A lot of long and detailed posts have been posted in the past couple of hours. I have not had time to proofread them and the spell checkers and fact checkers go home at 4:30 p.m. daily. So, I assume there will be a lot of typographical and factual errors in the posts -- let's say for the entire day. I'll spot a lot of them later this evening.
If there are errors that significantly affect the content of the post, let me know. But, minor spelling errors, grammar, yada, yada, yada, just ignore them. I'll get to most of them eventually.
Oh, before I forget. The price of gasoline in Texas has fallen below $2.50 -- one can easily find regular gasoline for $2.49/gallon north of DFW. My journals suggest that this is about 20 cents/gallon more than last year at this time, and it's possible we haven't seen the lows yet.
If the economy is doing so well, and gasoline is "relatively inexpensive," why is gasoline demand about the same as last year? I don't know; just a rhetorical question.
I'm hoping some of the local television networks pick up on the U-Haul story. It would make a great visual. All those U-Haul truck- and trailer-lots overflowing with orange-and-white U-Hauls.
I knew the US was going to become #1 in crude oil production, but I completely missed this story.
A sharp-eyed reader caught it.
Texas is about to overtake both Iran and Iraq in crude oil production. In doing so, Texas will become the world's third-largest crude oil producer. And that's despite the lack of takeaway capacity that is gumming up the works. From The Hill:
Texas's oil industry is set to surpass Iraq and Iran to become the third-largest oil producing region in the world, behind only Russia and Saudi Arabia.
CNN Money reports that HSBC Bank predicted in a recent report that the state's explosive growth in oil production over the last two years could result in Texas passing the two Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members as oil prices rise around the world.
"It's remarkable. The [Permian Basin oil field] is nothing less than a blessing for the global economy," Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy Group, told CNN.
The surge in production comes just two years after the oil fields in Texas were seeing much lower production levels at the tail end of the Obama administration, according to CNN.
"In 2014, it was amazing. 2016 was down in the dumps. Two years later, it's back to crazy," Texas railroad commissioner Ryan Sitton told the news network.
Production cutbacks in Russia and OPEC nations have also led to a rise in U.S. oil prices, a boon for the economy as companies in Texas struggle to find qualified workers and the infrastructure required to support the surge.
"To say there's a shortage of bodies is an understatement," Jeff Bush, president of CSI Recruiting president, told CNN.He said lower production under the Obama administration had left companies struggling to adjust to the economic boom in time.
And if it's on CNN, it must be true. LOL.
Much more at the link.
By the way, I have not posted it, but a very, very credible roughneck with decades of experience comments at another oil blog. He suggests, with some authority, that the Paradox Basin will be even bigger than the Permian. For those who have forgotten, the most productive onshore well drilled in 2012 was in the Paradox Basin. The Paradox Basin is "on hold" for various reasons.
Senate Republicans broke a record on Wednesday for the number of
appeals court judges confirmed during a president's first two years.
Senators voted 50-49 on
Andrew Oldham's nomination to be a judge on the 5th Circuit, making him
Trump's 23rd circuit court judge confirmed since he took office last
year.
That breaks the previous record set by President George H.W. Bush,
who got 22 appeals court judges confirmed during his administration's
first two years.
"The Senate continues to confirm impressive nominees whom President Trump has asked to serve our country," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on Wednesday. "[Oldham] comes highly recommended by colleagues and peers from across the spectrum."
Republicans
have rushed to confirm Trump's nominees for the key bench, letting the
party shape the direction of the U.S. court system for decades.
"I
think of the things that we've been able to do with this Republican
government the last year and a half, the single most long-lasting,
positive impact we'll be able to have on the country is the judiciary,"
McConnell told reporters in Kentucky late last week.
Democrats and allied outside groups have blasted Republicans' steady pace of confirming Trump's circuit court nominees.
"Given
his lack of judicial experience and blatantly political record,
litigants who come before Mr. Oldham in court will understandably
question whether they are getting an impartial judge," Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said in a statement.
She added that Oldham's record "could not be more extreme and overtly political."
Jake
Faleschini, the director of the Federal Courts Program at the Center
for American Progress, added that "Oldham is yet another young
right-wing firebrand who has spent his career pushing a damaging,
partisan agenda."
