Bakken Locals Come Out in Support of the Davis Refinery

April 6, 2018 jasonspiess 0

Meridian Energy Group, Inc. recently hosted an “Appreciation Meet and Greet” for the neighboring town of Belfield on Tuesday, March 27th regarding the Davis Refinery.  The Davis Refinery is being considered an innovative refinery project, and is being watched closely by the state, nation and even globe due to its […]

Davis Refinery Public Meeting held in Dickinson, hundreds attend

January 24, 2018 jasonspiess 0

Meridian Energy Group, Inc., the leading developer of innovative and environmentally-compliant oil refining facilities, advanced one step closer toward issuance of the final Permit to Construct (PTC) for the Davis Refinery with a public information meeting and public hearing held last week. The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) – […]

ND Oil and Gas Rules Move to Next Phase of Approval

December 5, 2017 jasonspiess 0

The Oil and Gas Division today presented an order of proposed final administrative rules to the North Dakota Industrial Commission. The Commission voted 3-0 to approve the rule change order. Changes to the administrative code include proposals to require sundry notices for spills not responded to with adequate resources, site […]

Senate Passes Hoeven’s Bill to Streamline Tribal Energy Development

November 30, 2017 jasonspiess 0

Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, today issued the following statement after the Senate passed bipartisan legislation he introduced to cut red tape and remove barriers to tribal energy development. The Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments of 2017, which has 7 […]

Congressman Cramer Joins Congressional Ports-to-Plains Caucus

November 30, 2017 jasonspiess 0

A bipartisan Congressional Ports-to-Plains Caucus has been formed, and inducted as a Congressional Member Organization for the 115th Congress. This Caucus will serve as an informal group of Members dedicated to issues related to rural transportation and rural economic development in America’s Heartland, with a focus on the corridor running […]

Energy-focused media companies form partnership

November 8, 2017 jasonspiess 0

Energy Media Group which manages a number of energy related news sites (Bakken.com) and The Crude Life, a digital, radio and print network dedicated to telling the story of the Bakken are bringing their audiences and resources together to create a comprehensive platform for energy related news, content and advertising. […]

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Whiting Petroleum Corporation Announces 1-for 4 Reverse Stock Split

November 8, 2017 jasonspiess 0

Whiting Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: WLL) announced that, following approval of the reverse stock split and authorized share reduction by Whiting stockholders at a special meeting of stockholders earlier today, Whiting’s Board of Directors determined to effect the reverse stock split of Whiting’s common stock at a ratio of 1-for-4. The […]

The New Age of Trump Oil

November 8, 2017 jasonspiess 0

Recently, President Donald J. Trump joined Energy Industry Executives, members of Congress, and Cabinet Officials at the Department of Energy to deliver remarks on unleashing America’s boundless capacity for energy production. “We’re here today to usher in a new American energy policy,” he declared. The President explained that his focus […]

Notes from the WDEA Annual Meeting

November 7, 2017 jasonspiess 0

The Western Dakota Energy Association recently had their annual meeting in Dickinson, ND.  Here are a few newsworthy notes from their annual meeting. Helms: This is a Five-Generation Play North Dakota’s chief oil industry regulator expects the state’s production will grow in the next few years, and will continue for […]

USDA Invests $46 Million in ND Rural Electric Infrastructure

November 6, 2017 jasonspiess 0

Bill Davis, USDA Rural Development Acting State Director, announced that two cooperatives will receive $46 million in loan funding for rural electric infrastructure improvements to increase capacity and meet the demand for services in the North Dakota. “This significant investment will help develop and maintain modern, reliable electric infrastructure needed […]

ExxonMobil Chemical Company joins The Sustainability Consortium

November 1, 2017 jasonspiess 0

The Sustainability Consortium (TSC) announced that ExxonMobil Chemical Company has joined as a top-tier member, joining over 100 TSC members working on creating more sustainable products for a more sustainable planet. TSC translates the best sustainability science into business tools that are used all over the world to create more […]

Weekly Word: Heins talks Lancet Report

October 29, 2017 jasonspiess 0

After reading the recently published Lancet Report for the first time, I am struck by a few thoughts: The narrative of the study could have been written by any number of environmental groups; the actual statistics tell a different story; and, finally the real story which may very well be […]

Whiting Petroleum names Holly President and CEO

October 25, 2017 jasonspiess 0

James J. Volker, 34-Year Veteran of Whiting, to Retire as Chief Executive Officer Whiting Petroleum Corporation announced that Bradley J. Holly has been named President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, effective November 1, 2017. Mr. Holly previously served as Executive Vice President, […]

$1.5M to upgrade water infrastructure in western ND

October 5, 2017 jasonspiess 0

The North Dakota delegation announced that three federal grants totaling over $1.5 million have been awarded to New England, Harvey, and New Town to maintain, rebuild, and upgrade their water infrastructure. “Growing up in small town in rural North Dakota showed me first-hand that when everyone works together, we can […]

