Living in America!

Good morning, America. At the dawn of our 233rd anniversary as a free and independent nation, I would like to take this moment to give you a snapshot of the America I have experienced this past week.


I've been in CT, NYC, Jersey, PA and Charleston WV. First of all, there are hotdog stands every 100 yards in West Virginia. They love their dogs. Also the best tattoos and beards remain in West Virginia...sported by both men and women. Tough folk in these parts. Lastly, do not speed in WV...the police officers do not care if it is pouring down rain, they will pull you over and they do not mind getting wet.



Also, this man is now the Minesota state Senator...










Black America, this man often represents you and ran for president....twice. Now he's negotiating Michael Jackson's legacy. Please do something.

























California, the Terminator is offering IOU's. Stock up, judgement day is coming.





Our Media is developing a banal story about Obama's evil eye...



And our jobless rate is up to 9.5% ...Come on now! let's get it in gear America. Work harder, suck it up, shake it off. Stop worrying about the little stuff. You've heard it all before. Get back to the basics, our country was founded on morals, ethics and compassion for our neighbors. God Bless America.

GIMME Some, home slice

Quick note:

Recently talk radio and the general internet media or GIM as I like to call it, has been discussing who is the leader of the republican party. Some say Rush Limbaugh, Hannity, The Chairman of the RNC, Lousiana Governor Bobby Jindal. But I would like to share a brief article from the CNN.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/15/cia-panetta-doesnt-believe-cheney-rooting-for-terrorist-attack/

My favorite part is this:

"It's almost, a little bit, gallows politics," said Panetta. "When you read behind it, it's almost as if he's wishing that this country would be attacked again, in order to make his point."
Cheney's office released a terse statement from the vice president Monday responding to the comments, saying "I hope my old friend Leon was misquoted."
"The important thing is whether or not the Obama Administration will continue the policies that have kept us safe for the last 8 years," Cheney said.
Vice President Joe Biden also appeared to distance himself from Panetta's comments Sunday, telling NBC "I don't question [Cheney's] motive."

If that quote doesn't scream... Hi I'm Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney, republican leader of the free world than I don't know what does. Also please comment on this photo. I think he looks like Seinfeld when he was trying to cheer up his dying friend.

God Bless all you GIMMERS....the new internet media gamers,

rf

Trailers for Sale or Rent

I suppose I should rename this blog the Monthly Dope but that would be un-alliterable. Sorry its been so long, I've neglected our space here on the web.

Over the past month I have been researching the next big gas play in North America. It's called the Marcellus Shale. It is made up of 7.5 million acres of production zone stretching from Ohio to West Virginia up through Pennsylvania and across the southern portion of New York state. It is massive and geologists boast it may have enough gas to keep our country well stocked and supplied for the next 15-30 years. It is an impressive discovery.

Chesapeake Energy is the number on player in the Marcellus field and it has recently recorded excellent production figures after testing it's first batch of wells. These wells do not diminish. They produce at a steady and constant pace, unlike the Barnett and Haynesville formations which tend to lose 60-70% of their production value after 6 months. Do your research, buy some land in northwest, northeast or southwest PA and get the mineral rights...you may be a millionaire one day.

Aside from work I did enjoy my travels. It was funny because one lonely Tuesday evening I sat down at a local Williamsport establishment called the Bullfrog Brewery. I highly recommend it. Some pilots and I chewed the fat and shared some laughs. I: a truant of the road, they: captians of the sky were no strangers to strangers as we sat upon our bar stools like bobble-headed gargoyles. The majority of our conversation revolved around the economy and liquified natural gas prices. The pilots believed that the recent decrease in airfare is in direct correlation to the fuel prices. I agree, see we've been importing LNG from Africa for a while and we are starting to produce more and more. Plus there is a huge supply bubble in the South East US and the pipelines are beginning to disseminate fuel at cheaper and cheaper costs. Petroleum on the other hand is another story. Petroleum does not respond to typical market laws of supply and demand. Then the band showed up.

It was a treat because no one was expecting a band...not even Bullfrog. They were a group of mid-twenty music grads traveling from Chicago to Philly and eventually NYC. One pretty young woman with dark brown hair and an alto-jazz vent accompanied by a rag-tag bunch of skinny hipster dudes playing guitar, sax, drums, keyboard, viola and cello. A motley crew to say the least. As they began to play we turned around atop our mighty slings and faded into the woodwork as the music marched on.

As I left the Bullfrog that evening 3 of the band members were sharing a smoke. I told them how much I appreciated their sound and style and they traded thanks with me. They were just happy to find a gig as the bearded guitarist put it, "We're just playing for gas money, man." I had to laugh. I looked back at him and said, "Me too, brother."

Whether you dream of flying airplanes one day or making beautiful music on the open road it still comes down to filling up the tanks. You can't roll on empty. If you're having fun, it's not work, it's an art. Glug, glug, chug, chug. Until next time.