But Democrats are essentially powerless to stop Trump's judicial picks unless they can win GOP support.
Much, much more at the link.
GOP: doing the work of the people, President Bill Clinton would say, no doubt.
For newbies: these are incredible wells and an incredible location. We're starting to see a few more Three Forks upper bench wells, but not many, and Bakken operators haven't even begun to "scratch the surface" when it comes to the lower benches of the Three Forks.
If you "have" one well in any given drilling unit in the Bakken, you will eventually have four; you very likely will have eight; you might have twelve; and in the very good areas of the Bakken you may have upwards of 24 wells or more.
This post is where the CLR's Pittsburgh and Uhlman Federal well will be tracked.
*********************************************
The Pittsburgh / Uhlman Federal Wells
The graphic:
The three older wells:
28737, 1,423, CLR, Uhlman 1-7H, Banks, t1/15; cum 530K 9/20; no evidence this well has been re-fracked (no sundry form; FracFocus); SWSE 7-152-99. Posted at "Wells of Interest." It's an interesting well. Went IA and off line as of 5/19; remains off line 7/19; back on line 9/19; minimal production over 6 days; huge jump in production, 10/19; cum 544K 4/21;
Monthly Production Data:
Pool
Date
Days
BBLS Oil
Runs
BBLS Water
MCF Prod
MCF Sold
Vent/Flare
BAKKEN
5-2018
31
4436
4491
3655
6089
5370
501
BAKKEN
4-2018
30
5626
5938
6020
7335
6836
259
BAKKEN
3-2018
19
2939
2473
4693
3998
3826
38
BAKKEN
2-2018
23
3491
3681
5708
6194
136
5881
BAKKEN
1-2018
22
3552
3173
9364
7376
0
7202
BAKKEN
12-2017
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
BAKKEN
11-2017
2
4
205
0
0
0
0
BAKKEN
10-2017
31
2859
3207
1601
5946
5779
39
BAKKEN
9-2017
29
5515
5402
3730
12322
11670
434
BAKKEN
8-2017
31
6631
6543
3935
14745
14468
31
BAKKEN
7-2017
31
6454
6195
4002
12385
11844
300
BAKKEN
6-2017
30
5715
5794
3760
11133
10570
340
The second:
19797, 729, CLR, Pittsburgh1-19H, t6/11; cum 393K 9/20; went IA and off line as of 5/19. One day of production, 9/19. Note recent production profile, below. Now back on line, as of 10/19; cum 397K 4/21;
Monthly Production Data:
Pool
Date
Days
BBLS Oil
Runs
BBLS Water
MCF Prod
MCF Sold
Vent/Flare
BAKKEN
5-2018
31
6504
6628
5575
8864
8864
0
BAKKEN
4-2018
30
7071
7087
5836
8126
8126
0
BAKKEN
3-2018
20
5194
4953
4478
6820
5666
1154
BAKKEN
2-2018
28
6359
6335
5540
8116
8116
0
BAKKEN
1-2018
23
8478
8198
7621
7564
7564
0
BAKKEN
12-2017
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
BAKKEN
11-2017
15
710
1010
492
2178
2178
0
BAKKEN
10-2017
31
1577
1575
934
5257
5257
0
BAKKEN
9-2017
30
1670
1433
790
5501
5501
0
And, now the third:
22154,637, CLR, Pittsburgh 2-19H, Banks, t4/12; cum 244K 9/20; Went IA and off line as of 5/19; back into production 9/19;huge well; huge jump in production, 2/18; back on line as of 9/19; cum 258K 4/21;
Pool
Date
Days
BBLS Oil
Runs
BBLS Water
MCF Prod
MCF Sold
Vent/Flare
BAKKEN
5-2018
24
3780
3949
6897
5338
5338
0
BAKKEN
4-2018
30
6918
6595
8059
8563
7782
781
BAKKEN
3-2018
29
8912
8859
10383
12553
11569
984
BAKKEN
2-2018
28
10702
10864
15444
14589
14589
0
BAKKEN
1-2018
6
2123
1816
2582
2434
464
1970
BAKKEN
12-2017
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
BAKKEN
11-2017
20
267
511
223
314
314
0
BAKKEN
10-2017
