Tuesday, December 16, 2014

RIGZONE - Report: Shale Vulnerable to Short-Term Investment Cuts Versus Deepwater

RIGZONE - Report: Shale Vulnerable to Short-Term Investment Cuts Versus Deepwater:

'via Blog this'

Government report confirms economic benefits of crude exports

Government report confirms economic benefits of crude exports:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Oil Falls Anew As OPEC Emergency Meet, Output Cut Ruled Out

RIGZONE - Oil Falls Anew As OPEC Emergency Meet, Output Cut Ruled Out:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Another Former Petrobras Executive Charged In Brazil Scandal

RIGZONE - Another Former Petrobras Executive Charged In Brazil Scandal:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Executive Says: Permit Delays Slow Total's Brazil Drilling Plans

RIGZONE - Executive Says: Permit Delays Slow Total's Brazil Drilling Plans:

'via Blog this'

Hoover installs Thermo Oxidizer units at Louisiana and Houston

Hoover installs Thermo Oxidizer units at Louisiana and Houston:

'via Blog this'

Blue Ocean's IRIS breaks world depth record in deepwater subsea interventions

Blue Ocean's IRIS breaks world depth record in deepwater subsea interventions:

'via Blog this'

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

What is ECD?: A Primer on What Affects Equivalent Circulating Density

I am cross-posting this between between my personal blog, Oilfield, Tech, and Stuff and the LinkedIn Pulse article system.



It appears to me that most people involved with drilling wells have a basic understanding of what Equivalent Circulating Density or ECD is. While having a basic understanding, most do not have a realize the different factors that affect ECD. So, I will detail below the main categories that effect ECD and provide a high-level explanation of how they achieve this.

I am also including a Three Letter Acronym (TLA) Dictionary for the terms used in this article due to sheer abundance of TLAs used in the Oilfield and so the casual reader can understand what they stand for.

TLA Dictionary:

TLAFull NameCategorySub-Category 1Sub-Category 2Sub-Category 3Sub-Category 4
ECDEquivalent Circulating DensityDrillingFluidsCementingTubularsGeomechanics
ESDEquivalent Static DensityDrillingFluidsCementingTubularsGeomechanics
IEFInvert Emulsion FluidDrillingFluidsGeomechanicsCementing
PVPlastic ViscosityDrillingFluidsCementing
YPYield PointDrillingFluidsCementing
TVDTrue Vertical DepthDrillingFluidsCementingTubularsGeomechanics


The main categories that influence ECD are: 

  • Flow Geometry
  • Fluid Resistance to Flow
  • Pressure of Flow
  • Fluid Density
  • Fluid Temperature 
  • Acquired Solids


Flow Geometry - Bore hole geometry introduces pressure loss based on drag on the fluid as it passes through the various components of the fluid flow path (Standpipe, Drillstring Components, Open Hole, Casing, etc.) and hydrostatic pressure based on the True Vertical Depth (TVD)  of the point in question.

Fluid Resistance to Flow -  Resistance to flow is related to the rheology of the fluid. While the Plastic Viscosity (or PV) and Yield Point (or YP) play a part in the rheology, they are only a general measurement and are more accurate for quantifying a Newtonian fluid​, such as water, than a non-Newtonian fluid such as Invert Emulsion Fluids or IEF. On the other hand, the Herschel-Bulkley n, k, and Tau Zero calculations better represent an IEF for rheological purposes.

Pressure of Flow - The pressure at which a fluid is being forced to flow (pump pressure) has a big impact on ECD. The higher the pump pressure, the higher the ECD in most cases.

Fluid Density - Fluid density, by definition, is a main component of ECD and ESD.

Fluid Temperature - Fluid Temperature affects ECD due to thermal expansion in IEF. When the fluid heats up, the base fluid, usually some form of biological, natural, or synthetic oil, expands, thus resulting in more volume of base fluid per given amount of weighting material, resulting in a lower density overall for the fluid. BUT, when taken into account with the TVD portion of the geometry aspect, hydrostatic pressure also compresses the same base fluid, so both parameters need to be taken into account when calculating ECD.

Acquired Solids - Acquired solids are the final component discussed today. From a drilling perspective, this is drilled cuttings and or formation cavings that have been liberated from the formation and  carried in the fluid column.



I hope this helps to promote understanding of what factors influence ECD. Please  respond in the comments to let me know if this information is helpful. 

EDITED: The factors covered above are the basic influences and assume a vertical hole and does not address Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) or the effect of drillstring rotation (RPM). MPD involves applying back pressure to the wellbore via the choke to maintain hydrostatic pressure on the wellbore. RPM has a minimal effect compared to the main factors detailed above. Drillstring Eccentricity (the drillstring's displacement from the center of the wellbore towards the wall of the wellbore, mostly seen in deviated/horizontal hole.)

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Code Name Insight: 20 Things You Need for a TEOTWAWKI Scenario

Code Name Insight: 20 Things You Need for a TEOTWAWKI Scenario:

'via Blog this'

Code Name Insight: 10 Super Easy Survival Skills to Teach Young Children

Code Name Insight: 10 Super Easy Survival Skills to Teach Young Children:

'via Blog this'

Code Name Insight: The Survival Mindset

Code Name Insight: The Survival Mindset:

'via Blog this'

The $19 Spark Photon Can Turn Anything Into A Web-Connected Whatsit | TechCrunch

The $19 Spark Photon Can Turn Anything Into A Web-Connected Whatsit | TechCrunch:

'via Blog this'

U.S. DOE authorizes Freeport LNG to export LNG to non-FTA countries

U.S. DOE authorizes Freeport LNG to export LNG to non-FTA countries:

'via Blog this'

Petrobras lowers 2014 oil production growth target amid probe

Petrobras lowers 2014 oil production growth target amid probe:

'via Blog this'

Hess, Chevron confirm first oil from Tubular Bells in the Gulf of Mexico

Hess, Chevron confirm first oil from Tubular Bells in the Gulf of Mexico:

'via Blog this'

Monday, November 17, 2014

Halliburton / Baker Hughes Press Release

Press release from Halliburton / Baker Hughes Merger announcement:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HALLIBURTON AND BAKER HUGHES REACH AGREEMENT TO COMBINE IN
STOCK AND CASH TRANSACTION VALUED AT $34.6 BILLION

Baker Hughes Stockholders to Receive 1.12 Halliburton Shares Plus $19.00 in Cash for Each Share They Own

Transaction Values Baker Hughes at $78.62 per Share as of November 12, 2014

Highly Complementary Product Lines, Global Presence and Cutting-Edge Technologies Will enable Combined Company to Create Added Value for Customers

Accretive to Halliburton Cash Flow by the End of Year One, with Nearly $2 Billion in Synergies and Significant Cash Flow to Support Future Returns of Capital to Stockholders


HOUSTON – November 17, 2014 - Halliburton Company (NYSE: HAL) and Baker Hughes Incorporated (NYSE: BHI) today announced a definitive agreement under which Halliburton will acquire all the outstanding shares of Baker Hughes in a stock and cash transaction. The transaction is valued at $78.62 per Baker Hughes share, representing an equity value of $34.6 billion and enterprise value of $38.0 billion, based on Halliburton’s closing price on November 12, 2014, the day prior to public confirmation by Baker Hughes that it was in talks with Halliburton regarding a transaction. Upon the completion of the transaction, Baker Hughes stockholders will own approximately 36 percent of the combined company. The agreement has been unanimously approved by both companies’ Boards of Directors.

The transaction combines two highly complementary suites of products and services into a comprehensive offering to oil and natural gas customers. On a pro-forma basis the combined company had 2013 revenues of $51.8 billion, more than 136,000 employees and operations in more than 80 countries around the world.

“We are pleased to announce this combination with Baker Hughes, which will create a bellwether global oilfield services company and offer compelling benefits for the stockholders, customers and other stakeholders of Baker Hughes and Halliburton,” said Dave Lesar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Halliburton. “The transaction will combine the companies’ product and service capabilities to deliver an unsurpassed depth and breadth of solutions to our customers, creating a Houston-based global oilfield services champion, manufacturing and exporting technologies, and creating jobs and serving customers around the globe.”


Lesar continued, “The stockholders of Baker Hughes will immediately receive a substantial premium and have the opportunity to participate in the significant upside potential of the combined company. Our stockholders know our management team and know we live up to our commitments. We know how to create value, how to execute, and how to integrate in order to make this combination successful. We expect the combination to yield annual cost synergies of nearly $2 billion. As such, we expect that the acquisition will be accretive to Halliburton’s cash flow by the end of the first year after closing and to earnings per share by the end of the second year. We anticipate that the combined company will also generate significant free cash flow, allowing for the return of substantial capital to stockholders.”

Martin Craighead, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Baker Hughes said, “This brings our stockholders a significant premium and the opportunity to own a meaningful share in a larger, more competitive global company. By combining two great companies that have delivered cutting-edge solutions to customers in the worldwide oil and gas industry for more than a century, we will create a new world of opportunities to advance the development of technologies for our customers. We envision a combined company capable of achieving opportunities that neither company would have realized as well – or as quickly – on its own, all while creating exciting new opportunities for employees.”

Lesar concluded, “We believe that the expertise of both companies’ employees and leaders will be a competitive advantage for the combined company. Together with the people of Baker Hughes, we will establish a team to develop a detailed and thoughtful integration plan to make the post-closing transition as seamless, efficient and productive as possible. We look forward to welcoming the talented employees of Baker Hughes and are pleased they will be joining the Halliburton team.”
Transaction Terms and Approvals

Under the terms of the agreement, stockholders of Baker Hughes will receive, for each Baker Hughes share, a fixed exchange ratio of 1.12 Halliburton shares plus $19.00 in cash. The value of the merger consideration as of November 12, 2014 represents 8.1 times current consensus 2014 EBITDA estimates and 7.2 times current consensus 2015 EBITDA estimates. The transaction value represents a premium of 40.8 percent to the stock price of Baker Hughes on October 10, 2014, the day prior to Halliburton's initial offer to Baker Hughes. And over longer time periods, based on the consideration, this represents a one year, three year and five year premium of 36.3 percent, 34.5 percent, and 25.9 percent, respectively.

Halliburton intends to finance the cash portion of the acquisition through a combination of cash on hand and fully committed debt financing.

The transaction is subject to approvals from each company’s stockholders, regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Halliburton’s and Baker Hughes’ internationally recognized advisors have evaluated the likely actions needed to obtain regulatory approval, and Halliburton and Baker Hughes are committed to completing this combination. Halliburton has agreed to divest businesses that generate up to $7.5 billion in revenues, if required by regulators, although Halliburton believes that the divestitures required will be significantly less. Halliburton has agreed to pay a fee of $3.5 billion if the transaction terminates due to a failure to obtain required antitrust approvals. Halliburton is confident that a combination is achievable from a regulatory standpoint.

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2015.

Compelling Strategic and Financial Benefits

  • Leverages complementary strengths to create a company with an unsurpassed breadth and depth of products and services. The companies are highly complementary from the standpoint of product lines, global presence and cutting-edge technology in the worldwide oil and natural gas industry. The resulting company will provide a comprehensive suite of products and services to customers in virtually every oil and natural gas producing market in the world. This strategic combination will create an oilfield services supplier with the ability to serve customers through strong positions in key business lines, a fully integrated product and services platform, increased capabilities in the unconventional, deepwater and mature asset sectors, substantial and improved growth opportunities and continued high returns on capital.
  • Generates significant opportunities for synergies. In addition to the compelling and immediate premium Baker Hughes stockholders will receive, the transaction will also yield significant synergies. The combination will provide substantial efficiencies of scale and geographic scope, particularly in the Eastern Hemisphere, which will enhance fixed cost absorption. Once fully integrated, Halliburton expects the combination will yield annual cost synergies of nearly $2 billion. These synergies are expected to come primarily from operational improvements, especially North American margin improvement, personnel reorganization, real estate, corporate costs, R&D optimization and other administrative and organizational efficiencies.
  • Enables increased cash returns to stockholders. Halliburton expects the transaction to be accretive to cash flow by the end of the first year after closing and to earnings per share by the end of the second year. Halliburton expects that the combined company will maintain a strong investment grade credit profile and substantial financial flexibility. In addition, the combined company will generate significant free cash flow, allowing the return of cash to the combined investor base through dividends, share repurchases and similar actions.



Headquarters, Management and Board of Directors

The combined company will maintain the Halliburton name and continue to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “HAL.” The company will be headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Dave Lesar will continue as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the combined company. Following the completion of the transaction, the combined company’s Board of Directors is expected to expand to 15 members, three of whom will come from the Board of Baker Hughes.

Concurrently with the execution of the merger agreement, Halliburton withdrew its slate of directors nominated for the Board of Directors of Baker Hughes.

Advisors

Credit Suisse is serving as lead financial advisor and BofA Merrill Lynch is also serving as financial advisor to Halliburton. Baker Botts L.L.P. and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz are serving as Halliburton’s legal counsel. BofA Merrill Lynch, as lead arranger, and Credit Suisse are providing fully committed debt financing in support of the cash portion of the consideration.

