The Beast of the East?

February 14, 2016 jasonspiess 0

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?

February 14, 2016 jasonspiess 0

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

February 14, 2016 jasonspiess 0

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)

February 12, 2016 jasonspiess 0

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

February 7, 2016 jasonspiess 0

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

February 7, 2016 jasonspiess 0

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

February 7, 2016 jasonspiess 0

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 […]

Helms sees staff reductions in ND

February 7, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interview: Lynn Helms, director, North Dakota Department of Minerals, Bismarck, ND Helms gives an overview of the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources staff additions and reductions over the past several years. During the peak of the drilling activity, the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources was full staff with […]

Oil CEO sees $60 by year end

February 1, 2016 jasonspiess 0

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

January 21, 2016 jasonspiess 0

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?

January 21, 2016 jasonspiess 0

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 acceleration of executive orders

January 16, 2016 jasonspiess 0

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 […]

Best Bakken Big Picture Bytes of 2015

January 10, 2016 jasonspiess 0

As 2015 winds down and the Bakken gears up for 2016, many companies and employees are wondering what energy futures will hold.  Many believe the best way to understand and predict the future is to look to the past.  This week’s column looks at the top sound bytes that have […]

MonDak OilField Review: November 24

November 29, 2015 jasonspiess 0

  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

November 29, 2015 jasonspiess 0

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

November 2, 2015 jasonspiess 0

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.

MonDak OilField Review: October 29

November 2, 2015 jasonspiess 0

Thursday 10/29 Interview:  US Senator Heidi Heitkamp Explains a resolution, if enacted into law, it would nullify the Clean Power Plan, including any portions of the regulations that have already gone into effect.  

MonDak OilField Review: October 22

October 25, 2015 jasonspiess 0

Thursday 10/22 Interview:  Ryan Taylor, USDA Rural Development Talks about how most of the towns in the oil and gas producing counties in North Dakota fit under USDA rural development for loans and grants.

MonDak OilField Review: October 20

October 25, 2015 jasonspiess 0

Tuesday 10/20 Interview: Tony Clark, Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner Talks about electricity and natural gas being intertwined in the energy market and will be for the foreseeable future.

MonDak OilField Review: September 9

October 7, 2015 jasonspiess 0

  Wednesday 9/9 Interview: Lynn D. Westfall. U.S. Energy Information Administration, director of energy markets and financial analysis, Washington DC Gives an overview of the Crude Oil Export Restriction Report EIA released last week.  

MonDak OilField Review: September 8

October 7, 2015 jasonspiess 0

Tuesday 9/8 Interview: Jim Semerad, manager permitting and compliance at North Dakota Department of Health Semerad explains why flaring is the preferred method of gas release in the Bakken.

MonDak OilField Review: September 7

October 5, 2015 jasonspiess 0

Monday 9/7 Interview: Jim Semerad, manager permitting and compliance at North Dakota Department of Health Semerad talks about vapor recovery in the Bakken and how it is used to heat water and fuel furnaces in a clean manner.