31
1050
960
927
1511
1511
0
BAKKEN
9-2017
30
1074
1205
864
1521
1521
0
******************************
Now the newer wells in this area. First, note the first full month of production for this well:
30964, 3,049, CLR, Uhlman Federal 3-7H, Banks, the name and the geology report says "middle Bakken"; the frack form says "Three Forks," probably a typo, big rig, Oct 3, 2015; TD, October 14, 2015; TD = 11,040 feet; 4 sections, flowing, 61 stages; 12.3 million lbs , t4/18; cum 280K 9/20; cum 310K 4/21;
Monthly Production Data:
Pool
Date
Days
BBLS Oil
Runs
BBLS Water
MCF Prod
MCF Sold
Vent/Flare
BAKKEN
5-2018
31
56400
56531
40405
82797
77371
5426
BAKKEN
4-2018
6
13254
12940
9157
17955
11978
5977
BAKKEN
3-2018
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
BAKKEN
2-2018
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
BAKKEN
1-2018
5
1903
1903
666
3881
0
3881
Now, the rest of the wells:
34846, 777, CLR, Patterson Federal 8-13HSL1, Banks, t11/19; cum 189K 9/20; cum 239K 4/21;
34847, SI/NC-->922, CLR, Pittsburgh 4-18HSL, Banks, t10/19; cum 206K 9/20; 37K month; 49 stages; 11.1 million lbs; cum 248K 4/21;
34848, SI/A-->844, CLR, Pittsburgh 5-18H1, Banks, t--; cum 145K 9/20; cum 175 K 4/21;
34849, SI/NC-->SI/A-->F/A, CLR, Pittsburgh 6-18H, Banks, t--; cum 190K 9/20; cum 247K 4/21
34850, SI/A, CLR, Pittsburgh 7-18H1, Banks, t--; cum 141K 9/20; cum 187 K 4/21;
34852, SI/NC--> 865, CLR, Kuhn 8-12HSL1, Banks, t10/19; cum 208K 9/20; cum 257K 4/21;
34853, A-->1,125, CLR, Uhlman Federal 4-7HSL, Banks, t11/19; 215K 9/20; cum 258K 4/21;
34854, SI/A-->F/A, CLR, Uhlman Federal 5-7H1, Banks, t--; cum 95K 3/20; 154K 9/20; cum 175K 4/21;
34855, F/A, CLR, Uhlman Federal 6-7H, Banks, t--; cum 186K 9/20;fracked 7/10/19 - 7/23/19; 8.9 million gallons; 88.6% water by mass; friction reduction, 0.06257; cum 222K 4/21
34856, F/A, CLR, Uhlman Federal 7-7H1, Banks, t--; cum 155K 9/20; fracked 7/9/19 - 7/22/19; 7.8 million lbs; 89.4% water by mass; 0.059539, friction reduction; cum 172K 4/21;
34857, F/A, CLR, Uhlman Federal 8-7H, Banks, t--; 227K 9/20; fracked 7/9/19 - 7/22/19; 9 million lbs water; 88.7% water by mass; friction reduction, 0.06142; cum 265K 4/21;
30965, 2,293, CLR, Uhlman Federal 2-7H1, Banks, t4/18; cum 392K 3/20; huge well; 49K in one month; huge jump in production, 10/19; cum 438K 4/21;
30964, 3,049, CLR, Uhlman Federal 3-7H, Banks, t4/18; cum 258K 3/20;huge well; 56K in one month; cum 310K 4/21
30966, 2,466, CLR, Pittsburgh 3-7H, Banks, t4/18; cum 341K 3/20;huge well; 59K in one month; 413K 4/21;
The six-well Pittsburgh / Uhlman Federal wells in section 18:
35158, A, CLR, Pittsburgh 9-18H1, Banks, some production, 9/19; cum 70K 3/20; cum 168K 4/21;
35159, 1,050, CLR, Pittsburgh 10-18H, Banks, t11/19; cum 102K 3/20; cum 228K 3/21;
35160, 1,050, CLR, Pittsburgh 11-18H1, Banks, t11/19; cum 146K 3/20; cum 207K 3/21;
35161, A, CLR, Uhlman Federal 9-7H1, Banks, some production, 9/19; 74K 3/20; cum 158K 3/21;
35162,PA, CLR, Uhlman Federal 10-7H, Banks, still on drl status as of 4/21;
35163, A, CLR, Uhlman Federal 11-7H1, Banks, t--; cum 99K 3/20; a 43K month; 237K 3/21;
Alcoa expects to complete the restart of the third potline at its Warrick
aluminum smelter in Indiana by the end of the year; related costs will
be incurred in Q3 and Q4, estimated at $5M after-tax.
