Breaking news: Dairy cow death toll expected to surpass 30,000 in Texas, New Mexico due to winter storm - @weatherchannel.
Algore's 10-year deadline posted in 2006 -- where are we now?
Did Christie just jump off the train in Newark?
Whales are late to arrive in Hawaii this year; possibly because their numbers have increased significantly; competing for food in the Arctic, they are staying behind longer. This is where we go when we watch whales off the southern California coast: Point Vicente just a few minutes from where we stay when in California. Whale watching for this season began December 1, 2015, and like Hawaii, the numbers are lower this year compared to last year.
Friday, January 1, 2016
This Ship Has Sailed! Updates -- January 1, 2016
For background to this story, see this post -- Theo T, the first ship to take advantage of the relaxed rules on exporting US crude oil.
For those who want to track this history-making tanker, this is what you do.
Go to this link: http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/details/ships/shipid:375065/mmsi:311538000/imo:9262194/vessel:THEO_T.
Click on "Latest Positions" at that site, which will bring you to this: http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/index/positions/all/shipid:375065/mmsi:311538000/shipname:THEO%20T.
Then simply "copy" the coordinates; you don't even have to format; simply copy "lat" and "long."
Bring up google maps. "Paste" "lag" and "long." Again, no formatting required.
A red dot will show on a sea of blue. You have to zoom way out (multiple hits on the "-" button in the lower right hand corner until you see land.
If you do all that, this is what you will see (it takes about 3 seconds). Note how the "lat" and "long" are directly copied/pasted with one "sweep":
I Am Sailing, Rod Stewart
*********************************
January 2, 2016: It appears I wasn't the only one who "missed the boat." Viewership, this year, of the bowl games down 45 percent. Link here. Many reasons cited. This comment was representative of many, and my thoughts exactly:
I was curious to see how the football game was going, so I turned on our television set. We only have basic cable (which gets us the four major networks, Criminal Minds, Bones, and Big Bang Theory re-runs). I was unable to find any football game. What's up?
I completely missed this; it's probably been going on for the last ten years -- another boat I missed. My favorite college football games -- the ones I watched religiously while in high school in Williston -- the Cotton Bowl, the Orange Bowl, the Cotton Bowl, and the "granddaddy" of them all, the Rose Bowl -- are all televised on ESPN, which we don't get.
Very, very sad.
Not really: I got a lot of reading done today. Having completed my American Renaissance phase / Concord phase -- Nathaniel Hawthorne, Emerson, the Peabody Sisters, etc -- I have moved on to the "real Shakespeare." I've read the book (The Truth Will Out, Brenda James) and the sequel, but I forget things if I don't re-read often. So, I'm going through the book again, again taking notes.
While flipping through the channels looking for the football games that don't exist, I saw the top story in Texas today is "open carry law" goes into effect today. Oklahoma has had the same law for three years; in fact, in Oklahoma it's even more "lenient" or relaxed.
The other story is all the flooding in the south. This was the first time I saw video images of the flooding. It seems to me that the story was under-reported. Did President Obama fly over the devastation? The devastation certainly covers a much wide area and affects lot more people than Hurricane Katrina ever did. Or so it appears. One wonders.
For those who want to track this history-making tanker, this is what you do.
Go to this link: http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/details/ships/shipid:375065/mmsi:311538000/imo:9262194/vessel:THEO_T.
Click on "Latest Positions" at that site, which will bring you to this: http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/index/positions/all/shipid:375065/mmsi:311538000/shipname:THEO%20T.
Then simply "copy" the coordinates; you don't even have to format; simply copy "lat" and "long."
Bring up google maps. "Paste" "lag" and "long." Again, no formatting required.
A red dot will show on a sea of blue. You have to zoom way out (multiple hits on the "-" button in the lower right hand corner until you see land.
If you do all that, this is what you will see (it takes about 3 seconds). Note how the "lat" and "long" are directly copied/pasted with one "sweep":
*********************************
Missed The Boat
Updates
January 2, 2016: It appears I wasn't the only one who "missed the boat." Viewership, this year, of the bowl games down 45 percent. Link here. Many reasons cited. This comment was representative of many, and my thoughts exactly:
The NCAA made the decision to move the bowl games to cable and that's when many of the "regular joes" who cannot afford to pay for TV found other things to do on New Year's day. Their greed and seemingly uncaring attitude toward the fans ruined the tradition of watching the Rose Parade New Year's morning, followed by bowl games all day. That's gone now for a good portion of the audience and we have found other things to do with our time. Not surprised at all that switching the semi-final games to New Year's Eve resulted in a ratings drop. For a league that pretends to honor tradition, this is a bad precedent to set.
Original Post
I completely missed this; it's probably been going on for the last ten years -- another boat I missed. My favorite college football games -- the ones I watched religiously while in high school in Williston -- the Cotton Bowl, the Orange Bowl, the Cotton Bowl, and the "granddaddy" of them all, the Rose Bowl -- are all televised on ESPN, which we don't get.