Gov Burgum proclaims October Energy Awareness Month

October 4, 2017 jasonspiess 0

Governor Doug Burgum has proclaimed October Energy Awareness Month in North Dakota. This proclamation coincides with a national Energy Awareness campaign promoted by the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC). The IOGCC is a multi-state government agency, of which Burgum is a member. The IOGCC advocates for environmentally sound […]

Dakota Access donates $15M to NDDES

September 29, 2017 jasonspiess 0

Dakota Access Pipeline LLC has donated $15 million to the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (DES) to help retire debt incurred by the state as a result of its response to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, Gov. Doug Burgum announced today.   The donation, wired this afternoon to the […]

NDPC hires Pelton

September 5, 2017 jasonspiess 0

  The North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC) announced that Brady Pelton has joined the organization as Government Affairs Manager. In this position, Pelton will advocate for the NDPC on key issues and their impact on the oil and gas industry on the state, county, local and tribal levels. “We’re excited […]

Slow down in oil seen as a “gift of catchup”

August 1, 2017 jasonspiess 0

Watford City is located in the heart of the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota in McKenzie County. “The past couple of years we really did see the oil industry hit a slowdown and we’ve viewed it as a gift of catch up,” Stenberg said. “This allowed us to build […]

Industry and workforce syncing up in the Bakken

July 26, 2017 jasonspiess 0

  Daniel Stenberg sees the oil and gas activity every day in Watford City. Watford City is located in the heart of the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota in McKenzie County. According to Stenberg, McKenzie County Economic Development, this activity isn’t in a hiring blitz, rather a workforce development […]

Using 21st century technology in the 21st century

July 25, 2017 jasonspiess 0

  According to Anthony McDaniels, HEAL Corporations, some oil and gas companies are falling behind with updating their well sites. “People are starting to say ‘if I want to be profitable in the 21st century, I have to apply 21st century technology.” McDaniels said. “I can’t just drill 21st century […]

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Helms predicts a busy summer in the Bakken

May 16, 2017 jasonspiess 0

After a couple of slow or down years in the Bakken, Lynn Helms, director, North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources, sees this summer changing gears. “So far it looks like 2017 is going to be a pretty busy year. Probably much busier than what it looked like back in January […]

Berman say the Bakken’s best days have past

April 30, 2017 jasonspiess 0

“It’s the beginning of the end for the Bakken Shale play,” petroleum geologist Art Berman wrote last month regarding the Bakken shale and its future. This introductory paragraph caught the attention of many, including myself.  After I read his piece, I reached out to Berman to investigate his claims further. […]

On the reservation it has been survival of the fittest

April 18, 2017 jasonspiess 0

When asked about how the year 2016 was for the Three Affiliated Tribes and the Native American run Missouri River Resources, their CEO David Williams took a brief pause before answering the question. “To sum up 2016, I would say it was survival of the fittest,” Williams said. Williams said […]

North Dakota’s Newest Big Bad Wolf

April 18, 2017 jasonspiess 0

Throughout history the practice of eminent domain has been abused in the United States.  Abused to the point where the parties taking the land were colloquially referred as the “big bad wolf”.  The first big bad wolf was the railroad. The process was quite simple, the railroad is considered a […]

The Rough Waters of Western North Dakota

March 27, 2017 jasonspiess 0

A 5-part series on the controversial water industry of western North Dakota.     The state of North Dakota is now experiencing a serious crossroads situation regarding the Western Area Water Supply Authority (WAWSA) and its future path.  Uncertainty is nothing new to WAWSA and its project as controversy, a questionable […]

Heitkamp comments on DAPL easement

February 8, 2017 jasonspiess 0

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp issued the following statement after speaking with Acting Secretary of the Army Robert Speer who notified her of the Army Corps of Engineers’ impending approval of the easement to complete construction of the Dakota Access pipeline. “Today I spoke with Army Corps leaders who informed me […]

Hoeven comments on Perry, Zinke

January 31, 2017 jasonspiess 0

Senator John Hoeven, who serves on the Senate Energy Committee, announced that committee members have voted to recommend confirmation of former Texas Governor Rick Perry to lead the Department of Energy and Montana Representative Ryan Zinke to head the Department of the Interior. At the senator’s invitation, Perry committed to […]

Senator Hoeven responds to Trump’s pipeline executive orders

January 24, 2017 jasonspiess 0

Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement in response to two of President Donald Trump’s executive orders. The president has invited TransCanada, the company building the Keystone XL Pipeline, to reapply for a presidential permit. He also directed the relevant federal agencies to provide an expedited review of the project. […]

Senator Heitkamp responds to Trump’s pipeline executive orders

January 24, 2017 jasonspiess 0

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp issued the following statement after President Trump announced an executive order approving the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. “Building out our country’s energy infrastructure is a key component of achieving an all-of-the-above North American energy strategy and projects that support our energy, economic, and national […]

Senator Hoeven urges Interior Secretary Zinke

January 19, 2017 jasonspiess 0

At a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator John Hoeven urged Interior Secretary nominee Congressman Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) to help advance a range of priorities for North Dakota and the nation, including: Providing more Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) law enforcement officers to work with state […]