NORTH DAKOTA ASSOCIATION OF OIL AND GAS PRODUCING COUNTIES
NDAOGPC Newsletter
September 13, 2013
In This Issue
Article 1 - Uniform County Truck Permit Committee to Meet in October
Article 2 - Infocast's Bakken Infrastructure Finance & Development Week Features Local Speakers
Article 3 - Bakken Oil Show Brings Industry Operators and Suppliers Together
Article 4 - ND Pipeline Authority September Update Available
Article 5 - Governor Announces Appointments to Outdoor Heritage Fund Advisory Board
Article 6 - NDAOGPC Annual Meeting Online Registration Available
Article 7 - Upcoming Events
Article 8 - Oil and Gas Stats
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The North Dakota Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties (NDAOGPC) is the trusted and unified voice for the betterment of the citizens of North Dakota and the membership of the North Dakota Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties. Through this newsletter we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date information surrounding the energy activities throughout the North Dakota energy producing counties.
Uniform County Truck Permit Committee to Meet in October

NDAOGPC County Commissioners, County Sheriffs, Road Superintendents/Engineers:

 

The fall meeting of the NDAOGPC Uniform County Truck Permit Committee will be held in conjunction with the ND Association of Counties' Annual Conference on Monday, October 7, 2013 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Central Time. The meeting will be held in the Heart Room of the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck, ND.

 

If you have a topic you would like added to the agenda, please let Permit System Operator Janet Sanford know. She may be reached via email at [email protected].

 

Hope to see you there! 

Infocast's Bakken Infrastructure Finance & Development Week Features Local Speakers
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Lyn James, Mayor of the City of Bowman, presents at the Energy & Community Infrastructure Event held in Bismarck this week.
With Continental Resources talking about a 30-well pad, Williston Economic Developer Tom Rolfstad told a group at a Bismarck, ND business conference, "I've got fears we're never going to catch this thing."This Bakken oil shale play came "like a storm in the night," he said. Rolfstad and others including Dunn County Commissioner Daryl Dukart described how their communities are making investments in infrastructure. Dukart told the investors, "I don't think we have 25% of what we need on infrastructure."  Dukart said Dunn County had been a pass-through county to the job site, but now industry is beginning to develop around Killdeer. One of the participants was a city employee of Enid, Oklahoma. He said he was there to get ahead of their development. John Phillips, Beulah, recommended that Enid get its land use master plan done before it arrives, as that sells developers when they see the comprehensive plan.

 

Patrick McGarry, a developer in Williston, ND, said there is very little land available in the Williston area and new developments must be contiguous to approved growth areas. 

 

Even though the market is more predictable, they are still evolving. Some areas of the Bakken are still in rapid phase but seeing different issues than two years ago. Location is starting to matter.

 

Other speakers said that lifestyle attracts families. Newcomers want box restaurants, housing, national grocery chains, arcades for children, theaters, and parks. North Dakota, facing the potential for at least 50,000 long-term energy jobs, has reversed its trend in hosting an older population and is becoming a state more populated by younger individuals.


ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties Executive Director Vicky Steiner participated with the water panel in Bismarck's conference along with Williston's Director of Public Works Monte Meiers and Independent Water Providers Chairman Steve Mortenson. Meiers saidthe water in the Missouri River belongs to the people.
The Western Area Water Supply project will bring quality water to NW North Dakota residents.
 

nullND Pipeline Authority Director Justin Kringstad told energy conferees that lack of pipelines and the challenge to upgrade existing pipeline infrastructure contribute to the challenge of putting out the natural gas flares. New technologies to harness the gas will help lower flaring percentages but the most realistic solution is the traditional expansion of pipeline infrastructure. The state's goal is to flare only 10% of total natural gas. Currently, 27% of the gas is being flared.

 

Enbridge Pipelines will be seeking customers for their Project Sandpiper, a 24-inch diameter pipe that will run from North Dakota to Superior, Wisconsin by 2016 at a cost of $2.5 billion. The pipe will move between 225,000 to 375,000 barrels per day. An Enbridge spokesman said "We are in a steady climb in North Dakota." 
Bakken Oil Show Brings Industry Operators and Suppliers Together
The Upper Missouri River Fairgrounds in Williston were thriving with activity this week as it played host to the Bakken Oil Product and Service Show September 11-12. Oil and gas industry suppliers and service providers, as well as hundreds of other interested parties took advantage of the large-scale exhibition. Attendees were able to network with each other extensively over the course of the two day event. Those within the energy industry were given free admission to the oil show, facilitating opportunities for business relationships to grow.

