Big Story of the Week (Month?) -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

Anyone who doesn't think the "big guys" are here to stay in Williston, needs to re-visit this post.

See you tomorrow. I have a 40-minute walk ahead of me.

When I walked here a couple of hours ago, about 8:00 p.m., here in the Bakken, it was short-sleeve balmy weather -- the bank thermometer registered 78 degrees. Eight o'clock at night, in North Dakota, in October, almost 80 degrees. If this is global warming, bring it on.

Unfortunately, something tells me it's going to get awful cold awful fast up here.

Shake-Up At Denbury -- President and COO Resigns -- Abruptly (?)

Link here.

Denbury announced that Tracy Evans has resigned from his position as President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Evans began his career with Denbury in September 1999 and became President and Chief Operating Officer in June 2009.

No replacement. Two alpha males will continue to run operational aspects; overall oversight responsibility rests with CEO Rykhoek, who will also assume the title of President of the Company.

Ameren, Southern Illinois Utility, To Close Two Coal Plants -- Regulatory Costs

Earlier today I posted a story about utility costs soon to rise significantly due to regulatory costs.

"Anonymous" just sent me this note:

Ameren, the utility for the southern half of Illinois, announced today that they are closing two older coal plants, due to the high cost of compliance with the new rules...

And so it goes. And so go 90 more jobs.

Ameren Corp. will shutter its Meredosia and Hutsonville power plants by the end of the year, eliminating 90 jobs.

The company said complying with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules requiring the reduction of air pollutants would require installing expensive environmental controls at the 203-megawatt coal-fired unit and 166 MW oil-fired unit at Meredosia Energy Ceneter and the two coal-fired units at Hutsonville Energy Center, which total 151MW.

This is truly amazing. We are watching the US slowly -- actually quite quicky -- implode -- under this administration. The banks, the utilities, ...

Actually, I'm sure it's not that bad. I'm using a bit of hyperbole, but one does begin to wonder where "it" and the EPA will all end ... President Obama told us he was going to do this.




Another lost decade ... Obama, Chu, Salazar, what a great team ....

Huge Development -- Did Anyone Else Catch This? Two More Hotels Coming To Williston

UpdateAnd now the same developer will be putting in a new apartment complex.

Original Post

"Anonymous" just sent me this comment -- this could be the "post of the week" -- thank you:

I know some people are questioning whether Menard's will be coming to Williston...I found this site that they will be announcing SOON...the ground breaking of 2 MORE hotels that are to be built next to Menard's in the new Sand Creek Town Center. Looks like it is the same hotel they are building north of Williston. (Value Place hotels) pretty amazing!

http://nakotadevelopment.com/sandcreekvalueplace.html

Maybe someone can help me out -- verify that I have the right location.

When you get to the link you see a huge "Sand Creek Town Center." I assume this is west of the bypass, south of Herman Oil. There is no "32nd Avenue West" yet at that location, but if you go north towards the airport where 20th Avenue and 24th Avenue West are located, and then extrapolate south, you can see that yes, indeed, 32nd Avenue West will be just west of the bypass, where I thought Sand Creek Retail Center would be.

Look closely at that artist's schematic:

• Two 124-unit Value Place Hotels sharing common parking lots
• Menard's at the same end as the hotels in this development
• A retail center at the opposite end of the development site
• A hotel and convention center, west and across the street from Value Place hotels
• A theater

Remember, Value Place Hotel is the same hotel that will be built at the huge truck stop north of Williston, at the Epping turnoff.

More later, but I want to get this posted tonight

Again, due to my browser, I can't respond to comments, and I cannot link easily.

For Investors Only -- Five Energy Company Shares Being Accumulated by Top Funds -- SeekingAlpha -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

One of the five is a well-known Bakken name: Whiting.

Another one of the five is becoming a bit better known in the Bakken: Chesapeake.

New Wells Reporting -- Fourth Calendar Quarter, 2011

This page: 4Q11 data
For detailed explanation on how this page works, look at the bottom of the page at this link.

Data for 3Q11: 3Q11

Data for 2Q11: 2Q11

Data for 1Q11: 1Q11

Data for 2H10: 2H10

Data for Oct, 2009 through 1H10: 1H10

(IPs in parentheses: press release, generally 24-hour flowback released by company)

21138, 2,555, Equinor/BEXP, Gathman 30-19 1H, Painted Woods, t12/11; cum 245K 3/20; cum 261K 9/21;
20461, 527, Hess, Bell 14-1H, Antelope Creek, t2/12; cum 225K 3/20; cum 241K 9/21;

21211, 1,026, MRO, Goodbird USA 44-7H, McLean, Deep Water Creek Bay, t2/12; cum 319K 3/20; cum 339K 9/21;

20829, 3,440, BR, Joel 21-2H, Bully, Bakken, right in the bull's eye, south of Watford City, t1/12; cum 194K 3/20; cum 213K 9/21;
20623, 571, CLR, Mack 3-2H, Antelope, Bakken, t10/13; cum 198K 3/20; cum 207K 9/21;
19940, 1,196, XTO, FBIR Yellowwolf 21X-10, Heart Butte, Bakken, s6/11; t1/12; cum 322K 3/20; inactive as of 6/18; remains inactive through 4/19; on line 9/19 after neighboring wells fracked; see this note; cum 360K 9/21;

19428, 648, CLR/Newfield, 1-H Lila 8-5, Epping, Bakken, 2-5' flare; gas, 4,500 units; middle Bakken only 10 feet thick; t6/12; cum 293K 3/20; cum 313K 9/21;
17891, 1,064, MRO, Kovaloff 34-8H, Murphy Creek, Bakken, t11/11; cum 236K 3/20; cum 252K 9/21;

21067, 588, Slawson, Stampede 2-36-25H, Painted Woods, Bakken, t12/11; cum 154K 3/20; needs to be re-fracked (4/19)
20958, 622, Petro-Hunt/SM, Wolter 13-9H, West Ambrose, Bakken, t9/11; cum 377K 3/20;
20928, 937, CLR, Stockton 1-28H, East Fork, Bakken, t10/11; cum 278K 3/20;
20598, 798, EOG, Sidonia 44-2821H, Clear Water, Bakken, t7/11; cum 268K 3/20;
20226, 1,598, QEP/Helis, Moberg 4-20/21H, Grail, Bakken, t12/11; cum 532K 3/20; cum 546K 5/21;
20158, 775, EOG, Short Prairie 1-0302H, Round Prairie, Bakken, t7/11; cum 108K 3/20;
19928, 651, EOG, Short Prairie 7-1201H, Round Prairie, Bakken,  t7/11; cum 212K 3/20;
19925, 609, RimRock/KOG, Charging Eagle 15-22-15-4H, Twin Buttes, Bakken,  t11/11; cum 333K 3/20;
19687, 1,919, Whiting, Clemens 34-9TFH, Elkhorn Ranch, Bakken, t7/11; cum 259K 3/20;
19518, 861, EOG, Van Hook 17-23H, Van Hook, Bakken, t7/11; cum 197K 3/20;

