Sunday, February 11, 2024

Texas Relocations -- February 11, 2024

Locator: 46780Texas.

On a completely different note, and I'm just going to touch on it briefly, but I think folks that know can connect the dots:

  • you can't drill for oil if you can't get rid of natural gas;
  • you can't burn / flare natural gas any more;
  • if oil drillers want to keep drilling, they need to get rid of their natural gas;
  • if they have to, oil drillers will give their natural gas away;
  • natural gas is already at historic natural lows;
  • Biden puts a pause on new permitting of Texas export LNG facilities
  • now, let's see: if natural gas is given away for free, what's the price (cost) spread between natural-generated electricity and wind / solar-generated electricity
  • this is not rocket science
  • can't wait to watch this play out
  • now, read the following: labor source and cheap electricity
  • but let's not forget -- natural gas as feedstock ... 

**********************************
Relocations To Texas

So, what's driving all this? The fog is starting to clear. In order of importance;

  • favorable, favorable business / manufacturing climate (compare Texas with California, Portland, and Seattle)
    • tax climate
    • regulatory climate
  • diversity built in
    • Hispanics -- goes without saying
    • African-American: largest MKL parade in the country in San Antonio, TX
  • tech centers second to none
    • UT-Austin
    • Round Rock
    • Waco
    • UT-Dallas
  • regional finance capital
    • Dallas
  • energy: inexhaustible, accessible, affordable
    • Biden's export pause only makes things better for Texas manufacturers; natgas producers will give their product away to ensure they can keep drilling oil; if you know, you know;
  • climate: warm and getting warmer
    • no earthquakes, no major weather disturbances
  • central location
    • east-west: US
    • north-south: Chicago to Mexico City
  • transportation
    • air
      • DFW: #2 airport in the world (passenger volume)
      • cargo: Ft Worth Alliance airport
    • rail: bullet train? Dallas to Houston?
    • highway: best interstate and state highway system in the US
  • Amazon
    • fulfillment centers and hubs
  • inexhaustible work force getting larger; willing to work for lower wages: the southern surge, the one Trump wants to stop
    • the hard workers will stay in Texas;
    • the criminal elements will head for sanctuary cities
    • see Trane story below; see Samsung story below. 

Link here. And, here.

So, what now?

Two today.

Link here. At the link, scroll down to #7, Hanyang, moving its headquarters from South Korea to Cedar Park, Texas. Wow.

But look at this, Samsung, back on schedule. Link here.

One of the biggest tech companies finally has a new date for when its opening its doors in Central Texas. A Taylor city leader said Samsung Electronics Co.'s semiconductor plant is set to begin operations as early as July 1, according to recent reports.

Construction on Samsung's chip plant was previously reported to be delayed and would not start mass production until 2025. However, Williamson County Judge Bill Gravel told his fellow county commissioners that things are now going according to plan during a meeting this week.

In the meeting, Gravell said he learned of the July 1 start date after talking with the company’s chief financial officer at a recent semiconductor conference in South Korea, KXAN reports. Gravell also added that construction crews have already started pouring the foundation for a second fabrication plant at Samsung's Taylor complex, which would be the single biggest building in the United States once it is complete.

Samsung's $17 billion facility in Taylor is just over 20 miles east of Austin. It was originally expected to be fully operational by the first half of 2024, which the Samsung Foundry President Choi Siyoung addressed the delay during a speech in December 2023, according to the Seoul Economic Daily that Bloomberg cited.

So, what happened. The "southern surge" is bringing in huge number of construction workers into Texas. Trump wants to keep them out.

****************************
And Then This: Cacique Foods

Link here.


From the linked article:
US-based Hispanic products supplier Cacique Foods has ended operations at its California dairy plant, with manufacturing to switch to another site in Texas.
Plant equipment at the closed City of Industry factory in California will be put up for auction in a process to be conducted by dairy asset sales specialist Harry Davis & Company in December.
Founded in 1973 in Monrovia, California, family-owned Cacique produces queso Mexican-style cheeses and dips, sour cream, yogurt drinks, salsa and chorizo under its namesake brand.
The business sold a minority stake in 2021 to Boston-based hedge fund The Baupost Group and this year shifted its headquarters from Monrovia (north of Los Angeles, east of Pasadena) to Irving, Texas (DFW area).
Manufacturing operations from the City of Industry (Los Angeles area) facility will move to the Amarillo plant in Texas, which opened this year.

