Monday, February 24, 2014

Massive new BHI research facility completed; Claremore, Oklahoma. PennEnergy is reporting:

..... the new Artificial Lift Research and Technology Center in Claremore, Oklahoma with a large reception and tour, showing off the facility to business partners, state and local dignitaries, and members of the press. The massive structure provides an all-in-one experience for artificial lift customers, housting design, fabrication, testing, and analysis in a single facility.

Construction on the 80,000 square foot facility began in 2012. The center adds to the testing capabilities of the artificial lift product center, also located in Claremore adjacent to the new facility.

The pinnacle of the ALRTC is a large test well area, featuring six vertical test wells of various diameters and depths. The test well area includes a 100-foot ceiling supporting 3, 30-ton cranes capable of lifting 90 tons, and massive bay doors to allow for loading and unloading of equipment to simulate real world field conditions.

Active rigs in North Dakota:

	2/24/2014	02/24/2013	02/24/2012	02/24/2011	02/24/2010
Active Rigs	187	181	204	168	97

RBN Energy: Natural gas storage fears spike price of natural gas.

Two short years ago at the end of March 2012 natural gas marketers despaired of ever finding a home for surging natural gas production after a historically mild winter left underground gas storage bursting at the seams. A week later in April 2012 natural gas CME NYMEX Henry Hub prices dipped below $2/MMBtu and producers started shifting their drilling rigs to wet gas and liquids plays in search of higher returns. Fast-forward to today and we move towards the end of another record winter – this time a freezing cold one. Last week gas prices climbed over $6/MMBtu and the gas storage gauge will likely be close to empty (metaphorically speaking) by the end of March. Today we provide an update on this winter’s gas market.

The Wall Street Journal

Of course, the lead stories about the Ukrainians booting out Putin and the Russians.

Netflix to pay Comcast for speed.

American Academy of Pediatrics doesn't want "retail health care clinics" popping up in drugstores and strip malls to become primary care clinics for children. Too late. 90% of what pediatricians "do," can be "done" by nurse practitioners. Welcome to Obamacare.

Yes, the CBR story and high combustibility of Bakken crude is in today's paper. Posted earlier as a stand-alone post.

The Los Angeles Times

Maria Bartiromo's big day with Fox Business Network is arriving.  I hope this works. I would love a good alternative to CNBC.

Long overdue: CNN will cancel "Piers Morgan." I'm surprised he lasted this long. I don't think I watched him more than once or twice (passing through airports) but that was more than enough. Had he not had a British accent he would have been gone long ago.