Watford City Airport Work Set for 2020
Project Will Lengthen, Realign Airport Runway
Plans are in the works to move up by a year a major runway re-construction project at the Watford City Municipal Airport.
The work is tentatively planned to be completed in 2020, thanks in part to the award earlier this year of a $10 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (Click
here to see story in May 17 newsletter).
The project was originally scheduled for construction in 2021, but Kyle Wanner, director of the ND Aeronautics Commission, said receipt of the grant plus acquisition of land needed for the project will allow the work to be bid as one package and completed in a single construction season.
Wanner said the work will require the current 4,400 foot runway to be shut down while the construction is underway, which means those now using the airport will need to find other arrangements. He said the total length of the proposed runway will be 6,550 feet in order to have clear runway protection zones on both ends.
"This new alignment will allow for 5,500 feet of landing distance on Runway 11 and 5,650 feet of landing distance available on Runway 29," Wanner said. "The additional length allows for the take-off rolls to utilize even more length than that."
The estimated cost is just over $20 million, which means getting the work done in 2020 is "obviously dependent on the bidding environment," Wanner said. But the hope is that the project will go to bid in the February/March timeframe and if the bid process is successful, construction would begin as soon as possible next spring.
Wanner said the Aeronautics Commission expects an additional $2.5 million grant from the federal government, and the remainder of the project cost share will come from Watford City and the Aeronautics Commission's budget. The city would be expected to apply for a state grant early next spring after the bids have been opened at which time the state/local share would be determined.
There are 35 aircraft based at the airport, ranging from business jets to smaller single engine aircraft. The airport is also important to aerial applicators and regional healthcare systems. Click
here for additional project details, including a conceptual drawing of the realigned runway.
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DAPL Hearing Set for Nov. 13 in Linton
A public hearing will be held November 13 in Linton on a plan by Energy Transfer Partners and its subsidiary Dakota Access LLC to expand the capacity of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
The ND Public Service Commission will conduct the hearing beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Emmons County Courthouse. Specifically, the company's application would amend its permit by adding pump stations to DAPL in North Dakota, as well as South Dakota and Illinois. The ND pump station, to be located about five miles west of Linton, will consist of five 6,000 horsepower motors and pumps. The additional pumps will allow the pipeline to expand from its current 570,000 barrel/day capacity to move up to 1.1 million bbl/day.
In a recent interview on the radio program
Plain Talk, Glenn Emery, VP of Commercial Operations and Business Development for Energy Transfer Partners, said an open season conducted last year showed there is plenty of interest in the project among producers and shippers.
Click
here to listen to Emery's comments.
Opponents of the pipeline project requested the hearing, claiming it would increase the risk of over pressurizing the pipeline. But Dakota Access refers to the project as "optimizing" the pipeline. Emery said nothing changes with respect to the pipeline's operating pressure.
Click
here to listen to Emery's comments.
Click
here and advance to the 16:53 mark to listen to the full
Plain Talk with Rob Port interview with Emery. Click
here to see the request for hearing submitted by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Click
here to see Dakota Access' response to the request. Click
here to read the PSC notice of hearing.
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Filloon: Bakken Stocks are Undervalued
An oil industry investment analyst believes oil stocks, particularly those with assets focused on the Bakken, have been driven down in price by market forces that don't reflect the actual value of the companies' financial position.
Michael Filloon with HartStreet LLC said during an interview this week on the radio program
Energy Matters that oil stocks have basically been in "free fall" since last October. He said the value of companies positioned in North Dakota have been hit even harder than those in other US oil plays.
Click
here to listen to Filloon's comments.
Filloon said stock price declines are partly related to the public's perception of the industry, which is largely driven by the news media and statements of national politicians.
Click
here to listen to Filloon's comments.
Filloon said he believes the threat of a recession is overblown and will subside in two or three months. He also believes North Dakota will prevail in its challenge of Washington state's crude-by-rail law. When those events fall into place, he expects a rebound in the price of Bakken-related oil stocks.
Click
here to listen to Filloon's comments.
Click
here and advance to the 31:05 mark to listen to the full
Energy Matters interview with Filloon.
