 19151, 245, SM, Wolter 13-22H, West Ambrose, t12/10; cum 189K 4/19; cum 204K 5/21; cum 214K 12/22;
  • 19442, 2,606, Newfield, Staal 150-99-26-35-1H, South Tobacco Garden, t2/11; cum 267K 4/19; cum 295K 5/21; cum 311K 12/22;
  • 19446, TA/IAB/A/24, MRO, TAT USA 13-23H, Reunion Bay, t2/11; cum 91K 4/19; looks like a dead well;
  • 19401, 415, Hunt, Halliday 1-15-22H1, Lake Ilo, t1/11; cum 228K 4/19; cum 248K 5/21; cum 277K 12/22; update here;
  • 18479, 249, EOG, Sidonia 17-1324H, Clear Water, t10/10; cum 169K 4/19; cum 181K 5/21; cum 189K 12/22;
  • 18675, 1,806, BR, Franklin 24-36H, Little Knife, t1/11; cum 226K 4/19; cum 345K 5/21; cum 373K 12/22;
  • 19295, 1,004, Petro-Hunt/URSA, Jeanie 25-36 2H, Pierre Creek, t2/11; cum 120K 4/19; cum 130K 5/21; cum 139K 12/22;
  • 19189, IA/AB/IA/1,213, Hess, T R Slette 18-1H, Truax, t2/11; cum 286K 11/18; off line as of 11/18; cum 328K 11/22; off line 12/22;
  • 19310, 308, Whiting/KOG/North Plains, Aarestad 4-27H, Wildrose, t3/11; cum 65K 4/19; cum 70K 5/21; cum 73K 12/22;
  • 19459, 611, Hess/American Oil and Gas, Dustin Brose 2-29H, Wheelock/Wildcat, t7/11; cum 202K 4/19; cum 223K 5/21; cum 238K 12/22;
  • 18811, 811, XTO, Sass 34X-8, Hofflund, t12/10; cum 215K 4/19; cum 235K 5/21; cum 242K 12/22;
  • 19530, TA/AB/IA/107, Resource Energy Can-Am/Samson Resources, Nova 4-9-163-98H, Wildcat/Candak, t3/11; cum 60K 7/15; taken off-line in 8/15; 
  • 19585, PA/dry, Halek, Halek 5-22 1, Heart River/Wildcat, Lodgepole;
  • 19283, 1,524, BR, Sunline 11-1MB-3SH, Clear Creek, t5/11; cum 225K 4/19; off-line for almost all of 2014; cum 233K 5/21; cum 242K 12/22;
    19578, 749, CLR, Missoula 1-21H, Camp, t3/11; cum 345K 4/19; cum 367K 5/21; cum 382K 12/22;

Background for this page:

Two years ago, I put all new wells on one post. That list got way too long and unwieldy. Last year, I broke the list into two postings. This year, I will break it into four postings, by quarter.

I post the reports when they come off the confidential list. Occasionally I report other wells that were not on the confidential list and were reported elsewhere. In addition, I update wells in "DRL" status when the IPs are reported.

A reminder: wells are on the confidential list for six months. The clock starts ticking when the well is spud. If the well has not been completed (fracked) at the six month mark, NDIC allows the operator to delay reporting until 30 days after the well has been fracked. During that time, the well status is "DRL." Four-month delays in fracking are not uncommon and we are starting to see an occasional 6-month delay. Before fracking is accomplished, wells that have reached total depth will generally have some production, but it has been my observation that production before fracking seldom correlates to production after fracking.

In addition, for newbies, one can assume a 50% drop in monthly production by the second or third month after the first full month of fracking. After two or three months, the production continues to decline slowly and it seems to me that about two years out, production tends to level off with a gentle declining slope.

At some point, a pump will be put on the well (at which time there will be a few days of lost production). The monthly production does not change significantly after the pumps are put on, which I find interesting.