Goldman, Sachs & Co. is serving as financial advisor to Baker Hughes. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP are serving as Baker Hughes’ legal counsel on this transaction.

Conference Call

Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) and Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI) will host a conference call on Monday, November 17, 2014, to discuss the proposed business transaction. The call will begin at 7:00 AM Central Time (8:00 AM Eastern Time).

An accompanying slide deck will be posted to both the Halliburton and Baker Hughes websites at www.halliburton.com and www.bakerhughes.com/investor. Please visit either website to listen to the call live via webcast. In addition, you may participate in the call by dialing (866) 225-4091 within North America or (703) 639-1128 outside North America. A passcode is not required. Attendees should log in to the webcast or dial in approximately 15 minutes prior to the call’s start time.
A replay of the conference call will be available on both companies’ websites for seven days following the call. Also, a replay may be accessed by telephone at (888) 266-2081 within North America or (703) 925-2533 outside of North America, using the passcode 1648003.


About Halliburton

Founded in 1919, Halliburton is one of the world's largest providers of products and services to the energy industry. With more than 80,000 employees, representing 140 nationalities in over 80 countries, the company serves the upstream oil and gas industry throughout the lifecycle of the reservoir - from locating hydrocarbons and managing geological data, to drilling and formation evaluation, well construction and completion, and optimizing production through the life of the field. Visit the company’s website at www.halliburton.com. Connect with Halliburton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Oilpro and YouTube.

About Baker Hughes

Baker Hughes is a leading supplier of oilfield services, products, technology and systems to the worldwide oil and natural gas industry. The company's 61,000 employees today work in more than 80 countries helping customers find, evaluate, drill, produce, transport and process hydrocarbon resources. For more information on Baker Hughes, visit: www.bakerhughes.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding the expected timetable for completing the proposed transaction, benefits and synergies of the proposed transaction, future opportunities for the combined company and products, future financial performance and any other statements regarding Halliburton’s and Baker Hughes’ future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, financial conditions, assumptions or future events or performance that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: failure to obtain the required votes of Halliburton’s or Baker Hughes’ stockholders; the timing to consummate the proposed transaction; satisfaction of the conditions to closing of the proposed transaction may not be satisfied or that the closing of the proposed transaction otherwise does not occur; the risk that a regulatory approval that may be required for the proposed transaction is not obtained or is obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated; the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; the ultimate timing, outcome and results of integrating the operations of Halliburton and Baker Hughes and the ultimate outcome of Halliburton’s operating efficiencies applied to Baker Hughes’ products and services; the effects of the business combination of Halliburton and Baker Hughes, including the combined company’s future financial condition, results of operations, strategy and plans; expected synergies and other benefits from the proposed transaction and the ability of Halliburton to realize such synergies and other benefits; expectations regarding regulatory approval of the transaction; results of litigation, settlements, and investigations; final court approval of, and the satisfaction of the conditions in, Halliburton’s September 2014 settlement relating to the Macondo well incident in the Gulf of Mexico; appeals of the multi-district litigation District Court's September 2014 ruling regarding Phase 1 of the trial, and future rulings of the District Court; results of litigation, settlements, and investigations not covered by the settlement or the District Court's rulings; actions by third parties, including governmental agencies, relating to the Macondo well incident; BP's April 2012 settlement relating to the Macondo well incident, indemnification, and insurance matters; with respect to repurchases of Halliburton common stock, the continuation or suspension of the repurchase program, the amount, the timing and the trading prices of Halliburton common stock, and the availability and alternative uses of cash; actions by third parties, including governmental agencies; changes in the demand for or price of oil and/or natural gas can be significantly impacted by weakness in the worldwide economy; consequences of audits and investigations by domestic and foreign government agencies and legislative bodies and related publicity and potential adverse proceedings by such agencies; protection of intellectual property rights and against cyber attacks; compliance with environmental laws; changes in government regulations and regulatory requirements, particularly those related to offshore oil and natural gas exploration, radioactive sources, explosives, chemicals, hydraulic fracturing services and climate-related initiatives; compliance with laws related to income taxes and assumptions regarding the generation of future taxable income; risks of international operations, including risks relating to unsettled political conditions, war, the effects of terrorism, and foreign exchange rates and controls, international trade and regulatory controls, and doing business with national oil companies; weather-related issues, including the effects of hurricanes and tropical storms; changes in capital spending by customers; delays or failures by customers to make payments owed to us; execution of long-term, fixed-price contracts; impairment of oil and natural gas properties; structural changes in the oil and natural gas industry; maintaining a highly skilled workforce; availability and cost of raw materials; and integration of acquired businesses and operations of joint ventures. Halliburton's and Baker Hughes’ respective reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) filings discuss some of the important risk factors identified that may affect these factors and Halliburton's and Baker Hughes’ respective business, results of operations and financial condition. Halliburton and Baker Hughes undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.

Additional Information

This communication does not constitute an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. This communication relates to a proposed business combination between Halliburton and Baker Hughes. In connection with this proposed business combination, Halliburton and/or Baker Hughes may file one or more proxy statements, registration statements, proxy statement/prospectus or other documents with the SEC. This communication is not a substitute for any proxy statement, registration statement, proxy statement/prospectus or other document Halliburton and/or Baker Hughes may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF HALLIBURTON AND BAKER HUGHES ARE URGED TO READ THE
PROXY STATEMENT(S), REGISTRATION STATEMENT(S), PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Any definitive proxy statement(s) (if and when available) will be mailed to stockholders of Halliburton and/or Baker Hughes, as applicable. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of these documents (if and when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by Halliburton and/or Baker Hughes through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Halliburton will be available free of charge on Halliburton’s internet website at http://www.halliburton.com or by contacting Halliburton’s Investor Relations Department by email at investors@Halliburton.com or by phone at +1-281-871-2688. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Baker Hughes will be available free of charge on Baker Hughes’ internet website at http://www.bakerhughes.com or by contacting Baker Hughes’ Investor Relations Department by email at trey.clark@bakerhughes.com or alondra.oteyza@bakerhughes.com or by phone at +1-713-439-8039 or +1-713-439-8822.

Participants in Solicitation

Halliburton, Baker Hughes, their respective directors and certain of their respective executive officers may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Halliburton is set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on February 7, 2014, its proxy statement for its 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 8, 2014, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 which was filed with the SEC on October 24, 2014 and its Current Report on Form 8-K, which was filed with the SEC on October 20, 2014. Information about the directors and executive officers of Baker Hughes is set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on February 12, 2014, its proxy statement for its 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 5, 2014, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 which was filed with the SEC on October 21, 2014 and its Current Reports on Form 8-K, which were filed with the SEC on June 10, 2014 and September 10, 2014. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitations and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.


For Halliburton

Investors:
Kelly Youngblood
Halliburton, Investor Relations
Investors@Halliburton.com
281-871-2688
Media:
Emily Mir
Halliburton, Public Relations
PR@Halliburton.com
281-871-2601
or
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
Andrew Siegel / Meaghan Repko
212-355-4449

For Baker Hughes

Investors:
Trey Clark
Baker Hughes, Investor Relations
trey.clark@bakerhughes.com
713-439-8039
or
Alondra Oteyza
Baker Hughes, Investor Relations
alondra.oteyza@bakerhughes.com
713-439-8822
Media:
Melanie Kania
Baker Hughes, Media Relations
713-439-8303
or
Abernathy MacGregor, Tom Johnson, 212-371-5999 TBJ@abmac.com; Glen Orr, 713-205-7770 GLO@abmac.com

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Court ruling may affect Lafourche beach plan | HoumaToday.com

Court ruling may affect Lafourche beach plan | HoumaToday.com:

'via Blog this'

97%...

Wonder where the 97% from 97% of all scientists agree? See below:

  • http://dailycaller.com/2014/05/16/where-did-97-percent-global-warming-consensus-figure-come-from/
  • http://adam.curry.com/art/1400297003_wa5qLcSX.html
  • Sat, 17 May 2014 03:23