A potline is a row of electrolytic cells used in the production of aluminum. By the way, the same thing -- re-starting a potline --was reported in New Zealand a few weeks ago. No mention of President Trump or the trade war mentioned in the SeekingAlpha note.
Aecon Group Inc. announced today that SA Energy Group, a 50/50 joint venture between
Aecon and Robert B. Somerville Co. Ltd., has been awarded a $282 million contract by Enbridge Pipelines Inc. for Spreads 8 and 9 of the Line 3 Replacement Phase 2 project in Manitoba.
The scope of work includes constructing 92.2 km of pipeline in the area of Brandon, Manitoba for Spread 8, and constructing 96.5 km of pipeline near Morden, Manitoba for Spread 9 extending to the Canada-U.S. border.
Construction is expected to commence in August 2018,
with anticipated substantial completion by the end of 2018. Recently,
under Phase 1 of the Line 3 Replacement project, SA Energy Group
successfully completed Spreads 3 and 4 (261 km), in Saskatchewan.
California dreamin': well, that ends that. The California Supreme Court said the initiative to divide the state into a triad cannot be on the November, 2018, ballot. But, the Court said it will re-visit the issue later.
Note: in a long note like this, there will be factual and typographical errors. If this is important to you, go to the source.
Active rigs:
$67.82↑
7/18/2018
07/18/2017
07/18/2016
07/18/2015
07/18/2014
Active Rigs
67
59
30
73
196
Seven new permits:
Operator: CLR (6); Hunt
Field: Banks (McKenzie); Werner (Dunn)
Comments: CLR has permits for another 6-well Pittsburgh / Uhlman Federal pad in NENW 18-152-99; from a post on May 1, 2018 -- CLR has permits for a 12-well Patterson/Pittsburgh/Kuhn/Uhlman pad in
lot 4 section 7-152-99; at about 1,200 feet FSL and 100 - 1,000 FWL; lot
4 looks like it is in the southwest quarter of the section.
Wow! Eleven producing wells (DUCs) reported as completed, but just barely. No data posted at the NDIC site for any of the wells; range of water/sand: about 87% to 90% water in the following wells --
33225, n/d, CLR, Kennedy 7-31H, API - 33-053-07878; 2/14/18 - 3/8/18; 12.245 million gallons water;
33226, n/d, CLR, Kennedy 6-31H2, API - 33-053-07879; 1/21/18/ - 2/11/18; 8.919 million gallons water;
33227, n/d, CLR, Kennedy 5-31H, API - 33-053-07880; 1/21/18 - 2/11/18; 11.269 million gallons water;
32360, n/d, CLR, Antelope Federal 7-23H API - 33-053-07436; 3/28/18 - 3/28/18 (no typo); 11.908 million gallons water;
32358, n/d, CLR, Antelope Federal 5-23H, API - 33-053-07434; 3/14//18 - 3/14/18 (no typo); 8.335 million gallons water
33108, n/d, CLR, Wiley 12-25H, API - 33-053-07833; 3/25/18 - 4/9/18; 9.494 million gallons water;
33109, n/d, CLR, Wiley 11-25H2, API - 33-053-07834; 3/25/18 - 4/9/18; 9.348 million gallons water;
33110, n/d, CLR, Wiley 10-25H, API - 33-053-07835; 4/12/18 - 5/5/18; 9.737 million gallons water;
33111, n/d, CLR, Wiley 9-25H2, API - 33-053-07836; 4/12/18 - 5/3/18; 9.838 million gallons water;
33112, n/d, CLR, Wiley 8-25H, API - 33-053-07837; 4/12/18 - 5/5/18; 9.366 million gallons water,
33224, n/d, CLR, Kennedy 8-31H, API - 33-053-07877; 2/14/18 - 3/8/18; 12.735 million gallons water,
Six permits renewed:
Crescent Point Energy (4): two CPEUSC Elena and two CPEUSC Lloyd permits in Williams County;
Whiting (2): two P Thomas permits in Williams County
One well re-completed:
15167, North Range Resources, Beta Race Federal 22-6; Billings County
Operator transfer: 57 wells transferred from Vanguard Operating to White Rock Oil & Gas. These are very old permits, throughout the state, from Williams County in the north to Bowman County in the far southwest. The oldest permit is #6642; the most recent permit is #12699.