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Oil & Gas Regulators to Meet in Medora
IOGCC Conference Opens This Weekend
Dozens of oil and gas regulators from around the United States and Canada converge on Medora this weekend for the annual conference of the Interstate Oil and Gas Commerce Commission.
Gov. Doug Burgum will chair the event which opens Sunday afternoon at the Medora Community Center. The opening session features a roundtable of regulators from all the states and provinces who takes turns providing a report of production and happenings in their jurisdiction. The regulators and their guests have the option Sunday evening to take in the Pitchfork Steak Fondue and the Medora Musical.
Monday's program features opening remarks by Governor Burgum, and presentations by Shawn Bennett, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oil and Natural Gas with the Department of Energy, and Doug Benevento, Senior Counselor for Regional Management and State Affairs with the EPA. The afternoon agenda features an energy panel covering research, technology, environment and safety issues.
The gathering continues Tuesday with a Public, Coastal, Tribal Lands/Public Outreach Session led by Erica Thunder, Commissioner of the ND Department of Labor and Human Rights. The event concludes with the business session that includes a strategic planning discussion, and announcements of the commission's 2020 officers.
State officials say nearly 200 people have registered to attend. Click
here to see the conference agenda.
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Lignite Research Council Okays Three Projects
Three research projects aimed at developing new products from lignite coal and improving the operation of existing coal-fired power plants have been endorsed by the Lignite Research Council (LRC).
The largest of the three proposed grants is $900,000 to UND and four private entities to continue the state's effort to develop a commercially-viable method of extracting rare earth elements (REE) from North Dakota lignite. Mike Holmes, vice president of research and development for the Lignite Energy Council, said the project is aimed moving REE closer to commercial reality.
Click
here to listen to Holmes comments.
Total cost of the 2 1/2 year REE project is $6.5 million, much of which is supported by funding from the US Department of Energy.
Holmes said the LRC also endorsed a $400,000 project led by Barr Engineering that seeks to reduce the formation of aerosols in the combustion zone of a lignite-fired utility boiler to reduce fouling and overall boiler and furnace temperatures when using high alkali coals.
Click
here to listen to Holmes comments.
Holmes said the final application endorsed by the LRC would grant $157,000 to UND and a group of private researchers who will pull information from previous research efforts and look for ways to produce multiple high-value solid products from North Dakota lignite coal.
Click
here to listen to Holmes comments.
The LRC grant recommendations must go the the North Dakota Industrial Commission for final approval. The NDIC is scheduled to meet next Wednesday morning at the Capitol. Click
here to see the LRC's agenda which contains links to the applications and comments from reviewers.
Holmes was interviewed by Scott Hennen on the radio program,
Energy Matters. Click
here and advance to the 18:25 mark to listen to the full interview.
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Hoeven Brings Energy Dept to EERC
Senator John Hoeven hosted officials from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) this week to highlight the Energy and Environmental Research Center and its efforts to develop ways to capture carbon dioxide.
Hoeven wants DOE to award $10 million for the final phrase of the Front-End Engineering Design study for Project Tundra, which is aimed at retrofitting existing coal plants to capture CO2. The research project is underway at Minnkota Power's Milton R. Young Station near Center. It's aimed at capturing 90 percent of the CO2 emissions produced by the station's Unit 2 generator. Click
here to see a video that shows how the CO2-capture process works.
Joining Hoeven at EERC were Steven Winberg, Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, and Lou Hrkman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Clean Coal and Carbon Management. As a member of the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Committee, Hoeven has secured $16 million in federal funding for Project Tundra to date.
“We’re on the verge of a real-world demonstration of Project Tundra’s capabilities, a game-changing CCUS technology,” Hoeven said."The broad use of such technology is a win both for consumers, who will continue to have access to affordable energy, and for environmental stewardship.”
Click
here for a story on the meeting from the Grand Forks Herald.
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Baesler: ND Schools Embracing Innovation
It's taken awhile for North Dakota school districts to get used to the idea that they have the flexibility to offer innovative approaches to learning, but they're starting to get the hang of the idea.
