Recollections of the old “Fort Worth Spudder” and other early-day portable drilling machines. This photo shows what appears to be a stripped-down framework of an old Fort Worth Spudder. See other photos for comparison. by Bobby Weaver Probably the most recognizable imagery related to the oil field is a towering derrick. That was especially true […]
Small in the Permian
The way business is done in the Basin is changing fast, and many are saying that it’s a game for ever-bigger entities, but these three operators say that smaller can still be better—and they explain how and why that works for them. by Hanaba Munn Welch All it takes is a lease. The Permian […]
The State of Oil Part 4: Election Implications 2017
Election Implications 2017 The Results You’ve Been Waiting For by Jesse Mullins Might not have any pull quotes this time. There’s not a lot of “mainbar” text, and the sidebar perhaps doesn’t need pull quotes, but if you find that pull quotes work, feel free to grab some from the text and insert them […]
What Goes Down Must Come Up – State of Oil Part 3
We continue our coverage of the views of two highly respected industry observers as they comment on the recovery of 2017—a recovery that, if not “officially” in the works, is bound to unfold. by Jesse Mullins James Wicklund was speaking to the membership of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, and Wicklund, who […]
The State of Oil: Part 2
Anatomy of a Turnaround Two highly respected industry observers share insights into the recovery of 2017—a recovery that, if not “officially” in the works, is bound to unfold. The thing is, this recovery will be different from anything we’ve ever seen before. by Jesse Mullins For the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, fall means fresh […]
Bouncing Off Bottom
Every problem holds the seeds of its own solution. How the crude oil price collapse—grasped holistically—reveals the steps that will right the ship. First glimmers of a better day coming. by Jesse Mullins It was Will Rogers who said that an economist’s guess is liable to be as good as anyone else’s. When the […]
Adaptation, Diversification & Hunting
Oilfield service companies come in all shapes and sizes. While competition is most certainly fierce, it may also be fair to say that no two service companies are exactly alike. They are far-ranging in size, in scope, and in their offerings. Separate from active drilling operations, but practically indispensible to the practice of drilling, service […]
The Broader Picture | May 2016
EIA Mar. 30 The profitability of oil and natural gas development activity depends on both the prices realized by producers and the cost and productivity of newly developed wells… Costs per well generally increased from 2006 to 2012, demonstrating the effect of rapid growth in drilling activity. Since 2012, costs per well have decreased […]
How the Workforce is Changing, Part 3: Change is Inevitable
by Shanti Terry “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it.” – Malcolm X After transferring to Texas A&M as a sophomore, one of the first things my roommates suggested I purchase was a pair of rain boots. I scoffed at the idea. Having been […]
How the Workforce is Changing, Part 2: Employers Have Changed
By Shanti Terry As the workforce for the oil and gas industry change and adapt over time, employers for the industry are finding that they too have to evolve. According to the experts interviewed for this second look into why today is not your grandfather’s oilfield, some things have stayed the same, but most are […]
