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Proved Reserves: How Effective a Yardstick?

The July/August issue of A Shot of Texas Magazine has an excellent piece by renowned energy expert Daniel Yergin, “How Much Oil Is Really Down There?”.  The article deals with calculating oil and gas reserves, and is summarized below. In response to the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973, the U. S. Congress instructed the Securities… Read More

September 22, 2014 • Oil and Gas, oil and gas royalties, Reserves

Is it Time to Repeal Crude Export Ban?

The answer is a resounding “Yes” if you ask Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. As the senior Republican on the Senate Energy Committee, Murkowski is working to build support for repeal of the crude export ban which was passed in response to the Arab Oil Embargo in the 1970’s.  However, she realizes that neither party is… Read More

September 20, 2014 • Oil and Gas, oil and gas royalties

North Dakota Oil Production Might Decrease due to Flaring Regulations

Flaring of natural gas associated with oil production is an acute problem in the Prairie State. Worldwide, about 3% of produced gas is flared; in the U. S. it is less than 1%.  In North Dakota 36% of gas was flared, but that figure has been reduced to 26% due to new state regulations. “Rigzone”… Read More


Studies Find No Water Pollution from Fracking

According to a recent article in “Rigzone”, two different studies recently concluded that fracking, per se, does not pollute aquifers. Both studies were conducted in the Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania. The DOE monitored fracking fluids from six wells for eighteen months using tracer fluids, seismic monitoring and other tests in the most detailed public report… Read More


Unconventional Production to Boost U. S. Energy Exports

HSBC’s Global Connections Trade Forecast anticipates a 5% per year increase in U. S. Energy exports through 2030, according to an article in “Rigzone”. Petroleum imports are expected to drop from 12% to 5% over the long term as well.  Emerging markets with limited oil and gas reserves and refining capacity will be a major… Read More