Very, very sad.
Not really: I got a lot of reading done today. Having completed my American Renaissance phase / Concord phase -- Nathaniel Hawthorne, Emerson, the Peabody Sisters, etc -- I have moved on to the "real Shakespeare." I've read the book (The Truth Will Out, Brenda James) and the sequel, but I forget things if I don't re-read often. So, I'm going through the book again, again taking notes.
While flipping through the channels looking for the football games that don't exist, I saw the top story in Texas today is "open carry law" goes into effect today. Oklahoma has had the same law for three years; in fact, in Oklahoma it's even more "lenient" or relaxed.
The other story is all the flooding in the south. This was the first time I saw video images of the flooding. It seems to me that the story was under-reported. Did President Obama fly over the devastation? The devastation certainly covers a much wide area and affects lot more people than Hurricane Katrina ever did. Or so it appears. One wonders.
Top Bakken Stories For 2015
Commentary: The slump in oil prices was clearly the big story for 2015. It dominated everything else and affected every other story in the Bakken. It was the 800-pound gorilla stomping on the Bakken.
I started to track the stories here but after awhile I simply gave up; way too many. Despite the slump in oil prices, a lot of activity was still seen. This might have been the biggest "announced" story in North Dakota last year, but many folks are saying, "I will believe it when I see it."
Top Story of The Year: slump in oil prices
The world: OPEC on the ropes
OPEC: retrenchment, recession, revolution?
US overtakes Russia as #1 fossil fuel energy producer in the world
Spectacular production! the US officially gets on the top ten list of countries with proved oil reserves
The nation: US okays exporting crude oil after 40-year ban
This ship has sailed: US ban on crude oil exports has expired; Harold Hamm discusses; EIA data; commentary
The US increased its proved reserves estimate for sixth year in a row
Barnett natural gas shale reserves twice as large as originally estimated
Greater sage grouse not placed on endangered list
North Dakota: fracklog (DUCS)
A new term in the Bakken: fracklog
Are DUCs a big deal worksheet
DUCs -- Rigzone analysis
North Dakota: resilient economy
Number of North Dakota millionaires jump
Minnesota: raises one of nation's lowest minimum wage
The last time Minnesota raised its minimum wage was in 2005, from $4.90 to $5.25/hour
Most exciting operator in the Bakken in 2015: SM Energy
SM Energy to exit mid-Continent, close Tulsa office; focus on Bakken, Eagle Ford
Most surprising story of 2015: US okays exporting crude oil
The deals: OXY officially exits North Dakota
OXY sold its North Dakota acreage to Lime Rock Resources
Fidelity (MDU oil and gas division) back up for sale
the Bakken deals in 2015
Statoil eyes EOG
Update on EPD bid to buy WMB
Record price per acre:
Bakken operations, rigs: active rigs hit Bakken boom low
Fracklog at 1000+ -- SeekingAlpha
Bakken operations, production: Red Queen has not fallen off her treadmill
Follow-up on a million-bbl Bakken well
Halcon wells tracking well above 800,000 bbls EUR in the Fort Berthold prospect
Early use of ESPs in the Bakken
Mike Filloon on EOG's super-long, super-productive wells
Bakken is #1 in US for increased productivity per rig
Random update of the three oldest producing oil wells in North Dakota
All four top Bakken counties in the top ten oil producing counties in the US
In July, almost a year into the slump in oil prices:
In July, almost a year into the slump in oil prices, production increases 16% month-over-month in Texas; 3% in North Dakota
EOG's Riverview sets a new Bakken record
Bakken Operations, density: infill density
Oasis proposes up to 24 wells in several 1280-acre drilling units
QEP to request permission for 24 wells on each of two 1280-acre drilling units
White Butte Oil Operations: dual lateral; 320-acre spacing; huge wells
"NC" now being used by drillers: "NC" means the well has reached TD, but is awaiting completion
Most exciting production prediction:
Bakken oil field story of the year:
Biggest story in takeaway capacity:
CBR: local Williston company receives first 100-unit train
Red River Stony Creek Rail Yard receives first 100-unit train
Amount of crude oil shipped by rail through Nebraska triples
New CBR loading facility, Palermo, North Dakota, about ready to begin operations
Bakken CBR to east coast refineries setting new records -- EIA
Bakken sets new record on amount of oil shipped to Californi
Pipeline: Pipeline "under the lake" approved
Ethane pipeline from Tioga to Canada to expand capacity
Native Americans put screws to pipeline companies
Under-the-lake pipeline approved
More oil is now gathered by pipeline than truck in western North Dakota -- a first
Fracking: fracklog (DUCs)
Increased volumes of fracking sand being ordered from suppliers
UNP sets frack sand shipment record
The octofrac
Halo effect, case study; Halo effect? Halo effect
Evidence of communication between wells
MRO reports great success in re-fracking a stripper well
EOG reports a 63-stage frack; using almost 20 million lbs of sand
Another example: EOG used almost 20 million lbs of sand in a 50-stage frack; and, a 55-stage frack
How much fresh water being used in Bakken fracks?