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Weston Solution's Kevin Axe, pictured left, presents information on groundwater baseline testing to attendees of the Bakken Oil Product & Service Show technical workshop. Assisting him is Roy Weindorf, pictured right.
New this year were technical presentations, which served to showcase cutting edge research, techniques, and industry accomplishments. These technical presentations offered an educational experience, even to those outside of the oil and gas industry. Giving one such presentation were representatives of Weston Solutions, an environmental and engineering consulting company with a North Dakota office in Dickinson. One of Weston's many services in the Bakken region is groundwater baseline testing. This testing, conducted before a drilling rig "spuds" a new well, allows for impacts to groundwater to be identified over the lifespan of that well. Requests for baseline testing are most often made by members of the industry, according to Weston Solutions Client Service Manager Kevin Axe. Those requests, he said, come about by state regulation, company policy, or at the request of a landowner.

Click here for more information on the Bakken Oil Product and Service Show.
ND Pipeline Authority September Update Available

The North Dakota Pipeline Authority has published the September monthly update.  The update is available at: http://northdakotapipelines.com/directors-cut/. Here you can find the latest information on oil and gas production in the state as well as oil and gas transportation statistics.

 

In other pipeline news, U.S. Senators John Hoeven and Mary Landrieu introduced a resolution in the United States Senate on Thursday declaring that the Keystone XL pipeline project "is in the national interest". U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp also supported the resolution, which essentially calls on President Barack Obama to approve the pipeline. Please click here to view a Dickinson Press article for more information.  

Governor Announces Appointments to Outdoor Heritage Fund Advisory Board

Gov. Jack Dalrymple announced yesterday his appointment of the first members to the North Dakota Outdoor Heritage Fund Advisory Board. Members will be officially appointed as of today, September 13, 2013.

 

"The North Dakota Outdoor Heritage Fund is an historic, well-funded opportunity that brings together multiple interests and perspectives to enhance our legendary outdoors," Gov. Dalrymple said. "These diverse board members represent conservation, agriculture, energy, outdoor recreation, and business. They will come together to help recommend important, long-lasting projects to be supported through the Outdoor Heritage Fund at up to $30 million per biennium. I look forward to seeing their efforts get underway and to working with them through the Industrial Commission."

 

The twelve voting members of the advisory board will be:

  • Eric Aasmundstad, Devils Lake (North Dakota Farm Bureau)
  • Robert Kuylen, South Heart (North Dakota Farmers Union)
  • Wade Moser, Bismarck (North Dakota Stockmen's Association)
  • Dan Wogsland, Bismarck (North Dakota Grain Growers Association)
  • Blaine Hoffman, Gladstone (North Dakota Petroleum Council)
  • Jim Melchior, Bismarck (Lignite Energy Council)
  • Dr. Tom Hutchens, Bismarck (Ducks Unlimited)
  • Patricia Stockdill, Garrison (Pheasants Forever)
  • Jon Godfread, Bismarck (Greater North Dakota Chamber)
  • Randy Bina, Bismarck (North Dakota Recreation and Parks Association)
  • Dr. Carolyn Godfread, Bismarck (conservation at-large)
  • Kent Reierson, Williston (conservation at-large).

 

By law, ten appointed members must represent specific groups, while two members are appointed from the conservation community at-large. An additional four ex-officio members representing specific agencies are also outlined in the law.

 

Ex-officio members of the advisory board will be Terry Steinwand, director of the North Dakota Department of Game and Fish; Mark Zimmerman, director of the North Dakota Department of Parks and Recreation; Larry Kotchman, State Forester, and Ronda Vetsch, North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts. 

 

null The Outdoor Heritage Fund will receive up to $30 million per biennium from oil and gas production tax revenue to support projects such as access to private and public lands for sportsmen, creating fish and wildlife habitats, stewardship toward farming and ranching, enhancing water quality, plant diversity, soil conditions, and for outdoor recreation areas. 

 

The advisory board will establish an application process to recommend projects or opportunities to be supported through the Outdoor Heritage Fund. The Industrial Commission, which consists of the Governor, Attorney General and Agriculture Commissioner, manages and operates the fund.

 

The North Dakota Outdoor Heritage Fund Advisory Board will conduct its first meeting on Monday, September 16, 2013 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in the Peace Garden room of the State Capitol.
NDAOGPC Annual Meeting Online Registration Available
NDAOGPC Logo Registration for the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties' 2013 Annual Meeting is now available online at the Association website, http://www.ndenergy.org/AnnualMeeting.aspx.

