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North Dakota Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties
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Stay Connected
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Basin Bits Magazine
This semiannual magazine, published in the spring and fall, is the official publication of the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties.
To sign up to receive a copy of the magazine, please click here.
To read the latest Basin Bits edition via PDF, click this link.
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Uniform County Truck Permit System
This is a county road permit system for over-weight or over-width vehicles on county roads. Since 1986, the NDAOGPC has operated the Uniform County Truck Permit program as a service to counties and the petroleum industry.
For more information or to get permits, click here.
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 Thank you for your continued interest in the activity of the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties.
We offer insight on the energy issues of the state and their effects on the communities in western North Dakota.
We hope that you will find this week's News From the NDAOGPC as a valuable source of information.
Have a great weekend!
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NDAOGPC Executive Committee Discusses Special Session, Local Roads Study
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Discussion on the progress of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute's (UGPTI) study on county and township roads throughout the state was the first item addressed by the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties Executive Committee in its meeting March 19 in Dickinson. UGPTI Director Denver Tolliver and UGPTI Program Administrator Jon Mielke shared information on the process by which they expect to formulate a 25-year traffic forecast for local roads and an assessment on two-year incremental investment needs for maintenance on those roads.
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UGPTI Director Denver Tolliver, left, and Program Administrator Jon Mielke give an update on the UGPTI's county/township road and bridge study.
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The report, which is anticipated to be completed by the end of June, will include a breakdown of the road investments needed within in county. According to Tolliver, the study will result in an "unprecedented database" of information on road and bridge quality, condition, and investment costs required for lifespan maintenance.
A new directive was introduced to the Executive Committee by Tolliver and Mielke. They said they had been approached by energy industry representatives on developing a broad analysis of not only where traffic is going but where it should go. Tolliver termed this new directive for the study as development of an "energy collector road system". Here, the "spine", or central road in the system, would be identified. Main roads stemming from that central road would also be identified. These main roads would potentially be focused on first for maintenance and upgrading. The biggest concern of the industry, Tolliver said, is the reliability of the western road system to move 105,500 pound standard loads. Tolliver stressed his wanting to engage county officials in the study area when determining which roads could be included in the energy road network. The NDAOGPC Executive Committee voted unanimously to support the UGPTI's new study directive.
For more information on the new directive, check out the Dickinson Press article available here.
The Executive Committee also discussed the recent Democratic legislative leaders' request for a special legislative session. Association leadership is currently working to put together a representative list of the infrastructure needs being faced in the oil producing region of the state. A delegation from the NDAOGPC will meet with Governor Dalrymple to discuss those needs on April 2.
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Transportation Innovations Showcased in International Summit
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Rendering of a potential Hyper Loop transport system.
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New technologies could change how we transport products and people in the future. Discussion on some innovative methods took place at the Transportation & Trade Beyond Borders Summit in Bismarck, ND March 19-20. Zoovio CEO Marlo Anderson and Tim Sylvester, Integrated Roadways, talked about transporting people on a Hyper Loop by pods inside of tubes--traveling at 700 miles per hour at a projected cost of $20 a trip--powered by super magnets. Sylvester discussed the pre-cast concrete slabs which can be installed and driven on 90 minutes after installation, even during the winter because they've been cured indoors. The Chinese are interested in aquariums traveling in future tunnels to bring live fish from Manitoba lakes to Asia.
Some concrete pads can contain built in wireless chargers that charge driver-less flatbeds. The engine would be underneath the cab-less flatbed, and studies show a cost savings. Loads can move at night when roads are less congested and computers don't need to sleep. Designated driverless trade roads could be subscription-based and generate revenue, rather than be a cost to government. There is technology where cars can be driven with lasers and computer instruction, which has tested as safe as the driving of humans. (Editorial note: Computers don't have to juggle food, radio and cell phones)
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Blair Wager, COO of GTH, talks with NDAOGPC Executive Director Vicky Steiner about a short stretch of a new four lane project south of Regina.