Flaring: rules relaxed
Natural gas: huge NGL capacity increase in the Bakken, an oil field
Refining: Dickinson refinery begins operations
MDU-Calumet Dickinson refinery begins production; and here;
Another refinery proposed for North Dakota; west of Belfield
Investment story of the year: bankruptcies
American Eagle files for bankruptcy
Samson Resources seeks bankruptcy protection
The "Other" Williston Basin formations: the Madison
Bakken economy (too many to list): Legacy Fund tops $3.3 billion
Legacy fund finished 2015 at $3.4 billion dollars
North Dakota #1 in economic development -- US Chamber of Commerce
Four fourth year in row, North Dakota ranked #1 in economic well-being of children
The Williston Wire
Williston Wire
Update on the proposed $4 billion petrochemical plant in North Dakota; connecting the dots on this one; deal with CLR announced;
June: taxable sales and purchases hit new record in the Bakken
May: taxable sales and purchases hit new record
Six of the top fifteen fastest growing counties in the US were in North Dakota last year
County approves $500 million shopping hub for Williston
The nation's third largest, and North Dakota's largest, veterinary clinic opens in Watford City
Capital Lodge, between Tioga / Ray to shut down
North Dakota to spend $40 million on US 2 & 85 between Williston, Minot
First drone manufactured in North Dakota rolled out
Dickinson's Menards biggest to date; Williston's Menards will be bigger
Williston's average wage tops $80,000, beating nation average of $72,000
$400 million urea fertilizer plant in the works for Beulah, ND
Miscellaneous: Katie Ledecky
Katie Ledecky named female athlete of the year -- a three-peat
Swammy names Katie Ledecky "Person of the Year"
I started to track the stories here but after awhile I simply gave up; way too many. Despite the slump in oil prices, a lot of activity was still seen. This might have been the biggest "announced" story in North Dakota last year, but many folks are saying, "I will believe it when I see it."
In mid-December, a $3 billion MEG plant in Louisiana was announced; there's no reason why these kind of projects can't be built in North Dakota. So, we'll see.
It seems like an eternity ago, but Mark Perry also visited the Bakken this past year:
***************************
The List
Subject to Change
Top Story of The Year: slump in oil prices
The world: OPEC on the ropes
OPEC: retrenchment, recession, revolution?
US overtakes Russia as #1 fossil fuel energy producer in the world
Spectacular production! the US officially gets on the top ten list of countries with proved oil reserves
The nation: US okays exporting crude oil after 40-year ban
This ship has sailed: US ban on crude oil exports has expired; Harold Hamm discusses; EIA data; commentary
The US increased its proved reserves estimate for sixth year in a row
Barnett natural gas shale reserves twice as large as originally estimated
Greater sage grouse not placed on endangered list
North Dakota: fracklog (DUCS)
A new term in the Bakken: fracklog
Are DUCs a big deal worksheet
DUCs -- Rigzone analysis
North Dakota: resilient economy
Number of North Dakota millionaires jump
Minnesota: raises one of nation's lowest minimum wage
The last time Minnesota raised its minimum wage was in 2005, from $4.90 to $5.25/hour
Most exciting operator in the Bakken in 2015: SM Energy
SM Energy to exit mid-Continent, close Tulsa office; focus on Bakken, Eagle Ford
Most surprising story of 2015: US okays exporting crude oil
The deals: OXY officially exits North Dakota
OXY sold its North Dakota acreage to Lime Rock Resources
Fidelity (MDU oil and gas division) back up for sale
the Bakken deals in 2015
Statoil eyes EOG
Update on EPD bid to buy WMB
Record price per acre:
Bakken operations, rigs: active rigs hit Bakken boom low
Fracklog at 1000+ -- SeekingAlpha
Bakken operations, production: Red Queen has not fallen off her treadmill
EOG reports one of the best (maybe THE best) Bakken well: 250K in less than 5 months; more on that well here
Halcon reports a well that produced 10,000 bbls over four days
OXY USA calls it quits "for now" in the BakkenHalcon reports a well that produced 10,000 bbls over four days
Follow-up on a million-bbl Bakken well
Halcon wells tracking well above 800,000 bbls EUR in the Fort Berthold prospect
Early use of ESPs in the Bakken
Mike Filloon on EOG's super-long, super-productive wells
Bakken is #1 in US for increased productivity per rig
Random update of the three oldest producing oil wells in North Dakota
All four top Bakken counties in the top ten oil producing counties in the US
In July, almost a year into the slump in oil prices:
In July, almost a year into the slump in oil prices, production increases 16% month-over-month in Texas; 3% in North Dakota
EOG's Riverview sets a new Bakken record
Bakken Operations, density: infill density
Oasis proposes up to 24 wells in several 1280-acre drilling units
QEP to request permission for 24 wells on each of two 1280-acre drilling units
White Butte Oil Operations: dual lateral; 320-acre spacing; huge wells
"NC" now being used by drillers: "NC" means the well has reached TD, but is awaiting completion
Most exciting production prediction:
Bakken oil field story of the year:
Biggest story in takeaway capacity:
CBR: local Williston company receives first 100-unit train
Red River Stony Creek Rail Yard receives first 100-unit train
Amount of crude oil shipped by rail through Nebraska triples
New CBR loading facility, Palermo, North Dakota, about ready to begin operations
Bakken CBR to east coast refineries setting new records -- EIA
Bakken sets new record on amount of oil shipped to Californi
Pipeline: Pipeline "under the lake" approved
Ethane pipeline from Tioga to Canada to expand capacity
Native Americans put screws to pipeline companies
Under-the-lake pipeline approved
More oil is now gathered by pipeline than truck in western North Dakota -- a first
Fracking: fracklog (DUCs)
Increased volumes of fracking sand being ordered from suppliers
UNP sets frack sand shipment record
The octofrac
Halo effect, case study; Halo effect? Halo effect
Evidence of communication between wells
MRO reports great success in re-fracking a stripper well
EOG reports a 63-stage frack; using almost 20 million lbs of sand
Another example: EOG used almost 20 million lbs of sand in a 50-stage frack; and, a 55-stage frack
How much fresh water being used in Bakken fracks?
