Valves, sensors and coal
Interview: Kevin Travis, Rotork Describes the new technology with oil valves and remote sensors. He also comments about how clean the coal industry has gotten since the 1980’s.
bakken
How oil and gas prepare for terror attacks
As John Springsteen travels the country, he is often asked if he is related to Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen still gets a chuckle of out it and sometimes he will even play along for a bit. But eventually the truth comes out he is not related to the rock and roll […]
More oil and gas companies looking to merge or get bought out
Over the past year, while oil prices and interest rates remain low, the oil and gas industry has been hot with M&A activity. According to recent data from Thomson Reuters, 2015 will go down as the biggest year ever for mergers and acquisitions, with an announced $4.7 trillion. An amazing […]
Helms gives four reasons oil prices are down
Lynn Helms, director, North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources gives four reasons why oil prices are low right now in the Bakken. Helms admits this speed of the drop was unexpected, but as they digest the reality of the global energy play, the reasons for the drop are becoming more […]
Wind energy REAPs in the Bakken
During a hearing of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Rural Development Subcommittee, Cris Somerville, President of Dakota Turbines, testified at the hearing about the work of the family-owned and operated company, which manufactures blades, alternator and power electronics for single-phase small wind systems. The company, which is ten years old, has […]
Industrial real estate in the Bakken
In the world of commercial and industrial properties, Houge is seeing a change in the types of owners in the Bakken. “So I have two types of owners. Oil fields service companies that want to get those properties off their books and I have developers who are property owners who […]
Understanding vapor is to understand flat Coke
There are some who argue that in the world of economics the world is flat. The wired world has made claims our collective consciousness is becoming flat. There was even a time when some have argued the actual physical world was flat. Today, this writer is suggesting the easiest way […]
The New Normal: Dickinson sees resident and employee retention
There is a new phrase being uttered among the oil and gas producing counties – the new normal. This is certainly a more positive way to look at low oil prices, volatile commerce and a somewhat nomadic worker force. That phrase was used once again during my latest conversation with […]
Minot Adjust to the Bakken’s New Normal
Interviews: Alan Walter, Ward County Commissioner When looking at the city of Minot from a 5000-foot perspective, it is an interesting city. Much like Dickinson, it offers an urban environment in a very rural based economy. Acting almost as a fulcrum for the eastern agriculture and western oil, Minot has […]
Tioga’s New Normal
Interview: Todd Thompson, finance commissioner, Tioga, ND For many, Tioga is known as ground zero for the Bakken Three Forks oil play. For others, it’s where Hess’s natural gas processing plant is. Now that the “new ground zero” or “hot zone” has shifted around from Williston to Tioga to Stanley […]
From Shale to Coal
Interview: Kevin Travis, Rotork, Liberty Township, OH 45011 Kevin Travis, Midwest Factory Store, Rotork, shares what his company is doing in the Bakken, other shale plays and coal plants.
Kevin Travis, Rotork
Kevin Travis, Rotork, talks about the work they do in energy development.
The Crude Life Interview: Todd Morrison, CEO, Insight Environmental
Todd Morrison is the founder and CEO of Insight Environmental. Insight Environmental is a specialized environmental firm with a focus on Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) that strongly emphasizes safety, integrity, and zero non-compliance. Insight was founded on our expertise in LDAR, and it remains our core service offering. Insight […]
Yellen Talks Commodity Prices
Interview: Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen Talks about commodity prices and how they are going to look in 2016. She also gives an explanation of the dollar compared to commodity prices as the global economy expands.
Over the Last 2 Years, Oil & Gas Lost 250K Jobs
Interview: US Senator Heidi Heitkamp Heitkamp talks about how the oil and gas industry has lost 250,000 jobs or more in the last two years. She also talks about global competition with commodities and new currencies.
Oil field Workers Finding Manufacturing Work
Interview: Shawn Kessel, City Administrator, Dickinson, ND Talks about the laid off oil workers finding new work and opportunity with the manufacturing base in Dickinson.
The New Normal
Interview: Shawn Kessel, City Administrator, Dickinson, ND Talks about the “New Normal” in Dickinson. He also gives an update on the commerce and housing situation in Dickinson.
Studying the Bakken roads
Interview: Vicky Steiner, executive director, North Dakota Oil and Gas Producing Counties Discusses the road issues in the oil and gas producing counties and the study they are using for funding.
The Beast of the East?