-rf

Memphis In May

Ok dope fiends...sorry for yet another delay. Since we last shared the web I've traveled another 2100 miles in my tank all across the deep south, mid-south and northeast. As you know driving across country requires gas and there are some amazing gas stations out there folks. Loves is a great stop, with a big bright red, yellow and black heart as it's moniker. The RoadRunner truck stops are cool too, similar color scheme and they offer always hot to trot coffee. Of course there is the traditional 76 Truck Stop but you don't see many of them any more. And my favorite stop BUC-EES. I don't know if it's their Beaver T's or the gratuitous use of billboard signage announcing the next upcoming Buc-ees. But I think it's a bit of both, plus considering they are only found in the Bible belt they employee risque double-entendre wherever possible. Of course the Flying J gas stations are the consummate winners boasting the cheapest gas prices on the open road.

After Shreveport, Louisiana I made a 500+ mile trek down to Freer, TX. First, I'll say this...most Texans desire a South Texas Ranch. The possibility of oil is great but the main attraction is the hunting. The South Texas landscape can best be described as a dustier amalgamation of the African Savannah and the Australian bush. It's quite pretty but very flat. The roads in this part of the country stretch straight on for miles until your eyes turn the blacktop into liquefied tar and little kids fry eggs on the streets. By the way if you're ever in Beeville, TX stop at the Burger Depot and order a double bacon cheese burger "all-the-way", with some tots and a Dr. Pepper. It'll throw you back a couple generations....all Americana, baby.

This past week I've been on the road to the great state of Pennsylvania. I spent a night in Memphis and happened upon the Blues City Cafe. Absolutely amazing music. The Dempseys from "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou" played a few sets, a Johnny Cash cover band stomped the stage and I was about all worn out when I decided to cross the street to BB Kings bar. And guess who walked in. BB King himself. They had just finished the 2009 Blues Award and he felt he deserved a cold drink. Stunning my friends. And no, the thrill is not yet gone... Aside from this surreal experience, May is just a great time to be in Memphis. The Beale Street Music Festival is a modern day Woodstock and they have the greatest BBQ competition on the planet.

We live in an absolutely beautiful country. We don't appreciate it, I swear. Today I passed through Ohio on my way to PA where anyone can mistake this landscape for that of New Zealand. Grassy hills so green that when the wind blows it looks like a shimmering ocean rolling with waves cradling a bunch of sheep as they float around on top.

Each state is unique in their laws, economy, agriculture and people. All of our great states also have a motto. Texas is "Friendship." Louisiana's is "Union, Justice, Confidence." In Arkansas, "The People Rule." Tennessee, who's RT.40 river valley watershed is a stellar road trip, is "Agriculture & Commerce." Kentucky: "Let Us Be Grateful to God." Ohio: "With God All Things Are Possible." I like West Virginia's motto which reads: "Mountaineers Are Always Free." But I think it's fitting that my favorite state motto comes from my home state of Connecticut. It reads, Qui Transtulit Sustinet, "He Who is Transplanted Sustains." I've been transplanted and translated many times in my life especially within the last month, however God Bless the USA because I feel right at home no matter where I am.

With Love,
RF

Stop and Go

Well its been a few weeks...my apologies. I've been writing, just not publicly. Since we last spoke I have been to a couple of rigs in Fort Worth, Texas (currently America's number 1 producing natural gas field). I have also been to Nacogdoches, The oldest town in Texas...so they say. They do have an impressive brick laden downtown in Nacogdoches and they are home to Stephen F. Austin University.

But I want to talk about the Red & Green machine. To some of my readers this term conjures up high school memories of ashy green elbows, red hair, large craniums and even bigger bosoms (if you don't know, don't ask). But I'm currently working in Bossier City, Louisiana. Close to Shreveport and part of Caddo Parish. The formation here is called the Haynesville Shale and it produces an extreme amount of gas very quickly. It is also a red hot patch in the oilfield. Besides Texas, there is more active drilling in Northern Louisiana than any other area in the US...but the Northeast's Marcellus Shale is nipping at their heals (more to come on the Marcellus later in the week).

The official colors of Louisiana are prbably purple and gold thanks to the LSU Tigers but let's take a look at the pervasive red culture in ole Louisianne...Crawfish are red...and delicious. If you've driven in Louisiana you are well aware of the red clay that cakes your wheels after a good rain. The Casino signs, much like the liquor store signs, are big, bold and red. The Red River runs through most of Louisiana producing most of the aforementioned red clay. You will regularly see truck beds craddling fishing rods and reels as the anglers go after Redfish. From Houston to Shreveport you must pass through a nice, little town called Redland (which has the coolest 1940's style drive-in movies theatre I've ever seen). I also hit a cardinal in Redland, which is colloquially referred to as a Red-Bird. Which reminds me that Louisiana is home to roadkill restaurants. There is a lot of red shed on the thouroghfares of Louisiana but they don't waste it. All roadkill ingenuity aside, for many years, especially since Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana's budget has been in the red. I even brainstormed this blog in Red ink.