Rig Count Drops Dramatically in Canada -- A Third of Their Active Fleet -- PennEnergy

Update

July 1, 2011: Maybe it wasn't seasonal, and maybe my original comments were correct. Canada lost 27 rigs this week while the US increased rigs: Canada down 27; US up 25. 
Losing 27 rigs this week, Canada has 250 rigs actively drilling in the country, one of which is working offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. Alberta’s oil sands boast the most drilling activity with 166 active rigs. Drilling is also ongoing in Saskatchewan with 46 rigs and British Columbia with 37 rigs.
April 4, 2011: See comments. The dramatic drop in rigs is said to be season, not related to TransCanada's Keystone XL, the activity below the border, or other geo-political concerns. I was wrong. It's only seasonal.

Original Post

There's an interesting story / headline over at PennEnergy: Rig Count Drops Dramatically in Canada. There is no accompanying op-ed to suggest why.
According to the weekly rig report from oilfield services firm Baker Huges, the number of rotary drilling rigs actively working in North America dropped due to a major decrease in the number of rigs working in Canada this week, representing about a third of the active fleet.

In the US, the number of drilling rigs jumped by 38 this week to 1,776 active rigs drilling across the country – both onshore and offshore. An increase of 311 year over year, drilling activity continues to ramp up in the various shale plays across the nation. 
Perhaps it's seasonal. Perhaps it's an anomaly that will sort itself out a month from now.

But one has to wonder.

I find it incredible that a third of the Canadian fleet is not active -- think if a headline appeared saying that a third of the Bakken fleet stopped drilling -- and nothing was said. My immediate hunch: too much oil, not enough takeaway capacity. 

With the TransCanada Keystone XL on hold and a decision delayed for at least a year, could some Canadian operators also be moving their rigs south of the border?

There's a lot of competition for drilling on both sides of the border, and there has been a lot of interest stateside in the following: the Niobrara in D-J (Wyoming/Colorado); the Alberta Basin Bakken (north-central Montana); the Williston Basin Bakken (North Dakota); and the Eagle Ford (south Texas); and, most recently, the Spearfish formation (Bottineau County, North Dakota).

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

Someone not too long ago suggested to me we could see $65 oil again. I can't see that, but on the other hand, I don't understand the price at $108 with supplies brimming in the US, and more production coming on line. Except for one thing: the weak dollar is getting weaker, and inflation is around the corner.

New Widget Added -- Natural Gas Tickers

With all the new-found interest in natural gas, I have added a widget to the sidebar at the right to follow daily stock market action for selected natural gas companies. The "Natural Gas Plays" widget is way down at the bottom of the sidebar at the right.

Obviously I will be adding many more natural gas companies to this widget. I don't follow natural gas all that closely, so I don't know the best ones to follow.

My biggest challenge is determining the order in which to place the various subjects on the sidebar. If I place all the "good" stuff at the top, no one will scroll down to the bottom, missing some other great links.

By the way, again, I have to thank a friend for suggesting these widgets to track stock market action. I find that when I'm traveling and only have a moment to check the market, I can come to this site, scroll down the right side and get a great quick look.

Investors: Guide to Oil Service Investing

With windfall profits taxes on the oil companies just around the corner, or at least talk of same, investors in oil E&P companies may want to consider looking at oil services.

An article over at SeekingAlpha.com today has a nice story listing these oil service companies, including names of many working in the Bakken.

(By the way, I don't thank a friend often enough for sending me these links. There is no way I could find all these links on my own, so I really appreciate his assistance. So, thank you.)

Huge Grain Elevator Complex Coming to Hebron -- Huge Story, But Not a Bakken Story

In the big scheme of things the news of more grain loading capacity in North Dakota probably won't make any difference to Warren Buffett's bottom line, but his decision to buy Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad (BNI) last year was brilliant. The timing could not have been better.

His purchase of BNI came just as interest in building railroad oil loading terminals in the Bakken began to explode.

