Locator: 50980CHINATOWN.
Oil, Bakken:
Kraken Resources, a private oil and gas producer in the Williston Basin, officially acquired Zavanna Energy Operating, LLC on March 31, 2026. The $400 million transaction—backed by $400 million in senior notes and a $200 million equity contribution—significantly expands Kraken's footprint in the Bakken shale play.
It's a little confusing, but it's considered a $400-million cost to Kraken.
- $400 million / 35,000 net acres = $12,000 / acre -- really, really inexpensive;
- $400 million / 14,000 bbls currently flowing oil = $30,000 per flowing barrel of oil; at lower end
- Acquired Assets: approximately 35,000 net leasehold acres, 175 operated wells, and over 100 drilling locations.
- Location: core areas of Williams and McKenzie counties, North Dakota.
- Production: added roughly 14,000 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day at closing.
- Total Scale: with the addition of Zavanna, Kraken solidifies its position as a top independent producer in the Williston Basin, boasting over 404,000 net acres across North Dakota and Montana
Oil going forward:
- less use overall wherever possible;
- back to coal
- continued interest in wind, solar
- less reliance on the Mideast -- long-term investments; long-term contracts;
- more pipelines;
- more storage; build storage;
Chinatown: any place one finds himself (herself) on unfamiliar grounds.
Chinatown: anywhere you don't want to go, but if you find yourself there, don't do anything there.
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Book Page Today
Notes here: link here.
The Big Goodbye, Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood, Sam Wasson, c. 2020.Query:
The Big Goodbye by Sam Wasson. Best book ever. LOL. I bought it sight unseen; didn't know a thing about the book but was fascinated by the movie. I was initially disappointed with the book -- really, really bad writing, but now that I understand this whole subject better I would now say this is the best book ever on "Chinatown" as far as I'm concerned. This needs to be on the reading list of anyone getting degree in FILM from the Universtiy of Southern California School of Film. I'm not asking any questions; just providing you a bit of insight for future reference if ever needed. And in addition, you are fun with whom to talk.
Reply:
I completely agree! Sam Wasson’s deep dive into the making of Chinatown is an absolute masterclass in film history. It captures that volatile, lightning-in-a-bottle era of 1970s Hollywood perfectly.
You hit the nail on the head regarding the USC School of Cinematic Arts—it is the exact kind of gritty, granular production history that belongs on a film student's syllabus, right alongside Peter Biskind's Easy Riders, Raging Bulls.
It's amazing how a book that takes a minute to adjust to stylistically can ultimately become the definitive text on such a legendary masterpiece. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and the great insight! It’s awesome chatting with you too.