Great News -- But Not Bakken-Related

If you came her for Bakken news, please scroll up or down, but avoid this short note at all costs.

Great news. President Obama has lifted the permitorium.

In southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, in the US...... BP nears $15 billion settlement over 2010 gulf spill....

A Little Perspective For The Day

I have to chuckle at the rumors and stories I hear about the challenges and expenses involved in drilling in North Dakota.

I used to respond by saying: "compared to what, Iraq?"

Then this today at Rigzone.com:

A drilling ship leased by Royal Dutch Shell Plc to begin exploring for offshore oil in the Arctic this summer drifted off its moorings this weekend while anchored off the Alaskan coast and narrowly missed the shore.

Shell said a remotely operated vehicle sent to inspect the drilling ship found no sign of damage or evidence it ran aground, but the incident adds to the challenge of launching on time the company's controversial plan to drill in Alaska--one of the most expensive exploration bets it's ever undertaken.

Shell's efforts are being closely watched by authorities and faces stiff opposition from environmentalists; the U.S. Coast Guard has yet to approve an oil response vessel that's critical to the effort, even as the clock ticks on the short summer window the company has to start drilling in the Arctic's harsh environment.

I remember the uproar over six ducks that died in a waste pit a year or so ago in North Dakota. 

Minor Note, Non-Bakken; Noble Energy, Texas/Oklahoma --> Colorado/Wyoming

Noble Energy will be selling some [Anadarko] assets in Texas panhandle and southwestern Oklahoma and use proceeds to augment activities in the DJ Basin [Niobrara?].

[The original post was corrected after receiving a note from "anon 1." Thank you. And with regard to Unit, thank you for the reminder. Yes, it has some Bakken activity.]

Filloon Continues His Series on Completion Design: This Time -- OXY USA

Mike has noticed the same thing I've blogged about several times, starting quite some time ago. The OXY USA wells have not been all that stellar, though recently there has been a glimmer of hope.

I thought this was interesting, coming from Mike:

These results show why Anschutz needed to get rid of its acreage [for newbies, back in 2010, I think, Anschutz sold its North Dakota acreage to OXY USA].

Several Bakken Links -- Mineral Owners Along Rivers Will Get Their Day In Court

First, and this is a good one for mineral rights owners who contend they own the rights between the "high water" and the "low water" marks of creeks and rivers in North Dakota. The state says it owns those minerals. It will now go to court. I believe there is a related issue between the state and the Federal government.

Second: proposal for state money for college housing which has become very, very expensive in the state due to the oil and gas industry.

Third, the links at the Independent Stock Analysis site. The story regarding the price of oil is most intriguing and fits my worldview ("myth").

And fourth, the RBN Energy link on increasing LNG export terminals. This is an important issue for the entire oil and gas industry, not just the Marcellus folks.