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Canadian speakers talked about the opportunity for inland ports at Regina, Winnipeg and deep sea ports at Port of Churchill. Bryan Richards, CEO Global Transportation Hub, Regina said the Bakken transcends borders-"It's a good opportunity for collaboration" for inland ports. Minot-based North Dakota Port Services staffer Tawnya Bernsdorf, said her company partnered with BNSF and they are expanding acreage to provide additional intermodal service.
The group, the Central North American Trade Corridor Association, has their Executive Director, Steve Peterson, in Minot. North Dakota's U.S. Senator John Hoeven and Congressman Kevin Cramer spoke the first day of the event along with Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer. Doer had worked previously with Sen. Hoeven when he was Premier of Manitoba. Doer also spoke about the Keystone Pipeline and the importance to energy security. More on the Keystone XL talks is available here. Canadian officials at the transportation conference said the Bakken oil play has brought jobs to small communities near the U.S. border and to their Canadian transportation hubs.
Thursday's keynote speaker was the director of North Dakota's Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Alan Palmer, Grand Forks, ND. Palmer said the first mission for the UAS will be over a corn field near Carrington, ND to be completed by June 2014.
The Theodore Roosevelt Expressway in western North Dakota has a similar mission to serve as a part of a central plains interstate system from Texas to Canada. This interstate system, called the Ports-to-Plains Alliance, utilizes US Highway 85 in western North Dakota for moving goods, services and people in a safe manner. The Ports-to-Plains Alliance has support from states stretching from Texas to Montana. The ND Department of Transportation is currently constructing four lanes and truck bypasses between Watford City, ND and Williston, ND on Highway 85 to improve the roadway because of the increased Bakken oil truck movements.
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Workers wanted in N.D.
- Nick Smith, Bismarck Tribune
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State officials and business leaders on Monday announced a workforce recruitment campaign called "Find the Good Life in North Dakota," that will be rolled out in May. Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley accepted a $400,000 check from a Hess Corp. official in Memorial Hall following the announcement. Matching state funds are to be provided through the North Dakota Department of Commerce. Wrigley said the campaign is a public-private partnership meant to attract employees to find permanent work and raise their families in the state. Filling the approximately 25,000 job openings with skilled workers can help North Dakota fully realize its potential, he said. "We need more people to come in," Wrigley said. "This campaign is going to do a lot to spread the word." Wally Goulet, chairman of the North Dakota Economic Development Foundation, said a website will be up in May. The website will allow job seekers easy access to information about skilled jobs and opportunities in the state, officials said. The professions being targeted by the campaign will include health care, skilled trades, engineers, information technology and the energy industry. For more information |
Crude first, grains second? Railways rush to clear backlogs
- Blake Sobczak and Sean Reilly, E&E reporters
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Surging oil production in North Dakota and icy winter weather have caused headaches for U.S. farmers hoping to ship last year's harvest on crowded railroads.
As railways such as Warren Buffett's BNSF Corp. and Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. (CP) scramble for extra crews, cars and locomotives to meet shippers' demands, some in the agriculture business say they believe their industry is still being left by the wayside.
"Rail seems to be keeping up with the oil shipments -- but they're doing it at the expense of grain," said North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne, who added that railroads "are trying to address the problem, and of course, we had an extremely cold winter."
BNSF, whose track network in North Dakota is rivaled only by CP's, has said it does not give preference to oil shippers vis-�-vis grain, coal or any other product. Spokeswoman Amy Casas said record winter snowfall in Chicago -- a key rail hub -- exacerbated the current backlog in agricultural products. Unusually cold weather across BNSF's northern corridor also forced the company to run shorter trains and limit crews' time outside for safety reasons, Casas noted.
For more information
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UAS, Oil Patch seen as ways northeast ND can diversify its economy
- Kevin Bonham, Forum News Service
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The most important threat facing northeastern North Dakota may be the potential loss of its economic status in the face of rapid, "at times chaotic," growth in the Oil Patch of western North Dakota, according to a study completed this week by University of North Dakota economist David Flynn. "The threats are real and need to be addressed and possibly neutralized," Flynn wrote in the study's summary. The study, conducted for the Red River Regional Council, will serve as a regional planning tool, said Executive Director Dawn Keeley. For more information |
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NDAOGPC Accepting Applications for 2014 Scholarship Awards
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ATTENTION ND STUDENTS!!