More here.

So:

  • headquarters from beautiful, beautiful southern California, near the Rose Bowl, to DFW; and,
  • manufacturing site from City of Industry (think near ground zero for southern California homelessness).

***************************
Meanwhile, Trane

Link here.

But to repeat:

Labor source? The southern surge. The one Trump wants to shut down.

Sunday Morning Coming Down -- February 11, 2024

Locator: 46779INANITIES.

I went to bed last night in a really, really grouchy mood. I can generally expect a naturally-occurring-chemical-depression hitting me as if a switch had been turned on every three months or so. Having said that, I don't recall the last time I've had such a spell. But last night was different: definitely nothing depressing, but rather just a grouchy, irritated feeling. 

I never know what sets off my spells of naturally-occurring-chemical-depression; they hit me completely unexpectedly, coming on like a switch has been turned on, with no identifiable cause. I think they are very similar to what folks experience when they have migraine headaches, although in those cases, migraines are generally preceded by an aura. My spells don't even give that moment of warning. The spells last a few days. Music is likely to help bring them to an end.

But the grouchiness last night was something completely different, something I seldom experience. I'm sure it has to do with "current events." 

One of my pet peeves is inanities uttered / written by journalists and politicians. Inanities from common, every day folks are to be expected. But inanities from writers and reporters for national media outlets, and from politicians is / are more than I can take. Occasional inanities are to be expected and don't bother me -- except in passing -- but this past week has been incredible.

I think it started with Nicole Nguyen's "silly" article with why she finally ended her subscription with Amazon Prime Video. What a doofus. And she's the "Personal Tech columnist" at TWSJTWSJ has great writing, but Barron's would never allow such craziness from a writer. For serious investors, Barron's is much, much better than TWSJ.

The next inanity: an unending stream of reporters covering Taylor Swift and asking two questions:

  • could she could get back from Tokyo in time for the Super Bowl? and,
  • could she even land at Harry Reid International Airport -- there were no parking spots left by Friday evening.

In both cases, those writers revealed their complete ignorance on almost everything.

The next inanity: a former president, already seen as an insurrectionist by half the American voters, double downs and says he would support Russia / Putin attacking members of NATO who he feels are free-loading.

The next inanity: a former president, already seen as a misogynist by half the American voters and almost all sentient American women, doubles down and says his opponent's husband has fled the country to be away from his wife.

The next inanity: a former president, already known to view military veterans as losers, doubles down and jokes about a soldier being deployed overseas for a full year without family. By the way, has anyone seen Melania on the campaign trail this year? I've seen Jill Biden a whole lot more.

The next inanity: a former president reminding us what we all know about the current president's age and memory problems, and he himself is nearly the same age and has the same memory problems. 

The next inanity: an Ohio's senator's interview with a nationally-recognized political pundit that got so bad, the pundit actually cut off the audio feed and viewers watched the senator continue to talk -- it was a real anachronism.

With regard to the Main Event today, I'm already burned out with the inanities. It's become a multi-ring circus. I'm pretty sure I won't watch the game. I know I won't watch the pre-game and if I do tune in it won't be before the end of the half and only then by checking the score via google. I have criteria for watching the last five minutes of the game and if those criteria are not met, I will not watch any of the game. It's going to be a great day for golf, for blogging, and for reading.

What else put me in a bad mood? Lana Del Rey still not winning a Grammy. She has eleven nominations, including five this year, and no wins. The fact that my wife can't stand her, makes it even worse -- my grouchiness. And just before Valentine's Day. This week may be touch and go. LOL. 

What else? Residential castles in urban American occupied by two adults (generally husband / wife, male / female, binary); one-point-three children, two cats, and a lap dog. 

What else? Phil LaBeau but that is nothing new.