18181, 753, EOG, Fertile 19-29H, Parshall, Bakken, t6/11; cum 137K 3/20; off line as of 8/19;


20046, 586, Fidelity, Lori 18-19H, Stanley, Bakken, s6/11; t1/12; cum 229K 3/20;
20004, 389, EOG, James Hill 9-0112H, Kittleson Slough, Bakken, t6/11; cum 177K 3/20;
19948, AB/2,106, XTO, FBIR Ironwoman 21X-10, Heart Butte, Bakken, s6/11; t12/11; cum 278K 3/20; off line as of 5/18; still off line 8/19; back on line 9/19;
19377, 240, WPX/Dakota-3, Dakota-3 Mary R Smith 5-8H, Van Hook, Bakken, t9/11; cum 503K 3/20;
20862, 1,609, Denbury Onshore, McCoy 44-23H, Siverston, Bakken, t9/11; cum 450K 3/20; cum 470K 5/21; cum 477K 9/21;
20822, 1,061, Lime Rock Resources/Fidelity, TTT Ranch 34-27XH, Stanley, Bakken, t11/11 cum 331K 3/20;
20518, 1,067, Whiting/North Plains, Reiger 9-11H, Truax, Bakken, will be a KOG well; previously reported, t10/11; cum 363K 3/20;
20747, 768, Hunt, Cook 2-24-13H-2, Werner, Bakken, t10/11; cum 317K 3/20;
20605, 1,270, MRO, Anderson 44-23H, Bailey, Bakken, t10/11; cum 344K 3/20;
20537, 630, CLR, Carl 1-11H, Cabernet, Bakken, t10/11; cum 161K 3/20;

20297, 268, Whiting, Kamps 11-35TFH, Sanish, Bakken, t6/11; cum 110K 3/20;
20252, 1,078, Petro-Hunt, Fort Berthold 148-94-19D-18-1H, Eagle Nest, Bakken, t6/12; cum 155K 3/20;
19860, 1,200, Whiting, Vangen 11-3TFH, Sanish, Bakken, t6/11; cum 242K 3/20;

20844, 816, HRC/G3 Operating, Rasmussen 1-21-16H, wildcat-Strandahl, Bakken, t9/11; cum 149K 3/20;
20818, 960, BR, Bath 11-35H, Willmen, Bakken, t10/11; cum 138K 3/20;
20467, IA/1,116, Whiting/North Plains, Netz 9-21H, Truax, Bakken, t11/11; cum 334K 5/19; off line, 5/19; remains off line, 3/20;
20197, 2,286, Oasis, Wade Federal 5300 21-30H, wildcat, Bakken, t8/11; cum 279K 3/20;
19939, 839, Oasis, Carriere Federal 5300 44-15H, Willow Creek, Bakken,  t8/11; cum 269K 3/20;
20977, 776, ERF, Morrison 149-93-10AH, Mandaree, Bakken, t12/11; cum 301K 3/20;
20435, 1,545, BR, Scott 21-36MBH, Murphy Creek, Bakken, t11/11; cum 180K 3/20;
19958, 1,494, MRO, Rhoda 24-31H, Big Bend, Bakken, t11/11; cum 444K 3/20; cum 469K 5/21;
19684, IA/2,423, Whiting, Arnegard 21-26H, Wildcat, Bakken, t6/11; cum 188K 7/19; off line 7/19; remains off line 3/20;

20397, 1,001, Oasis/Zenergy, Wold 34-27H, Sand Creek/Wildcat, Three Forks/Bakken, right in the bull's eye of the Bakken, between Twin Valley and Banks; t10/11; cum 148K 3/20;
20023, 716, Hess, Solberg 15-31H, Ray, Bakken, t12/11; cum 180K 3/20;
19652, 993, CLR, Helena 1-7H, Brooklyn, Bakken, t10/11; cum 256K 3/20;

20161, 441, BR, Rifle Falls 41-25H, Murphy Creek, Bakken, t10/11; cum 148K 3/20;
20741, 1,237, Statoil/BEXP, Donald 12-1 1H, Squires, Bakken, t8/11; cum 188K 3/20;
20607, 814, CLR, Grande 1-18H, Jim Creek, Bakken, t10/11; cum 198K 3/20;
19897, 681, CLR, Sivertson 1-9H, Elidah, Bakken, t9/11; cum 459K 3/20; cum 476K 5/21;
19566, 1,971, XTO, Deep Creek 43X-5, Lost Bridge, Bakken, t10/11; cum 504K 3/20;
20809, 1,294, CLR, Pletan 4-18H, Jim Creek, Bakken, t12/1l; cum 254K 3/20;
20737, 1,313, Newfield, Olga 150-99-15-22-1H, South Tobacco Garden, Bakken, t6/12; cum 248K 3/20;
20673, IA/65, Cobra Oil & Gas/Enduro Operating/Ward-Williston Company, NWMU A-11H, North Westhope, Madison, t8/11; cum 23K 4/19;
20306, 2,232, Equinor/Statoil/BEXP, Bures 20-29H, Alger, Bakken, s6/11; t10/11; cum 465K 3/20; cum 488K 5/21; cum 484K 9/21;
19593, 1,849, XTO/Denbury Onshore, Rolfson 11-16NEH, Siverston, Bakken, t10/11; cum 308K 3/20;

20807, 831, CLR, Dvirnak 3-7H, Jim Creek, Bakken, t12/11; cum 454K 3/20; see this post; cum 496K 5/21; cum 505K 9/21;

20686, 714, Oasis/Zenergy, Irwin 14-23H, Lake Trenton, Bakken, t9/11; cum 192K 3/20;
20012, IA/1,261, XTO/Denbury Onshore, Sorenson 34-32NWH, Siverston, Bakken, t8/11; cum 273K 8/19; off line 8/19; remains off line 3/20;

20873, 57, Hess, IM-State A-158-90-36H-1, Clear Water, Bakken, t11/11; cum 149K 3/20;
20836, 105, Hess, IM-State-158-90-16H-1, Clear Water, Bakken, t10/11; cum 85K 3/20;
20808, 1,106, CLR, Pletan 3-18H, Jim Creek, Bakken, t12/11; cum 370K 3/20;
20595, 1,834, Newfield, Wahus Federal 152-07-13-24-1H, Westberg, Bakken, t9/11; cum 299K 3/20; see this note;