#6642, still producing; multiple payzones over the years (Birdbear, Madison, Red River, Stonewall, but is now a Madison well; first drilled in 1979 with no full months off since then; cum 108K from the Stonewall; 38K from the Birdbear; and 239K from the Madison and still producing about 300 bbls/month from the Madison
#12699, a Red River well, drilled/test in 1/190; cum 30K 5/18; and still active/producing about 500 bbls/month
*********************************************
The Pittsburgh / Uhlman Federal Wells
Note: I'm going to leave this here for now, but it will be completed at a stand-alone post later. Nothing below will be updated. All updates will be at this post.
Of interest in that area:
28737, 1,423, CLR, Uhlman 1-7H, Banks, t1/15; cum 411K 5/18; no evidence this well has been re-fracked (no sundry form; FracFocus); SWSE 7-152-99. If I remember, I will post the entire production profile at "Wells of Interest." It's an interesting well.
Monthly Production Data:
Pool
Date
Days
BBLS Oil
Runs
BBLS Water
MCF Prod
MCF Sold
Vent/Flare
BAKKEN
5-2018
31
4436
4491
3655
6089
5370
501
BAKKEN
4-2018
30
5626
5938
6020
7335
6836
259
BAKKEN
3-2018
19
2939
2473
4693
3998
3826
38
BAKKEN
2-2018
23
3491
3681
5708
6194
136
5881
BAKKEN
1-2018
22
3552
3173
9364
7376
0
7202
BAKKEN
12-2017
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
BAKKEN
11-2017
2
4
205
0
0
0
0
BAKKEN
10-2017
31
2859
3207
1601
5946
5779
39
BAKKEN
9-2017
29
5515
5402
3730
12322
11670
434
BAKKEN
8-2017
31
6631
6543
3935
14745
14468
31
BAKKEN
7-2017
31
6454
6195
4002
12385
11844
300
BAKKEN
6-2017
30
5715
5794
3760
11133
10570
340
Of interest in that area:
19797, 729, CLR, Pittsburgh1-19H, t6/11; cum 331K 5/18; note recent production profile:
Monthly Production Data:
Pool
Date
Days
BBLS Oil
Runs
BBLS Water
MCF Prod
MCF Sold
Vent/Flare
BAKKEN
5-2018
31
6504
6628
5575
8864
8864
0
BAKKEN
4-2018
30
7071
7087
5836
8126
8126
0
BAKKEN
3-2018
20
5194
4953
4478
6820
5666
1154
BAKKEN
2-2018
28
6359
6335
5540
8116
8116
0
BAKKEN
1-2018
23
8478
8198
7621
7564
7564
0
BAKKEN
12-2017
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
BAKKEN
11-2017
15
710
1010
492
2178
2178
0
BAKKEN
10-2017
31
1577
1575
934
5257
5257
0
BAKKEN
9-2017
30
1670
1433
790
5501
5501
0
I have to run -- pick up Sophia, so I will sort this out later, but note this well in this drilling unit :
30964, 3,049, LR, Uhlman Federal 3-7H, Banks, the name and the geology report says "middle Bakken"; the frack form says "Three Forks," probably a typo, big rig, Oct 3, 2015; TD, October 14, 2015; TD = 11,040 feet; 4 sections, flowing, 61 stages; 12.3 million lbs , t4/18; cum 72K 5/18;
US crude oil inventories: increased by 5.8 million bbls -- wow!
