Monday, August 29, 2011

The Impact of Oil in a small town

I really like the piece below.  Its one those that makes you stop and think, but only if you are paying attention. Western North Dakota is in the middle of a oil boom, that's no question, but how it is handling the impact is the part I like to watch.  Most people through out the US still haven't heard about what is going on here, and even when they do know about the Bakken I have heard several people comment in surprise in just how busy it is here when they see it for themselves.  It has become a sport for the original residents to learn to go about normal life and try to accommodate their new neighbors moving in, whether temporary or permanent.  It gives me a small smile to see the writer of the article counting plates, vehicle type, and navigating Wal-Marts long lines. I know that will be coffee conversation at the local cafe after I share it with my grandfather. That is however how rural ND discusses what is happening to its community and works to make a very chaotic time manageable and more efficient.

Sunday Night at Walmart - Million Dollar Way

From Farmer to Sand Miner - Oil and Gas changing the Midwest

Most of us don't think about the number of train cars full of frac sand that are rolling through the US at this very moment, but normally unaffected Midwest businesses are getting in on the US Shale boom.  What once was a commodity not worth digging up is now a huge business.
Frac sand becomes a profitable trade

Fayetteville producers to Recycle Frac water

Recycling water maybe a new answer to several issues that surround frac water use and treatment.

Arkansas Frac water gets a second life

Shell plans for new plant in Marcellus

Shell plans for a plant fed by Marcellus Gas

Samson Oil & Gas acquires Hawk Springs Acreage

Samson Oil & Gas grabs Hawk Springs lease from Univeristy of Wyoming

Friday, August 26, 2011

Oil and Gas by the Numbers 08/26/2011

I start by apologizing for such a long absence.  There are still parts of rural America that broadband is a long way from reaching. The telephone poles and pipelines are however continuing to cross more of once bare land as the domestic oil push continues.  The oil prices seem to be holding today at $85.33/barrel on the WTI, and natural gas currently sits at $3.92.  The next couple of months will be interesting to watch with our seasonal changes in the markets coming up and the government involvement in a lot of things oil and gas.  Some of you might also be interested to see a small flurry of activity in the permit department in MT this last week.


Rig Count
USA Total: 1975    +1 from last week
TX             896     +3
OK            195
ND            179     +3
LA             158
PA             113     +3
NM             88
CO              76
WY             51
CA              49
UT               27
WV             20
AK                7    +1
MT                6

Approved Permits
08/19/11 thru 08/25/11

TX      320
ND       66
MT       10 New, 5 reissued
CA        No update since 08/13/11
WY       55 (4 in the Niobrara formation)

Gasoline Prices
08/26/2011

US Average:  $3.604/gal
US Low: AZ  $3.329/gal
US High:  HI   $4.110/gal




For a printer friendly copy of the report above please go to: Oil and Gas by the Numbers 08/26/11

US report backs Canada pipeline Keystone XL


US report backs Canada pipeline - Upstream Online

Xtreme makes Texas find

Xtreme makes Texas find - Upstream Online

NJ puts yearlong freeze on fracking

Looking to its future is New Jersey practicing wishful thinking or being proactive?  Time, money, and resources are being thrown at a fracking debate in a state that has no known reserves. 

NJ puts yearlong freeze on fracking - Upstream Online

Encana plans Texas shale gas asset sale

US Economy and low natural gas prices affect the Calgary based Encana.
Encana plans Texas shale gas asset sale - Business - CBC News

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Bakken producers getting on board with the Frac Focus Chemical Registry

Moving to rural North Dakota and going without Internet for two months has had some big challenges.  The first of course is my inability to update my blog and keep my readers feed.  The second biggest challenge I have faced is the lack of relevant information in hard copy to keep myself up to date on what is going on outside the region in the industry.
I have however found some small surprises in the my absence, for example the Frac Focus Chemical Registry has grown in that time.  After hitting the website today I am happy to find that North Dakota does have wells on the search database. A huge improvement from just a few short months ago. My quick count came up with seven producers in the region listing.  I did a little checking and it appears that Wyoming is at about the same pace on their participation.  Montana is still moving a little slower with only XTO Energy listing a single well, but since the focus has been less on Montana until recent months I think that will change as well.