Wow, wow, wow. Clawing his way up the leader board -- this is absolutely amazing: Scottie Scheffler after the 13th hole shares the lead at 13-under with Sahith Theegala after the 12th hole. Scheffler and many others are completing their third round (called early on Saturday) while others have already begun the fourth round. There will be no re-shuffling of groups and no break as golfers move from the third round to the fourth round.

And we move on. 

But mocking a serviceman deployed overseas for an entire year without his family is a new low (even) for Trump. I’ve had it with him. 

It’s hard to argue that doesn’t open the door for pulling no punches politically going forward. Stay tuned.

 ************************
21

Link here.

Jack Antonoff.

Initial Production For Wells Coming Off Confidential List This Next Week -- February 11, 2024

Locator: 46778B.

The wells:

  • 39534, conf, Hess, EN-Person A-156-94-1522H-2, Manitou,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-20231811525076
11-20231587320825
10-20231828617475
9-20232905546653
8-2023161827165
  • 39994, conf, CLR, Ransom 11-30H2, Elidah, npd,
  • 39993, conf, CLR, Ransom 10-30H, Elidah, npd,
  • 39619, conf, Whiting, DE YK Federal 12-33H, Sanish,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-20232379924915
11-20232519225075
10-20232504228825
9-20232607433012
  • 39618, conf, Whiting, DE YK Federal  12-33-2TFH, Sanish,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-20231885221382
11-20231940620775
10-20232112024132
9-20231556819190
  • 39069, conf, Whiting, Safely Federal 32-7-2H, Foreman Butte, on a three-well pad, horizontals running south, spacing unit, 1920 acres:
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-20232224220303
11-2023214169304
10-2023150058969
9-20232430718321
8-202397724819
  • 39068, conf, Whiting, Safely Federal 32-7H, Foreman Butte, on a three-well pad, horizontals running south, spacing unit, 1920 acres:
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-20232026818316
11-20232214010349
10-2023134319198
9-20232366118831
8-202393285401
  • 38303, conf, Whiting, Bigfoot LE 23-11 9H, Sanish,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-20232278736450
11-20232572031158
10-20232791926048
9-20232402521975
8-202374156462
  • 37705, conf, SOGC (Sinclair), Bighorn 3-6H, Mary, npd,
  • 39992, conf, CLR, Omlid 13-19H, Elidah, npd,
  • 39115, conf, Hess, EN-Hegland-LW-155-94-0508H-1, Manitou,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-20231628229553
11-20231764530121
10-20231728127833
9-20232694736081
8-20233110440151
  • 39991, conf, CLR, Omlid 12-19H, Elidah, npd,
  • 39535, conf, Hess, EN-Person A-156-94-1522H-3, Manitou,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-20231582420924
11-20231367215133
10-20232201820588
9-20234681729412
8-2023347556542
  • 40050, conf, CLR, Harms East Federal 34-33H, Antelope, npd,
  • 39156, conf, Hess, RS-F Armour-156-92-1224H-6, Ross,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-2023190568035
11-20231867614275
10-20231874614359
9-2023336079472
8-2023230965415
  • 34061, conf, SOGC (Sinclair), Bighorn 5-6H, Mary, npd,
  • 40051, conf, CLR, Harms East Federal 6-33H2, Antelope, npd,
  • 39990, conf, CLR, Omlid 11-19HSL, Elidah, npd,
  • 40049, conf, CLR, Harms East Federal 34-33H1, Antelope, npd,
  • 39481, conf, Oasis, Ledahl 5402 42-33 2BX, Painted Woods,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-20232490716281
11-20232082513254
10-20232431915279
9-20232200812709
8-202373934546
  • 39418, conf, Dakota Gasification Co, Coteau 5, NESE 12-145-88; Beulah Carbon Dioxide, n/d;
  • 39341, conf, Enerplus, Stock 148-93-04A-09H, South Fork,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-20231043010418
11-20232310520284
10-20232712121276
9-20232338121336
8-202373066158
  • 38712, conf, Petro-Hunt, Terres 144-97-18A-19-2H, Little Knife,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-202346733499
  • 40048, conf, CLR, Harms East Federal 3-33H, Antelope, npd,
  • 40042, conf, CLR, Quale Federal 5-1H2, Antelope, npd,
  • 39415, conf, Liberty Resources M&M W 158-93-28-33-3MBH, Enget Lake,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-20231418527684
11-20231775725684
10-20232189127875
9-20232807330570
8-2023154037462
  • 39342, conf, Enerplus, Sprint 148-93-04A-09H, South Fork,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-20231511014311
11-20231711514583
10-20232127316772
9-20232847222071
8-2023169237731
  • 38711, conf, Petro-Hunt, Terres 144-97-18A-19-3H, Little Knife,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-202319541427
  • 40045, conf, CLR, Quale Federal 8-1H2, Antelope, npd,
  • 40043, conf, CLR, Quale Federal 6-1H, Antelope, npd,
  • 39416, conf, Liberty Resources M&M W 158-93-28-33-5MBH, Enget Lake,
Date
Oil Runs
MCF Sold
12-20231279226649
11-20231648325812
10-20231982323990
9-20232189122425
8-2023133446981
  • 39414, conf, Liberty Resources M&M W 158-93-28-33-2MBH, Enget Lake,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-20231345025814
11-20231800526359
10-20232215427147
9-20232617327694
8-2023162589484
  • 39413, conf, Liberty Resources M&M W 158-93-28-33-1MBH, Enget Lake,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-2023964920649
11-20231871032817
10-20232195034251
9-20232808533331
8-2023181278858
  • 39344, conf, Enerplus, Pitstop 148-93-04A-09H, South Fork,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-20232868118528
11-20232750716991
10-20232893621930
9-20232849423081
8-202398604942
  • 39343, conf, Enerplus, Rally 148-93-04A-09H, South Fork,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-20232350023113
11-20232512321613
10-20232707421220
9-20233492526158
8-2023181728616
  • 39114, conf, Hess, EN-Hegland-155-94-0508H-7, Manitou,
DateOil RunsMCF Sold
12-20231274223190
11-20231356523392
10-20232333539024
9-20231222718915
8-20232895459163

