Top story of the week:
- US economy: US household net worth rose to an all-time record in 3Q20; US shipping ports setting all-time records; stock market hitting all-time highs;
- Chinese flu: second (third?) wave surging: California ready to extend lock down; Germany kills Christmas; Apple closes stores in southern California;
- US Covid-19 vaccine rollout begins; no evidence of "seasonal flu";
- US government at risk of shutting down;
- Sweden's "success story" turns out to be "fake" -- see below;
- when you are a centi-billionaire and retired, it's easy to yell "lock down":
- Charlie Pride dead at 86;
- RMDs waived for 2020;
Photo of the week:
Top international non-energy story:
- no inflation; consumers are just imagining it;
- Covid-19 surges in Sweden; officials agree they "blew it"; and, here;
- House of Saud in extremis; budget cut again; Saudi Arabia sets government reserves continue to fall;
Top international energy story:
- natural gas showing y/y deficit in European storage; here;
- gasoline demand plummets;
- US and global refiners continue to shut down or cut back;
Top national non-energy story:
- record-setting winter storm in northeast; winter storm Gail; here; and, here;
- Apple shuts all stores in California due to surging Chinese flu -- announced Saturday, December 19, 2020;
Top national energy story:
Top North Dakota non-energy story:
- Chinese flu cases plummeting as ND heads toward "herd immunity";
- Chinese flu-related hospitalizations drop to lowest level in two months;
Top North Dakota energy story:
- Biden stacks cabinet with anti-DAPL, anti-fracking proponents;
- Bakken operators getting ready: thirteen permits renewed;
- ND oil production shows slight increase month-over-month;
- ND natural gas production increases month-over-month;
Geoff Simon's top North Dakota stories:
- Biden plans could cost North Dakota nearly a billion dollars by 2024;
- Biden's pick for Interior Secretary was at Standing Rock with DAPL protesters -- anyone think DAPL will not be shut down?
- North Dakota taxable sales and purchases drop nearly 20% in 3Q20;
- New England, California at high risk for energy disruptions if winter turns "sour";
Operators:
- Petroshale with permits for ten Tahu wells in the best (?) field in the Bakken;
- CLR remains very, very active in the Bakken;
Operations:
- WPX reporting huge Topaz wells;
- WPX: huge well; small frack; and, here;
- WPX with huge Omaha Woman wells;
Fracking:
Halo effect: