IPAMS Meetings and Announcements
IPAMS Ads to Highlight Importance of Intermountain West to Nation’s Energy Woes
DNC ad campaign will stress need for access to Western public lands to meet American’s energy demands
The Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States (IPAMS) today announced that it will sponsor an advertising campaign during next week’s Democratic National Convention to increase awareness of the essential role that oil and natural gas companies in the Intermountain West will play in meeting America’s energy challenges.
Click here to download a copy of the ad: http://ipams.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/dncad.pdf
Visit www.ipams.org/dnc for more information.
IPAMS Lauds Democrats’ Change-of-Heart on Domestic Drilling
Letter to Platform Committee Chairs calls on party to put action behind words; offers help of independent energy producers in crafting platform
Today the Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States (IPAMS) sent the following letter to the Chairpersons of the Democratic National Convention’s Platform Committee:
Click here to read the letter.
IPAMS 2008 Rocky Mountain Energy Technology Conference
September 4-5, 2008
The Western Energy Challenge: Americans want more domestic oil and gas drilling on federal lands, but they also expect that industry will use the best technology and practices to develop it. Is industry ready to meet the challenge? Join hundreds of other industry leaders, government, academic, and NGO representatives for a 1 ½ day conference highlighting the recent regulatory changes and the technologies and practices that are helping industry find success in the Rockies. Speakers at the conference include many nationally recognized thought leaders on the nexus between technology and meeting America’s energy challenge, including: Senator Ken Salazar, Mike Smith of the Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission, Mike Ming with Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America, Jerome Blackman with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Roy Long with the Department of Energy, Don Peay with Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, and Dag Nummedal with the Colorado School of Mines. This conference is co-hosted by Colorado School of Mines, University of Wyoming, University of Utah, RPSEA, and NETL; institutions committed to the research and development of new technologies that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and help industry meet growing environmental expectations. Exhibit space and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information please contact Becca Ness at bness@ipams.org or 303-623-0987.
Click here for a full agenda, registration, as well as exhibitor and sponsorship information.
“Coloradans for a Stable Economy”, the campaign opposing the severance tax increase ballot initiative, is scheduled to speak to IPAMS on September 3rd at 12:30. They are trying to broaden the base of support for this important initiative. Please RSVP to Kathleen Sgamma. We will have to cancel if there is not sufficient interest.
IPAMS Energy Finance Discussion Group
Philip H. (Pete) Stark, Ph.D. Vice President, Industry Relations, IHS, will give a talk entitled: Perspectives on Cost and Performance Factors to Drive Future Unconventional Gas Developments. Pete Stark is Vice President of Industry Relations for IHS in Englewood, Colorado. As gas price volatility continues to be the norm, his look at various unconventional plays will be timely and interesting. I look forward to hearing his presentation. Please feel free to contact Becca at bness@ipams.org or Andy Logan if you have questions.
Washington D.C. Quarterly Call-Up
September 8-10, 2008
IPAMS members will be going to DC for our Quarterly Call-Up September 9th and 10th. We will be talking to key members and staff of the House and Senate to ensure that Rockies producers are part of the national energy debate. We are particularly focusing on leasing “Use It or Lose It” legislation. Please contact Kathleen Sgamma for more information.
IPAMS Tax Committee
The IPAMS Tax Committee was reconvened as a subcommittee of the Government Affairs Committee in August. The goal is to inform IPAMS’ advocacy efforts to ensure we have the right technical information to counter legislation on tax issues such as windfall profits taxes. A draft issue paper is available on the Tax Committee web page. The next meeting will be September 11th at 2:00. Please encourage your financial staff to join the committee by registering at http://ipams.org/register/.
