Tuesday, December 2, 2014

I'll post more later so as not to clutter the blog with a lot of short posts, but I don't want to lose this one. It will also be added to the short list of archived "Featured Presentations" on the sidebar at the right.

It's a pdf from Platts sent by a reader: http://www.platts.com/IM.Platts.Content/InsightAnalysis/IndustrySolutionPapers/special-report-bakken-the-king-of-the-north.pdf. A huge "thank you" to this particular reader for some really good links/comments over the years.

Home Depot Coming To Williston? -- December 2, 2014

A reader sent this comment:

The Williston Planning and Zoning approved the proposed Home Depot at Chandler Field in Williston.

Around 110,000 sq. ft. (next to the new Holiday Gas Station Store) on 2/85 west Williston.

Source: http://www.cityofwilliston.com/usrfiles/PNZ/Docs/P&Z%20Commission%20Meeting%20Minutes%2010-20-2014.pdf

At the link, the information is at paragraph (g), bottom of page 13, going into page 14.

The reader notes that this will be the second large "home improvement" store in Williston.

The reader provides additional information:

The Williston store will be slightly smaller than Minot's (at around 127,00 sq ft) but still a nice-sized store for the Williston Market. 

The lot it is going on is pretty tight, so probably the reason for the smaller store.

The city approved about 20 less parking spots for the Home Depot so they could fit in on the lot. Menards is the second home improvement store (much larger at over twice the size of Home Depot). Menards is coming along well with the walls and the roof already in place. 

I'm guessing they will work through the winter so they can have a spring opening! 

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At Least It's Hard To Catch

Being tweeted right now: Person being tested at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for possible Ebola virus - @MassGeneralNews, 8:03 p.m. CT, December 2, 2014

Four (4) New Permits, North Dakota -- December 2, 2014; Rigs Holding Steady At 189; Another Typical OXY USA Well; Reminder: Support Your Salvation Army

Active rigs:

	12/2/2014	12/02/2013	12/02/2012	12/02/2011	12/02/2010
Active Rigs	189	192	182	199	161

Wells coming off the confidential list today were posted earlier; see sidebar at the right.

Wells coming off the confidential list Wednesday:

• 26845, drl, XTO, Roxy 21X-6F, West Capa, no production data,
• 27549, drl, CLR, Lansing 4-25AH1, Banks, no production data,
• 27610, drl, Hess, EN-Abrahamson-155-93-3019H-7, Alger, no production data,
• 27888, 75, OXY USA, Maurice Hecker 2-19-18H-142-97, Willmen, t6/14; cum 9K 10/14;
• 28128, 51, Denbury Onshore, CHSU 31-27NH 15, Cedar Hills, a South Red River B well, t8/14; cum 8K 10/14;

Four (4) new permits --

• Operators: Denbury Onshore (2), WPX, SM Energy
• Fields: Cedar Hills, Spotted Horn, Buckhorn
• Comments:

Thirteen (13) producing wells completed:

• 24754, 3,004, Statoil, Melissa 31-30 2H, East Fork, t10/14; cum 9K 10/14;
• 25866, 1,500, Hess, HA-Thompson 152-95-2017H-4, Hawkeye, t10/14; cum 28K 10/14;
• 25867, 1,484, Hess, HA-Thompson 152-95-2017H-3, Hawkeye, t10/14; cum 34K 10/14;
• 26812, 661, Hess, EN-Hermanson-LE-155-93-3501H-3, Robinson Lake, t10/14; cum 17K 10/14;
• 27063, 784, Hess, EN-KMJ Uran-154-93-2734H-9, Robinson Lake, t10/14; cum 20K 10/14;
• 27255, 386, Hess, EN-Hanson A-155-94-0607H-2, Manitou, t11/14; cum 6K 10/14;
• 27294, 990, Hess, EN-Ortloff-156-94-2635H-7, Big Butte, t10/14; cum 24K 10/14;
• 27496, 689, Hess, EN-L Cvancara-155-93-2627H-4, Robinson Lake, t10/14; ucm 15K 10/14;
• 27799, 1,206, Hess, HA-Mogen-152-95-0805H-7, Hawkey, t10/14; cum 22K 10/14;
• 27983, 1,410, Statoil, Paulson 36-1 8TFH, Briar Creek, t10/14; cum --
• 28386, 1,930, KOG, P Wood 154-98-1-27-34-16H, Truax, 4 sections, t10/14; cum 8K 10/14;
• 28387, 2,015, KOG, P Wood 154-98-1-27-16-1H, Truax, 4 sections ,t10/14; cum 7K 10/14;
• 28423, 1,690, Whiting, Good Shepherd 41-15H, Rawson t10/14; cum 5K 10/14;