20154, 1,671, Slawson, Neptune 2-15H, Van Hook, Bakken, t9/11; cum 353K 3/20;
20014, 1,880, Whiting, Rovelstad 21-13H, Timber Creek, Bakken, t6/11; cum 224K 3/20;

20427, 387, EOG, Fertile 45-29H, Parshall, Bakken, first 4.5 months, 50K bbls; 14 stages; 1.6 sand; t6/11; cum 204K 3/20;
20094, 867, Zavanna, Wang 10-3 1H, Glass Bluff, Bakken, s6/11; t3/12; cum 290K 3/20;
20037, 790, EOG, Liberty LR 17-11H, Van Hook, Bakken, first 4.5 months, 75K; 31 stages; 6 sand; t6/11; cum 360K 3/20;
19794, 446, EOG, Ross 34-0533H, Alger, Bakken; first 4.5 months, 46K; 25 stages, 3.4 sand; t6/11; cum 120K 11/13;

20806, 744, CLR, Dvirnak 2-7H, Jim Creek, Bakken, t12/11; cum 212K 9/15;
20382, 825, Petro-Hunt, Wisness 152-96-28A-33-1H, Clear Creek, Bakken; s6/11; t10/11; cum 511K 4/19; cum 541K 5/21;
20280, 175, Whiting, Strand 11-5TFH, Sanish, Bakken, t11/12; cum 88K 9/15;
20206, 954, CLR, Truman 1-23H, Long Creek, Bakken, t11/11; cum 217K 9/15;
19931, 1,257, 1H Breitling 23-14, East Fork, Bakken, t9/11; cum 177K 9/15;

19300, 634, EOG, Hardscrabble 5-0607H, Painted Woods, Bakken, t10/11; cu 185K 9/15;
20838, 1,205, KOG/BTA, 20711 Lind 211 1H, Stockyard Creek, Bakken, t10/12; cum 170K 9/15;
20800, 676, Hess, EN-Norstedt-157-93-1720H-1, Big Butte, Bakken, t1/12; cum 147K 9/15;
20318, 727, SM Energy, Leiseth 16-13H, Poe, Bakken, t9/11; cum 248K 9/15;
19847, 866, Whiting, Johnson 34-8H, Pleasant Hill, Bakken, t10/11; cum 94K 9/15;
19591, 245, Whiting, Rudman 11-12TFH, Sanish, Bakken, t12/11; cum 114K 9/15;
20699, 344, Hunt, Karbowski 2-22H 2, Hunt Oil, Karbowski 2-22H 2, t9/11; cum 155K 9/15;
20132, 1,029, XTO, Badlands Federal 21X-13, North Fork, Bakken, s6/11; t9/11; cum 157K 9/15;
19594, 1,411, XTO/Denbury Onshore, Rolfson 21-16SEH, Siverston, Bakken, t10/11; cum 236K 9/15;
20644, 1,221, MRO, Good Bear USA 31-14H, Moccasin Creek, Bakken, t112/11; cum 233K 4/19;