IPAMS Online Voter Education Center
IPAMS Online Voter Education Center has been designed to provide your company’s employees with the tools they need to cast an informed vote in this year’s elections. Energy will be the top issue in this election cycle, so let’s ensure that our industry’s voice is heard. Voter education guides outlining candidates’ positions on energy issues are being prepared and will be distributed prior to Election Day. IPAMS Online Voter Education Center provides a wealth of information for industry employees, including registration forms and deadlines, election dates, legislative and congressional contacts, candidate bios, top issues, and the latest political news. For more information on how your company can become involved in this effort as well as our broader Voter Education Initiative, please contact Jon Bargas at jbargas@ipams.org or 303.623.0987.
Click here to visit IPAMS Online Voter Education Center.
Click here to download a voter registration form.
IPAMS Photo Contest
IPAMS is holding a seasonal photo contest! IPAMS will ask members for seasonally-themed photographs during the winter, spring, summer and autumn of 2008. We are looking for scenic photos featuring wildlife, oil and gas operations, or any picturesque scenes from around the West. Winners will receive a prize and will have their photo appear in IPAMS 2009 Calendar. Please submit all photos to Spencer Kimball.
Send in your summer themed photos today!
IPAMS Welcomes Its Newest Member:
James C. Karo Associates
Other Upcoming Meetings
Vernal RMP Mobilization - Wednesday, August 27, 10:00 am MDT at IPAMS
New Mexico Basin Advisors Network - Thursday, August 28, 10:00 am MDT at IPAMS
IPAMS Tax Committee Meeting - Thursday, September 11, 2:00 pm MDT at IPAMS
Utah Basin Advisors Network- Tuesday, September 16, 10:00 am MDT at IPAMS
Wildlife Committee Meeting - September 18, 2:30 pm MDT at IPAMS
For more information on the above meetings, contact Kathleen Sgamma.
Are All of Your Coworkers Receiving Wildcatter Weekly?
As an IPAMS member, all of your fellow employees are entitled to the benefits that IPAMS membership offers. Employees who are not receiving communications from IPAMS, including Wildcatter Weekly, can sign up here (www.ipams.org/register). Please forward this link to all of your company employees and assist us in keeping our members informed on the lasted industry news and events.
Visit ipams.org for the latest news affecting the Intermountain West’s oil and natural gas industry. Headlines are updated daily from local, national and international news sources.
The West
Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) for Issuance of new Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle Permits
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has released a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) for issuance of new bald eagle and golden eagle permits. The DEA analyzes the Service’s 2007 proposal to permit take of eagles, their nests, eggs, or young that may result from otherwise legal activities. It also considers take of nests where necessary to protect public health and welfare. In the DEA, FWS considered three alternatives to address eagle permitting in the United States. You can view the Federal Register Notice and the DEA on the following website: http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/baldeagle.htm. You can submit comments at http://www.regulations.gov. The comment period will close on September 15, 2008. The June 5, 2007 proposal to create a permit program can be accessed through http://www.fws.gov/policy/library/07-2697.pdf.
