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Sunday, January 12, 2014

Marmon Oil Field Has Been Updated; For A Small State, A Big Footprint; Statoil And Wind Energy?

A reader sent me this short note:
I found this well, #25793, very interesting for the Marmon field. It has Excellent production vs those to the east (#19547, #19103, #21159, #21158, and #20604). There is talk of better wells with improvements in drilling and fracking over time vs operator technique.  HRC is busy in the field and probably doing more stages.
I thought that interesting so I updated the field. It is going to be a very, very active field.

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North Dakota Vignette
North Dakota leads the nation in several agricultural products, is a leading wind energy producer, is #1 in honey production, and has the largest continuous oil reservoir in the lower 48. And the state remains a leader in coal production: 

The Bismarck Tribune is reporting:
Lignite production in North Dakota last year up slightly but still below the long-term average.
The Lignite Energy Council says the state's four large lignite mines produced 27.7 million tons of coal in 2013. That's up from 27.5 million tons from 2012.
The group says production has been near 30 million tons since 1988, making North Dakota one of the 10 major coal-producing states in the nation.
Most of the coal is used to produce electricity which is about 20 times cheaper than wind generated electricity.

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Statoil and Wind

A reader sent this most interesting article. Seacostonline is reporting:
A 12-megawatt offshore wind project a few miles off Maine's coast could transform the state into a leader of the infant industry, supporters say. But first, developers must overcome their first major hurdle: getting the green light from a panel of state regulators this week.
The Maine Public Utilities Commission is poised to vote Tuesday on whether to grant initial approval for a state contract to the University of Maine and its partner companies, called Maine Aqua Ventus, to build a two-turbine pilot project off the coast of Monhegan Island.
That may or may be interesting to readers of the blog, but look at this, from the very next paragraph i that linked article. Who would have ever guess?
The vote will come nearly a year after the PUC gave the first nod to Norwegian company Statoil for its own offshore wind project, which was spiked following maneuvering by Republican Gov. Paul LePage's administration. Now those who've long urged the state to capitalize on its generous wind resources are keeping a close eye on the PUC's decision this week.
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Solar Energy Faltering

Speaking of renewable energy, this was a very, very interesting headline story in The LA Times today: after a building boom, solar energy's prospects aren't as sunny. Regular readers are well aware of this; all one has to do is a google search: solar energy bankruptcies. Do the google search. I think you will be surprised. I was. But I'm posting the story because it was the headline story in a major magazine that may be more outrageous than The New York Times. From the linked article:
Five years after the Obama administration's renewable energy initiative touched off a building boom of large-scale solar power plants across the desert Southwest, the pace of development has slowed to a crawl, with a number of companies going out of business and major projects canceled for lack of financing.
Of the 365 federal solar applications since 2009, just 20 plants are on track to be built. Only three large-scale solar facilities have gone online, two in California and one in Nevada. The first auction of public land for solar developers, an event once highly anticipated by federal planners, failed to draw a single bid last fall.
Several factors are responsible, industry analysts say. The tight economy has made financing difficult to obtain, and the federal government has not said whether it will continue to offer tax credits of the size that brought a rush of interest in large-scale solar five years ago.
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The ObamaCare Trainwreck

The Washington Post is reporting:
When millions of health-insurance plans were canceled last fall, the Obama administration tried to be reassuring, saying the terminations affected only the small minority of Americans who bought individual policies.
But according to industry analysts, insurers and state regulators, the disruption will be far greater, potentially affecting millions of people who receive insurance through small employers by the end of 2014.
While some cancellation notices already have gone out, insurers say the bulk of the letters will be sent in October, 2014, shortly before the next open-enrollment period begins. The timing — right before the midterm elections — could be difficult for Democrats who are already fending off Republican attacks about the Affordable Care Act and its troubled rollout.
Some of the small-business cancellations are occurring because the policies don’t meet the law’s basic coverage requirements. But many are related only indirectly to the law; insurers are trying to move customers to new plans designed to offset the financial and administrative risks associated with the health-care overhaul.
As part of that, they are consolidating their plan offerings to maximize profits and streamline how they manage them.
Don't worry; this is not going to happen in an election year. The president will issue an executive order preventing this from happening. As noted several times, the health insurers will simply be "pass-through" entities for ObamaCare.