20799, 487, Hess, EN-Selby-157-93-0805H-1, Big Butte, Bakken, s6/11; t3/12; F; cum 1,405 bbls 2/12; cum 165K 9/21;
19913, 2,825, Oasis, Sparrow Federal 5201 42-11H, Camp, Bakken, cased hole; 4.6 million lbs proppant; 2 million lbs sand; 2.7 million lbs ceramics
19869, 878, Slawson, Crossbow 1-7-6H, wildcat, Bakken, t12/11; cum 113K 4/19;
20760, DRY, Behm, Halden 11-8, wildcat, Bakken; Interlake (Dry); note: no "H" in the name; DRL, Bakken; 11/11;
20783, 1,388, ERF, Miles 151-94-28D-21H TF, Antelope-Sanish, Three Forks, s6/11; t9/11; cum 387K 11/18; 24 stages, 2.3 mil lbs sand; cum 420K 9/21;
20655, 2,217, BEXP, Raymond 17-20 1H, Ragged Butte, middle Bakken, s6/11; t8/11; 34K cum 10/1; 39 stages, 4 mil lbs proppants: 1.5 mil lbs sand; 2.4 mil lbs ceramics
19475, 2,503, Whiting, Brookbank State 41-16XH, Sanish, middle Bakken, s10/10; t6/11; cum 76K bo cum 10/11; 6 stages, 96K lbs sand
17774, 393, Hess, Lemieux 17-1H, Murphy Creek, Bakken,
20865, 48, OXY USA, OXY 160-91-10-4-P-2H, Dimond, Bakken,
20711, 341, Dakota-3, Lucy Lone Fight 16-22H, Squaw Creek, Bakken,
20484, 1,126, Zavanna, Thunderbird 25-36 1H, Long Creek, Bakken,
18903, 394, XTO, Opedahl 21X-11, Capa, Bakken,
20676, 567, CLR, Norfolk 1-1H, North Tobacco Garden, Bakken
20028, 707, Whiting, Duletski 21-16TFH , Gaylord, Bakken,
19729, 328, Hunt, Redmond 1-30-19 1 [sic], Clear Water, Bakken
20740, 1,637, Denbury Onshore, Swenson 41-33SEH , Charlson, Bakken,
20304, 949, MRO, State Kovaloff 11-6H , Murphy Creek, Bakken,
19587, 2,655, KOG, Skunk Creek 12-10-11-9H , South Fork, Bakken, cum 418K 9/21;
20371, 1,949, BEXP, Holm 9-4 2H , Alger, Bakken,
20018, 1,043, Oasis, Wales 5602 42-33H , Bull Butte, Bakken,
19952, 1,596, Oasis, Jensen 5501 42-7H , Missouri Ridge/Wildcat, Bakken, t6/11; cum 119K 11/13;
19844, 1,760, Oasis, Hysted 52200 44-19 , Camp, Bakken, t7/11; cum 157K 11/13;
19832, 1,262, Oasis, Traill 5502 31-4H , Squires, Bakken,
19628, 774, Oasis, Paradise 5892 11-30H , Cottonwood, Bakken,
19418, 1,030, Oasis, Baffin 5601 12-18H , Tyrone, Bakken,
20971, 1,087, XTO, Nelsen State 24X-33R , Indian Hill, Bakken, 24 stages; 2.8 sand,
20470, 752, Hess, McGregor 26-1H , Ellsworth, Bakken,
20024, 486, Bruin/OXY USA, Novasio State 1-6-21H-152-95 , Murphy Creek, Bakken, t6/11; cum 114K 11/18;
20630, 3,179, Equinor/BEXP, Banks State 16-21 1H, Banks, Bakken, s5/11; t9/11; cum 400K 4/19; cum 446K 5/21; cum 447K 9/21;
20514, 1,145, Fidelity, Clifford 14-24H-25, Alger, Bakken,
18642, 238, CLR, Inga 2-12H, Haystack Butte, Bakken,
20671, 1,279, Sinclair, Martens 2-6H, Sanish, Bakken, t12/11; cum 81K 7/13;
20050, 1,226, MRO, Red Feather USA 31-17H, Reunion Bay, Bakken, t12/11; cum 290K 1/19; off line as of 1/19; still off line as of 4/19; back on line 3/21; cum 438K 9/21;
19496, 311, Petro-Hunt, Thorson 159-94-18C-7-2H, North Tioga, Bakken,
19802, 1,215, EOG, Liberty LR 18-14H, Mountrail
20091, 1,323, EOG, Horse Camp 2-11H, 2-well pad, Dunn
20090, 1,833, EOG, Horse Camp 101-11H,2-well pad, Dunn, t10/11; cum 140K 11/13;
21003, 1,189, EOG, Mandaree 102-05H, short lateral, Squaw Creek, Dunn
19680, 2,246, QEP/Helis, Johnson 1-4/9H, Grail, Bakken, t9/11; cum 436K 4/19; cum 463K 5/21;
20652, 330, CLR, Columbia 1-5H, Dollar Joe, Bakken,
20044, 543, Enerplus/WPX/Dakota-3, Dakota-3 Benson 3-9H, South Fork, Bakken, t8/11; cum 221K 4/19;
20614, 411, Petro-Hunt, White 157-100-17B-20-1H, Marmon, Bakken,
20357, 629, CLR, Fuller 1-2H, Little Knife, Bakken,
20549, 387, SM, Roese 4-29H, Colgan, Bakken,
20494, 197, MRO, Waldock USA 21-16H, Deep Water Creek Bay, Bakken, 4 stages, 0.56 sand
20319, 113, KOG, Koala 2-25-36-15H, Wildcat, Bakken,
20042, 912, Hess, Blake 2-6H, Ray, Bakken,
18303, 282, ERF, Sherwood 28-44H, Antelope, Sanish, 26 stages; 2.8 sand; 15% acid
20842, 2,743, BEXP, Larsen 3-10 2H, Williston, Bakken; on the same pad as the Lucy Hanson (20013); the Lucy Hanson went south into the Catwalk field; the Larsen went north into the Williston field (different fields; same pad); no frack data at file report on date released from confidential status; s5/11; t7/11; F; cum 67K 2/12;
20833, 461, CLR, Jefferson 1-17H, Wildcat, Bakken, a TF well; 30 stages, 1.7 sand and 0.8 ceramic
20501, 1,801, Denbury Onshore, Wolff 13-24ENH, North Fork, Bakken; 26 stages, 2.8 million lbs sand
20135, 462, EOG, Clearwater 24-3025H, Ross, Bakken; 31 stages, 3.6 million lbs sand
20670, 635, Hess, EN-Person-156-94 1102H-3, Big Butte, Bakken,
19809, 222, Whiting, Arthaud 21-29TFH, Gaylord, Bakken/TF; 30 stages; 2 million lbs sand
19090, 471, CLR/Newfield, 1-H Osmond 3-10, Wildcat-East Fork, t5/12; cum 78K 7/13;
20778, 366, CLR, Vachal 2-27H, Alkali Creek, Bakken; 24 stages; 2 million lbs sand
20692, 682, MRO, Dawn Kupper 31-15H, Chimney Butte, Bakken; 20 stages, 2.6 lbs sand
20447, 1,283, BR, Samuel 34-21H, Haystack Butte, Bakken, s5/11; t11/11; cum 60K 7/13;
19656, 443, QEP, Erickson 1-26-25H-155-102, Squires, Bakken, t5/12, cum 4K 5/12;
20858, 472, Hess, GO-Olson-155-97-0310H-1, Dollar Joe, Bakken,
20527, 407, Lime Rock/Cornerstone, Jacobson 8-33H, South Cteau/Wildcat, Bakken, t9/11; cum 101K 11/18;
17367, 213, CLR, Eric 11-24SH, Cedar Hills, North Red River B (not a Bakken)
20543, 1,031, North Plains Energy, Evitt 16-21H, Truax, Bakken,
20530, 1,792, MRO, Ella USA 11-16H, Reunion Bay, Bakken,
19923, 865, Whiting, Richard 21-15TFH, Zenith, Bakken,
19686, 343, Samson Resources, Love 11-2 1H, Wildcat, Bakken,
19529, 1,054, EOG, Round Prairie 5-0904H, Painted Woods, Bakken
19409, 761, EOG, Mont 3-3403H, Painted Woods, Bakken,
19281, 1,474, EOG, Hardscrabble 13-3526H, Wildcat, Bakken
20687, 1,482, BR, Capitol 34-7TFH, Westberg, t10/11; cum 258K 4/19;
20743, 55, OXY USA, Erickson 160-91-8-D-1H, Dimond, Bakken, 20 stages; 2.8 million lbs
20567, 530, Petro-Hunt, Fort Berthold 152-94-22D-15-2H, Antelope, Sanish,
20498, 2,230, Denbury Onshore, Loomer 34-4NWH, North Tobacco Garden, Bakken,
20763, 829, CLR, Beaver Creek State 1-36H, Beaver Creek, Bakken, s5/11; t11/11; F; cum 37K 1/12;
20798, 151, Newfield, Solheim 160-102-28-33-1HA, Fertile Valley, Bakken, 32 stages; 4.1 million pounds sand -- hmmm...a very expensive well; Divide County, northwest of Williston
20262, 454, Hunt, Horst 2-24H 2, Parshall, Bakken, 
20188, 519, CLR, Stangeland 1-18H, Wildcat, Bakken, Crazy Man Creek, t12/11; cum 297K 5/21;
19767, 390, EOG, Ross 32-1707H, Alger, Bakken,  t5/11; cum 212K 5/21;
20040, 883, XTO, William 41X-6,  Bear Den, Bakken,  t9/11; cum 259K 5/21;
19788, 3,742, Equinor/BEXP, Charlie Sorenson 17-8 1H, Alger, Bakken,38 stages; 3.9 million lbs; s5/11; t10/11; GL; cum 313K 11/18;

• 18707, 1,713, Rimrock, Moccasin Creek 13-34-28-1H, Dunn, Moccasin Creek; s3/10; t9/10; cum 587K 11/18; cum 633K 5/21;
  