So I've been thinking about Red lately. Psychologically most people associated Red with either Black or Green. Seeing as our economy won't be in the black anytime soon and I love Christmas, I'll stick with Green. As I see red all around me my system is shocked into meditating on all the green things there are. It's nearly May and the grass is getting greener. Tax season is finished and hopefully we get a little more green back...doubtful as it may be. I too have been watching the market. As natural gas prices slowly sink and supply increases natural gas becomes a more affordable resource and cleaner, "greener" source of energy than coal or crude oil imported from Russia. Sounds like NG is a sound investment. The Wall Street Journal agrees. With natural gas supply at record highs in the US and millions of acres left to be explored, I believe we need to develop natural gas vehicles and use the resources that we have at home. Gas is not as clean as solar or wind energy but it could be a profitable gateway resource that will create jobs and energy for our citizens for many decades to come. Just as T. Boone Pickens.

As the sun heats up we can all feel the red setting in...go get that green, y'all. Either way keep the pace and mind the traffic lights or else those bubble-gum lights will git ya.

-rf

The Next Great Generation

Long time no see...where ya been?

As Americans, we live in an amazing world and great country. Every state has it's perks but Texas just keeps on giving and keeps on growing. As I sit in this hammock, I am thinking about baseball-- the Houston Astros open up the season this weekend. I think about the Shell Houston Open-- also being played this weekend and I am reminded of the financial trials many people face, where they can not experience these classic past times. Meanwhile the G20 meets in London amongst riots and North Korean missile launch threats and our unemployment rate waxes closer to 10%.

I am currently reading Tom Brokaw's "The Greatest Generation" which poetically and somberly, in a cadence that only Brokaw's voice can march on, tells the stories of WWII Americans. These were men and women who faced the Great Depression and battled a the most massive war of our time. People who were earmarked for college and business gave up their hopes and dreams for God and country. This generation lived day to day with uncertain futures but pure convictions and steady minds. Brokaw reminds us that they were not without fault, as these same men and women enabled McCarthyism and the Vietnam War. They also gave birth to the Baby Boomers. They gave us Medicare along with breakthroughs in medicine, science and civil rights legislation. Truly a great nation.

Most of these Americans were 18-35 years old when all of these changes were being formulated. Brokaw makes the distinction that generations are a product of society as a whole and not a set age group. However, if you were in your mid-twenties during the late 30's and early 40's then you were a member of the Greatest Generation. A time of war heroes, fighter aces, families, farmers and factory workers moving together. This was a time when people loved one another, they loved their country and they would not be ashamed to share their love.

Herein lies our generational gap. I know we have passion and power and purpose...but do we have love. Do we have love of country and do we love one another. I believe we are the next greatest generation. We face an economic crisis unlike any other. We face wars abroad and uncertain futures. If you are between the ages of 18 and 35 then you are a people that must overcome outstanding odds. In our formative years as young adults and societal leaders we have come to know global terrorism, economic strife, civil unrest and a new world focused on continuity rather than sovereignty. The nation-states have changed since FDR and the formation of the UN. Monetary value has come into question again. Now our world is a chessboard being surveyed and staked for natural resources and we must determine how to distribute our resources well.

We can create a new global economic paradigm. The next ten years will determine our next 50 years...but I only want to work with people who will tell me what it is they love. What will we create? What is worth fighting for? ... I want to work with the Greatest Generation.

YeeHaa

March/Spring has got to be one of the greatest times of the year to be in Houston. Usually, the weather is a clear and sunny 75 degrees during the day while a warm breeze keeps the crisp and cool evenings at a perfect 55. In addition to the great weather, the month of March is Rodeo Houston month-- the largest rodeo in the world. The rodeo is not just about cowboys and bull riding. It is a 20 day event with headlining concert acts each night, International Wine Festivals and dinners, world-class BBQ competitions, carnival and circus rides, charities and an heritage built from all parts of the country.

I have been fortunate enough to enjoy a week off of work. Aside from enjoying the rodeo, here are some other activities that one can only experience in Texas...

I convinced and introduced some pedigree Texans to Guinness and Irish car-bombs on St. Patty's Day by revealing it's close resemblance to Texas Tea...black gold...OIL!

At 2AM after enjoying some Shiner Boch with old work buddies the only place to stop is Whataburger. Get 2 Potato, sausage and cheese Taquitos...you won't be disappointed.

Sit in The Woodlands Park and watch the Red Birds (cardinals) invade people's privacy.

Of course you can golf all year round and every course in the greater Houston area is top-notch.

That's all for now. Speak with y'all soon. Much Love.
rf

Oh Lucky Day.

Short and sweet today, I've got a lot of Guinness waiting to be drunk.

Well after 16 days in Fort Worth, the good Lord decided to reward me with a vacation on one of me favorite holidays...St. Patty's Day. My Da has a bit o'irish in'em but no one believes me. But I reckon a day like today proves it. I have me an excellent job, money in the bank and no work to speak of on this festive eve.