Colorado
Udall shifts views on offshore drilling
August 19, 2008
If any doubt remained that the debate over energy has shifted in Republicans’ favor, Rep. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) ended it this week. Udall, one of the House’s preeminent environmentalists and the Democratic nominee in a closely contested Colorado Senate race, came out in favor of a bipartisan, comprehensive energy plan that would permit additional offshore drilling - a striking departure from his past opposition to such measures. (Politico)
COGCC cranks out more controversy
August 22, 2008
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) on Wednesday gave initial approval to a rule that requires oil and gas companies to install new equipment on certain facilities to reduce odors in three counties on the Western Slope. (Post Independent)
Panel gives OK to nine rules guiding energy companies
August 20, 2008
State oil and gas regulators gave preliminary approval Wed- nesday to a package of new rules guiding how energy companies exploring for oil and gas protect public health and the environment. Over two days, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has approved nine rules dealing with protecting water, limiting odors and disclosing chemicals and other topics. They also gave an initial nod to about 40 less controversial rules. (Rocky Mountain News)
High gas prices drive support for drilling
August 18, 2008
Coloradans, like many Americans, like to heap scorn on oil and gas companies. Even so, they appear to back more drilling in the state, believing it will cut gas prices and dependence on foreign oil. (Rocky Mountain News)
Oil and gas commission says no to tougher statewide requirements
August 20, 2008
State regulators on Wednesday tentatively agreed to new rules to control odors and dust related to oil and gas development, but rejected calls to extend many of the provisions beyond three counties in northwest Colorado. (Daily Sentinel)
Gas talks focus on buffer zones
August 19, 2008
After months of hearing what others think, Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission members finally weighed in themselves Tuesday about a wide-ranging proposal to rewrite rules affecting the industry. (Daily Sentinel)
Energy issues thrust of two Mesa County Commission races
August 18, 2008
With two county commissioner races on the November ballot, it’s clear that energy issues are front and center this election season. For one, there has been a lot of talk about development of an energy master plan for Mesa County over the past couple of years, and it has come up as a central issue in both commissioner races. (Daily Sentinel)
Local firms win Roan leases
August 16, 2008
Two local energy companies have emerged along with an upstart firm as some of the winners in Thursday’s leasing of federal oil and gas rights beneath the Roan Plateau near Rifle. (Daily Sentinel)
Silt resident fears EnCana well leaking again
August 18, 2008
A state regulator took issue Monday with a Garfield County resident’s contention that natural gas from a well is again leaking to the surface at West Divide Creek south of Silt, and that the state is failing to adequately look into it. (Daily Sentinel)
Commissioners agree to ask for soil sampling near alleged seep south of Silt
August 19, 2008
The Garfield County commissioners on Monday agreed to request that the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission take additional samples of mud and sand near an area where a Silt-area resident thinks there may be a new gas seep. (Post Independent)
Questions for the governor: many about energy, none on DNC
August 19, 2008
Many questions Coloradans had for Gov. Bill Ritter during a call-in television show Monday night focused on energy concerns. (Rocky Mountain News)
Energy debate lines drawn
August 22, 2008
State Republican and Democratic leaders put the heat in the global warming debate Thursday with juxtaposed events that showed just how far apart on energy and climate the two sides can sometimes be. (Denver Post)
BLM defers Garfield Creek drilling leases
August 22, 2008
The Bureau of Land Management is expected to continue to defer leasing of 1,237 acres of federal minerals below the Garfield Creek State Wildlife Area until a long-term resource plan for the Glenwood Springs area is completed. A draft of that plan is expected to be released in September 2009. (Post Independent)
Glenwood Springs City Council wants a health impact statement from BLM
August 22, 2008
Glenwood Springs joined a handful of regional governments in asking the Bureau of Land Management to carefully study the health impacts of oil and gas drilling. (Post Independent)
Montana
MPA Legislators’ Briefing Tour Dates
MPA has set the dates and locations of the Legislators’ Briefing Tour and the details are attached. The western Montana tour starts on September 23, with lunch in Kalispell and ends on the 25th with lunch in Helena. The eastern Montana tour begins with dinner in Billings on October 6th and concludes with lunch in Lewistown on October 10th. Contact Dave Galt for more information.
Turning coal into liquid, fiber into fuel
August 22, 2008
When Montana leaders talk about new and expanded missions for Malmstrom Air Force Base, they aren’t just referring to troops and aircraft. There’s been discussion of developing a coal-to-jet-fuel plant in Great Falls. (Billings Gazette)
Utah
Utah Call-Up
October 14-15, 2008
IPAMS and UPA will be holding the Second Annual Utah Call-Up in Salt Lake City October 14th and 15th in conjunction with the legislative interim session. The tentative agenda:
- Afternoon, October 14th - Meetings with the BLM and Congressional delegation
- Evening, October 14th - Reception for state and federal agencies, Governor’s staff, legislators, allies, and others
- Morning, October 15th - Breakfast with the Conservative Caucus and presentation to the Natural Resources Committee
Please help make this event a success by planning to attend, and considering a sponsorship. We have increased the profile of this event from last year, so we hope you will find this a worthwhile endeavor to support. Please contact Kathleen Sgamma for sponsorship information.