Wells Coming Of Confidential List This Next Week -- February 11, 202

Locator: 46777B.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024: 51 for the month; 110 for the quarter, 110 for the year
39534, conf, Hess, EN-Person A-156-94-1522H-2,

Tuesday, February 20, 2024: 50 for the month; 109 for the quarter, 109 for the year
39994, conf, CLR, Ransom 11-30H2,

Monday, February 19, 2024: 49 for the month; 108 for the quarter, 108 for the year
39993, conf, CLR, Ransom 10-30H

Sunday, February 18, 2024: 48 for the month; 107 for the quarter, 107 for the year
39619, conf, Whiting, DE YK Federal 12-33H
39618, conf, Whiting, DE YK Federal  12-33-2TFH,
39069, conf, Whiting, Safely Federal 32-7-2H,
39068, conf, Whiting, Safely Federal 32-7H
38303, conf, Whiting, Bigfoot LE 23-11 9H,
37705, conf, SOGC (Sinclair), Bighorn 3-6H,

Saturday, February 17, 2024: 42 for the month; 101 for the quarter, 101 for the year
39992, conf, CLR, Omlid 13-19H,

Friday, February 16, 2024: 41 for the month; 100 for the quarter, 100 for the year
39115, conf, Hess, EN-Hegland-LW-155-94-0508H-1,

Thursday, February 15, 2024: 40 for the month; 99 for the quarter, 99 for the year
39991, conf, CLR, Omlid 12-19H,
39535, conf, Hess, EN-Person A-156-94-1522H-3,

Wednesday, February 14, 2024: 38 for the month; 97 for the quarter, 97 for the year
40050, conf, CLR, Harms East Federal 34-33H,
39156, conf, Hess, RS-F Armour-156-92-1224H-6,
34061, conf, SOGC (Sinclair), Bighorn 5-6H,

Tuesday, February 13, 2024: 35 for the month; 94 for the quarter, 94 for the year
40051, conf, CLR, Harms East Federal 6-33H2,
39990, conf, CLR, Omlid 11-19HSL,