For anyone interested in the website and if there is anything in your area, please check out:

Frac Focus Chemical Registry

Quaterly reports Q2 2011 - Links

Baytex Energy Corp Q2 2011
Chesapeake Midstream Partners Q2 2011

Sandridge Energy Q2 2011

Oneok Q2 2011

El Paso Q2 2011

Whiting Petroleum Corp Q2 2011

Samson Oil & Gas update on the Defender

Samson Oil & Gas moves forward with its Niobrara prospects in Goshen County, Wyoming.
Defender US33 #2-29 H Update 8-18-11

Friday, June 24, 2011

Oil and Gas by the Numbers 6/24/11

Oil keeps dropping, last time I looked it was sitting at $90.97/barrel.

Rig count is currently at 1882 in the US.

New Permits to Drill for the week of 6/17/11
ND: 30
MT: 11
TX: 333

Gasoline Prices
6/24/11
National Average: $3.607
US High : AK $4.039
US Low: SC $3.317

Friday, June 10, 2011

Oil and Gas by the Numbers 06/10/11

Well it looks like we finished up this week with the oil prices at $98.82/barrel.  Even with the slight drop this week with the price of oil, there was still an increase of one more rig in the US.

Rig Count
updated 06/10/2011
US: 1855
TX: 833
LA: 172
OK: 166
ND:  159
PA:  114
NM: 85
CO: 69
WY:  45
CA:  43
UT: 27
AK: 06
WV: 18
MT: 10

Applications to Drill 
06/03/2011 through 06/09/2011

TX: 258
ND: 26
MT: 3


Gasoline Prices
06/10/2011
US average: $3.720/gal
Low:  SC $3.415/gal
High: AK $4.202/gal



Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Marathon Oil buys Texas oil fields for $3.5B

Marathon Oil buys Texas oil fields for $3.5B - KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA |


For Marathon's Press Release please see the following link:
Marathon Oil $3.5 Billion Acquisition

Northern Oil and Gas - Activity Updates

The following link will take you to the recent updates of drilling activity for Northern Oil and Gas.
Northern Oil and Gas - Drilling Update

Bakken conditions improve - barely


The Bakken just can't seem to catch a break from mother nature this year.  With a year that opened up with large amounts of snow all the way till May 1st, now the water is taking over.  Flooded locations, sinking equipment, and muddy roads have remained all spring.  The evidence the wet sloppy region can be seen everywhere. In Williams County ND county officials even called a halt to large truck traffic in the region. Williston Herald - Online Edition
The roads just are not able to take any more strain in most areas.  However what may strain them has also helped provide the necessary resources to repair them.  In many counties funds are near exhausted from snow removal, but producers are coming to the rescue by helping haul or provide materials for the repairs.  This not only keeps them in the field producing, but has allowed stranded farmers and ranchers to get out.
There are even areas around the Bakken where road conditions are so bad the whole road is shut down.  This is the case with ND HWY 22, a main through way for the supplies, crews, and oil transportation in western ND. Here it is completely at mother natures mercy that the hwy has been buckled up to an impassable condition.
ND HWY 22 Closed - Dickinson Press

Friday, May 27, 2011

Samson Oil and Gas Operational Update Released

The following link contains information from May 26th, 2011 on Samson's Everett #1-15H and Earl #1-13H in the Bakken, and the Defender US 33 #2-29H in the Niobrara formation.

Samson Oil and Gas Update 05/26/2011

SandRidge in $690m trust IPO

SandRidge in $690m trust IPO - Upstream Online

Oil and Gas by the Numbers 05/27/2011

Good afternoon everyone.  Well today it looks like we are starting to move forward again in our rig numbers.  The US total made a jump of 17 over the week.  Crude oil seems to be hovering at $100.19/barrel at the moment and natural gas is making a nice upswing $4.51 an increase of 3.56% so far today.  As we head into the holiday weekend that traditionally marks summer gasoline price increases, we are actually looking at some big changes in price on a down trend.
Rig Count
updated 05/27/11