I also want to tell you about a friend of mine, Patrick Mathes.* Pat is more of a character than a man but at 6'4" and 250lbs this 58 year-old man is an imposing figure. He's got a few scars and smokes about 3 packs a day. Big buck teeth and a pony tail frame his weathered grimace well. When I hear the Johnny Cash hit "A Boy Named Sue" I picture the father looking and acting just like ol' Pat Mathes. Yeah, he's a "charmer." And he's my friend. I don't want to spoil all of his stories about women and drinking...oh I've heard a few about ex-wives, gambling, stealing and stabbing and getaways in 58 Fords. But his best story is about his birth. The son of a Scottish-American oilfield worker and an Irish homemaker, Pat was born in the wake of the second great war, on a barge off the coast of Belfast, arguably in Scottish waters. I'm not sure if anyone really knows. His grandmother was a Scot through and through and when she saw his hand reach out of his mother's womb, she noticed something. He had an extra knuckle on his right, little finger.

According to his grandmother, this means that he is the "last defender of Scotland". I have no clue what that means and I can't recall what Pat said it means. But his grandmother worked to make him a Scottish citizen while his mother tried to make him an Irish citizen. His father overruled making him an American citizen and taking him back to Mississippi. According to legend he is no longer allowed to enter Scotland or Ireland. We know this because a terrible storm in the North Sea forced his platform rig to evacuate to the nearest point by helicopter which happened to be Aberdeen, Scotland where Patrick Mathes was unable to set foot on Scottish soil. However, being born to an Irish mother, he was flown to Ireland where he was allowed to sleep in the airport terminal just for the evening.

Pat Mathes is a Great American Oilfield man. He's worked in Africa, Alaska, every state in the US and most countries in Europe. Each year he works each day tirelessly, 24/7, no matter what...but know this: On January 1st of each year Pat Mathes will submit 2 vacation request forms. One form will be for December 25 and the other is for March 17. Whatever city Pat is in today, I garuntee you can find him in an Irish Pub drinking scotch.

As for Christmas, he'll be at home with his wife probably drinking Jack Daniels. Every other day, it's tequila...but not while he's working.

* The events and stories in this blog may or may not be true and are not to be accounted for as historical fact. The author has been known to add a little color to each story for the benefit of those who will listen and read.


Sláinte.
rf

The PDC Bit killed the Oilfield

I know I usually don't blog on Sunday but living in the Bible Belt keeps one thinking about the good Lord... and energy exploration. Plus my Jewish friend C.W. (who celebrates the Sabbath on Saturday) sent me this. You'll find a significant correlation in information between this article and a few of my older posts and since the NY Times has been tapping into my blog I wanted to be sure y'all new that my information truly is cutting edge. My sermon is simple....

Jesus Saves,
God Spends... &
We Consume.

Our consumption, or rather over-consumption, has gotten us in trouble once again. We are a nation of heavy-hitters, over-eaters and over-reactors. In my last post I wrote of changes-- quick and even rash changes. We have to be real about our economic recession. Things are not better than they seem, they are going to get worse. I wish they were not but they are. 3 years ago when I first entered the oilfield, the outfit I was with must have hired a hundred employees in a year's time. The oilfield was booming and we needed as many hands as possible to meet the demand. They over-booked to cover themselves in case another worker was ill or needed a vacation or left/fired. A company with 300 employees 2 years ago, servicing 70 - 90 jobs a day is now employing 200 employees and serving 40 jobs a day...if they are lucky. This does not include pay-cuts. Oh and did I mention that the energy stocks and companies continue to outperform the rest of the markets by at least 10% daily. I'd hate to see what the marshmallow peeps Q1 numbers look like.

When the boom hit, companies doubled their prices and their employee base. Demand and exploration is down so jobs and pay follow suit. In the Barnett shale, a service company like mine will charge $9000.00/day for a standard package. Recently, I have heard of companies offering the same services for $3500.00. Trust me this is an absurd number that barely covers the cost of tools and supplies, never mind compensation. I agree with the linked article above which points out that when the oil and gas demand increases again, we will see a sharp increase in prices at the pump. Since the oilfield and market is in a constant cycle of over-reaction, when we see a resurgence in demand, it will take time to hire recently laid-off or fired workers. Money will be thrown around again in a rushed and haphazard manner. The supply will again fall short of the demand and vice versa. Time is money and to get it done quicker...well, there will be a fee for that.

One last comment about time and the Barnett Shale. We use different drilling bits out here. Roller-cone pits, button bits and PDC bits...and others. PDC are diamond coated, and have cutters all around the edges. They are mean, aggressive, fast drilling bits. Button bits and roller-cone bits often drill at a tenth of the speed at which PDC bits drill. These Shale wells used to drill 8000' in 3 weeks at about 15'/hour. We drilled 8000' in 6 days last week. Technology is a two-edged sword as it has significantly contributed to the ease at which we are now able to drill while simultaneously taking vast quantities of money out of the pockets of many men and women (keeping even greater capital circulating throughout the economy) as they sit at home for longer durations between jobs.

Now we are cutting back so much, that oilfield hands are faced with surmounting bills and credit payments that they can not afford because they over-extended themselves believing the market would sustain itself after 4 amazingly profitable years. Not to mention the rig workers that remain in the field don't see home often because they are some of the few hands left, thereby imposing additional strain on their psyche by keeping them away from valuable time spent with their families. So when they do have time off they may self-medicate with alcohol or worse. I'm not trying to paint a bleak picture for you but I'm giving you some truths that I've realized while out here on the open road. This is the oilfield and this is part of our American landscape.