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MDU Considering Building a Refinery Near Minot

Bakken.com is reporting:

Bismarck-based MDU Resources Group is wrapping up construction of the $350 million Dakota Prairie Refinery near Dickinson, in a partnership with Indianapolis-based Calumet Specialty Products. The refinery in Minot would be a similar facility. Construction could start as early as next year if a study determines the project is feasible.

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The Goal: $7,000

The Result: Almost $17,000
Williston Albertsons

From a press release:

The Salvation Army is excited to announce that Albertsons has donated 330 meals to The Salvation Army as a result of their “Turkey Bucks” fundraiser. The store’s goal this year was to raise $6800 for the program, and they far exceed that goal by raising a total of $16,916. Albertsons Store Director, Kris Brurud says that Albertsons has been hosting the Turkey Bucks, a fundraiser for customers to donate at the cash register, for 10 years.

The donation of food couldn’t have come at a better time-The Salvation Army will be able to use the meals during the holidays to help individuals and families in need of food assistance. 

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New York Times Should Have Interviewed This Woman

The Sidney Herald is reporting:

Before spending a few days in the Bakken’s oilfields this week, Miss Montana USA Tahnee Peppenger heard many negative stories about the area.

Rumors of high crime, unsafe practices, wild west cowboys and not being environmentally friendly were among the tales. Because of conversations with friends who work in the oilfield, the Great Falls native didn’t believe those stories.

“I wanted to get a first-hand look. I just basically wanted to put my eyes to it,” she told the Sidney Herald this week.

The result? “I was surprised that all the myths were substantially debunked,” Peppenger said. “Knowledge is power.”

Thanks to being sponsored by the Montana Petroleum Association, Miss Montana USA was able to enjoy an up-close look of the oilfield.

Accompanied by Jessica Sena, communications director for the Montana Petroleum Association, Peppenger rode with a pumper from Northern Oilfield Services, spent time at a drilling rig owned by Patterson about five miles east of Bainville, toured a fracking site of Oasis Petroleum in Williston, N.D. and even attended a 6 a.m. safety meeting by Northern Oilfield Services.

“It was so far from the outrageous things I heard. It was a pleasant surprise,” Peppenger noted. “For any question I had, people were forthright. They were mystified why two young ladies in the oilfield were so curious.” 

And, to the best of my knowledge, there are no "hoods with hammers" in the Bakken. 

Reason 23,888 Why I Love To Blog -- December 2, 2014

Some time ago a reader suggested I take a look at a certain well in Divide County.

The "total depth" suggested this might be a "true-3-section-long" horizontal lateral. It turns out it was.

I've updated the well here.

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Another Nail In The OPEC Coffin

Wichita BizJournal is reporting:

Flint Hills Resources said construction has begun on a project that will allow its west refinery in Corpus Christi, Texas, to process 100 percent domestic crude oil.

The project will cost around $600 million, will employ around 2,000 contractors and will be finished in three years.

Once complete, the refinery will have the capability to handle about 230,000 barrels of oil per day entirely of domestic crude.

Followers of RBN Energy will understand what this is all about ... "entirely of domestic crude."

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For Investors 

From the press release:

ONEOK, Inc. today announced that its 2015 cash flow available for dividends is expected to be in the range of $580 million to $660 million, reflecting higher anticipated cash distributions received from its general and limited partner interests in ONEOK Partners.