US: 1847
TX: 835
LA:  165
OK: 173
ND:  162
PA:  110
NM:  77
CO:  72
WY:  41
CA:  44
UT:  29
AK:  05
WV: 19
MT:  10


Applications to Drill
05/20/11 thru 5/26/11

TX: 357
ND: 32
MT: 2
CA: No update
WY: 45

Gasoline Prices
05/27/2011
US average: $3.796/gal
Low: SC $3.528/gal
High: AK $4.204/gal

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Friday, May 13, 2011

Oil and Gas by the Numbers 05/13/2011

Good Afternoon!  Looks like we might be back online hopefully to stay.  As I passed by the computer screen the numbers look like they are dropping a bit.  WTI crude is currently at $98.42/barrel.  Along with the dip in the price of crude there is a slight dip in the number of rigs in the US.

Rig Count
updated 05/13/11
US: 1830
TX: 817
LA: 173
OK: 180
ND: 162
PA: 108
NM: 75
CO: 72
WY: 42
CA: 41
AK: 6
WV: 18
MT: 10

Applications to Drill
5/6/11 thru 5/12/11
TX: 333
ND: 35
MT: 6
CA: 54
WY: 98
NM: 3

Gasoline Prices
05/13/11
US average: $3.952/gal
Low: WY $3.654/gal
High: HI $4.475/gal



Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Texas American Resources status of initial Niobrara well

Niobrara -Talmadge 44-17H

EV Energy Partners show Loss in 1Q

EV Energy Partners

Samson Oil & Gas- Update for Earl #1-13H

Update on Earl #1-13H

Petrohawk in Permian asset buy

Petrohawk announces plans to spend about $75 million on a four rig, 15 well drilling program in the Permian Basin.  Petrohawk also announced that three of five wells in the Eagle Ford are producing, with only on expected to go commercial.
Petrohawk in Permian asset buy - Upstream Online

Linn Energy to Acquire assets in Texas Panhandle

Linn Energy enters an agreement with Panther Energy and Red Willow Mid Continent, LLC to acquire 40% of their oil and natural gas properties.
Linn Energy

Louisiana Oil Shale play projects move forward

Plans are being made to develop in the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale.  Devon Energy has leased 250,000 acres in the region. Denbury Resources also announced a joint venture with an unnamed partner to complete one well and drill another.  An independent, Amelia Resources, had a deal in the works with an undisclosed partner to develop about 110,000 acres it has leased.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Continental Resources continues to grow

Continental Resources' 2011 Q1 report show strong growth.  CLR reports production numbers of 51,663/boepd for 1st qtr.  CLR's rapid acceleration has warranted the companies move to Oklahoma City in 2012. 
CLR's Bakken play continues to make increases with oil production up 67% from a year ago.  The Williston Prospect, in which CLR has approximately 110,000 net acres, has some promising numbers in initial production tests. CLR has also drilled several multi-well ECO pads that will be completed in Q2. As of 3/31/11 CLR posted 868,900 net acres in the Bakken play w/ 22 rigs in ND and 2 in MT.
CLR has continued growth in the Oklahoma Anadarko Woodard play. Initial production production results continue to improve.  In the Oklahoma Woodford CLR has 324,000 net acres leased and 10 rigs.
In the Niobrara, CLR has drilled and fractured the Newton 1-4H in Weld County.  CLR currently has 83,100 net acres in the DJ Basin.

Public comment is invited on Newfield Revised EP

http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=106813

Chevron to buy 228K acres from Chief, Tug Hill

Chevron to buy 228K acres from Chief, Tug Hill - State & Region - MercedSun-Star.com

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

ONEOK announced plans too build new Natural Gas pipelines

ONEOK could invest up to $1.2 billion to construct new infrastructure for natural gas liquids between Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast markets.
ONEOK Announcement

TWMA signs Hess Dakota deal

TWMA signs Hess Dakota deal - Upstream Online

Chesapeake readies shale sale

Even as Chesapeake buys up Bronco Drilling, they are making plans to put major acreage on the selling block in hopes to cut debt.  CEO McClendon has stated that the company is looking for a joint venture in the Utica play.  With the prospect of a partner sitting out there Chesapeake still looks to up the anti in both the Utica and Mississippian plays by nearly doubling the rig count in both areas.
Chesapeake readies shale sale - Upstream Online

Monday, May 2, 2011

Southern Bay begins drilling in Fayette County

Southern Bay, GeoResources' southern division subsidiary, is drilling a well to a TD of 10,500 feet in Fayette County to target Eagle Ford Shale. 

