The Whale in the Room

Good morning, this is the Oil Patch. We're your one stop shop for all things energy.

Here's what the Oilman has for you today:

• Make Rigs Active Again – Rig Count Increase!

• It's a Whale of a Problem

• A True Rig Dog

• Tweet of the Day

Make Rigs Active Again

Looks like the oil and gas industry is back in business!

According to energy services firm Baker Hughes, U.S. energy firms added drilling rigs for the first time in three weeks.

The oil and gas rig count, an indicator of future production, rose to 775, up 29% from this time last year. U.S. oil rigs rose five to 623, in their biggest build since November, while gas rigs fell two to 150, their lowest since May.

But despite this boost, shale producer EOG Resources Inc said it anticipates activity in the Permian Basin to be flat this year, as supplies and equipment remain expensive and as it focuses on shareholder returns.

So, in summation, yay more rigs.

But, boo cuz everything is going to stay the same.

It's a Whale of a Problem

It seems that "Green" energy is more or less hellbent on destroying the natural world.

Seven endangered whales have washed up dead on the shores of Long Island and New Jersey, an unprecedented number.

Several organizations are calling for President Biden to investigate the whale deaths and halt offshore projects until causes of death are determined.

“When staff arrived, they found the 20-25 foot long carcass upside down in the surf. Due to the incoming tide and low light last night, staff returned at daybreak this morning to take photos,” the Marina Mammal Stranding Center said. “After a conference call with NOAA Fisheries and Greater Atlantic Region Stranding Network members to work out logistics, plans are underway for a necropsy to be performed on the animal.”

The groups are concerned that survey boats may be striking whales that come to the surface to feed. The Clean Ocean Action Coalition also attributes this sudden rise in whale deaths to the planned offshore wind development.

The coalition estimates that over 150,000 marine mammals are at risk from offshore wind projects, including the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. The Biden administration has not responded yet.

What other damage is "green energy" causing?

A lot:

Mining for rare metals can have a negative impact on the environment. The process of extracting solid ores often involves removing vast amounts of overlying rock, which produces an enormous quantity of waste – about 100 billion tons a year, more than any other human-made waste stream.

Additionally, purifying a single ton of rare earths requires using at least 200 cubic meters of water, which then becomes polluted with acids and heavy metals. The process of obtaining these metals is also destructive and energy-intensive. It also requires staggering amounts of ore.

For example, 18,740 pounds of purified rock are needed to produce 2.2 pounds of vanadium. The demand for these metals is expected to increase significantly in the future, with some estimates predicting that demand for certain metals could double, quadruple, or even quintuple by 2035.

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Demand for metals could increase by 500%

Furthermore, the production of "green" technologies such as solar panels and wind turbines also have a significant environmental impact due to the large amount of materials required.

The mining industry is considered as one of the most polluting industries in the world, due to the increasing demand for green energy.

It's time to raise the flag and speak up about offshore wind development and the "green energy" technologies that are more smoke and mirrors than actual progress.

Today's Edition is Brought to You By Wicked Energy

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A True Rig Dog

In the oil patch, it can be hard to find a good worker. But that's not the case with Bruno.

This black, short-haired canine may not have a degree in petroleum engineering, but he's got a sunny disposition, a problem-solving mind, and an uncanny ability to avoid hazards on the rig.

Plus, he's never filed a workers' comp claim.

Bruno is the loyal companion of Alex Reyna, the manager of Lasso Drilling rig number 103. He's not just a pet, but a member of the crew. When things get tough on the rig, Bruno is there to offer a lick on the face and a calming presence.

So when Bruno went missing, Reyna was understandably distraught. And worried his wife and kids might kill him. If he didn't find the dog.

But just like a good rig dog, Bruno found his way back to his crew and his work site. Because in the oil patch, good help may be hard to find, but good dogs are always on the job.

Doesn't this story just warm your heart?

You ol' softy.

Tweet of the Day

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