Flaring: rules relaxed
Natural gas: huge NGL capacity increase in the Bakken, an oil field
Huge NGL capacity increase in the Bakken -- ONEOK update
ONEOK has more than 700 wells to hook up in the Bakken
Update on Zavanna natural gas processing plant northeast of Williston (Springbrook)
ONEOK has more than 700 wells to hook up in the Bakken
Update on Zavanna natural gas processing plant northeast of Williston (Springbrook)
MDU-Calumet Dickinson refinery begins production; and here;
Another refinery proposed for North Dakota; west of Belfield
Investment story of the year: bankruptcies
American Eagle files for bankruptcy
Samson Resources seeks bankruptcy protection
The "Other" Williston Basin formations: the Madison
Bakken economy (too many to list): Legacy Fund tops $3.3 billion
Legacy fund finished 2015 at $3.4 billion dollars
North Dakota #1 in economic development -- US Chamber of Commerce
Four fourth year in row, North Dakota ranked #1 in economic well-being of children
The Williston Wire
Williston Wire
Update on the proposed $4 billion petrochemical plant in North Dakota; connecting the dots on this one; deal with CLR announced;
June: taxable sales and purchases hit new record in the Bakken
May: taxable sales and purchases hit new record
Six of the top fifteen fastest growing counties in the US were in North Dakota last year
County approves $500 million shopping hub for Williston
The nation's third largest, and North Dakota's largest, veterinary clinic opens in Watford City
Capital Lodge, between Tioga / Ray to shut down
North Dakota to spend $40 million on US 2 & 85 between Williston, Minot
First drone manufactured in North Dakota rolled out
Dickinson's Menards biggest to date; Williston's Menards will be bigger
Williston's average wage tops $80,000, beating nation average of $72,000
$400 million urea fertilizer plant in the works for Beulah, ND
Miscellaneous: Katie Ledecky
Katie Ledecky named female athlete of the year -- a three-peat
Swammy names Katie Ledecky "Person of the Year"
Week 52: December 27, 2015 -- December 31, 2015
Operations
Active rigs hit all-time Bakken boom low: 60
Random update of wells being transferred
Final tally of North Dakota oil and gas permits, 2015
Are DUCs a big deal worksheet
CBR
Red River Stony Creek Rail Yard receives first 100-unit train
Refineries
Another refinery proposed for North Dakota; west of Belfield
Bakken 101
New term for me: "drill out date" vs "spud date"
Bakken economy
Legacy fund finished 2015 at $3.4 billion dollars
Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative joins the grid
Commentary
Bakken operators need to look "west"
The future of the Brent / WTI spread
#BeesLivesMatter -- Episode Seven, I-98
Miscellaneous
This ship has sailed: US ban on crude oil exports has expired; Harold Hamm discusses; EIA data; commentary
Paradigm shift in oil and gas industry: the shale revolution
Saudi Arabia
Active rigs hit all-time Bakken boom low: 60
Random update of wells being transferred
Final tally of North Dakota oil and gas permits, 2015
Are DUCs a big deal worksheet
CBR
Red River Stony Creek Rail Yard receives first 100-unit train
Refineries
Another refinery proposed for North Dakota; west of Belfield
Bakken 101
New term for me: "drill out date" vs "spud date"
Bakken economy
Legacy fund finished 2015 at $3.4 billion dollars
Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative joins the grid
Commentary
Bakken operators need to look "west"
The future of the Brent / WTI spread
#BeesLivesMatter -- Episode Seven, I-98
Miscellaneous
This ship has sailed: US ban on crude oil exports has expired; Harold Hamm discusses; EIA data; commentary
Paradigm shift in oil and gas industry: the shale revolution
Saudi Arabia
Retrenchment, Recession, Revolution? -- January 1, 2016
Updates
January 2, 2015: to the list below -- the "things" Saudi Arabia is "facing," add the turmoil caused by the execution of the prominent Shiite cleric.