Southern Bay in Fayette County

ONEOK to Present at the AGA Financial Forum

ONEOK, Inc will present at the American Gas Association Financial Forum on Monday, May 16, 2011 in Orlando,  FL. (11:15 am EDT) 

Further information at www.oneok.com

UPDATE- Delek US Holdings announced completion of purchase of Lion Oil

Delek US Holdings announced April 29, 2011 that is had completed the purchase of a 53.7% majority equity interest in Lion Oil Company, giving Delek a total interest of 88.3%.  More information on the sale will be provided on the conference call and web cast May 5, 2011 at 11:00 am CT on www.DelekUS.com .

Enbridge puts out $175 million to Expand infrastucture in Haynesville Shale

Enbridge will invest $175 million to expand its East Texas system.  The partnership has signed agreements that would bring gathering, treating, and transmission services to Shelby, Sabine, San Augustine, and Nacogdoches counties.  Expanding Haynesville Shale Infrastructure

Breitling Spuds Tx. Well to Test Upper Frio-aged Oil

Breitling drills in San Patricio County, TX as a continuation of development in its Gulf Coast Onshore Initiative. 
Breitling-Salsa #1

Southwestern Energy better then expected in Fayetteville Shale

Southwestern Energy's Fayetteville Shale pulls Q1 earnings up for the rest of the production areas. The shale play in north-central Arkansas, was stronger then expected and prompted SWN to increase capital investments for 2011.  This increase will result in 30 additional wells drilled in the Fayetteville Shale. 

SWN conference call transcripts for 2011 Q1

ITF opens shop in Houston

ITF opens shop in Houston - Upstream Online

Bakken producers take another hit

Just when it looked like producers in the Bakken region were reading to hit the ground running for the warm months, mother nature throws a wrench. Blizzard stops Bakken

Friday, April 29, 2011

Oil and Gas by the Numbers 04/29/2011

Good afternoon from oil country.  Looking at the numbers today, the price of WTI crude is currently at $113.87/barrel.  That's a whopping $24.80/barrel more then a year ago, is it any wonder that gasoline is also  a $1.00/gallon higher then last year too.  The rigs keep rolling in with an increase of 18 in the US this week.  Some of the states sporting increases are: TX, LA, OK, PA, WY, and WV.

Rig Count
updated 04/29/11
United States Total:  1818 (up 18 rigs)
TX: 804
LA: 172
OK: 183
ND: 160
PA: 105
NM:  72
CO:  72
WY: 42
CA:  41
AK:  5
WV:  15
MT:  10


Applications to Drill
04/22/11 thru 04/28/11

TX:  228
ND:  31
MT:  8


Gasoline Prices
04/29/11


National Average:  $3.91/gal
US Low:  WY $3.521/gal
US High:  HI $4.595/gal

Rig updates in the Bakken -MonDak Oilfield Review

If your looking for a quick update on the Bakken rig counts this is the link for you.
Rock and Roll Roughneck- MonDak Oilfield Review

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Linn Energy posts Acquisition agreements totaling $637 million

Linn Energy will enter a new operating area with its acquisition in the Williston Basin Bakken at $196 million and also two bolt-on acquisitions for $163 million.  In the Permian Basin, Linn Energy completed two additional bolt on acquisitions totalling $238 million.  Linn Energy Q1 2011 Results

Carrizo Oil & Gas Announces Sale of Non-Core Barnett Shale

Carrizo Oil & Gas has entered into a definitive agreement to sell a majority of their Barnett Shale Tier 1 assets to KKR Natural Resources for $104 million.