The 2015 earnings guidance also includes a 14 percent increase in shareholder dividends declared compared with 2014, including a projected 2.25-cent-per-share-per-quarter increase in dividends declared.

ONEOK also has estimated average annual dividend declared increases of 12 to 15 percent between 2014 and 2017.

Remember: This is not an investment site. Do not make any investment, financial, or relationship decisions based on what you read here or what you think you may have read here. Make no travel plans based on what you read here. I post quickly and frequently; typographical and factual errors are likely. If this information is important to you, go to the source.

Although it didn't close at a new high, I believe the Dow traded at new highs today. BRK-B hit a new high at 150.

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Hot Under Someone's Collar

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Until Global Warming Came Along, It Never Rained In Southern California

Note to the Granddaughters

I spent my coming-of-age years in southern California. I can't say I would have wanted to have grown up there or retired there, but I do have some great memories of southern California, specifically, Los Angeles, Pasadena in the north all the way to the south to San Pedro, along the I-110 corridor.

From wiki: In December 1978, the Harbor Freeway was approved as an Interstate Highway. In 1981, the SR 11 designation was renumbered as Interstate 110 on the Harbor Freeway, and State Route 110 on the Pasadena Freeway. 

After having lived in the Los Angeles/South Pasadena/Pasadena area for four years, I departed in 1977 and did not return for several years. During that absence I was completely unaware that what I used to think had been a state highway had been re-designated an interstate.

Whenever I visit southern California, I always enjoy driving that stretch from Dodger Stadium up to the Rose Bowl. A lot of good memories.

During my four years in southern California, back in 1973 - 1977, I don't recall any rain.

It Never Rains In Southern California, Albert Hammond, first released 1972     Have You Ever Seen The Rain, John Fogerty, released as a single, 1971

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At Least It's Hard To Catch 

Being tweeted now: Dallas County health is reporting its 1st adult flu death of the season - @NBCDFW -- 5:52 p.m. CT, December 2, 2014. Follow flu trends here.

Random Follow-Up Of Two EOG Wells Back On Confidential List -- December 2, 2014; Choked Back Due To Slump In Oil Prices Or Simply Steep Decline (Doubt The Latter)

Updates

July 3, 2015: note unusual production profile of these two wells, placed on a pump in February, 2015

• 27442, 394, EOG, Parshall 66-14H, Parshall, short lateral, t7/14; 19 stages, 5.8million lbs; cum 71K 6/15; production profile:

Pool	Date	Days	BBLS Oil	Runs	BBLS Water	MCF Prod	MCF Sold	Vent/Flare
BAKKEN	5-2015	31	2270	2216	5915	584	0	0
BAKKEN	4-2015	30	1741	1807	3810	515	0	0
BAKKEN	3-2015	31	1402	1274	1439	503	0	0
BAKKEN	2-2015	25	266	712	759	402	14	0
BAKKEN	1-2015	18	2304	2634	4403	2926	2431	0
BAKKEN	12-2014	31	4889	4639	12177	4271	3474	74
BAKKEN	11-2014	30	6819	6991	20175	4929	4213	46
BAKKEN	10-2014	24	6065	5700	17624	3716	3415	202
BAKKEN	9-2014	30	15202	15100	36626	5463	1986	3332
BAKKEN	8-2014	31	19124	19679	64300	8763	4831	3786
BAKKEN	7-2014	20	8184	7256	37059	2546	2265	190

27441, 446,  EOG, Parshall 65-14H, Parshall, t7/14; cum 78K 5/15; fracked August 1, 2014, 25 stages; 7.6 million lbs sand; production profile suggests well is being choked back (slump in oil prices?): 

Pool	Date	Days	BBLS Oil	Runs	BBLS Water	MCF Prod	MCF Sold	Vent/Flare
BAKKEN	5-2015	31	3337	3383	13167	637	0	0
BAKKEN	4-2015	30	3888	4221	14077	664	0	0
BAKKEN	3-2015	31	4267	4034	11874	679	0	0
BAKKEN	2-2015	28	1223	897	4868	432	0	0
BAKKEN	1-2015	30	584	575	7362	435	0	0
BAKKEN	12-2014	28	725	959	8845	412	0	0
BAKKEN	11-2014	20	3956	5036	14200	1160	818	9
BAKKEN	10-2014	31	10967	9953	34735	2122	1857	110
BAKKEN	9-2014	30	15065	14973	52756	3765	1352	2268
BAKKEN	8-2014	31	26078	26594	74146	8000	4401	3449
BAKKEN	7-2014	16	7534	6680	30546	2047	1823	153

March 20, 2015: off confidential list in March, 2015 (apparently); off confidential list; 

February 8, 2015: checking the well files of these two wells today.