But, Dallas/Fort Worth and Texas in general maintain a flowing well amidst an economic drought. (Dallas #1 fastest growing city in the nation, Houston #2) It could be the ridiculously low housing prices, the infrastructural and industrial diversity, the non-existent state income tax and government benefits for business owners...the weather maybe, but I like to think it has to do with faith: real hope and belief in one another and a higher power. Many of these hard working longhorns are willing to make sacrifices while expecting the industry to recoup by late November and it is by the grace of God that I can spend a few bucks on my friends and family these days. Plus the mighty invisible hand of the market favors the bold.

Keep consuming...that's all we seem to do well.
Be Blessed.
rf

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes...

Today we had a TVD change. TVD stands for True Vertical Depth. In short, we don't drill straight down, we are in the business of directional drilling and therefore drill curves, s-wells and usually parabolic-shaped wells. When we do this we actually track depth in different ways-- One way is called measured depth which accounts for the amount of pipe in the hole and another is true vertical depth which accounts for the distance from the earth's surface to point where we begin running parallel to the earth's surface (90 degrees).

Change is good...usually. Today it helped us out a bunch because we were already drilling upwards and needed a change since the formation holding our gas is moving up toward the earth's surface. We had another change today. Many employees of our company received pay cuts. Healthy pay cuts. The economy is not looking good. Much to my chagrin, the oilfield is expected to decrease by another 10-20% by the end of the 3rd quarter. However, the stock market has seen a surge in the past 4 days and Obama says that the crisis is not as bad as we all think.

There were other changes today... After wallowing in self-pity, Citibank stocks are hovering around $3.00 a share, yet they now are refusing government aid. So where is all that pre-approved bailout money going to go? GE lost its top-tier status with S&P and Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway is no longer 'AAA' rated. But change has come to America. We all voted for it so here it is. Illinois knows all about it as they face a 50% income tax hike. All this change has got me saving my pennies.

We are agents of change. It's bound to happen, we adapt and evolove to the environment around us. But it appears to me that the issues remain the same. We've lost nearly 45% of the world's capital in the past 2.5 years and we can't be quick to call this economic crisis over. I foresee false hope and empty promises ahead and I'm going to be sure to hedge my bets. Salary cuts or not, I'm still happy and proud to have a job and if you're not sitting at home jobless you should be counting your blessings too.

A toast to change...because without change there would be nothing to save.

God Bless,
rf

Rigging Up: Trip #1

Good day, Dopeheads. Today begins the first installment in an unlimited and informative series of rig terms to educate you about the drilling process. I call it "Rigging Up"

Rigging Up: Any process involved in building the rig, running electrical wires and establishing connections around the rig so it works. (e.g. "Let's rig up the depth encoder so we can track our depth."

Trip: A rig trip is when we move pipe in or out of the hole, usually to change the BHA (bottom hole assembly). (e.g. "We're tripping out because the bit is worn.")

BHA: Bottom Hole Assembly. This changes often but usually includes the drilling bit, the mud motor, the non-magnetic monels, heavyweight drill pipe, stabilizer subs and a number of other metal connections at the bottom of the tool string. (e.g. "Time to change the BHA.")

Joint: A piece of drilling pipe usually about 28' to 32' in length. (e.g. "We have 130 joints in the hole")

Sub: A shorter metal connection with a pin and box end or box to box end for connections various other joints...usually between 2' and 9' in length. (e.g. "Pick up that muleshoe sub so we can orient the mudmotor.")

Now people wouldn't think of the oilfield as a glamorous place but Hollywood and Aerosmith obviously thought so and made the blockbuster hit, Armageddon (Touchstone Pictures, 1998) to romanticize the world of drilling. In this spirit, y'all should know that we have a catwalk on location. The catwalk is a length of plank iron that extends off the sub-floor of the drilling rig. The catwalk is where we lay pieces of pipe before we pick them up and connect them to the drill string before and after we connect them to the rest of the pipe. It's a waiting area. Just as in the world of high-fashion, the catwalk is a dangerous place and easy to fall from.

Also, my dad is "unbreakable" like Bruce Willis.

Just another day in paradise. Hope to see y'all soon.
rf

Taking it to the Man.

At $30.00+/barrel most Americans have not had to worry about filling up at the pump lately, compared to one year ago when some parts of the country were paying $4.50/gallon. I guess the public is really taking it to the man these days. But I've got to tell you...I am the man. In all senses of the phrase. Now, I dabbled in pacifism and hippie-ism for about 9 college months but in growing a bit older and wiser I can safely say that we need the man. As Pacino said, "You need people like me!"