Details at: Carrizo Oil & Gas

XTO Energy Drops Southlake Drilling Plans

XTO Energy Drops Southlake Drilling Plans - Topix

Dresser-Rand tapped for 'renewable diesel fuel' project

Dresser-Rand tapped for 'renewable diesel fuel' project - Topix

Range completes first horizontal well

Range completes first horizontal well - Upstream Online

Chesapeake Energy Moves forward on Bronco Drilling Acquisition

Details for the aquisition of the drilling company can be found at:  Chesapeake Energy to Aquire Bronco Drilling Company

Talisman sells Wyoming acreage

UnionTown Energy has its eyes on targets in the Darby Block prospect. 
Talisman sells Wyoming acreage - Upstream Online

Crude prices boost Shell income

Crude prices boost Shell income - Upstream Online

Patterson pumps up profits

Patterson pumps up profits - Upstream Online

Apache ups earnings on price and flows

Apache has operational fronts, state side, in Permian Basin, Anadarko Basin, and the Gulf of Mexico deepwaters.  They are currently boasting a 25% increase in Q1.  You can read a quick breakout of their Q1 report at:
Apache ups earnings on price and flows - Upstream Online

Find the full news release at: Apache Corp (APA)

Marathon Oil (MRO) - Declares dividend

The board of directors declared a dividend of 25 cents er share on MRO common stock.  The dividend is payable June 10, 2011.

For full details: Marathon Oil

Samson Oil & Gas - Earl #1-13H

Weather, holiday, and breakdowns slows down operations on the Earl #1-13H. Work began yesterday to drill out the 19 plugs down hole.  Samson reports they are encouraged by the marked increase in oil rate after the first plug was removed.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Oil and Gas by the Numbers 04/21/2011

Rig Count
updated 04/15/11

United States Total:  1800 (up 28 this week)
TX: 801
LA: 170
OK: 174
ND: 161
PA: 104
NM: 73
CO: 72
WY: 41
CA: 41
WV: 14
MT: 10
AK: 6

Permits Issued for Drilling
04/15/11 thru 04/21/11

TX: 661
ND: 20
MT: 3 new, 2 reissued
CA: no report
WY: 72

Gasoline Prices
04/22/11

National Average:  $3.83/gal
US Low: WY $3.524/gal
US High:  HI $4.640/gal

Monday, April 18, 2011

Shell sees Alaska Arctic spud next year

Shell sees Alaska Arctic spud next year - Upstream Online

Samson Oil and Gas Quarterly Report

Samson Oil and Gas posts a very positive report for 1Q 2011. The full report can be read at: Samson Oil and Gas Quarterly Report

Chesapeake updates.

It appears that there is some info on Chesapeake that I had not been aware of pertaining to Chesapeake assets in the Bakken.  It is still not clear if the assets actually pertain to the Bakken, but it would appear that they have acquired acreage in North Dakota.  I did a little research and did find information an the wells that Chesapeake currently had in the area.  The most current status update was in 2002 according to the ND Oil and Gas Commission.  All I can say is that I have found a new research project for the week.  In the meantime readers can get more information be going to one of my favorite blogs on the Bakken at Million Dollar Way - Something Big in Bakken....

Cimarex will Announce 1Q 2011 Results

Cimarex Energy (XEC) will hold the 1Q 2011 conferenece call on May 6th at 11:00 AM.
For further information please keep the website at Cimarex Energy.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Target starts Buffalo fraccing in South Texas

Target starts Buffalo fraccing - Upstream Online

BP appeals for lower Alaska taxes

BP appeals for lower Alaska taxes - Upstream Online

Texon cheers Eagle Ford flows

Teal Ranch EFS-1H update
Texon cheers Eagle Ford flows - Upstream Online

Chesapeake edges its way into the Bakken from the side

Chesapeake Energy is a major player in the horizontal drilling of shale plays in almost all US plays, except the Bakken.  That might be starting to change with this latest development between Bronco Drilling and Chesapeake. With a price tag of $315 million, a deal has been made between the two companies.  Bronco Drilling currently owns 22 rigs, these rigs are mostly in the Bakken and the Anadarko basin.  Chesapeake may not own mineral acreage in the Bakken but one can bet that their involvement through the drilling services will be noticed in Bakken.