I'm reminded of the BNI purchase once again with the news that a subsidiary of Archer Daniels Midland is going to put up a multi-million dollar concrete grain elevator complex next to the BNI railroad tracks outside Hebron, North Dakota.  The story is in the Bismarck Tribune.
The company has Morton County zoning approval for a 195-acre site on Old Highway 10 outside Hebron, enough for towering concrete silos and a round track to load 110-car grain trains bound down the BNSF Railway mainline to shipping ports.
The elevator will need 11 million bushels of grain annually to make it operate efficiently. Folks around Hebron feel there is not enough grain in the local area to support such an endeavor, and that grain will be coming in from other areas in North Dakota.

There is concern whether other elevators will be able to compete against this behemoth. They admit that the state needs more railroad grain capacity. (That's an understatement: for decades, there has been a small but very vocal group threatening BNI with lawsuits for inadequate railroad wheat loadings and their virtual monopoly status in the state. The new elevator should help alleviate the shortfall.)

*******
An article in that same edition suggests that the Archer Daniels Midland complex is just one of several huge elevator projects on the books in that part of the state. When all is said and done, there will be as many as four huge elevator complexes, all along the BNI line, in this general area.

*******
Hebron, North Dakota, is 60 miles east of Dickinson, North Dakota.

The California Drought Has Ended -- Not a Bakken Story

Note: in the story below, it is noted that the snow pack in the mountains of southern California is 165 percent of normal. Folks are talking about keeping the ski lifts open through July. Seriously. So much for global warming.
**********
Anyway, I digress. Here's the story:

Three years ago, there was a precursor to the current "MillionDollarWay." With literally one click, I purposely deleted a year's worth of some pretty good posts. I wish I had been more selective and saved some of the better posts.

I'm reminded of that because of the story in the LA Times today that the drought in California is finally over (and has been over for quite some time, but the politicians finally got around to acknowledging it).
"Official pronouncements on drought always seem to lag common sense by about three to six months," says Keith Coolidge, spokesman for the Delta Stewardship Council, a recently created entity that will design a more reliable and fish-friendlier system for delivering water south.
But the drought is over. And much of the hype about the drought was politically motivated (I am shocked! I am shocked!)
Schwarzenegger's drought designation — which facilitated water transfers from haves to have-nots — stayed in effect through succeeding years of 83% and 104% spring snow packs, hardly meeting Webster's definition.

Certainly there was a court-caused drought, of sorts
. Federal judges, trying to preserve the endangered tiny delta smelt and declining Chinook salmon, tightened the valve on San Joaquin Valley irrigation. It must have helped the salmon. They're roaring back.

The delta, where the snow-fed Sacramento and San Joaquin river drainages converge, is the largest estuary on the west coast of the Americas. It's also California's main water hub, the source of drinking water for 24 million people and irrigation for 3 million acres.

Finally last week, the drought tag no longer could hold water. State hydrologists measured the Sierra snowpack at 165% of normal, the deepest in 16 years.
Some media outlets were comparing the recent drought to the drought of the 1930's and that's what got my dander up. I even sent letters to the editors of some of these publications calling them out on that preposterous comparison.

By the way, how much water are we talking about?
One day last week, the Sacramento River system, including overflow into bypasses, was producing roughly 180,000 cubic feet of water per second. That's the size equivalent of 180,000 basketballs rolling by each second. Put another way, it's around four acre-feet — enough water to supply four families of four for a year — tumbling past Sacramento each second.
The story is similar to the current Missouri river, US Army Corps of Engineers, and fracking story in the Bakken.

So, some comments:
1. I am impressed that one of the most liberal-leaning newspapers has noted that there "was a court-caused drought, of sorts."
2. Another lost opportunity during the "lost decade" in which a proper perspective could have prevented much of the court-induced drought.
3. The drought ends during the period of time when global warming continued to worsen. I thought global warming was going to cause worse droughts.