See also, twitchy/just Karl: http://twitchy.com/2014/01/13/lotta-denial-out-there-chuck-todd-gets-much-needed-dose-of-obamacare-reality/

Almost 30 Wells Come Off The Confidential List Over The Weekend, Monday; Most Go To DRL Status; BR And HRC With "High IP" Wells; Fidelity With Two Nice Wells; Others With Nice Wells; We Find Two More Lost States

Monday, January 13, 2014:
  • 22357, 320, Hess, EN-Engebretson 157-94-1003H-1, White Earth, t11/13; cum 13K 11/13;
  • 22490, 1,594, Petro-Hunt, Jonsrud 151-96-3A-10-7H, Clear Creek, t10/13; cum 48K 11/13;
  • 23278, drl, QEP, Paul 1-26/35H, Grail, no production data,
  • 23671, drl, KOG, Koala 2-2-11-15H3, Poe, no production data,
  • 24565, 1,010, Fidelity, Mallory 3-34-33H, Sanish, t7/13; cum 59K 11/13;
  • 25149, drl, XTO, Wallace 21X-2F, West Capa, no production data,
  • 25290, drl, KOG, Charging Eagle 14-14-24-16H3, Twin Buttes, no production data,
  • 25461, 254, CLR, Marcella 1-5H, South Meadow, t10/13; cum 11K 11/13;
  • 25681, drl, BR, Sunline 31-1TFH-7SH, Clear Creek, no production data,
  • 25815, drl, CLR, Salers 2-27H, Antelope, no production data,
Sunday, January 12, 2014:
  • 22954, 622, Whiting, Dietz 11-18PH, Gaylord, t7/13; cum 17K 11/13;
  • 24859, 1,210, Whiting, Dietz 34-7PH, Bell, t7/13; cum 45K 11/13;
  • 24860, 1,679, Whiting, Dietz 14-7PH, Bell, t7/13; cum 36K 11/13;
  • 24983, drl, Statoil, Jack Cvancara 19-18 5TFH, Alger, no production data,
  • 25262, drl, XTO, Bully Federal 44X-20B, Bear Den, no production data,
  • 25575, 493, Hess, EN-Riersgard 156-93-1718H-5, Alger, t11/13; cum 6K 11/13,
Saturday, January 11, 2014:
  • 21999, 433, Petro-Hunt, Producers Corp 159-94-8A-17-5H, North Tioga, t11/13; cum 6K 11/13;
  • 23672, drl, KOG, Koala 2-2-11-15H, Poe, producing,
  • 24563, 821, Fidelity, Carrie 3-34-33H, Sanish, t7/13; cum 41K 11/13;
  • 25148, 924, Whiting, Timber Creek 21-27-2H, Arnegard, t7/13; cum 55K 11/13;
  • 25196, 677, CLR, Weisz 1-2H,  Pleasant Valley, t10/13; cum 12K 11/13;
  • 25494, 2,265, HRC, Fort Berthold 152-94-15B-22-4H, Antelope, t10/13; cum 24K 11/13;
  • 25550, drl, XTO, Marlene 42X-20D, Blue Buttes, no production data,
  • 25603, drl, Stephens Production, Matson 3-1, wildcat, no production data,
  • 25682, drl, BR, Rising Sun 31-1TFH-7NH, Clear Creek, no production data,
  • 25851, drl, XTO, Wallace 21X-2A, West Capa, no production data,
  • 25952, 2,712, BR, Capitol 44-7TFH, Westberg, 2 sections, no production data, 
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Light pollution worsens in North Dakota. The Minot Daily Press is repressing:  
The City of New Town is getting another stoplight.
Crews were working on Friday to install the stoplight at the intersection of N.D. Highway 23 and College Drive on the east side of the city, according to the City Auditor's Office.
This past summer the city's first stoplight was installed at the intersection of N.D. Highway 23 and N.D. Highway 1804 on the west side of the city.
Wiki tells us:
Light pollution, also known as photopollution or luminous pollution, is excessive, misdirected, or obtrusive artificial light. Pollution is the adding-of/added light itself, in analogy to added sound, carbon dioxide, etc. Adverse consequences are multiple; some of them may not be known yet. 
Rumor has it the EPA will be sending a team to New Town to study the effects of light pollution. The team is expected to arrive once hotel accommodations are found. The team will depart before the winter of 2014 - 2015 sets in. The local general store is already stocking up with new clipboards and yellow legal pads.

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A Little Bit Of Humor For The Granddaughters

Some months ago, President Obama referred to the "57" united states. Maybe when our granddaughters celebrate their 57th birthday there will be 57 united states. I don't know. But at least the ever-observant Don has found a couple of those missing 57 states. Motley Fool is reporting the five "states" that job seekers need not visit:
  • Arkansas
  • New Mexico
  • The Virgin Islands
  • Puerto Rico
  • West Virginia
Yes, Arkansas and West Virginia are the two missing states. LOL

Add Baja California, Mexico, the Honduras, Guatamala, and northeastern Colorado and that adds up to 57 states.

Sunday

The Bakken

Don sent me a couple of nice items this morning. Perhaps the most interesting, The Dickinson Press is reporting:
North Dakota passed a milestone recently by exceeding 10,000 births, a benchmark that last was reached almost 25 years ago.
The moment happened in 2012, when 10,072 resident births were recorded. North Dakota last surpassed 10,000 births in 1988, when 10,111 babies were born.
North Dakota again exceeded 10,000 births in 2013, although the official figure has yet to be compiled.
I remember when I first started blogging about the Bakken, pundits said spouses would not come, families would not stay.