    The University of Queensland in Australia is taking legal action to block the release of data used by one of its scientists to come up with the oft-quoted statistic that 97 percent of climate scientists agree that mankind is causing global warming.
    Since coming out with this figure last year, climate scientist John Cook of the University of Queensland's Global Change Institute has been under fire for the methodology he used.
    ''Our analysis indicates that the number of papers rejecting the consensus on [anthropogenic global warming] is a vanishingly small proportion of the published research,'' Cook and his fellow authors wrote in their study which was published in the journal Environmental Research Letters last year.
    The university has told climate skeptic blogger Brandon Schollenberger that the data on the study he possesses was illegally obtained and they would take legal action against him if he published it.
    ''UQ has therefore published all data relating to the paper that is of any scientific value to the wider community,'' said Queensland's acting pro-vice-­chancellor Alastair McEwan.
    ''UQ withheld only data that could identify research participants who took part in the ­research on condition of anonymity,'' McEwan added. ''Such conditions are not uncommon in academic ­research, and any breach of confidentiality could deter people from participating in valuable research in the future.''
    McEwan said that all the data Cook used to come up with his ''97 percent'' consensus was published on his blog SkepticalScience.com. The school says it wants to protect the privacy of those surveyed in Cook's research.
    ''That's right. The University of Queensland sent me a threatening letter which threatens me further if I show anyone that letter,'' Schollenberger wrote on his blog Thursday. ''Confusing, no? It gets stranger. Along with its threats, the University of Queensland included demands.''
    ''According to it, I'm not just prevented from disclosing any of the 'intellectual property' (IP) I've gained access to,'' Schollenberger added. ''I'm prevented from even doing anything which involves using the data. That means I can't discuss the data. I can't perform analyses on it. I can't share anything about it with you.''
    ''Apparently I badgered Cook too much. I tried too hard to get him to do his duty and try to protect his subjects' privacy. The University of Queensland needs me to stop. If I don't, they'll sue me,'' he said.
    Cook's paper has been touted by environmentalists and the Obama administration as evidence that virtually all scientists agree that global warming is a man-made threat.
    ''Ninety-seven percent of scientists, including, by the way, some who originally disputed the data, have now put that to rest,'' President Obama said last year announcing his climate plan. ''They've acknowledged the planet is warming and human activity is contributing to it.''
    But Cook's 97 percent consensus claim was rebutted in subsequent analyses of his study. A paper by five leading climatologists published in the journal Science and Education last year found that Cook's study misrepresented the views of most consensus scientists.
    The definition Cook used to get his consensus was weak, the climatologists said. Only 41 out of the 11,944 published climate studies examined by Cook explicitly stated that mankind caused most of the warming since 1950 '-- meaning the actual consensus is 0.3 percent.
    ''It is astonishing that any journal could have published a paper claiming a 97% climate consensus when on the authors' own analysis the true consensus was well below 1%,'' said Dr. David Legates, a geology professor at the University of Delaware and the study's lead author.
    Queensland's legal fight with Schollenberger comes while UK news outlets are reporting that one of the world's top scientific journals rejected a study from five climate scientists for political reasons.
    The UK Times reported that a reviewer with the journal Environmental Research Letters rejected the study because it was ''harmful'' to the climate cause because it ''opens the door for oversimplified claims of 'errors' and worse from the climate skeptics media side.''
    ''The problem we now have in the climate community is that some scientists are mixing up their scientific role with that of a climate activist,'' Lennart Bengtsson, a research fellow at the University of Reading, told the Times.
    Bengtsson was one of the study's authors and recently joined the camp of scientists skeptical of global warming.
    Follow Michael on Twitter and Facebook
    Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Amazon Brings Prime Instant Video To All Android Phones In US, UK And Germany | TechCrunch

Amazon Brings Prime Instant Video To All Android Phones In US, UK And Germany | TechCrunch:

'via Blog this'

FishingBooker Helps You Book Fishing Trips | TechCrunch

FishingBooker Helps You Book Fishing Trips | TechCrunch:

'via Blog this'

Paradigm introduces new well planning and drilling engineering applications

Paradigm introduces new well planning and drilling engineering applications:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Seadrill Says Offshore Drilling Market 'Bad' This Year, Worse In 2015

RIGZONE - Seadrill Says Offshore Drilling Market 'Bad' This Year, Worse In 2015:

'via Blog this'

5 Reasons Net Neutrality is not what you think it is (not really 5)

This post makes some very good technical points, but Comcast is not totally blameless in the interactions with Netflix. Netflix wants to put content servers in strategic backbone nodes on Comcast's network, in essence, shortening the path for their content to travel to the users, reducing the use of long distance bandwidth clogging. They offer the server free of charge, but then Comcast would have cover the costs of running it.

Instead, Comcast negotiated a deal where Netflix pays a fee for a premium connection to users. This changed Netflix from a freeloader to a business partner.