Original Post
There have been four sharp increases in the price of oil in the past four decades – in 1973, 1979, 1990 and 2008 – and each has led to a global recession. By that measure, a lower oil price should be positive for the world economy, with lower fuel costs for consumers and businesses in those countries that import crude outweighing the losses to producing nations.
But the evidence since oil prices started falling from their peak of $115 a barrel in August 2014 has not supported that thesis – or not yet. Oil producers have certainly felt the impact of the lower prices on their growth rates, their trade figures and their public finances butthere has been no surge in consumer spending or business investment elsewhere.
Economist still reckon there will be a boost from a lower oil price particularly if it looks as if the lower cost of crude will be sustained.
Dhaval Joshi, an economist at BCA, a London-based research company, said: “A commodity bubble has deflated three times in the past 100 years: the first was after world war one; the second was after the 1980s oil shock; the third is happening right now.”Saudi Arabia:
For the big producer countries, this is a major headache, the ramifications of which are only starting to be felt. Oil powers base their spending plans on an assumed crude price. The graphic below shows just how far below water their budgets are.
Low oil prices are not just squeezing Saudi Arabia’s domestic budget, imposing austerity on a kingdom not used to it: it is taking its toll on Saudi support for foreign projects too.
The kingdom this week announced swingeing budget cuts for 2016 to address an alarming deficit of 15% of GDP run up this year. Subsidies for water, electricity and petroleum products are likely to be cut, and government projects reined in.
But overseas beneficiaries will face some austerity too. For years, Saudi Arabia has used its oil wealth to support friends and allies around the world, including media organisations, thinktanks, academic institutions, religious schools and charities. Countries that have traditionally benefited from Saudi largesse include Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Palestine and Egypt.
But now the IMF has raised the prospect that Saudi Arabia could go bankrupt in five years without changes to its economic policy, cuts in support to foreign allies seem inevitable.I've written about this before, focusing on Palestine. I had forgotten about, or did not know about, the largess provided Egypt.
Saudi is in the fight of its life:
- Yemen
- ISIS has declared war on Saudi
- huge domestic demand for energy
- domestic subsidies being cut; the poor have been given no leniency
- oil fields probably in trouble
- US now allows direct competition with Saudi Arabia
- Russia's involvement in the Mideast adds another concern
- burning through cash just when it needs more money for fighting a shooting war
- desalinization plants huge consumers of energy
*************************************
Face-Off!
Whataburger is seldom on the list because it is a Texas phenomenon, and most "foodie" publications are headquartered on the west or east coasts.
Head-to-head, Whataburger beat In 'N'Out. (And, of course, after that, there is no competition, though Five Guys would be tough head-to-head.) [My bad. LOL. I did not even see that the race came down to Five Guys vs Whataburger. Wow. Wow. Wow.]
I have to agree, that head-to-head, Whataburger beats In 'N Out. First of all, there's only one In 'N Out choice, okay, two (with or without cheese). With Whataburger, 1000's and all truly cooked to order. Just as fresh as In 'N Out. I enjoy In 'N Out when I'm out in California, but in the big scheme of things, I think it's overrated. Jalapenos on your hamburger at In 'N Out? Out of luck. And that's just for starters.
This competition was from this past year, 2015:
This Ship Has Sailed -- January 1, 2016
Updates
January 20, 2016: the ship reached its destination exactly on time, pulling into port just before dawn on January 20, 2016, the day of its scheduled arrival.
Later, 1:40 p.m. Central Time: this is how to track this ship and where it is located now.
Later, 1:27 p.m. Central Time: for those wishing to track this vessel, go to this link: http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/details/ships/shipid:375065/mmsi:311538000/imo:9262194/vessel:THEO_T. The tanker shoved off at 10:26 p.m. local time and will arrive Italy, January 20, 2016.
Original Post
The first oil tanker of freely traded U.S. crude launched Thursday afternoon from the Port of Corpus Christi, about 160 miles north of the Texas border with Mexico.
ConocoPhillips Co. and NuStar Energy LP loaded the tanker with oil pumped from the Eagle Ford Shale of South Texas. The companies have skipped ahead of Enterprise Products Partners LP, which said last week that it expected to load the first oil export cargo in Houston during the first week of January.I doubt they did this for bragging rights.
I track the story here.