Speaking of families, look at the wonderful photo accompanying this article:
Paul and Marcia Whitcomb thought they’d be temporary North Dakotans, working in the oilfield to earn money and someday returning to Arkansas.
But now the couple and their four children are permanent Williston residents, working oilfield jobs that will be around long after drilling is over and finally living in a house after two years in an RV.
“We couldn’t have the jobs we have or live this way or live in a house this nice anywhere else we went in the country right now,” Paul said.
But getting to this point required some sacrifices, a fact the family knew when they decided to move to North Dakota. Paul, formerly an over-the-road truck driver, had delivered tanks for hydraulic fracturing to the area and knew about the housing shortage.
“I knew that the living situation would be difficult,” Paul said.
One thing not mentioned was the fact how good the schools are in Williston and how much the children will enjoying growing up there. I certainly look back at Williston with very, very fond memories.
The Wall Street Journal

Hiring slowdown blurs growth view. Dismal jobs report raises questions over economy's strength as year ended.  This graphic from the linked article pretty much says it all: not even back to wehre we were in 2008, and not even close where we need to be:

The good news: the unemployment rate is down to an incredible 6.7%. And "incredible" is exactly the right word.

Op-Ed: the latest jobs miss. The fifth year of the Obama recovery brings more dispiriting news.
The current recovery never fails. Just when you think it might shift into higher gear, the economy delivers a thud like Friday's disappointing jobs report for December. The Labor Department says the U.S. produced only 74,000 net new jobs in the month, while the jobless rate fell to 6.7% from 7% mainly because some 347,000 Americans left the labor force.
The saving grace may be that winter weather is responsible for some of the sharp decline from the recent monthly trend closer to 190,000 new jobs, and it's possible the numbers will be revised upward as they were last December and this November. Recent economic indicators, including the private ADP jobs survey and consumer confidence, had suggested better job news.
There was probably a whole lot more in yesterday's edition but I sure didn't see much that interested me in the on-line edition.

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A Note to the Granddaughters

I flew back to Dallas-Ft Worth (from Long Beach, California) last night on US Airways. I left the car out in California (I had driven from Dallas to Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago for the holidays). It will save me one cross-country trip, though I enjoy the trips. I flew back to "Big-D-little-a-double-l-a-s" to be in place to take care of the granddaughters this next week.

Later in the month (or early February) I will fly back to Long Beach, pick up the car, and drive cross country to Williston, North Dakota, to see my dad, and the Bakken. After a long week in Williston, I will drive back to Texas.

The flight was uneventful. US Airways is now, or soon will be, part of American Airlines. I guess it already is; they just have to re-paint the planes, get new uniforms for the employees, etc. My understanding is that employees of both American Airlines and US Airways are thrilled with the "merger."

May gave me a copy of Bill Bryson's A Lost Continent, as a Christmas present. I started reading this book some years ago, but never got past the first chapter, but on the flight last night enjoyed it, and am about halfway through. Bryson moved to England some years ago but writes frequently about the United States: I think he rose to national prominence with Notes From a Small Island, or A Walk In The Woods.

For A Lost Continent, he flew back to Iowa, and then began a cross-country trip in his mother's Chevette. Maybe I enjoy the book more this time because we have now visited or lived in most, if not all, of the states he travels through and writes about. From Des Moines (my mother was born and raised in northwestern North Dakota) he drove to Illinois, and then south through Kentucky and Tennessee to Mississippi and Alabama, and then up to the coast through Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia to where he is now (halfway through the book: Washington, DC).

Kentucky is about the only state in which we have not spent much time. My son-in-law is from Louisville, and that's where the granddaughters' other grandparents live. My favorite author, perhaps, Hunter S. Thompson, is also from Louisville.

[Speaking of HST, I don't know if one can have a favorite author any more. I wonder if it's better to say we have favorite books from favorite writers. Hunter is on my short list but I only enjoyed two books of his, Hell's Angels and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I don't remember the second so much because the movie has overwritten in my brain whatever I had previously read in the book.]

[Likewise, I used to say that Virginia Woolf was my favorite writer, but again, I enjoyed a couple of her books, notably Mrs Dalloway, but that was about it.]

Like Bill Bryson, we were surprised how wonderful Mississippi was. We visited Mississippi on one memorable occasion while living for two years in Montgomery (Prattville), Alabama.

Bryson says Charleston, South Carolina, was one of the most charming cities he had visited up to that time. We lived in Charleston for four years and I would have to agree that the city was one of the most charming we have ever lived in.

Bryson writes well, and at times, he writes very, very well. I wish I could write half as well. Be that as it may, he probably doesn't know much about the Bakken.