What they claim about NetNeutrality is a lie!

      http://zite.to/1rW6wbW

Friday, August 15, 2014

Babylon 5 reboot likely to become big-budget film | Ars Technica

Babylon 5 reboot likely to become big-budget film | Ars Technica:

'via Blog this'

Geothermal energy has success in Nevada, wants to spread to the rest of the West | Ars Technica

Geothermal energy has success in Nevada, wants to spread to the rest of the West | Ars Technica:

'via Blog this'

10 years of podcasting: Code, comedy, and patent lawsuits | Ars Technica

10 years of podcasting: Code, comedy, and patent lawsuits | Ars Technica:

'via Blog this'

AirEnergy Is An Upgradable Wind Turbine You Can Keep In A Backpack | TechCrunch

AirEnergy Is An Upgradable Wind Turbine You Can Keep In A Backpack | TechCrunch:

'via Blog this'

Comcast, TWC pull $132,000 donation from event honoring FCC commissioner | Ars Technica

Comcast, TWC pull $132,000 donation from event honoring FCC commissioner | Ars Technica:

'via Blog this'

Putin praises alliance with Exxon as Arctic drilling starts

Putin praises alliance with Exxon as Arctic drilling starts:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Shell To Cut 250 Onshore Jobs At Its Scotland North Sea Operations

RIGZONE - Shell To Cut 250 Onshore Jobs At Its Scotland North Sea Operations:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Schlumberger Expects Russia Sanctions To Hurt Earnings

RIGZONE - Schlumberger Expects Russia Sanctions To Hurt Earnings:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Oil Production In Permian Causes Pipeline Bottleneck In Texas

RIGZONE - Oil Production In Permian Causes Pipeline Bottleneck In Texas:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Mexico Hopes To Lure $50.5B In Historic Oil Tender

RIGZONE - Mexico Hopes To Lure $50.5B In Historic Oil Tender:

'via Blog this'

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Halliburton's ICE Core℠ Fluid Analysis Service:

Halliburton's ICE Core℠ Fluid Analysis Service:

http://youtu.be/e6d1ABX_KnE

GeoBalance® Managed Pressure Drilling from Halliburton:

GeoBalance® Managed Pressure Drilling from Halliburton:

http://youtu.be/QnEEF6_XIPQ

Halliburton's TDReam™ Tool:

This Halliburton's is some cool technology!

TDReam™ Tool:

http://youtu.be/5vuaSJj5KlQ

Halliburton Deepwater Promo Video

Looking for something on YouTube and found a bunch of Halliburton videos.

Halliburton Deep Water:

http://youtu.be/127CCJkFgvk

Rotary Steerable Primer

Geo-Pilot® Rotary Steerable System from Halliburton.

http://youtu.be/uVrw3InxPyc

Thursday, June 12, 2014

HP plans to launch memristor, silicon photonic computer within the decade | Ars Technica

HP plans to launch memristor, silicon photonic computer within the decade | Ars Technica:

'via Blog this'

Tesla will use patents to subvert patent system | Ars Technica

Tesla will use patents to subvert patent system | Ars Technica:

'via Blog this'

Blackhawk acquires Trinity Tool Rentals

Blackhawk acquires Trinity Tool Rentals:

'via Blog this'

Russia-Ukraine Gas talks to resume after Putin and Merkel speak

Russia-Ukraine Gas talks to resume after Putin and Merkel speak:

'via Blog this'

Anadarko reaches new high amid takeover speculation

Anadarko reaches new high amid takeover speculation:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Cuadrilla Drilling Application Accepted by Lancashire Council

RIGZONE - Cuadrilla Drilling Application Accepted by Lancashire Council:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Bloody Mexican Shale Fields Sit Idle While Texas Booms

RIGZONE - Bloody Mexican Shale Fields Sit Idle While Texas Booms:

'via Blog this'

Friday, June 6, 2014

UK gov't proposes law to make shale drilling easier

UK gov't proposes law to make shale drilling easier:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Membrane Technology and the Future of Oil and Gas Extraction

RIGZONE - Membrane Technology and the Future of Oil and Gas Extraction:

'via Blog this'

Statoil drilling Martin prospect in deepwater Gulf of Mexico

Statoil drilling Martin prospect in deepwater Gulf of Mexico:

'via Blog this'

Superior Performance appoints new president

Superior Performance appoints new president:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - US Bill Would Boost Ukraine's Energy Efficiency, Drilling

RIGZONE - US Bill Would Boost Ukraine's Energy Efficiency, Drilling:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Azeri Oil Output Falls in Jan-May on Lower ACG Oilfields Production

RIGZONE - Azeri Oil Output Falls in Jan-May on Lower ACG Oilfields Production:

'via Blog this'

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

FCC comment site breaks after comedian asks trolls to fight “fast lanes” | Ars Technica