US crude oil inventories now sit at 411.1 million bbls but the EIA blow it off -- saying that it's still 2% below the five year average -- the five year average includes the two years in which Saudi Arabia flooded the market with oil and the Permian was hitting its stride
but look at this: after operating at nearly 98% capacity, refineries are now down to just 94.3% capacity; most likely due to fact that winter/summer transition and height of driving season are in our rear-view mirrors
gasoline production decreased last week but still above my "threshold": 10.3 million bbls/day produced (my threshold: 10 million bbls)
same with distillate fuel: decreased to 5.2 million bbls (my threshold is 5 million bbls
imports increased by a staggering 1.6 million bbls (my threshold: less than a million bbls)
over the past four weeks, crude oil imports averaged about 8.5 million bbls per day, 8.1% more than the same four-week period last year -- so we are importing more (but also exporting more -- now exporting 3 million bbls/day)
gasoline imports: 657,000 bbl/day
distillate fuel imports: 140,000 bbl/day
WTI drops another 29 cents to trade at $66.89 after this report was released
Comments: for oil bulls, short term, this is a scary, scary report. But worse, for the US economy, it is very, very bearish. We will see if that's confirmed with gasoline demand data to be released later, graphically. I'm obviously missing something, though: the US markets are minimally negative to flat, suggesting investors are not linking bearishness that I see with bullishness that the Fed sees.
Gasoline demandthe numbers are out, but the graph has not been updated. When the graph comes out, it will show that the "demand for gasoline" reported today is slightly -- very slightly -- below that reported for same period last year (one may not see separation on the graph.
Disclaimer: this is not an investment site. Do not make any investment, financial, job, travel, or relationship decisions based on what you read here or think you may have read here.
Market: in a slightly negative to flat market, stock picking seems more important than ever. Let's look at some bellwether stocks and I use the term bellwether tongue-in-cheek -- I wanted to see if I still knew how to spell bellwether -- the bell that rings whether or not the weather changes (wether, by the way for those who have forgotten, is a castrated ram, and yes, that's the etymology of "bellwether":
AAPL: at $190, down $1.19
BRK: wow - wow - wow -- at $198, up $7.89 (up over 4%) -- what's not to like?
UNP: nice -- at $140.93, up $2.67 (up almost 2%)
SRE: at $114, down $1.24 -- almost exactly what I suggested a few weeks ago; purely serendipity;
S: at $5.58, down a penny
NOG: at $3.26, well off it's high for the past 52 weeks, but up 2 cents
Okay, that's enough. But that's pretty amazing for a company like Berkshire to move that much in one day. Berkshire investors have to be relieved that Warren et al didn't announce a special dividend -- all those taxes to pay -- if one wants cash from Berkshire, sell a few shares and pay the "cheaper" capital gains tax.
Let's see. There was something else I was going to say, but I forget. Maybe some music will help.
Fishing Junks at Sunset, Jean Michel Jarre
******************************
Notes To The Granddaughters
Hard to believe The Concerts in China, Jean Michel Jarre, were released in 1981. I think I first recall listening to them back in 1987 or thereabouts. I was commanding an air transportable hospital -- we were training in England at the time. To my everlasting disappointment, I never put in place some great communication ideas I had at the time. Those ideas came to fruition some two decades later but we had the technology in 1987. I completely missed the opportunity. And I know the reason. The lesson learned. A lesson I can pass on to the granddaughters.
*******************************
The Book Page
I continue to "work" the "one consequential book per week" rule. I just returned last week's book, Our Man In Havana, Graham Greene, to the library and am now reading The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family, Mary S. Lovell, c. 2001.
If there is something akin to a "chick flick" among written biographies, this book would fit the bill.
I've suggested to our oldest granddaughter who wants to read Little Women (she is currently reading Franz Kafka) that The Peabody Sisters and The Mitford Sisters might be similarly interesting.
At 529 pages, I will have to be disciplined to complete the Mitford Sisters in one week.
I always thought "Clementine" was an American name (she'll be comin' around the mountain). But lo and behold (and I knew this, but had forgotten): Clementine Ogilvy Spencer-Churchill, Baroness Spencer-Churchill, GBE (nee Hozier) was the wife of Winston Churchill and a life peer in her own right.
David Mitford -- the father of the "Mitford sisters" -- was the second son born to Lady Clementine Ogilvy and her husband Bertie Mitford. His aunt, Lady Clementine's sister, Lady Blanche, married Henry Hozier and was mother to another Clementine -- are you following this? -- the Clementine who married Winston Churchill. So, David would have been a first cousin (?) of Clementine Churchill, and the Mitford girls would have been nieces (?).