Biomass Update -- California, Minnesota -- January 1, 2016
Biomass is building up in California as solar energy builds, according to The Los Angeles Times:
The waste-to-energy facilities where Parreira used to send about 50,000 tons of shells per year are vanishing. Six have closed in just two years, the latest in Delano, which shut down Thursday, after San Diego Gas & Electric ended its power purchase agreement. Twenty-five people were laid off, and 19 will remain to complete closure of the plant, said Dennis Serpa, fuels manager of the 50-megawatt plant, owned and operated by Covanta.
The Rio Bravo biomass facility south of Fresno is taking some of the fuel that would have gone to Delano. But short of a miracle, the 25-megawatt plant run by IHI Power Services Corp. will burn its last wood chips in July, when its power purchase agreement with Pacific Gas & Electric Co. expires.
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District, meanwhile, is locked in a dispute with the 18-megawatt Buena Vista biomass facility in Ione, and has threatened to terminate its contract, according to district spokesman Christopher Capra.
The closures have forced the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to consider allowing more agricultural waste to be burned in open piles, which produces particulate matter and ozone-forming compounds associated with cardiovascular illnesses.It seems like we've talked about this before. Oh, yes, it is also a problem in Minnesota. But instead of solar in Minnesota, it's been the low price of natural gas that is undoing biomass:
Minnesota has spent more than $11 million in taxpayer and utility funds to advance technologies that burn biomass for heat and electric generation or convert it to a synthetic gas. Now, it's getting difficult for the technology to compete.
"The era of low-priced natural gas has blunted opportunities for biomass and other renewables," said Doug Tiffany, an agricultural economist at the University of Minnesota.
Natural gas prices have dropped by half since their peak in 2008 as exploration using hydraulic fracturing opened new gas fields in shale formations beneath Texas, Pennsylvania and elsewhere.
What's been a bonanza for those states has been just the opposite for Chippewa Valley Ethanol in Benson, Minn., 125 miles west of the Twin Cities. The cooperative spent more than $20 million in 2008 on a system that gasifies wood chips and corncobs.
Flashback: January, 2009
Where are they now? These wells were permitted in January, 2009.
|
Date
|
Permit
|
IP
|
Operator
|
Name
|
County
|
Field
|
Pool
|
Test Date
|
CUM
|
Date
|
Comments
|
|
2 Jan 09
|
17946
|
86
|
Newfield
|
Trigger 1-31H
|
Divide
|
Fertile/Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
6/09
|
38
|
11/15
|
|
|
2 Jan 09
|
17947
|
0
|
Timberline
|
State 13-36
|
Ward
|
Wildcat
|
Madison
|
|
|
6/09
|
Dry
|
|
2 Jan 09
|
17948
|
|
Encore
|
Morgan Draw Federal 41-15H
|
Golden Valley
|
Beaver Creek
|
Birdbear
|
|
|
2/10
|
PNC
|
|
2 Jan 09
|
17949
|
80
|
EOG
|
Burke 17-23H
|
Mountrail
|
Parshall
|
Bakken
|
7/09
|
60
|
11/15
|
|
|
2 Jan 09
|
17950
|
460
|
EOG
|
Ross 1-09H
|
Mountrail
|
Alger/Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
7/09
|
124
|
11/15
|
|
|
2 Jan 09
|
17951
|
251
|
EOG
|
Oakland 5-16H
|
Mountrail
|
ParshallWildcat
|
Bakken
|
6/10
|
59
|
11/15
|
|
|
2 Jan 09
|
17952
|
406
|
SM/St Mary
|
Klamm 13-10H
|
McKenzie
|
Siverston
|
Bakken
|
6/09
|
165
|
10/15
|
|
|
2 Jan 09
|
17953
|