• 18656, 2,035, Moccasin Creek 13-34-28-2H, Dunn, Moccasin Creek; s1/10; t8/10; cum 362K 10/14;
• 18988, 1,835, Two Shields Butte 14-21-33-15H, Dunn, Heart Butte; s8/10; t12/10; cum 349K 10/14;
• 18989, 958, Two Shields Butte 14-21-33-16H3, Dunn, Heart Butte; s7/10; t12/10; cum 314K 4/19;
• 18455, 1,089, Two Shields Butte 14-21-4H, Dunn; Heart Butte; s5/10; t12/10; cum 173K 10/14;
• 18987, 223, Rimrock,Two Shields Butte 14-21-16-2H, Dunn; Heart Butte; s9/10; t4/11; cum 638K 11/18;
• 18517, 1,595, Rimrock, Two Shields Butte 2-24-12-2H, only 4 stages completed; will go back in, Dunn; Mandaree; s11/10; t9/11; cum 534K 11/18;
• 19825, 2,698, Skunk Creek 2-24-25-15H, Dunn, Mandaree; s12/10; t9/11; cum 524K 4/19; cum 567K 5/21;
  
• 19826, 2,845, Rimrock, Two Shields Butte 2-24-12-1H3, Dunn, Mandaree; s2/11; t9/11; cum 507K 4/19;
• 19587, 2,655, Rimrock, Skunk Creek 12-10-11-9H, Dunn, South Fork; 6/11; 10/11; cum 362K 11/18;
• 20926, 2,682, Skunk Creek 12-10-11-9H3, Dunn, South Fork; 7/11; 10/11; cum 194K 10/14;
• 18923, 447, Grizzly 1-27H-R, McKenzie; Mondak; s7/10; t10/10; F; cum 100K 10/14:
• 16162, 82, Grizzly 13-6H, McKenzie; Mondak; s4/06;s5/10; t7/06; F; cum 65K 10/14:
• 19301, 2,526, Koala 9-5-6-5H, McKenzie, Poe, s9/10; t4/11; F; cum 248K 10/14:
• 19651, 1,919, Whiting, Koala 9-5-6-12H3, McKenzie, wildcat; s10/10; t4/11; cum 361K 11/18;
• 19961, 2,816, Koala 3-2-11-14H, McKenzie, Poe, s12/10; t7/11; GL; cum 313K 10/14:
• 20383, 2,514, Koala 3-2-11-13H, McKenize, Poe, s2/11; t7/11; cum 252K 10/14:

• 20263, 345, Newfield, Pass 160-102-21-16-1H, Fertile Valley, Bakken, 32 stages, 2.6 million lbs sand
• 20638, 591, CLR, Kuhn 1-12H, Camp, Bakken, s5/11; t8/11; cum 487K 5/21; cum 492K 9/21;
  
• 19924, 1,225, BR, Rifle Falls 31-25H, Murphy Creek, Bakken, s5/11; t10/11; cum 12K 1/12;
• 19803, 550, XTO, Albertine 21X-2, Midway, Bakken, t9/11; cum 79K 7/13;
• 19769, 523, ERF, Baker 29-31H, Heart Butte, Bakken, t8/11; cum 146K 7/13;
• 20538, 352, CLR, Calhoun 1-3H, Pembroke, Bakken, 24 stages; 2.3 million lbs (640K ceramics)
• 19968, 757, CLR, Peltan 2-18H, Jim Creek, Three Forks; 24 stages; 2.2 million lbs (588K ceramic)
• 20510, 705, Zavanna, Everett 1-15H, Stockyard Creek, Bakken, t1/12; cum 131K 10/14; 
• 20485, 762, Oasis/SM Energy, Barnes Federal 2-2H, Elk, Bakken, s5/11; t7/11; cum 328K 5/21;
• 20389, 75, OXY USA, Swenson 160-19-4-P-1H, Dimond, Bakken, 21 stages; 2.8 million lbs
• 20373, 2,812, BEXP, Alger State 16-21 1H, Alger, Bakken, 34 stages; 4 million lbs (2.5 mill ceramic); s5/11; t8/11; F; cum 100K 2/12;
• 20082, SI, Burlington Resources, Intervale 31-35H, Murphy Creek, Bakken, 
• 19048, 705, Petro-Hunt, Borrud 156-101-11D-2-1H, Tyrone/Wildcat, Bakken, t8/11; cum 141K 10/14;