This year's Annual Meeting will take place on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at the Ramada Grand Dakota Lodge in Dickinson, ND.

Speaking this year will be State Treasurer Kelly Schmidt who will give an overview of oil and gas Gross Production Tax distributions and Joel Quanbeck and Mike Schnetzer who will share what was found in the NDAOGPC-commissioned study of emergency service coverage in western North Dakota.

Additionally, we'll hear from Dept. of Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms, and owner/CEO of MBI Energy Services Jim Arthaud will lead a panel of several oil and gas industry representatives in discussions on the current trends in oil and gas recovery. Terry Kovacevich, Marathon Oil; Jack Ekstrom, Whiting Petroleum; and Blu Hulsey, Continental Resources, have agreed to participate on the panel.

Members will also have the opportunity to elect county, city, and school district committee members as well as the representatives on the Executive Committee. Current Executive Committee members up for reelection are Mountrail County Commissioner Greg Boschee and City Engineer for the City of Bowman, Dan Brosz. Bowman County School District Superintendent Tony Duletski will be leaving the Executive Committee after nine years of service. Over his years with the Association, Tony has served as President, and we would like to thank him for his contribution to the members of the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties. His replacement on the Executive Committee will also be elected.

We look forward to seeing you at this year's Annual Meeting in Dickinson!
Upcoming Events
September 16-18, 2013
The ND Petroleum Council will hold its annual meeting September 16-18, 2013 in Grand Forks, ND. The meeting will be held in the Alerus Center. Registration is set to open Tuesday, June 25. More information can be found by visiting the ND Petroleum Council website at www.ndoil.org.

September 16-19, 2013 
The Alaska Oil and Gas Congress will take place September 16-19 in Anchorage, Alaska. NDAOGPC Executive Director Vicky Steiner will share oil and gas exploration success in North Dakota and how the political subdivisions within the western part of the state are adapting to the changes inherent with oil and gas industry growth.

September 26, 2013

Be sure to mark your calendars for the NDAOGPC 2013 Annual Meeting set for Thursday, September 26, 2013 at the Ramada Grand Dakota in Dickinson, ND. Online registration is now available at http://www.ndenergy.org/AnnualMeeting.aspx. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to hear from some of the top authorities on issues like housing, oil and gas Gross Production Tax distribution, western ND EMS coverage, regional state road projects, and updates from the oil and gas industry!

September 30, 2013
EMS and fire protection district Energy Impact Grant applications are due in to the ND Energy Infrastructure and Impact Office. Requests for funding to improve readiness, quality, and responsiveness of EMS and fire response teams being impacted by oil and gas development will be considered. Applications should be for projects to improve equipment; facilities; safety; planning efforts to develop or formalize county/regional mutual aid/joint powers agreements; oil industry specific training; leadership development; and obtaining assets to improve emergency response.

The application forms and lists of required supporting documentation are on the energy impact office web page:
www.nd.gov/energyimpact. This Internet site contains both a PDF and MS Word application form that can be completed on-screen. Please seek the assistance of a library, school or extension office if you do not have computer and Internet access to retrieve this information.

 

Completed applications and supporting materials may be e-mailed to [email protected]. They may also be sent to the following address: 

1707 North 9th Street

PO Box 5523

Bismarck, ND 58506-5523

 

Grant applications must be postmarked by September 30, 2013.  Applications submitted by e-mail will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Central Time on September 30, 2013.


October 6-8, 2013
Online registration is now open for the ND Association of Counties Annual Conference, scheduled for October 6-8 at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck. Visit the NDACo website at www.ndaco.org for more information and to register.

May 20-22, 2014 
The 22nd Annual Williston Basin Petroleum Conference will be held May 20-22, 2014 at the Bismarck Civic Center in Bismarck, ND. There have already been over 200 hotel rooms reserved for this conference. We recommend booking the hotel rooms that you need now. Conference registration opens on January 29, 2014.
Oil and Gas Stats

ND Petroleum Council Logo  

WTI Crude: $107.62

Brent Crude: $112.03

Natural Gas: $3.62

ND Rig Count: 182

 

 

From the ND Petroleum Council's News Clips for September 13, 2013
Please take your time to review all materials and links provided for your convenience.  We will continue to provide you up-to-date information on upcoming events and news happening in North Dakota's oil and gas producing counties!

 

Sincerely,

 

Vicky Steiner
Executive Director

Brady Pelton
Deputy Executive Director

ND Assoc. of Oil & Gas Producing Counties