World's Fourth Largest Crane in the Rocky Mountain Oil Region

Updates

Later: I cannot take credit for this one. More than one person has suggested that the old tanks be used for growing algae. Memo to self: note to Interior Secretary to talk to the president about this one. The only downside: mosquitoes would love the breeding opportunity, but lots of DDT could take care of that.  Apologies to Rachel.

Original Post

If I had the time it would be interesting to post a commentary on the oil and gas industry in the Williston Basin, reflecting on the "relative" obscurity of the biggest energy play going on in the world right now. I really don't know if the Williston Basin is the biggest energy play, but it certainly must be in the top five. The Eagle Ford will eventually get there, but it will be obscured somewhat by the fact that everyone knows "Texas" as a center.

But I really don't think most Americans think of North Dakota when asked about oil in the US. I thought about that again, when I saw the photograph of Conoco's Billings (Montana) story (sent to me by Don).

I assume most folks think of North Dakota as depicted in the photograph that is posted at the bottom of this note. 

Very, very few folks will see this story, and even those who do, will likely skip over what I think is the biggest part of the story:

As dawn broke Tuesday, the world's fourth-biggest crane began the delicate task of replacing coke drums at the Billings ConocoPhillips refinery.

Data points:

• that was the first lift; five more lifts to complete the project
• the crane is owned and operated by Mammoet; the crane weighs 1,760 tons
• each new drum weighs 350 tons

But the data point that caught my attention: this is the fourth-largest crane in the world (not in the region, not in the US, not in North America, but in the entire world). That, metaphorically, speaks volumes about the oil and gas industry in the US.

I do believe this process was held up by faux environmentalists blocking megaloads on Idaho and Montana highways, but don't know for sure. I do know that megaloads going to Canada have been held up by faux environmentalists.

Oh, yes, here's the photograph I mentioned above:

North Dakota blizzard, winter, 1936