• 27441, fracked August 1, 2014, 25 stages; 7.6 million lbs sand; production profile suggests well is being choked back (slump in oil prices?):

Pool	Date	Days	BBLS Oil	Runs	BBLS Water	MCF Prod	MCF Sold	Vent/Flare
BAKKEN	12-2014	28	725	959	8845	412	0	0
BAKKEN	11-2014	20	3956	5036	14200	1160	818	9
BAKKEN	10-2014	31	10967	9953	34735	2122	1857	110
BAKKEN	9-2014	30	15065	14973	52756	3765	1352	2268
BAKKEN	8-2014	31	26078	26594	74146	8000	4401	3449
BAKKEN	7-2014	16	7534	6680	30546	2047	1823	153

• 27442, fracked August 2, 2014, 19 stages; 5.8 million lbs sand; production profile:

Pool	Date	Days	BBLS Oil	Runs	BBLS Water	MCF Prod	MCF Sold	Vent/Flare
BAKKEN	12-2014	31	4889	4639	12177	4271	3474	74
BAKKEN	11-2014	30	6819	6991	20175	4929	4213	46
BAKKEN	10-2014	24	6065	5700	17624	3716	3415	202
BAKKEN	9-2014	30	15202	15100	36626	5463	1986	3332
BAKKEN	8-2014	31	26129	26714	64300	8763	4831	3786
BAKKEN	7-2014	20	8184	7256	37059	2546	2265	190

 

Original Post

I posted this awhile back:

Note these very low IPs for EOG in the Parshall; these wells were noted in the July 28, 2014, daily activity report, but on November 18, 2014, when re-checked, they were both back on confidential, and no IP was provided at the NDIC site:

• #27441 - EOG RESOURCES, INC., PARSHALL 65-14H, NWNW 14-152N-90W, MOUNTRAIL CO., 446 BOPD, 2354 BWPD - BAKKEN
  #27442 - EOG RESOURCES, INC., PARSHALL 66-14H, NWNW 14-152N-90W, MOUNTRAIL CO., 394 BOPD, 2376 BWPD - BAKKEN

• 27441, 446, EOG, Parshall 65-14H, Parshall, short lateral, t7/14; from the file report, after reaching TD, gas reached a max of 10,000 units as the well began to flow; no production data; no frack data;
• 27442, 394, EOG, Parshall 66-14H, Parshall, short lateral, t7/14; no production data, no frack data;

Today, I see we have some production data for these two wells:

• 27441, 446, EOG, Parshall 65-14H, Parshall:

Date	Oil Runs	MCF Sold
10-2014	10099	1857
9-2014	14944	1352
8-2014	18339	4401
7-2014	6680	1823

• 27442, 394, EOG, Parshall 66-14H, Parshall:

Date	Oil Runs	MCF Sold
10-2014	10099	1857
9-2014	14944	1352
8-2014	18339	4401
7-2014	6680	1823

Both wells are back on confidential list.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014; Weatherford Sells Chemical/Drilling Fluids Business to Lubrizol; Meanwhile, Might Orange Peels Be The Magic Potion?

Active rigs:

	12/2/2014	12/02/2013	12/02/2012	12/02/2011	12/02/2010
Active Rigs	189	192	182	199	161

RBN Energy: update on ethane. Ethane is worth more as natural gas; won't last forever.

Warren's Lubrizol buys chemicals, drilling fluids form Lubrizol. Link here, Reuters via Rigzone:

Oilfield services provider Weatherford International Plc said Berkshire Hathaway Inc's Lubrizol Corp would pay $750 million in cash for two businesses that provide chemicals and drilling fluids for oil and gas production.