EPA notifies state of clean air violations
August 19, 2008
Seven Utah counties, including the most populous ones, do not meet a new clean air standard, the Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday. Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, Weber, Cache, Box Elder and Tooele counties exceed a federal standard for the amount of fine particulate matter in the air, the EPA said in a notice to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. (Salt Lake Tribune)
Wyoming
Proposed Pinedale RMP and Final EIS Available
August 22, 2008
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale Field Office is releasing the Pinedale Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement (PRMP/FEIS) on Aug, 22, 2008, starting a 30-day protest period. The PRMP provides a framework for the future management direction and appropriate use of BLM-administered lands and resources located in Sublette and Lincoln counties, Wyo.Printed copies of the PRMP/FEIS are available for review at the BLM offices in Pinedale and Cheyenne, Wyo. The document is also available on the Pinedale RMP revision website at www.blm.gov/rmp/pinedale/ and a limited number of printed copies and compact disks (CDs) are available on request by calling (307) 367-5300. (BLM news release)
State probes more CBM wells
August 18, 2008
Nearly 1,000 coal-bed methane wells in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin have produced nothing but water for five years, according to state records, and the state engineer’s office wants to know why. (Star Tribune)
Mineral industry, shopping apparently do mix
August 17, 2008
When it comes to collecting sales tax in the Cowboy State, Campbell County is king. Wyoming Department of Revenue reports show the county collected nearly $174 million in sales and use tax in the 2008 fiscal year, more than $40 million more than the next highest county in the state, Sweetwater County. It also represents an 11 percent increase over last year’s total of $155 million. At the heart of the massive increase is one of the usual suspects: mineral extraction. (Gillette News Record)
Pine Mountain site of next 3-D survey
August 19, 2008
Devon Energy Co. officials are proposing to conduct a small seismic survey near Pine Mountain as part of the company’s ongoing natural gas exploration work in southern Sweetwater County. (Star Tribune)
Energy cost increases in Wyo will be long-term
August 22, 2008
Gas prices are going to be high — maybe as much as 70 percent higher than last year — according to the Wyoming Public Service Commission. (Star Tribune)
Washington Watch
Coal, oil and gas groups will try to sway Dems at convention
August 20, 2008
Oil, gas and coal groups will be running ad campaigns at the Democratic National Convention, trying to make their message resonate at what is being billed as the “greenest” such event in modern history.The Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States will spend more than $100,000 on a special ad campaign at the Denver convention stressing the need for access to Western public lands for oil and natural gas companies.”The American West: Home of big skies, endless prairies and the country’s most abundant supply of natural gas,” one print ad will say. “We produce more than 25 percent of the country’s total supply of natural gas on less than 1 percent of public lands.”The group will run the ads in several special convention newspapers, magazines and Web sites and launch its own Web site to accompany them, stressing natural gas as the bridge to a clean energy future. (E & E News)
Energy in spotlight as parties head to conventions
August 22, 2008
Energy will be a major theme in both the Democratic and Republican national conventions. Both parties have expressed their intention to use their respective weeks in the spotlight to highlight their own energy agenda and attack their opponent’s. The Democrats, who meet in Denver next week, are planning to promote alternative energy, clean technologies and energy efficiency. On the convention’s second night, themed “Renewing America’s Promise,” a number of governors and the Clinton administration’s Secretary of Energy and Transportation Federico Peña are expected to tout energy development as a major component of the party’s economic agenda. Environmental groups plan to use the Denver gathering to echo the Democrats’ message and push their own agenda. The groups plan to hold workshops and forums on the implementation of new energy and climate policies when the new administration takes office. (E & E News)
GOP rejects Pelosi’s energy proposal
August 18, 2008
Republicans lambasted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) energy plan Saturday advising her to “get out of the way” if she was not going to accept GOP solutions to the energy crisis. (The Hill)
