What does this mean for us in Wisconsin, who watch big trainloads of our farmland shipping out of state on gigantic railcar shipments, often with over 100 cars to a shipment? Will the frac-sand mining industry start to die? And will we muster the political will to kill off that industry before too more more devastation goes on?

Stay tuned. Look up Frac Sand Industry Awareness in Wisconsin, a facebook page dedicated to the people and disappearing lands of western Wisconsin.

From the Director’s Cut

Producing Wells

November 13,100

December 13,119 (preliminary)(all time high was Oct 2015 13,190)

10,756 wells or 82% are now unconventional Bakken–Three forks wells

2,363 wells or 18% produce from legacy conventional pools.

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Permitting

November 125 drilling and 0 seismic

December 95 drilling and 0 seismic

January 78 drilling and 0 seismic (all time high was 370 in 10/2012)

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ND Sweet Crude Price

November $32.16/barrel

December $27.57/barrel

January $21.13/barrel

Today’s $16.50/barrel

(lowest since February 2002)(all-time high was $136.29 7/3/2008)

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Rig Count

November 64

December 64

January 52

Today’s rig count is 41 (lowest since July 2009 when it was 40)(all-time high was 218 on 5/29/2012)

The statewide rig count is down 81% from the high and in the five most active counties rig count is down as follows:

Divide -85% (high was 3/2013)

Dunn -76% (high was 6/2012)

McKenzie -75% (high was 1/2014)

Mountrail -88% (high was 6/2011)

Williams -90% (high was 10/2014)

The rest is on Peak Oil Barrel. Now you go read that