Monday, February 12, 2024: 33 for the month; 92 for the quarter, 92 for the year
40049, conf, CLR, Harms East Federal 34-33H1,
39481, conf, Oasis, Ledahl 5402 42-33 2BX,
39418, conf, Dakota Gasification Co, Coteau 5, NESE 12-145-88;
39341, conf, Enerplus, Stock 148-93-04A-09H,
38712, conf, Petro-Hunt, Terres 144-97-18A-19-2H,

Sunday, February 11, 2024
: 28 for the month; 87 for the quarter, 87 for the year
40048, conf, CLR, Harms East Federal 3-33H,
40042, conf, CLR, Quale Federal 5-1H2,
39415, conf, Liberty Resources M&M W 158-93-28-33-3MBH,
39342, conf, Enerplus, Sprint 148-93-04A-09H,
38711, conf, Petro-Hunt, Terres 144-97-18A-19-3H,

Saturday, February 10, 2024: 23 for the month; 82 for the quarter, 82 for the year
40045, conf, CLR, Quale Federal 8-1H2,
40043, conf, CLR, Quale Federal 6-1H,
39416, conf, Liberty Resources M&M W 158-93-28-33-5MBH,
39414, conf, Liberty Resources M&M W 158-93-28-33-2MBH,
39413, conf, Liberty Resources M&M W 158-93-28-33-1MBH,
39344, conf, Enerplus, Pitstop 148-93-04A-09H,
39343, conf, Enerplus, Rally 148-93-04A-09H,
39114, conf, Hess, EN-Hegland-155-94-0508H-7,

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Taylor Swift Already Back In The Continental USA -- Whoo-Hoo!

Locator: 46776SWIFTIES.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WUTangKids/status/1756356766974013898

Right now, local time:

  • Tokyo: Sunday, 8:59 a.m.
  • Los Angeles: Saturday, 3:59 p.m.
  • Las Vegas: Saturday, 3:59 p.m.

The game: 25 hours from now. My hunch: if she wants, Taylor Swift can get from LA to LV by kick-off tomorrow.

Taylor's jet: Dassault 7X.  But apparently she did not take her private jet; there are reports she returned by a jet-for-hire.

Track her flight here.

**************************
Superbowl 58

Wow, wow, wow -- when they bring up this author .....

... before we go there --

  • today, all day, have been Superbowl vignettes on television
  • Mahomes, a beginning of a dynasty?
  • or a win by Mr Irrelevant?
  • the game is being held in Las Vegas for the first time
  • the billion-dollar singer Taylor Swift is getting endless attention
  • a possible wedding proposal?
  • half-time entertainment: "Usher"
  • and, Apple, Inc, is sponsoring the half-time show -- could it get any bigger?

I thought not ... until someone "dredged" up this author: Hunter S Thompson -- perhaps my favorite personality at one time. Link here.

But the best part: Jerry Jones is nowhere to be found and I haven't heard the name Dak in weeks. 

As for me, I'm burned out. I'm not sure I'll even watch the game.

*************************
Inflation Watch

Nachos: #1 on our homemade snack list for NFL games. [#2, a close second, home made buffalo wings.]

Today at Tom Thumb:

  • Calidad Tortilla chips, regularly $2.99, only $0.99.
  • Frito Lay bean dip, regularly $3.99; same price.
  • French Onion Dip, regularly $2.00, only $0.99
  • Pace Picante, regularly, $3.79, only $3.29. A 15% savings.

****************************
Inflation Watch

Apple Air Tags: regularly four for $100.

They sometimes go on sale. My order arrived today, four for $79, Amazon. One of the best deals out there. About 20% off. $85 at Walmart.

******************
Barron's

Does the 4% withdrawal Rule for retirees still make sense? Link here.

Dividend stocks make sense now. Here are more than 20 to consider. Link here. Comments on social media, as usual, better than the story.

  • ETFs (boring)
  • CVX
  • BP
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Citigroup
  • PepsiCo
  • Brixmor Property Group
  • a number of energy and utility stocks
  • a number of financial stocks
  • social media comments
  • first mentioned: EPD, ENB
  • others: MPO, 
  • but mostly just the usual suspects; must have been a slow news day.