The threat of $30.00 oil is upon us. At $30.00/barrel, energy companies can not finance land leases, rig leases, pipe costs and production costs. Truly, oil needs to level out at about $80.00/barrel before we start seeing a significant economic stimulus. On average, global petroleum production is down 25% this year. Russia needs to garner $70.00/barrel to remain solvent and OPEC needs $55.00/barrel. In turn new exploration projects have been postponed for 2 plus years and the Athabaskan tar sands (speculated to place Canada, our best friend, as the largest oil producing country in the world by 2010) has been put on hold until further notice. Due to these recent economic difficulties oilfield workers are being laid-off or let go daily. Not to mention the truckers, welders, and specialty service hands that remain unemployed. Mexico (our number 3 source of imports) is on the road to civil war as the 20% decline in oil production and exportation has left it's burgeoning drug trafficking business as it's number one grossing industry. War and blow flood the streets...Tony Montana would be proud.

I am thankful to be working, whether I am the hated man or not. The supply has met the demand recently, leaving the best of the best out here in the field. Meanwhile, many men sit at home without income. There are workers out here that have not asked for a day off in 6 months fearing they will be perceived as complacent or unappreciative and then they will be replaced. It's a tough world we live in and sometimes I feel ashamed to tell old college friends that I drill for oil and gas, but we live in America. This is capitalism and smoking dope doesn't pay the mortgage-- pipe dope does. It is fantastic to have ideal goals and to work for a greener tomorrow but we must be thankful for the resources we have today. But get ready folks, I foresee an increase in gas prices. Somewhere in the $2.50 to $3.00 range. Try not to loathe it...look at it as economic stimulus. We don't have battery powered vehicles yet. And remember Scarface is the bad guy but I'll be your Huckleberry.

Cheers,
rf

It's All Connected

The oilfield, as with life, is all about connections. Each time we put a new piece of drill pipe in the hole we call it, "making connection". The tool string must remain connected lest we lose it downhole. Most workers out here follow rigs because they enjoy the connections that they make with other workers. All of our computers are networked together so we can share information and thanks to this internet we can all remain connected even while hundreds and thousands of miles away.

The world's universal syntax was proven once again this morning when I began watching Thelma and Louise (MGM Studios, 1991). The movie's plot takes place in the south where an Arkansas waitress and a housewife shoot a rapist and take off in a '66 Thunderbird. By the way, I think, this is Geena Davis' most becoming role otherwise I don't find her very attractive.

After being in Arkansas for the last couple of weeks, I am now in Alvarado, TX and the name of this well is... the "Thelma Louise". The only difference is that no one out here plans on pushing this sucker to the edge and going down in flames. Stay linked up.

See you soon.
rf

On the road again

Finished up in Arkansas. Experienced an hellacious hail storm and drove to Houston where I relaxed for 1.5 days. Now I'm heading to Fort Worth, Texas. I'll let you know how the soul is doing in a day or so. Much love to all you dopers. Total miles traveled in past three weeks = 3,993.

I thought I was the bionic man

I think my friends and acquaintances would agree that my current occupation is unique. In order to work on an oil rig you must live on or near the jobsite. Drilling doesn't happen in Manhattan. Needless to say my lifestyle has changed a bit. It's kind of like camping everyday...with satellite TV and internet...and a microwave. Gym access is hard to come by so push-ups, sit-ups and running are my options. The nearest restaurant or Wal-Mart is usually about 30 miles away and Mom's home cookin' might as well be on Mars.

So one gets to thinking about their body and lifestyle. Which has me contemplating the vast and inconceivable genius that lies within our own flesh. We have the perfect machine. The human body is always working and many industries have copied our biological functions for profit and posterity.

An oil rig is just like a human body. Bare with me. Mud pumps, like our very own heart, pump drilling fluid through the standpipe (comparable to our aorta) and down the kelly to the bit or bottom end of the drilling pipe (like our hand or foot).

The mud or drilling fluid, much like human blood, then flows up the wellbore annulus, just as veins would carry un-oxygenated blood, and returns to the shakers and mud pits to be purified and recycled. Just like our lungs, kidneys and liver would do.

Of course there are computers and sensors all about the rig that act as our brain and central nervous system would- monitoring and adjusting the mechanical process of the rig. However at the end of the day we men are still responsible for turning these machines on. And while we rest our body regenerates and cleans itself when the rig just sits atop a mountain waxing rust. We are ultimately the brains and muscles of the rig...making human once again victorious as captains of the food chain.

But when this blog starts typing itself, that's when I'm heading for the hills...or Cuba, I hear it's nice this time of year.

Don't stop believing.
RF

Back on the Juice!

Coffee and oil just go well together. They're both brown liquid commodities. They are a source of energy for millions even billions of people. They fluctuate in value greatly and people have been known to kill for both.

I have a friend from college. Let's call him Dave Alviso. Great man. Dave was once seen rollerskating (not inlining) down Commonwealth Avenue in Boston with a flowing ponytail, jean shorts, large metallic boombox and a shear polyester mesh cut-off tee that would make The Artist Formerly know as Prince "wanna be your lover." I believe it was a Tuesday in April...not Halloween. Just for fun. He later received the lifestyle award from one R.M. Schneiderman. So you can see why I value Mr. Alviso's opinion greatly.

