Charles,
That part of the conutry seems plagued by several things, mostly interactive with each other. When they have a lot of snow like last year it's not a blessing when the temps go above freezing. After the snows, as experienced this year they can't drill a lot of places because of floods. I guess we can only pray for very little snow making for a great Spring drilling.
Yours,
Wes
Wes:
All of these things impact their #1 activity which is drilling and completing wells along with transporting the oil. I agree with you in that snowfall is minimal and the winter will be mild in order to play catch up on the time missed during last winter and the flooding situation.
The keystone pipeline is about to built across the US from Canada to Texas. Here in Phillips County, Montana, Keystone is continuing to acquire easement from landower for the pipeline. Word around here is drilling has started for Bakken oil over one county to the east in Valley County. A lot of activity in Roosevelt County also. Go west young drilling man! Have also heard that drill rig after drill rig are pulling out of Texas for the Bakken Play. This might answer why little or no activity in the Barnett shale counties. High priced oil and low priced natural gas.
Dennis
Dennis:
Thanks for the update. I am ready for some serious drilling to beging in Eastern Montana and 2012 may be the start of Montana's drilling (somewhat like ND). If rigs are migrating to the area, this is a good sign of things to come. To date, I still don't see many new permits being sought for this Eastern MT area. Maybe things are about to change.
I agree with this. We have to think like the business owners who try to lease our minerals, and spell out in our contracts when and why or if a well can by shut in, but not produce.
"The monopolistic greed of the companies that acquired far more acreage then they can possibly develop is causing great harm to our state and to mineral owners whose interests they have diluted to a miniscule fraction of what they are worth. "
Wondering what impact the lack of snowfall in ND will have on availability of water for fracting. Any thoughts?
How are things vis-a-vis water at this point, Charles? Do you know happen to know what percentage of the water used for fracking is recycled? It seems like that's going to be a key issue going forward. They need to get that gas fracking thing worked out.
Erim Foster:
In regards to your question regarding the recycling of water, Halliburton Corp. tends to be somewhat the leader in this type technology. Their registered process is the "Clean Wave System". If you go to the Halliburton website, this Clean Wave System is discussed in detail. Schlumberger LTD is also involved in the recyle process but I think Halliburton has the pioneer status for this process. You are correct in that millions, possibly billions of dollars will be saved by the recycling of this wastewater. This will be a key component in the future of drilling as all operators are seeking ways to save money in this highly expensive business. Hope this helps.
Thanks for your response, Charles. I'll take a look at Halliburton and Schlumberger. Sounds like a good post for my blog, the whole water recycling issue.
Erim:
Hope it provides the info you need.