Oil’s Washington juggernaut
August 19, 2008
As angry voters spark a barrage of energy bills in Congress, the oil industry is spending record amounts of money protecting its interests. (CNNmoney.com)
Pump primed for fall fight on energy
August 19, 2008
There’s a little something for everyone to hate in the energy proposals House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) articulated over the weekend. Republicans dislike her plan to repeal a series of tax breaks for the oil industry. Key Southern senators have opposed previous measures that would require utilities to produce more renewable wind and solar power. And Pelosi herself can’t be thrilled with the prospect of opening more federally protected waters for offshore oil and gas exploration. (Politico)
Media Watch
Washington Post:
Debunking three ‘truths’ about offshore drilling
August 14, 2008
The Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund has taken out full-page ads in this newspaper and others to decry offshore drilling for oil as “George W. Bush’s Gasoline Price Elixir” that is “100 percent Snake Oil.” The environmental group calls on supporters “to stop the giveaway of our coasts.” (Washington Post editorial)
Daily Sentinel:
Not so rich on the Roan
August 15, 2008
Let the finger-pointing begin, now that the bonus payments for the sale of natural gas leases on the Roan Plateau have come in far less that many people hoped and only about 5 percent of what one organization predicted. (Daily Sentinel editorial)
Politico:
Dear 44: The energy debate
August 18, 2008
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports both public and private sector action to control greenhouse gas emissions. In order to be effective, such action must be based on sound science, rational debate and realistic solutions. Unfortunately, on climate change, this has not been the case. (Politico guest column)
Environment and Wildlife
‘Mission accomplished’ on sage grouse?
August 18, 2008
Gov. Dave Freudenthal’s recent executive order establishing core areas for sage grouse is being hailed by the energy industry and a minority of conservation groups as the even-handed compromise that will save the bird from the Endangered Species list. Not so fast. (Star Tribune)
Technology and Alternative & Renewable Energy
Renewable Power’s Growth in Colorado Presages National Debate
August 18, 2008
When Colorado voters were deciding whether to require that 10 percent of the state’s electricity come from renewable fuels, the state’s largest utility fought the proposal, warning that any shift from coal and natural gas would be costly, uncertain and unwise. (Washington Post)
Markets
Oil surges $5 as tensions with Russia rattle traders
August 22, 2008
Oil prices shot up more than $5 a barrel Thursday, rising to the highest level in more than two weeks as escalating tensions with Russia stoked fears of supply disruptions to the West. (Associated Press)
Natural-gas bill up and down
August 18, 2008
Xcel Energy’s natural- gas customers in Colorado will see a slight increase in bills in September compared with the same month a year ago, but bills will be much lower wen compared with August. (Denver Post)
Industry News and Events
Forest Oil Corp. to buy oil, gas assets in South
August 18, 2008
Forest Oil Corp. agreed to buy natural gas and oil properties in Texas and Louisiana from closely held Cordillera Texas LP for $892.9 million in cash and stock to extend its holdings in the region. (Bloomberg)
The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission is seeking nominations for the 2008 Chairman’s Stewardship Awards
The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission is seeking nominations for the 2008 Chairman’s Stewardship Awards to honor outstanding environmental stewards of the oil and natural gas industry. Since 1935 the IOGCC has focused on the need for sound oil and natural gas environmental policy. The Chairman’s Stewardship Awards honors the achievements and efforts of the oil and natural gas industry that help serve as examples for others in the industry, government and public. Nominations will be accepted in four different categories: Major Company, Independent Company, Energy Education and Environmental Partnership. The winners will receive their award during IOGCC’s Annual Meeting in Santa Fe, NM, Nov. 17, 2008. For more information, log on to www.iogcc.state.ok.us or contact Tiffany Batdorf at 405.525.3556, ext. 114. Nominations must be completed and received by September
Click here to download the nomination form.
Visit www.ipams.org for latest industry news and events
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