20507, 827, KOG/BTA, 20711 Swanson 3328 1H, Epping, Bakken, t10/12; cum 167K 7/13;
19515, IA/826, WPX/Dakota-3, Adam Good Bear 15-22H/Dakota-3 Adam Good Bear 15-22H, Van Hook, Bakken, t8/11; cum 462K 11/18; cum 467K 4/20; off line 5/20; remains off line 5/21;
19450, 322, CLR, Wahpeton 1-16H, Banks, Bakken,
20285, 32, Baytex, Haugenoe 22-162-99H, Ambrose, Bakken,
19499, 1,264, Fidelity, TTT Ranch 33-28H, Stanley, Bakken; 30 stages; 2.7 million lbs (not specified)
20642, 1,137, MRO, Good Bear USA 21-14H, Moccasin Creek, Bakken, t9/15; cum 408K 5/21;
20519, 983, Whiting/Zenergy, Link 12-1H, Wildcat, Bakken, t7/11; cum 152K 11/18;
19325, 896, Equinor/BEXP, Stanley Larson 8-5 1H, Squires, Bakken, t7/11; cum 117K 11/18;
20634, 278, Hunt, Nielsen 2-8H 2, Mountrail, t6/11; cum 140K 11/18;
20620, 870, Hess, GO-Soine-156-97 3130H-1, Dollar Joe, Bakken, 38 stages; 4.4 million lbs, t9/11; cum 199K 11/18;
20308, 654, Hess, GO-Soine A-156-97-3229H-1, Dollar Joe, Bakken, 38 stages; 1.5 million lbs
19981, 1,003, Zavanna, Gust 2-11 1H, Wildcat, Bakken; not sure why this was a wildcat; in Long Creek, east of Williston, t3/12; cum 487K 11/18; cum 529K 5/21;
19926, 161, WLL, Roller 21-26TFH, Zenith, Stark County, t5/11; cum 39K 7/15;
20270, 732, Petro-Hunt, Skedsvold 150-101-4B-9-1H, Pronghorn/Wildcat, Bakken, south of Indian Hill; t8/11; cum 122K 10/14;
20205, 859, CLR, Rennerfeldt 1-30H, Brooklyn, Bakken, t8/11; cum 288K 9/20; off line 10/20; remains off line 4/21, though it maybe coming back on line 5/21;
20502, TA/1,272, True, Hagen 23-13H, Red Wing Creek, Madison (not a Bakken), t6/11; cum 14K 7/15;
20335, 2,370, Newfield, Holm 150-99-13-24-1H, Siverston, Bakken; 38 stages; 4 mill lbs (not specified); t8/11; cum 104K 5/12;
19937, 404, Whiting, Paluck 21-27TFH, Zenith, Bakken, t6/11; cum 47K 7/15;
19482, 464, Oasis, Twobins 5501 42-20H, Missouri Ridge/Wildcat, Bakken, t5/11; cum 240K 4/19;
20552, 682, HRC/G3 Operating, Muller 1-21-16H, Climax, Bakken, long lateral, 38 stages, 4 million lbs non-sand proppant; t7/11; cum 74K 7/15;
19528, 810, EOG, Van Hook 16-35H, Van Hook, Bakken, short lateral, 9 stages, 2 million lbs sand only, t8/11; cum 150K 10/14;
20292, 846, Hess, Johnson 15-22H, Ray, Bakken, t9/11; cum 132K 7/15;
20460, 1,195, Oasis/Zenergy, Lawlar 26-35H, North Tobacco Garden, Bakken, 26 stages, 2 mill lbs, sand; t9/11; cum 228K 7/15;
20459, 1,443, Oasis/Zenergy, Lawlar 24-14H, North Tobacco Garden, Bakken, t9/11; cum 216K 11/18; off line as of 1/18;
20311, 352, XTO, Leach Sate 12X-16, Capa, Three Forks, 24 stages, 2.6 million lbs; t10/11; cum 96K 7/15;
20261, 288, CLR, Taney 1-14H, Little Knife, Bakken, t8/11; cum 72K 7/15;
19399, 309, CLR, Glasoe 4-18H, Dolphin, Bakken, t10/11; cum 85K 7/15;
20690, PA/25, Hess, EN-Wander-156-94-0904H-1, Big Butte, Bakken, 11 stages, 1 million lbs; t9/11;
19555, 720, WLL, Foreman 31-4TFH, Sanish, Bakken, t4/11; cum 143K 7/15;
19414, 1,060, Oasis, Drummond 5501 44-21H, Missouri Ridge/Wildcat, Bakken, t5/11; cum 179K 7/15;
19413, 1,664, Sinclair, Martens 2-5H, Sanish, Bakken; s4/11; t11/11; F; cum 46K 1/12;
20576, 240, CLR, Agnes 1-22H, Upland, Bakken, t8/11; cum 101K 7/15;
20251, 313, CLR/Samson Resources, Blue Jay 32-29-163-95H, Kimberly/Wildcat, Bakken, t12/11; cum 80K 7/15;
20246, 851, Hunt, Halliday 1-19-18H 1, Werner, Bakken, t10/11; cum 251K 7/15;
20232, 304, Samson Resources, Mustang 7-6-163-98H, Ambrose, Bakken, t11/11; cum 84K 7/15;
19864, 1,333, Petro-Hunt, Klevmoen Trust 17D-4-3H, Charlson, Bakken, t7/11; cum 262K 7/15;
20403, 1,391, Slawson, Jaguar 2-32H, Big Bend, Bakken, t7/11; cum 379K 4/19;
20066, DRY, XTO, Nelsen State 24X-33, Indian Hill, Bakken; this well was plagued from the beginning; blizzard, technical problems, etc; they went back; got a great well; go to the link;
20631, 3,166, Equinor/Statoil/BEXP, Enderud 9-4 2H, Banks, Bakken; 42 stages; 4.2 million lbs, t9/11; cum 305K 11/18;
20609, 756, CLR, Salo 3-35H, Hamlet, Bakken, t12/11; cum 103K 10/14;
19874, 2,261, WLL, Lacey 14-1X, Sanish, Bakken, MB, 22 stages; 2.3 million pounds sand (only), t4/11; cum 319K 11/18;
19694, 723, Enerplus, Danks 20-41H, Sanish, Bakken, MB, 12 stages, 1.6 million pounds sand (only), t7/11; cum 171K 10/14;
19547, 207, Petro-Hunt, State 157-100-21C-16-1H, Marmon, Bkn, 25 stages, 3 mill lbs sand, 7 days; t8/11; cum 90K 10/14;
20034, 524, CLR, Debrecen 1-3H, Bell, Bakken, t7/11; cum 211K 7/15;
20288, 1,377, MRO, Fisher USA 41-5H, Reunion Bay, Bakken, t9/11; cum 421K 4/19; cum 479K 5/21;
20610, 609, CLR, Hamlet 4-2H, Hamlet, Bakken, t1/12; cum 129K 10/14;
20341, 238, Samson Resources, Le Mans 11-2-163-99H, Ambrose, Bakken, t2/12; cum 56K 10/14;
18772, 192, OXY USA, Leiss 1-23-26H-143-96, Fayette, Bakken, t5/11; cum 145K 10/14;
19908, 1,308, XTO, Teddy Federal 12X-5, Haystack Butte, Bakken. 22 stages; sand frack; 2.75 million pounds proppant, t8/11; cum 265K 11/18;
19816, 202, Whiting, Paluck 21-28TFH, Gaylord, Three Forks, 30 stages; 3.1 million pounds sand; 3.4 million pounds proppant, t4/11; cum 43K 10/14;
18921, 982, Hess, Arnegard State 36-1H, Sandrocks, Bakken, t11/11; cum 211K 7/15; cum 298K 5/21;
19980, 1,319, Fidelity, Hill 31-30H, Stanley, Bakken, t7/11; cum 417K 11/18; cum 471K 5/21;
20639, 2,901, Equinor/BEXP, Judy 22-15 1H, East Fork, Bakken, t9/11; cum 325K 11/18; cum 348K 4/20; off line 5/20; remains off line 5/21;
19611, 1,211, Oasis, Hendricks 5602 42-36H, Tyrone, Bakken, t4/11; cum 117K 10/14;
20611, 429, CLR, Salo 2-35H, Hamlet, Bakken, t12/11; cum 85K 10/14;
20465, 1,305, Zenergy, Rolfson 20-17H, Siverston, Bakken; 30 stages; sand frac; no acid; 2.6 million pounds proppant, t9/11; cum 195K 10/14; kcum 320K 5/21;
20236, 824, WPX/ Dakota-3 Packineau 15-32H, Heart Butte, Bakken, t6/11; cum 281K 11/18;
19917, 273, WLL, Maus 23-22, Camel Hump/Wildcat, Red River (not a Bakken) -- nice well for a Red River, t7/11; cum 166K 11/18;
19915, 743, CLR, Steele 1-24H, Banks, Bakken, t8/11; cum 368K 11/18; cum 421K 5/21;
20516, 50, Whiting/KOG, Smokey 15-22-15-2H, Pembroke, Bakken, t12/11; cum 354K 11/18;
20292, 846, Hess, Johnson 15-22H, Ray, Bakken, 38 stages, 4.4 million lbs, t9/11; cum 122K 10/14;
20017, 2,502, Newfield, Hoffman 159-0-98-18-19-1H, Siverston, Bakken, 31 stages, 3.1 million lbs sand; t8/11; cum 218K 7/15;
19427, 767, Oasis, Montague 5501 13-3H, Cow Creek, Bakken, t5/11; cum 197K 7/15;
20566, 345, CLR, Montpelier 1-14H, Indian Hill/Wildcat, Bakken, t9/11; cum 130K 10/14;
19731, 1,800, Statoil/BEXP, Irgens 27-34 1H, East Fork, Bakken, t9/11; cum 148K 10/14;
19431, 48, OXY USA, Velenchenko 1-4-9H-143-97, Crooked Creek, Bakken, t5/11; cum 103K 7/15;
20612, 240, CLR, Hamlet 3-2H, Hamlet, Bakken, t12/11; cum 123K 10/14;
20453, 440, Hess, Wallace 7-1H, Murphy Creek, Bakken, t9/11; cum 106K 10/14;
19827, 515, KOG, Skunk Creek 2-24-25-16H, Mandaree, Bakken, t10/11; cum 193K 10/14;
19320, 881, WLL, Brehm 2-4H, Sanish, Bakken, t4/11; cum 157K 10/14;
20489, 933, QEP, MHA 3-32-29-150-91, Heart Butte, Bakken, t11/11; cum 369K 4/19;
20013, 3,771, Equinor/Statoil/BEXP, Lucy Hanson 15-22 1H, Catwalk, Bakken, t8/11; cum 349K 4/19;
20490, 2,609, QEP, MHA 1-32-29H-150-91, Heart Butte, Bakken, t11/11; cum 451K 11/18;
20398, 115, Gadeco, Golden 25-36H, Epping, Bakken, t5/12; cum 190K 2/19; IA off and on;
19058, 2,834, Statoil/BEXP, Bures 20-29 1H, Alger, Bakken, t11/11; cum 269K 7/15;
18691, 3,731, Newfield, Wisness Federal 152-96-4-2H, Westberg, Bakken, 26 stages, 2.2 million pounds proppant, t7/11; cum 398K 3/18;
20599, SI, Hess, EN-Person Observation-2-43, Big Butte, Three Forks; s4/11; observation only;
20536, 477, CLR, Cheyenne 1-4H, Dollar Joe, Bakken, t7/11; cum 112K 3/18;
20529, 1,523, MRO, Randi USA 41-17H, Reunion Bay, Bakken, t9/11; cum 260K 3/18;
20267, 737, Slawson, Muskrat Federal 2-28-33H, Van Hook, Bakken, t9/11; cum 438K 4/19; 486K 5/21; cum 489K 7/21; off line 7/21;
20456, 3,034, Ovintiv/Newfield Production, Staal 150-99-23-14-1H, South Tobacco Garden, Bakken; 38 stages; 3.7 million lbs sand; no ceramic; t8/11; cum 315K 3/18;  cum 356K 5/21;
20488, 1,571, QEP, MHA 3-04-03H-149-91, Heart Butte, Bakken, t11/11; cum 361K 3/18; cum 418K 5/21;
20324, 1,963, BR, Midnight Run 21-1TFH, Union Center, Bakken, t12/11; cum 210K 5/18; cum 269K 3/21; off line 4/21; remains off line 5/21;
19449, 1,993, Whiting, State 12-32H, Sanish, Bakken; 26 stages; 1.7 million pounds sand; 1.7 million pounds proppant, t4/11; cum 311K 5/18; cum 348K 5/21;
20539, A/SI, EN-Person Observation 2-32, Big Butte, Three Forks, s 4/11; observation only;
18981, 2,952, Equinor/Statoil/BEXP, Holm 9-4 1H, Alger, Bakken, t8/11; cum 260K 3/18; off line 5/20; back online 2/21; cum 276K 5/21;
19872, 108, CLR, MPHU 43-9H, Medicine Pole Hills, Red River (not a Bakken), t7/11; cum 287K 4/19; cum 333K 5/21;
19544, 830, Denbury Onshore, Gilbertson 34-26H, Charlson, Bakken, t6/11; cum 238K 3/18; cum 278K 5/21;
20487, 606, QEP, MHA 1-04-03H-149-19, Heart Butte, Bakken, t11/11; cum 274K 3/18; cum 314K 5/21;
20099, 1,080, Slawson, Cannonball Federal 2-27-34H, Van Hook, Bakken, t11/11; cum 372K 4/19; cum 400K 5/21;
19894, PA, Helis, Gabbert 4-2/11H, Grail, Bakken
20491, 220, CLR, Charleston 1-22H, Brooklyn, Bakken, s4/1; no test date; cum 180K 3/18; cum 249K 5/21;
19558, 393, WLL, Robert Patten 44-3TFH, Sanish, Bakken -- for newbies, note: this well targeted the Three Forks Sanish formation, part of the Bakken pool, t4/11; cum 177K 11/18; cum 199K 5/21;
20450, 426, MRO, Verlyn Strommen 34-8H, Killdeer, Bakken, t10/11; cum 145K 11/18; cum 158K 5/21;
20272, 800, Hess, Norman 31-1H, Truax, Bakken, t10/11; cum 267K 11/18; cum 303K 5/21;