288
|
XTO/Encore
|
Beckert 24-7H
|
Dunn
|
Killdeer
|
Bakken
|
4/10
|
320
|
10/15
|
|
|
2 Jan 09
|
17954
|
303
|
Hess
|
EN-Anderson-156-94-1918H-1
|
Mountrail
|
Manitou
|
Bakken
|
7/09
|
95
|
11/15
|
|
|
5 Jan 09
|
17955
|
|
CLR
|
Richau 1-33H
|
Mercer
|
Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
|
|
12/10
|
EXP
|
|
6 Jan 09
|
17956
|
511
|
Hess
|
EN-Belik-156-93-0607H
|
Mountrail
|
Big Butte
|
Bakken
|
8/09
|
195
|
11/15
|
|
|
6 Jan 09
|
17957
|
|
PDC
|
Dihle 41-33HM
|
Burke
|
Wildcat
|
Madison
|
|
|
1/10
|
EXP
|
|
6 Jan 09
|
17958
|
|
PDC
|
Bly 21-26HB
|
Burke
|
Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
|
|
1/10
|
EXP
|
|
7 Jan 09
|
17959
|
109
|
Cornerstone/PDC
|
Jepsen 34-14H
|
Burke
|
Lostwood/Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
7/0
|
29
|
10/15
|
|
|
7 Jan 09
|
17960
|
|
Enduro/Eagle
|
WGMU 2
|
Renville
|
West Greene
|
Madison
|
|
|
9/09
|
WI
|
|
7 Jan 09
|
17961
|
339
|
OXY/Anschutz
|
Kadrmas 11-27H
|
Dunn
|
Simon Butte
|
Bakken
|
2/10
|
113
|
11/15
|
|
|
8 Jan 09
|
17962
|
249
|
Hess
|
RS-Lois Enander 156-91-3130H-1
|
Mountrail
|
Ross
|
Bakken
|
6/09
|
140
|
11/15
|
|
|
8 Jan 09
|
17963
|
435
|
Hess
|
EN-Hanson A-155-94-0607H-1
|
Mountrail
|
Manitou
|
Bakken
|
5/09
|
120
|
11/15
|
|
|
8 Jan 09
|
17964
|
571
|
Whiting
|
Satterthwaite 11-7H
|
Mountrail
|
Sanish
|
Bakken
|
6/09
|
143
|
11/15
|
|
|
8 Jan 09
|
17965
|
475
|
CLR
|
Brockmeier 1-1H
|
McKenzie
|
Mary/Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
6/10
|
108
|
11/15
|
|
|
8 Jan 09
|
17966
|
358
|
MRO
|
Jerry Pennington USA 33-21H
|
Mountrail
|
Reunion Bay
|
Bakken
|
6/09
|
273
|
10/15
|
|
|
9 Jan 09
|
17967
|
0
|
MRO
|
Ivan Hecker USA 41-6H
|
Dunn
|
Murphy Creek
|
Bakken
|
10/11
|
0
|
10/11
|
Dry
|
|
9 Jan 09
|
17968
|
|
Zenergy
|
Omlid 4-18H
|
McKenzie
|
Elidah/Siverston
|
Bakken
|
|
|
2/10
|
PNC
|
|
9 Jan 09
|
17969
|
|
Samson Resources
|
Morse 7-162-98H
|
Divide
|
Ambrose
|
Bakken
|
|
|
1/10
|
PNC
|
|
12 Jan 09
|
17970
|
|
BR
|
Waterton 34-32H
|
McKenzie
|
Keene
|
Madison
|
|
|
8/09
|
WI
|
|
12 Jan 09
|
17971
|
393
|
MRO
|
Isabelle Hartman 42-22H
|
Dunn
|
Murphy Creek/Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
9/09
|
138
|
10/15
|
|
|
13 Jan 09
|
17972
|
1695
|
EOG
|
Parshall 15-31H
|
Mountrail
|
Parshall/Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
8/09
|
335
|
11/15
|
|
|
13 Jan 09
|
17973
|
1772
|
BR
|
Big Bend 31-2H
|
McKenzie
|
Camel Butte
|
Bakken
|
11/09
|
185
|
11/15
|
|
|
13 Jan 09
|
17974
|
1068
|
BR
|
Shenandoah 34-36H
|
McKenzie
|
Keene
|
Bakken/TF
|
6/09
|
466
|
11/15
|
|
|
13 Jan 09
|
17975
|
432
|
WPX/Zenergy
|
TAT-714A-2-1H/Dakota-3TAT-714A-2-1H
|
Dunn
|
Eagle Nest/Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
7/09
|
87
|
11/15
|
|
|
14 Jan 09
|
17976
|
110
|
BR
|
Patton 21-1H
|
Dunn
|
Bailey
|
Bakken
|
9/09
|
224
|
11/15
|
|
|
15 Jan 09
|
17977
|
|
EOG
|
Vanville 3-12H
|
Burke
|
Thompson Lake/Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
|
|
5/10
|
PNC
|
|
15 Jan 09
|
17978
|
993
|
WPX/Zenergy
|
Nathan Hale 4-25H
|
McKenzie
|
Spotted Horn/Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
7/10
|
186
|
11/15
|
|
|
16 Jan 09
|
17979
|
706
|
Zavanna
|
Lynx 1-27H
|
Williams
|
Stony Creek/Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
7/11
|
194
|
11/15
|
|
|
16 Jan 09
|
17980
|
292
|
Hess/Tracker
|
Dukart 3-1H
|
Dunn
|
Little Knife
|
Bakken
|
6/09
|
63
|
11/15
|
|
|
16 Jan 09
|
17981
|
1666
|
Whiting/KOG
|
Two Shields Butte 16-8H
|
Dunn
|