In college, amidst a dewy cloud of marijuana smoke, Dave was asked if he wanted a cup off coffee. In a stern but nonchalant manner, he quickly replied, "I don't do drugs." A poignant and situationally hilarious comment. I now understand him completely. I've been back in the oilfield for almost two weeks and I'm hooked on the java. Granted my sleep schedule is all askew and I often need a caffeine boost but I thought I was a stronger man. I have gone nearly a year without any coffee arousal and her I am perking up a pot every 3 hours.

Got me thinking that there must be a reason that coffee and oil have been running the world for so long. We're hooked. I guess just like the oilfield, once coffee gets in your blood, you just can't resist the temptation to dip back into your old ways.

Keep it clean, mean gene.
rf, over and out.

Shomer Shabas!

Just as Walter Sobchak (The Big Lebowski, Polygram Filmed Entertainment, 1998) "don't roll on shabas..." I don't blog on Sundays. You've been forewarned and that's all I have to say about that.

Have splendid day.

It's a dirty Job, but...

After a few conversations and one pointed blog comment, it has come to my attention that the public wants to read about the darker side of the petroleum world. The kind that Gore Vidal muses about while smoking far too many cigarettes at an Amsterdam wormwood cafe. Since I value my readers' opinions, one of whom may be a writer for a timely and well proliferated New York newspaper, I have decided to share some of the oilfield secrets. Gotta feed the monkey, right? We all know what happens if you don't...my have your face ripped off.

Alright, so... There is plenty of oil to go around for many thousands of years...trust me. And OPEC is a conspiracy. Well...maybe not a conspiracy but they are a cartel and do conspire against petroleum importing nations by fixing prices since they control 40% of the world's most precious commodity. In fact, many economists suspect that OPEC is responsible for the United States decline in the international economy. Since 2005, OPEC has slowly been divesting from the US markets thereby weakening the dollar and transferring interest to the Euro.

Also it is a well known fact that OPEC was started in Baghdad in the late 50's and early 1960's after Venezuela approached Iran and other middle eastern countries. Current members include Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Venezuela. No surprise...we don't carry great relationships with many of these countries. Saudi Arabia (worldwide leader in petroleum reserves and production) produces about 11 million barrels of oil per day and the US produces close to 9 million. Unfortunately the United States consumes 21 million barrels of oil per day. Obviously we then have to import oil...making us an importing nation and not an exporting nation thereby excluding us from the ever so powerful Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Gotta feed the monkey...right.

US and OPEC relations have been soured over the years for a number of reasons and a number of oil field workers that I've spoken with believe that last year's price gouging was a direct result of OPEC's desire to see what the markets could sustain. Years ago, former dictator, Saddam Hussein was recorded several times demanding OPEC increase oil prices solely for the profit of OPEC member states. Now that we occupy Iraq...well, we have a slightly better opportunity to contain anti-US lobbies within the international oil market.

Truly, I can't speak in any authority with respect to the international oilfield. Give me a few years. Domestically, I understand that the US citizens employed by energy-interested companies are doing their best to make a profitable and honorable living for themselves and their families. Many of these men and women are 3rd generation oilfield hands. Like the car industry in Detroit, and the coal mines in the Appalachians, the oilfield in the south is a traditional market-- made up of hard working American families purely reaching for security and the American Dream. The oilfield is one place that hires employees based on their performance, grit and stamina; many ex-convicts and high school dropouts find their way into the oilfield and excel making an excellent living while contributing greatly to the US economy. I promise you these workers take pride in what they do.

We are responsible for many of the economic woes in the world but price gouging at the pump is not one of them. We are on the demand end of the market. Our enemies control the supply. The trouble is as we move towards sustainable energies, our enemies will continue to drive up the prices of current energy supplies. Look again at the OPEC nations and see what other exports they produce. Not many. We just better perfect those green solutions because as the Saudi Sheik once said, "The stone age didn't end because we ran out of stones." That is to say change comes with united movements and usually in slow doses. But be not confused, we aren't paying at the pump because we want to...we have to. And when the supply chain is cut off, then we may need to make new friends or find ways to produce more oil.

Keep the peace.
Truly,
rf

Chili Con Dope

Hey there dope fans. It was another brisk day in Arkansas (AR-CANS-ASS)...so I decided to make some of my signature impromptu chili with cornbread. No, no, no that picture to the right is not my famous chili. Though similar in both color and consistency while containing far less minerals and alkalies, that is in fact a photo of pipe dope as described to it's right. Thought y'all should see the real deal.

I must say the chili came out with a kick... a little too spicy at first but after a few bites you just want to eat more. The fellas enjoyed it and it warmed us up today...a perfect meal for the rig. So without further adieu I give you "Remie-Rey's Hot and Spicy Chili of Luck"(TM):
recipe serves 8-10 civilians or 4 oilfield hands

2 lbs, lean ground turkey breast
2 links hot and spicy turkey sausage
1 medium can Hunt's diced tomatoes
5 medium mushrooms
3 stalks fresh celery
2 medium (4 inch) chili peppers
1 medium (hand-sized) onion
1 can chickpeas (10 oz)
1 can pinto beans (10 oz)
1 can black beans (10 oz)
1 can kidney beans (10 oz)
1 can Lima beans (10 oz)
1/4 cup Lea & Perrine's Worcestershire sauce
6-10 oz Guinness
1 tbsp Salt
1 tbsp Pepper
1.5 tbsp minced Garlic
1/2 tbsp Paprika
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
3 tbsp Butter

Begin by slicing and dicing onion, jalapenos (include seeds), mushrooms. Then saute all three in pan until tender with Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic, paprika, and Cajun seasoning. After cutting and quartering turkey sausage combine with sauteed vegetables for about 5 minutes or until brown. Then brown ground turkey meat in same pan or pot.