That's the assessment of Kirsten Baesler, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, who was asked to offer her thoughts on the third annual Innovation in Education Conference held last week. Baesler said local control was stifled for 15 years under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. She said it imposed federal regulations that placed a lot of emphasis on standardized test scores.
No Child Left Behind was replaced about three years ago by ESSA - the Every Student Succeeds Act - which Baesler said gives much more control to states and local school districts. She said it took a little while for North Dakota schools to get used to the idea that the power to make education decisions had been restored to the local level.
Click
here to listen to Baesler's comments.
Baesler said several North Dakota school districts have used their newfound flexibility to establish innovation academies, which provide an option for students to pursue accelerated learning.
Click
here to listen to Baesler's comments.
Baesler said she's also seeing more North Dakota districts making an effort to offer college level courses at the high school level and even in junior high to give students a jump start on a post-secondary degree.
Supt. Baesler was interviewed this week on the radio program
What's on Your Mind. Click
here and advance to the 29:03 mark to listen to the full interview.
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Chip Seal Work to Begin on Hwy 85 South
Construction work will get underway Monday on Highway 85 from Belfield to Bowman, with crews applying chip seal and fog coat to the roadway.
In a separate project,
workers have made progress to widen parts of Highway 85 from about 10 miles north of Amidon to near the Stark County Line, or 20 miles south of Belfield.
During construction:
- Travel is reduced to 45-55 mph throughout the work zone
- Flaggers will be present
- Motorists can expect short delays through the work zone
- Oil and loose chips may be present on the roadway
The project is expected to be completed by mid-September.
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Registration Open for WDEA Annual Meeting
Sponsorship/Exhibitor Opportunities Available
Registration is now open for the annual meeting of the Western Dakota Energy Association to be held October 30-31 at the Grand Hotel in Minot.
Sponsorships and exhibit space are available to companies or organizations interested in supporting the communities in the energy-producing region of western North Dakota. Click
here for the form.
The event kicks off at 1:00 p.m. on October 30 with an update on enhancements and expansion of WDEA's
LoadPass Permits system, to be followed by an update on the association's
Wise Roads weather station project. The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion about truck permitting issues between industry representatives and county highway managers. The balance of Day One will be devoted to issues associated with North Dakota's growing natural gas production. The day will be capped off by an evening social at 5:30 featuring remarks from Cal Klewin regarding the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Association and efforts to improve Highway 85.
Day Two opens with a perspective on ethics issues from Minot Senator David Hogue, to be followed by a presentation on workforce issues by Paula Hickel from Job Service of ND in Williston, an update on the Western Area Water Supply Authority from Curtis Wilson, and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute's update of its county roads needs study. The morning agenda also features a presentation from the North Dakota Geological Survey about the potential for oil production in different benches in western North Dakota, a panel discussion about the education funding needs of western communities and an interim legislative report from Senator Rich Wardner.
Lt. Governor Brent Sanford will deliver a keynote address during the noon luncheon. The afternoon agenda includes details on lignite research and marketing efforts, and will conclude with a traditional county-by-county production report from Lynn Helms, director of the Department of Mineral Resources. The association's annual business meeting and election of officers will wrap up the event.
Click
here for the agenda and registration details. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Grand Hotel. To receive the discounted rate, guests should mention WDEA Annual Meeting when registering. Contact the hotel at: 701-852-3161 or (800) 735-4493.
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UMary Offers “Work Smarter” Training
The University of Mary’s Workforce Development Program is offering training this month in Watford City.
Called “Work Smarter,” the program focuses on creating smarter work habits that develop better organizational outcomes and greater personal satisfaction.
Cost is $350 per participant with lunch included. This session is the last of the series of three and focuses on effective business writing and messaging strategies.
The session will be held at the University of Mary campus facilities at Watford City High School, located at 2209 Wolves Den Parkway, Suite 129A.
For more information or to register, click
here.
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WDEA Offering Energy Scholarships
The Western Dakota Energy Association will award five $1,000 scholarships this fall to students in an energy-related field at a North Dakota college, university or technical school.