Heart Butte/Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
6/09
|
34
|
11/15
|
|
|
16 Jan 09
|
17982
|
877
|
Hess/Tracker
|
Thomas 36-1H
|
Dunn
|
Little Knife
|
Bakken
|
6/09
|
135
|
11/15
|
|
|
16 Jan 09
|
17983
|
|
Windsor
|
Mayer 1-13H
|
Mountrail
|
Sanish
|
Bakken
|
|
|
6/09
|
PNC
|
|
19 Jan 09
|
17984
|
308
|
OXY/Anschutz
|
Sickler State 21-4H
|
Dunn
|
Simon Butte
|
Bakken
|
8/09
|
65
|
11/15
|
|
|
19 Jan 09
|
17985
|
0
|
XTO
|
Krauth Trust 24X-21
|
Dunn
|
Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
|
|
3/09
|
Dry
|
|
19 Jan 09
|
17986
|
501
|
Oasis/Zenergy
|
Aagvik 16-27H
|
McKenzie
|
Banks/Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
12/09
|
156
|
11/15
|
|
|
19 Jan 09
|
17987
|
1730
|
BR
|
Lincoln Hills 41-18H
|
Dunn
|
Dunn
|
Bakken
|
6/09
|
273
|
11/15
|
|
|
19 Jan 09
|
17988
|
|
EOG
|
Vanville 2-23H
|
Burke
|
Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
|
|
5/10
|
PNC
|
|
20 Jan 09
|
17989
|
725
|
BR
|
Beartown 31-36H
|
Dunn
|
Murphy Creek
|
Bakken
|
6/09
|
155
|
11/15
|
|
|
20 Jan 09
|
17990
|
|
Cirque
|
Nut Brown 10-16H
|
McLean
|
Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
|
|
1/10
|
PNC
|
|
21 Jan 09
|
17991
|
1154
|
Whiting
|
Satterthwaite 44-1H
|
Mountrail
|
Sanish
|
Bakken
|
11/09
|
176
|
11/15
|
|
|
21 Jan 09
|
17992
|
711
|
EOG
|
Liberty 4-13H
|
Mountrail
|
Parshall/Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
8/10
|
190
|
11/15
|
|
|
21 Jan 09
|
17993
|
|
Samson Resources
|
Grundstad 6-162-98H
|
Divide
|
Ambrose
|
Bakken
|
|
|
3/10
|
PNC
|
|
21 Jan 09
|
17994
|
|
EOG
|
Model 7-16H
|
Mountrail
|
Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
|
|
12/11
|
PNC
|
|
22 Jan 09
|
17995
|
|
EOG
|
Model 6-09H
|
Mountrail
|
Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
|
|
2/13
|
PNC
|
|
22 Jan 09
|
17996
|
58
|
EOG
|
Burke 9-10H
|
Mountrail
|
Stanley/Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
7/09
|
23
|
11/15
|
|
|
22 Jan 09
|
17997
|
1191
|
EOG
|
Liberty 6-25H
|
Mountrail
|
Parshall/Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
5/10
|
184
|
11/15
|
|
|
23 Jan 09
|
17998
|
|
Ward-Williston
|
Asheim 28-13
|
Bottineau
|
Wiley
|
Madison
|
|
|
3/14
|
PNC
|
|
26 Jan 09
|
17999
|
373
|
MRO
|
Jacqueline Olson 14-16H
|
Dunn
|
Jim Creek
|
Bakken
|
9/09
|
81
|
10/15
|
|
|
26 Jan 09
|
18000
|
291
|
Hess/Tracker
|
Smugala 27-1H
|
Dunn
|
Murphy Creek
|
Bakken
|
2/12
|
92
|
11/15
|
|
|
26 Jan 09
|
18001
|
495
|
Hess
|
RS-Black Stone-156-91-1011H-1
|
Mountrail
|
Ross
|
Bakken
|
6/09
|
300
|
11/15
|
|
|
27 Jan 09
|
18002
|
2286
|
Whiting
|
Sanish Bay 42-12H
|
Mountrail
|
Sanish
|
Bakken
|
12/09
|
65
|
11/15
|
|
|
27 Jan 09
|
18003
|
2198
|
Whiting
|
Holmberg 44-24H
|
Mountrail
|
Sanish
|
Bakken
|
4/10
|
213
|
11/15
|
|
|
27 Jan 09
|
18004
|
1582
|
Whiting
|
TTT Ranch 11-25H
|
Mountrail
|
Sanish
|
Bakken
|
7/09
|
348
|
11/15
|
|
|
28 Jan 09
|
18005
|
28
|
Whiting
|
Jones 44-35/Peterson 44-35
|
Golden Valley
|
Henry/Wildcat
|
Red River
|
8/13
|
14
|
11/15
|
Multiple payzones
|
|
28 Jan 09
|
18006
|
|
Whiting
|
Braaten 11-17H
|
Mountrail
|
Sanish
|
Bakken
|
|
|
12/10
|
PNC
|
|
30 Jan 09
|
18007
|
791
|
WpX/Zenergy
|
TAT-1922-14-2H/Dakota-3TAT-1922-14-2H
|
Dunn
|
Mandaree/Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
9/09
|
204
|
11/15
|
|
|
31 Jan 09
|
18008
|
0
|
XTO
|
Hanel State 44X-16
|
Dunn
|
Wildcat
|
Bakken
|
|
|
3/09
|
Dry
|
|
31 Jan 09
|
18009
|
1128
|
Zavanna
|
Gene 1-22H
|
Williams
|
Stockyard Creek
|
Bakken
|
4/10
|
198
|
11/15
|
|