FCC comment site breaks after comedian asks trolls to fight “fast lanes” | Ars Technica:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - 2014 Hurricane Season: Fewer Storms, But Rig Workers Need to be Wary

RIGZONE - 2014 Hurricane Season: Fewer Storms, But Rig Workers Need to be Wary:

'via Blog this'

N.Y.’s Cuomo ponders drilling as fracking bans reach top court

N.Y.’s Cuomo ponders drilling as fracking bans reach top court:

'via Blog this'

Pemex reducing Repsol stake as Mexico prepares oil opening

Pemex reducing Repsol stake as Mexico prepares oil opening:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Texas RRC: Oil, Gas Production Not to Blame for Well Water Contamination

RIGZONE - Texas RRC: Oil, Gas Production Not to Blame for Well Water Contamination:

'via Blog this'

Energy XXI completes acquisition of EPL Oil & Gas, provides operations update on combined properties

Energy XXI completes acquisition of EPL Oil & Gas, provides operations update on combined properties:

'via Blog this'

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

New startup wants you to save on crazy roaming fees while traveling | Ars Technica

New startup wants you to save on crazy roaming fees while traveling | Ars Technica:

'via Blog this'

Greenpeace boards rig heading for Barents Sea

I was going to comment that it should be fairly easy to get them off of the rig, but after doing some quick research, it's not that easy.

According to this answer about boarding a vessel without the captain;s permission, "boarding a ship without the permission of the captain or an officer or crewmember designated by him is a violation of international maritime law". It goes on to say that such boarders can be considered stowaways at minimum or even be charged for piracy in some countries, as this same group was last year in the Pechora Sea.


The point that makes it difficult, though, is that if the boarding occurs "...for the purposes of saving a life, preventing a personal injury or property damage...", then it is not considered piracy. I can already see claims that they were preventing damage to the Artic region.
The other point is that it would also make for bad publicity if the boarders were treated badly. 
Statoil said in a statement it wouldn't drill into oil reserves of the targeted Hoop area in the Barents Sea until a complaint from Greenpeace has been assessed by the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment






Greenpeace boards rig heading for Barents Sea:

'via Blog this'

Friday, May 23, 2014

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

I apologize to any statistical modeling professionals in advance...but this is pretty funny!

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Ecuador Regulator OKs Two Fields In Large Amazon Oil Project

RIGZONE - Ecuador Regulator OKs Two Fields In Large Amazon Oil Project:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Horizontal Drilling Is On the Rise in Permian As Producers Chase Tight Oil

Dealing with a project right now where the client is about to undertake a horizontal campaign for the first time in the Permian.


RIGZONE - Horizontal Drilling Is On the Rise in Permian As Producers Chase Tight Oil:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Strategies to Address the Energy Industry Talent Gap

RIGZONE - Strategies to Address the Energy Industry Talent Gap:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - North Carolina Senate Outlaws Disclosure Of Fracking Fluid Secrets

RIGZONE - North Carolina Senate Outlaws Disclosure Of Fracking Fluid Secrets:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Chevron: Argentina Won Lottery With Vaca Muerta Shale Field

RIGZONE - Chevron: Argentina Won Lottery With Vaca Muerta Shale Field:

'via Blog this'

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Dozens of Raceland landowners could lose property to N.O. hurricane protection | DailyComet.com

This is ridiculous!

Dozens of Raceland landowners could lose property to N.O. hurricane protection | DailyComet.com:

'via Blog this'

It’s not a “fast lane” but Comcast built a CDN to charge for video delivery | Ars Technica

It’s not a “fast lane” but Comcast built a CDN to charge for video delivery | Ars Technica:

'via Blog this'

Read The Secret Trade Memo Calling For More Fracking and Offshore Drilling

Read The Secret Trade Memo Calling For More Fracking and Offshore Drilling:

'via Blog this'

State rejects Tuscaloosa Marine Shale oil and gas leases during May sale | NOLA.com

State rejects Tuscaloosa Marine Shale oil and gas leases during May sale | NOLA.com:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - The Truth About Launching a Career in the Oil, Gas Industry

RIGZONE - The Truth About Launching a Career in the Oil, Gas Industry:

'via Blog this'

Mud Conditioning System on The Drilling Rig

Mud Conditioning System on The Drilling Rig:

'via Blog this'

RIGZONE - Deepwater Gulf Drilling Creates Demand for Lighter, Stronger Proppants

RIGZONE - Deepwater Gulf Drilling Creates Demand for Lighter, Stronger Proppants:

'via Blog this'