Chesapeake catches Bronco - Upstream Online

UPDATE: Chesapeake shows further involvement in the North Dakota.
Link is from Million Dollay Way. Chesapeake drilling in Hettinger County, ND

Oil and Gas by the Numbers 04/15/2011

Good Afternoon.  It looks like oil prices are rebounding slightly today.  At noon the price was $109.92/barrel for WTI. 

Rig Count
updated 04/15/11

United States Total:  1772 (down 10 this week)
TX:  779
LA:  171
OK:  170
ND:  160
PA:  102
NM:  74
CO:  72
WY:  40
CA:  41
WV:  14
MT:  11
AK:  6

Permits Issued for Drilling
04/08/11 thru 04/14/11
TX:  608
ND:  25
MT:  5 new, 5 reissued
CA: 112 last report on 04/02/11
WY: 49

Gasoline Prices
04/15/11

National Average:  $3.794/gal
US Low:  WY $3.504/gal
US High:  HI $4.508/gal

Chesapeake Midstream Partners Announces 1Q Results Conference Call

2011 1Q conference call details

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Development in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming under the microscope again.

Obama's administration is making plans to have the BLM review, yet again, the environmental impact of development of shale play resources in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.

BLM review of oil shale development

LNG Energy sells Oklahoma leases

LNG Energy sells Oklahoma leases - Upstream Online

El Paso to develop Eagle Ford assets alone

El Paso's assets continue to exceed expectations, which has prompted them to develop them on their own.  This information comes from El Paso at a time when there had been alot of joint ventures amongst other exploration/production companies with assets in the Eagle Ford.


El Paso News

Brigham Exploration Announces Record Numbers

Brigham Exploration has made large gains in their drilling and exploration in the Bakken field.  Brigham has successfully completed 56 consecutive long lateral high frac stage wells.  The average early 24 hr peak flow back rate is approximately 2884 barrels of oil equivalent. With record wells in North Dakota and Montana Brigham Exploration will be a company to keep an eye on.

Brigham Exploration Table of Operational Updates

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Eagle Rock swoops up Crow Creek Energy

Eagle Rock swoops up Crow Creek - Upstream Online

Alta forms $1bn JV with Blackstone

This article is kind of limited in its information, but one has to imagine that some of the new leases and drilling that they propose would be in the US shale plays. Alta Energy Partners will definitely be one to watch in the future.
Alta forms $1bn JV with Blackstone - Upstream Online

Oil rises above $121 after a two day decline

For the latest politics behind the current oil prices please click the link below.
Oil rises above $121 - Upstream Online

SM strikes Eagle Ford transport deal

Eagle Ford Oil gets another mode of transportation.  There appears to be a lot of pipeline/transportation deals in the works lately.  See the link below for the deal SM has with ETC Texas Pipeline.
SM strikes Eagle Ford transport deal - Upstream Online

Anadarko signs deals to move Eagle Ford Oil

Flint Hill Resources will begin receiving Eagle Ford oil and condensate from Anadarko Petroleum.  Flint Hills Resources and Harvest Pipeline also announced that they have projects in the work to improve capicity and availability to move Eagle Ford oil to Corpus Christi, TX.  For all the details please see the link below.

Anadarko moving Eagle Ford Oil

Samson Oil and Gas Advise on Earl #1-13H Well

Fracture stimulation operations have been completed on the Earl #1-13 H, with all 20 stages pumped.  The stimulation placed 2.1 million pounds of proppant.  The flow back equipment will be moved from the Rodney well and operations will commence in 24 hours.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Delek US Holdings, Inc Announces their 1st Q conference

Delek US Holdings will hold their 1st Q conference call beginning at 11:00 am CT on Thursday, May 5, 2011. A live broadcast of the call will be available online at www.DelekUS.com.

Frac Focus Chemical Registry

With all the controversy in the oil and gas industry over fracture stimulation, I decided to post this website so anyone interested can go see more about the process and just what they use to do the procedure.

Fracture stimulation chemical listings

Bakken flooding


The aftermath of near record snow in the Bakken region.

SandRidge Energy IPAA OGIS Presentation Posted

SandRidge IPAA OGIS