Once meat is fully cooked, transfer into crock pot. Then combine and stir in pinto beans, Lima beans, kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas and diced tomatoes. Slowly stir and add in Guinness until desired consistency is attained. Finally add celery and let cook in crock pot for 4-6 hours. Serve in bowl with dollop of sour cream, corn chips and the classic cornbread and enjoy.

Ya see, working on the rig is just as much Martha Stewart as it is Tony Stewart. Good seeing y'all today, take'r easy, dude.

Running Against the Wind

There was a blistering wind today just northwest of Little Rock, AR-- mostly sunny, about 48 degrees. I decided to go for a run in this easy going land...not too shabby, I stayed cool but the cold air burned my lungs a bit. I wish a camera could capture the entirety of a place like the eye can.

Out in the country I swear the sky is bigger. Your peripheral vision expands. The blacktop rolls on longer and lays amidst the open plains like a smooth streak of paint on a blank canvas. Even the median appears a brighter yellow. Gentle creeks babble by, dozens of birds chirp and glide above as squirrels and crickets rustle within the side thickets.

I know Kelly Clarkson and the latest Emo Punk Rock is suitable for almost any occasion but the next time you find yourself on a wide open road near some cows and picket fences turn on the nearest country station and appreciate the simple beauty of our nation's landscape. Keep your eyes open and enjoy as I hang with the plain folk...taking it easy for all us sinners.

"let's blog about our ideals"

Ok Webland, back in action. Day two of the Dope. As you might suspect, I must admit I named it the daily dope purely for the alliteration and I am not certain whether or not I will find the time and inspiration to "blog" daily. However since the inaugural publishing of this here blog the crude oil commodity has risen in value by more than 30 cents.

No doubt my many fans tuned in to read "The Daily Dope" thereby finding great confidence in the oil market knowing a man like myself is ever-present working diligently to supply America with energy. So if I must...for the oil industry, for our struggling economy, for the chicks and for America I will not tire and even when uninspired I will venture to blog each day.

Today is, in fact, a good example of my lack of inspiration. Had a pretty calm last 24 hours...we changed a drill bit, I went to the waffle house and saw it's rather filthy standing and went to McDonald's instead for a sausage egg McMuffin because I haven't had one in about 8 years and that's the only other breakfast establishment Morrilton, Arkansas (pop. 6,500 people; 12,300 alpacas) had.

For more information about North American oil and gas industry please visit http://www.energytomorrow.org. This is a very user friendly site for learning about the oil and gas industry's basic principles, goals and operations. Please comment like a rockstar and send me your questions. I will endeavour to upload interesting and timely photos and for the sake of our energy market...well... Y'all come back now, ya hear.

Have a heck of a day.
-rf

The Rule of 5

All great things come in fives...the high 5, Basketball teams, need to avoid conviction- plead the 5th. The fact that we have 5 fingers is one of our specie's distinguishing characteristics and is very much responsible for our industrial evolution. Even in the oilfield 5 is a pervasive and critical number by which to work and live. The average worker in the oilfield is, in fact, fittingly dubbed a hand.

Just as there are 5 fingers on a hand there are at least 5 hands on a rig at all times.

The Driller: In charge of managing other rig-hands, responsible for the overall mechanical operations of the rig.
Motor Hand: Responsible for maintaining rig motors and pump systems. Also aides in pipe and drilling functions.
Derrick Hand: When tripping (moving pipe in and out of the hole) responsible for working atop the derrick to make pipe connections. Also maintains mud tanks.
Chain Hand: Usually 2 workers per shift that maintain the main rig floor and float around the rig aiding other hands. These guys are the ones you see on TV throwing chains around pipe and getting soaked with mud.

All of these hands are better known as roughnecks...and many are proud to be called oilfield trash. I must note that not everyone in the oilfield is a hand. Most assume that "hand" is a demeaning term and a less than flattering moniker... as if a worker is just another set of hands. By title and position one may be "a hand" but only when a fellow rig worker says, "That boy is a hand..." does it become actualized. To be called a hand is a compliment and everyone out here wants to be known as good hand.

Aside from rig hands there is the Company Man, Tool Pusher, Directional Driller, MWD, Mud Logger/ Mud Engineer. These workers should act like a team to manage the entire drillinig process. But we're all hands. Like any great team and any great hand (the finger kind) when all members are working together, in unison, the job flies by and we can "make some hole."

This is a Hand Job.

Have a great day...and get your mind out of the mud pits.