Interview:Vicky Steiner, executive director, North Dakota Oil and Gas Producing Counties Discusses the East/West difference and the need for regional energy and economic education during low oil prices. She cites a recent study indicating the need for economic development in Western North Dakota.
Is the Bakken Running on Empty?
Interview: Lynn Helms, director, North Dakota Department of Minerals, Bismarck, ND Helms recites some lyrics from Jackson Brown’s Running on Empty to describe many oil companies’ cash flow situation.
UAS Missions in ND and Arctic
Interview: US Senator John Hoeven Objects to President Obama’s suggestion of a $10-barrel tax on oil. Hoeven also talks about future Unmanned Aerial Systems or drone missions in North Dakota and the Arctic.
NDSU President Dean Bresciani (Part 1 of 4)
In this episode, Dean Bresciani and Jason Spiess discuss the Bakken Oil Field’s impact on the University system and economy. Bresciani goes into detail about the economics and introduction of technology and research as new centers of innovation. Dr. Dean L. Bresciani was named the 14th president of North Dakota […]
Bakken out-of-towner leadership growing
According to Deb Nelson, Vision West, Dickinson, ND, the Vision West consortium has grown since the Bakken slowdown and oil price drop. Nelson said one of the big reasons for the growth is Vision West opened their membership doors to associate members. Since then local, county and state agencies have […]
Bakken still needs child care, emergency services
Deb Nelson, Vision West, Dickinson, ND, says the mood is much better now in 2016 than it was last year. Nelson says the downplay allowed them to look at their priorities and they are very much the same. According to Nelson, the oil and gas producing counties still need transportation, […]
ND official says flaring up in Bakken
According to Lynn Helms, director, North Dakota Department of Minerals, Bismarck, ND, there has been an increase in flaring from October to November. Helms said a large reason for this was a unique issue involving the sulfur treating equipment at the Tioga gas plant. He said this caused a six […]
Oil CEO sees $60 by year end
In the recent episode of the MonDak OilField Review, Lynn Helms, director, North Dakota Department of Minerals, spoke of oil supply from the lease perspective. Helms said North Dakota is looking at about one year of leases, which is average for lead time. Helms said industry tries to keep drilling […]
Trickle Down Bakken Economics
Monday 1/18 Interview: Dr. Loren Scott, president, Loren Scott & Associates, Baton Rouge, LA. Dr. Scott explains how low oil prices end up trickling down from oil companies to the service companies.
More M&A Activity in the Bakken?
Wednesday 1/20 Interview: Robert Bryce, senior fellow, Manhattan Institute, Austin TX. Bryce explains why oil prices and other commodities will remain low for awhile – like copper, crude oil and steel. Bryce also shares his opinion on North Dakota and the how the Bakken plays in the global economy.
The Bakken Marcellus Disparity
For decades former Governor Ed Schafer and U.S. Senator John Hoeven worked to create a business-friendly environment in North Dakota. One of their main goals was to construct a plan to attract energy companies to the Bakken. In the crude oil area, it would appear the mission was accomplished. “We […]
The acceleration of executive orders
Recently, I sat down with Doug Goehring, who I often argue is the state’s most powerful elected official. During our conversation, at the North Dakota Petroleum Council’s Annual Meeting, Goehring had just dealt with a new increasing and accelerated federal issue – analyzing and implementing executive orders. “You hit the […]
The Dakota Prairie Refinery celebration was quite the Ventech
As I drove into Dickinson, taking a moment to soak in the event I was about to experience, I noticed diesel was selling for less than gasoline. At the time, I was more interested in understanding why the Dakota Prairie Refinery was the first greenfield refinery in the United States […]
MonDak OilField Review: November 26
Thursday 11/26 Interview: Tim Fisher, CEO, Bakken Energy Services Fisher talks about why the Bakken is the testing ground for the globe and compares Texas energy plays.
MonDak OilField Review: November 24
Tuesday 11/24 Interview: Al Anderson, commissioner, ND Department of Commerce Comments on the 2-year trade schools and how some companies in the oil and gas industry are paying employees to go back to school.
MonDak OilField Review: November 23
Monday 11/23 Interview: Economist Robert Bryce, senior fellow, Manhattan Institute Bryce gives an update on the natural gas industry and how it is growing within the coal power generation side of the business.
MonDak OilField Review: November 2
Monday 11/2 Interview: William Ruhle, completions specialist, Halliburton Gives results of their ReFrac ACTIVATE pilot program in the Bakken and their cash flow positive results for oil and gas companies.