This was the same Winston Churchill who was voted out of office in a landslide upset in 1946 after "winning" the war and saving Britain from the Nazis. And the Brits are upset that the current US president actually sat in Winston's chair. Seventy-two years ago the Brits hated Winston Churchill enough to vote him out of office. Short memories.
On another note, first printings of many of Winston Churchill's book and original paintings by Churchill can be seen in a special, permanent exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art.
I wonder if Winston called his wife by her full name? Perhaps when he was really angry at her for something.
Touch To Remember, Jean Michel Jarre
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The Amazon Page
Amazon is simply incredible. I love targeted ads.
Amazon just sent me a long list of kitchen gadgets -- all 50% to 60% off -- and that's not a "come-on." When one goes to any one of these items, the full price is listed at $11.99 or thereabouts and with the "code" the price is 50 to 60 percent less.
Shipping is free.
And, then on top of that one can use "prime points" that have accumulated from previous purchases (of which I have many). But then, incredibly, points on points. Because I have "Prime," Amazon will ship my purchase to arrive in two days. But if I agree to take "regular shipping" - add a few days -- I get another $5.00 credit. So, with a couple of clicks, I order something I actually need -- through a targeted ad -- and get it absolutely free (yes, I know the annual Prime fee is now $120) and get another $5.00 credit. For something I'm getting free with no shipping and handling costs. Yes, I will be charged an inconsequential sales tax.
I assume Jeff Bezos is making me feel so good that when he raises the annual Prime fee another $20, I will gladly pay. Sort of like the proverbial frog sitting in warm water that is gradually heating up.
In Chicago? Are you kidding?
When I saw the headline, I thought it was a "slush fund" story. I guess I'm wrong. Sounds like something else.
The coal mine permit expired in 1989. Illinois didn't go after the bond until 2005 (16 years later). The case was dismissed by the court in 2014 (what? and the reporter provides no explanation why?). Now a new bank has acquired the bank that originally held the bond.
But we're missing a big part of the story: why did the court dismiss the case in the first place? And not only that, $325,000 seems like a pretty paltry sum. Strange, strange story.
Second story.
Another bank story. This one in Africa. Something called the African Development Bank.
Apparently Multilateral Development Banks "use manmade climate change alarmism to justify lending policies that reject funding for fossil fuel electricity generation, promote expensive and unreliable renewable sources, and thereby help keep impoverished nations poor."
Apparently the African Development Bank was one of these Multilateral Development Banks. I hate all those capital letters, but we will move on.
The ADB has seen where this renewable energy policy has gotten them: an hour of electricity every day in much of Africa -- and that hour, relying on solar and wind energy -- is unreliable and sporadic.
So, breaking with the rest of the MDBs, the ADB will now allow fossil fuel, other than just natural gas (yes, that would mean coal), to provide electricity for Africans.
The writer "explains why Africa, China, India, Indonesia and others
refuse to reject coal and gas – and rely on “green” energy technologies
that don’t exist … except in classrooms, computer models, IPCC reports,
Al Gore lectures, and renewable energy company promotional literature."
The article is a wonky article explaining the transition from the Obama energy policy in Africa and the Trump-Perry energy policy in Africa. It's a painful article to read but great for the archives.
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A Note For The Granddaughters
Years ago -- decades ago -- I was sitting in a bar in west Africa, in Banjul, The Gambia, just south of Senegal.
About 9:00 p.m. the lights in the hotel go out. Two chaps -- and they were chaps, from England -- excused themselves. About thirty minutes later the lights came back on and a few minutes later, the chaps returned to the bar. They said the country's electricity was provided by a couple of diesel engines -- probably GE engines -- and that someone had forgotten to refill the diesel fuel tanks. I am not making this up. I can't recall now if it was the entire country, the entire city, or just the hotel -- doesn't matter -- probably one and the same for all practical purposes -- that lost power that night ... until more diesel fuel was put in the tanks.
Talking to those two chaps felt as if I were talking to Harris and Wilson from Heart of the Matter, Graham Greene, 1946.
That was 1946. Sounds like most of Africa hasn't progressed much farther, except now they've been suckered into using solar energy instead of diesel fuel. Some call it "carbon colonialism."