There Were Not Two Consecutive Days With Fourteen (14) New Permits -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

Earlier I posted that there were fourteen (14) new permits issued yesterday and today.

That is inaccurate.

The last two permits issued on Monday showed up as the first two permits issued on Tuesday. So, technically, there were 13 new permits Monday, 12 new permits Tuesday, and 14 new permits today.

Just some minor housekeeping.

Samson Resources -- Re-Entering A Dry TFS Well in Bluffton Oil Field -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

This was noted in today's daily activity report:

• NDIC File No: 19265 County: DIVIDE
• Location: NENW 13-162-97
• Current Operator: SAMSON RESOURCES COMPANY
• Original Operator: SAMSON RESOURCES COMPANY
• Current Well Name: NAVIGATOR 13-24-162-97H
• Original Well Name: LANDY 1-13
• Field: BLUFFTON
• Spud Date(s): 8/16/2010

The Landy 1-13, a TFS well was reported to be DRY some months ago. It now appears Samson is re-drilling the location under a different name.

Samson also has a permit for another well in this section:

• 21651, LOC, Samson Resources, Armada 12-1-162-97H, Bluffton, Bakken, NENW 13-162N-97W

So, it looks like Samson is going to name a series of wells after a navy armada.

A Very Sad Day ---

I was watching Kudlow when the news broke.

If there is one person who my daughters and I grew up with together -- as an extended family, I suppose -- it was Steve Jobs.

This is a very sad day. I was Apple FanBoy #3. Along with several thousand others.

The obit ....