Weatherford said the sale of its engineered chemistry and integrity drilling fluids businesses also included a potential increase of $75 million tied to the performance of the units after the closure of the deal, expected by the end of this month.

From Yahoo!In-Play:

Chevron announces first oil from Jack/St. Malo project in the Gulf of Mexico: Co announced that crude oil and natural gas production has begun at the Jack/St. Malo project in the Lower Tertiary trend, deepwater U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Jack/St. Malo is a key part of CVX's's strong queue of upstream projects and was delivered on time and on budget.

Bloomberg has a more in-depth story. 

Undeterred by the worst slump in oil prices this decade, Chevron (CVX) Corp. began pumping from a half-billion barrel deposit beneath the Gulf of Mexico more than 10 years after its discovery.

Crude and natural gas is flowing from the Jack and St. Malo fields through a platform built to service both developments simultaneously, Chevron said in a statement today. The $7.5 billion project -- Chevron’s costliest active Western Hemisphere investment -- is expected to produce for at least 30 years, according to the San Ramon, California-based company.

St. Malo was discovered 11 years ago in an area 280 miles (450 kilometers) south of New Orleans by Unocal Corp., which Chevron acquired in 2005. Jack was found by Chevron in 2004 about 25 miles from St. Malo. Both formations are part of a subsea mountain range called Walker Ridge. Daily production is expected to reach 94,000 barrels of crude and 21 million cubic feet of gas.

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Internecine War of Words

A little more clarity. The Telegraph is reporting:

The kingdom may also be forcing the price lower to damage the Iranian economy amid a bitter political dispute between to the two regional powerhouses over the future of Syria. Prince Turki said that both Russia and Iran should stop supporting the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria and if they both got out of the country the government in Damascus would fall in a few months.

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Off-Shore Drilling/Ultra-Deep Drilling vs Saudi

Statoil defers decision on $6 billion recovery project. Link here, Retuers via Rigzone:

Norway's Statoil said it has postponed a decision to invest $5.74 billion in a mature field, saying that it needed more time to refine the project as its profitability was under threat.

Statoil said it would decide in October next year instead of March whether to go ahead with a new platform at the Snorre field in the Norwegian Sea as it hoped to cut costs and get more precise cost estimates.

The project, which could squeeze another 240 million barrels of oil out of the field, has been in doubt due to high costs, and uncertainty has risen since oil prices tumbled to a five-year low. Statoil said a final decision on whether to build a new Snorre platform and extend the field's lifetime to 2040 would be taken in the fourth quarter of 2016 and production would start in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Analysts estimate that the Snorre platform's break even cost, including the investment and actual production spending, would be over $80 per barrel, well above the current $69 per barrel oil price.

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Will California Ship Orange Peels To Utah? 

Reuters via Rigzone is reporting:

While North America has been gripped by controversy over the Keystone XL pipeline that would ship crude to the United States from the Canadian oil sands, a small Canadian company has been quietly digging in the oil sands of Utah with a secret weapon it thinks may end the environmental argument: citrus.

U.S. Oil Sands Inc says its method will cut the cost and reduce the energy needed to separate oil from sand, lowering the environmental impact. Opponents are far from convinced.

The Calgary-based firm is developing its PR Spring project on a 32,000-acre lease about 280 kilometers (174 miles) southeast of Salt Lake City. It plans to start producing 2,000 barrels per day next year with the potential to reach 10,000 barrels per day.

Its patented technology uses a solvent whose main ingredient is derived from orange and lemon peels.

The solvent, it says, can separate tar-like oil deposits, known as bitumen, from sand more efficiently than methods currently used in the Canadian oil sands in northern Alberta.

I know one can use peanut butter to get chewing gum off clothes, so why not orange peels to separate thick oil from sand?

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November Car Sales -- US -- Incredible

Audi: up 22%
GM: up 6%, above estimates; best November sales in 7 years
Ford: down 2%
Fiat Chrysler: up 20%