WDEA President Gary Wilz said the association is offering the scholarships to help the industry and western communities meet the workforce challenges now being experienced with the surge in oil industry activity.
“We recognize that North Dakota will see benefits from higher oil prices only if the industry is able to attract the workforce it needs,” said Wilz, who is Superintendent of the Killdeer Public School District. “We want to do everything we can to encourage young people to explore the many opportunities for a rewarding career in the energy industry.”
Funding for the scholarship program is generated by sponsorships of WDEA’s annual meeting, as well as royalties from advertising in Basin Bits magazine.
Click
here to learn more about the selection criteria and how to apply.
Click
here to view or download an application form.
The application deadline is August 31, 2019. Scholarships will be awarded in September.
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Quick Connect
- ND Supreme Court affirms ruling in pipeline security dispute -- Fargo Forum
- Williams County will also have to sign off on state's first TENORM facility -- Williston Herald
- Top ND regulator considers transparency improvements after plant spill report -- Fargo Forum
- Wind farm controversy drives likely first township recall in North Dakota -- Bismarck Tribune
- Nearly 50 protesters against Line 3 shut down Bemidji Enbridge office -- Fargo Forum
- Tribe leading DAPL lawsuit makes final case for shutdown and more study -- Bismarck Tribune
- School district cannot use Common School Trust Fund to finance new DHS -- Dickinson Press
- Educating future workers: Burgum, Hagerott call for workforce development focus -- Fargo Forum
- Cellphone ban will greet Divide County High School students on first day of school -- The Journal
- Beulah School Board approves petitions leading up to special election -- Beulah Beacon
- Beulah schools facing funding issues to build new school and maintain existing ones -- KFYR-TV
- District 1 partnering with Boston College to study personalized learning -- Williston Herald
- District 1 school board picks Cory Swint as new member replacing Dr. Hegge -- Williston Herald
- DSU President: State of the University includes enrollment, project updates -- Dickinson Press
- Williston mayor encourages animal adoption as pet surrender increases -- KFYR-TV
- Minot City Council makes plans to add a fifth fire station in the city -- Minot Daily News
- Ward County voters may be asked to extend county's sales tax -- Minot Daily News
- The U.S. rig count is falling -- here's why oil production keeps rising anyway -- Motley Fool
- U.S. petroleum demand is at the strongest levels since 2007 at 20.4 MMbpd -- Rigzone
- All the world's coal plants - new, old and closing - in one interactive map -- Visual Capitalist
- Climate lawsuit promoters dinged for flouting Maryland state laws -- Energy In Depth
- Dem pres candidate Warren calls for revoking DAPL, Keystone XL permits -- Fargo Forum
- Carbon capture gets an exciting starring role in the U.S. energy future -- Inside Sources
- Survey: US natural gas in underground storage set to expand by 61 Bcf -- S&P Global
- Animated chart: Oil production in America’s Big Three oil fields including Bakken -- AEI
- U.S. breaks records to become global leader in oil and natural gas production -- Energy In Depth
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Factoid of the Week
A refinery separates crude oil into useable petroleum products. They include gasoline, distillates such as diesel fuel and heating oil, jet fuel, petrochemical feedstocks, waxes, lubricating oils and asphalt. A 42-gallon barrel of crude oil yields about 45 gallons of petroleum products because of refinery processing gain. The increase is similar to what happens to popcorn when popped.
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August 25-27
Medora
August 26
Bismarck
August 27
Bismarck
August 28
Bismarck
August 28
Bismarck
August 28
Bismarck
August 28
Bismarck
August 28
Medora
August 29
Bismarck
September 5
Bismarck
September 10
Bismarck
September 11
Bismarck
September 11
Williston
September 12
Tioga
September 17-19
Watford City
September 24
Bismarck
September 25
Bismarck
September 26
Bismarck
October 2-3
Williston
October 30-31
Minot
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Oil prices and rig count
August 23, 2019
WTI Crude: $53.97
Brent Crude: $58.88
Natural Gas: $2.16
North Dakota Active Rigs: 64 (up 3)
8/23/2018
-- 62 rigs
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Geoff Simon
Editor/Executive Director
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