Fourteen (14) New Permits -- 1 Out of 3 Wells Fracked "on Time" -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

Wow, wow, wow -- second day in a row with 14 new permits issued --

 Daily activity report, October 5, 2011 --

Operators: Samson Resources (4), Denbury (2), Petro-Hunt (2), Baytex, Hess, Whiting, CLR, Zenergy, and Kodiak.

Fields: Bluffton, Ranch Coulee, Tobacco Garden, Juno, Four Bears, Musta, Bell, Upland, Siverston, Mondak, and one wildcat.

Samson Resources has the wildcat in Divide County.

Denbury and Petro-Hunt both have permits for a 2-well pad.

Of the three wells coming off the confidential list, only Whiting reported its well:

• 19558, 393, Robert Patten 44-3TFH, Mountrail

Bluffton is "new" to me. It's quite a ways north of Williston, adjacent to Blooming Prairie. Samson Resources already has one producing well in that field, the unremarkable:

• 16443, 60, Samson Resources, Wenstad 15-162-97H, Bluffton, Bakken, s1/07; t4/07; cumulative on 21,000 bbls after four years of production; this well has been designated a stripper well; it's intial spacing was 1280-acres but requested a change to 640-acre spacing (which I assumed was granted); it was fracked with sand and diesel, but from the file report I did not see number of stages

A lot has changed since 2007; it will be interesting to see if Samson Resources gets better wells this far north.

With Regard to Division Orders ...

There's a very nice comment from Mildred regarding division orders and Continental Resources -- it should be the very last (most recent) comment at this post. When you get to the link, just scroll all the way down to the last comment. It might be of interest to some folks waiting for division orders. Mildred relates a very positive experience.

Talk About Spin -- Utilities Raising Rates to Pay for Infrastructure Modernization

Link here.

This is what they are telling you:

From Alaska to Georgia and Wyoming to Florida, utilities are seeking permission to pass on hundreds of millions of dollars in new charges to customers to help upgrade aging infrastructure and build new or retrofitted power plants that comply with tougher environmental regulations, a Daily Beast review of regulatory filings has found.

This is accurate but the emphasis is interesting: "to help upgrade aging infrastructure" takes precedence.

In fact, the increased utility rates have more to do with Federal- and state-mandated requirements for inefficient renewable energy (I've blogged so often about it, I won't look for links now) than with aging infrastructure. Starting back in 2010 or so, many states started mandating that utilities produce 20 percent of their electricity from "renewable" sources, such as wind or solar. Minnesota even took the unusual step of refusing electricity from the Dakotas if it came from coal-powered sources. That decision ended up doing two things: a) putting the kabosh on a new power plant in South Dakota; and, b) raising electric rates for Minnesotans.

Point: if there is an "aging infrastructure" issue, it has been worsened by crazy requirements that utilities use less efficient sources, such as wind, to provide for electricity (don't even get me started on the inefficiencies of solar). For the past two years when the utilities could have added hundreds of thousands of jobs tackling "aging infrastructure," and working to keep electric costs down, they've been saddled with putting up whooping crane-killing turbines.

I recall very recently that Minnesota has agreed to purchase electricity from the Dakotas now even if it is coal-generated. I don't remember the specifics.

On another note, the writer uses the phrase "to pass on hundreds of millions of dollars in new charges to customers" which again is absolutely true. What the writer does not tell you is this: a) the utilities, in exchange for being regulated, are allowed to recuperate their costs by law; and, b) the utilities seldom get what they request.

The second point is very, very important. By not getting their requests at the front end, the "can is kicked down the road" and over time, the requests become larger and more difficult for the state regulators to deny. The utilities won't upgrade or increase capacity if their costs are not reimbursed.

More Global Warming -- Will It Never End?

Earliest return of winter to Lake Tahoe since 1969.

A cold weather front took aim at Northern California Tuesday, packing a potent punch with as much as 10 inches of snow for the Sierra peaks, the earliest return of winter conditions to Tahoe since 1969, according to weather forecasters.

According to the Central Sierra Snow Lab, the flurries predicted with this storm will make the shortest duration between snow storms since 1969. The lab – located in Norden – got its last measurable snow on July 1 – 96 days ago.

I guess we should be thankful for a bit of global warming. Otherwise it would have been a cold, cold summer for California.

Morning Notes -- October 5, 2011 -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

1. Jobless report. Ooooohhhh.....ouch....not good. September layoffs biggest in two years.

The number of planned layoffs at U.S. firms in September jumped to its highest in more than two years due to heavy cutbacks by the military and Bank of America, a private report on Wednesday showed.

The spin is interesting: "It is important to keep in mind that 80,000 cuts, or nearly 70 percent of last month's total, came from just two organizations: Bank of America and the United States Army," John A. Challenger, chief executive officer of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, said in a statement. "Neither of these cuts is directly related to recent softness in the economy."


2. The traffic in Williston between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. is incredible. Simply no other word for it: absolutely incredible. Busy, busy, busy. Someone asked me last night if I am sad to see Williston changing the way it's changing. I replied: "I like to see people working."

3. The tidbit from elsewhere regarding Strandahl oil field that I posted last night provides a little insight for all those folks who say that companies won't be able to get to their leases before the leases expire. I've always opined that oil companies know how to manage their leases, and the tidbit from Strandahl suggests just that.

4. Stark County budget is released. The Stark County budget remained absolutely flat; in fact, with the cost of doing business in the oil patch, I would say that the budget is ... well, depressing. Dickinson't is the county seat of Stark County. That's the city that recently turned down a 600-bed man-camp that could now move eight (8) miles north into Dunn County.

[County commissioner Duane] Wolf was concerned that Stark County didn’t get its fair share during the last oil impact distribution.


“We go from $4 million to $100 million (in oil impact grants) and Stark County got nothing,” he said. “We have the impact and we don’t have the oil production and we get nothing. That just doesn’t seem right.”

Wolf added after the meeting that many of the oil operations have employees that are living in Stark County communities, but working in other counties.

And, it sounds like the Dickinson't folks want to sent those folks to Dunn County.

5. 199 active drilling rigs in North Dakota this morning, two shy of the record. I've heard rumors about the number of rigs going forward but not at liberty to say. But I post this so I can have the time-date stamp when the "rumors" are made public.

Quick Random Note on the Strandahl Oil Field -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

This might explain all the recent activity in the Strandahl oil field.

The Strandahl field is in northwestern Williams County, right along the Montana border. It is one township, T157N-R103W, and only 36 sections. right now there are two producing wells in that field (one short horizontal; one long horizontal). There are eight confidential wells in that 36-section field. Very, very active.

Skip ESER: Go to UND-EERC -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

Elsewhere folks continue to ask about and talk about eser.org.

The UND-EERC site is much, much better in my opinion, and as far as I know, UND-EERC is not tracking your visits.