T he NDAOGPC is again sponsoring a scholarship program for students in North Dakota focusing on energy-related degrees. Students who have completed 12 credit hours or more are welcome to apply for one of six scholarships that will be awarded in August 2014. Applicants should be pursuing degrees in engineering, chemistry, geology, petroleum sciences or other studies directly related to the oil and gas industry. Invitations to apply for the Association's 2014 scholarships were recently sent to all North Dakota colleges, universities, and vocational schools. We strongly encourage all readers to share this opportunity with anyone they believe may qualify. The application can be downloaded HERE.
Last year, the Association awarded a total of $10,000 to six deserving students. Don't miss this great opportunity to gain financial assistance for an industry related education! The deadline for application submission is June 15, 2014.
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Upcoming Events
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March 27, 2014
Join the ND Petroleum Council, its members, and community leaders for an open house in Williston on March 27 to discuss the oil and gas industry, impacts, and other topics. The event will be held from 7-9am CDT at Grandma Sharon's located at 1501 16th Street West in Williston, ND. All are welcome.
March 28, 2014
The ND Petroleum Council will be hosting a similar open house in Watford City from 7-9am CDT on March 28 at the McKenzie County Bank located at 500 2nd Ave. SW. All are welcome to join in on discussions about the oil and gas industry, its impacts, and other topics.
 April 2-4, 2014
The Developing Unconventionals (DUG) Bakken and Niobrara conference and exhibition is the industry's premier event focused on the Bakken, the emerging Niobrara and oil- and liquids-rich resource plays throughout the Rockies. From upstream drilling and completions to midstream gathering and transportation, Rockies producers enjoy out-sized potential to maximize returns from oil-heavy shale plays and economical tight-gas development. The 2014 DUG Bakken and Niobrara speakers control 3+ million leasehold acres, nearly 15 billion bbls of oil, and will produce over
500,000 BOPD this year. Attend to hear these industry leaders describe how they're staying competitive in this booming region.
Register today using promo code NDAOGPC and save $200 off the full conference price. (Not valid for exhibit-hall-only passes)
April 16, 2014
Financing, Developing & Constructing Public Infrastructure in the Bakken
You have a desired project in mind . . . perhaps a much needed new school, a hospital, a wastewater treatment facility, civic center or affordable housing. How do you get from this "idea" to a finished building? Where do you get financing? Are there innovative financing strategies to consider? What is involved in the construction process? How will you manage the procurement process and the construction process? How will you deal with claims?
All of these questions and more will be addressed by experts in these areas in a full day program focusing on transforming your "idea" into a finished facility.
This conference, designed for city and county staff, engineers, elected officials, economic development professionals, construction industry professionals, and other executives involved with project development and financing in North Dakota, will take place on Wednesday, April 16 at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck. The event will begin at 8:00am CDT and end by 3:00pm. ND Governor Jack Dalrymple has been invited to be the keynote speaker for the event. Click here to view an agenda of the event.
Registration to the conference is complimentary, but required before Wednesday, April 9, 2014. Click here to register.
May 20-22, 2014
The 2014 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference will be held May 20-22, 2014 in Bismarck, ND. Booth space is sold out, but limited sponsorships are still available. The full agenda can be found here.
Registration costs will increase on April 16, so we encourage you to take advantage of the early-bird discount and register now. You can do so here.
Limited hotel rooms remain in Bismarck, so please book your hotels as soon as possible. Hotel reservations can be made immediately here.
For more information regarding the conference, please visit www.wbpcnd.com or contact event coordinators at 701.223.6380 and [email protected].
September 18, 2014
Be sure to mark your calendars for the 2014 Annual Meeting of the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties to be held Thursday, September 18, 2014 at the Grand Williston Hotel in Williston, ND. Information on hotel room blocks, the registration process, and sponsorship opportunities will be shared as we get closer to the event.
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Please take your time to review all materials and links provided for your convenience. We at the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties 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 Association of Oil & Gas Producing Counties |
400 East Broadway Avenue Suite 304 Bismarck, ND 58501
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Copyright � 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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