A Personal Note from MDN Editor Jim Willis

Dear MDN Subscriber:

I (MDN Editor Jim Willis) am having back surgery on Tuesday, Sept. 29, so this coming week (Sept. 28 – Oct. 2) will look a bit different from the usual reporting on the previous 24-hour news cycle. Here’s what you can expect to see this week…

What

You’ll receive the daily email as normal each day this week, Monday through Friday. Each daily will contain the headlines and links to 5-6 articles I’ve written about recent news of keen interest to landowners, producers (“drillers”), midstreamers (“pipeliners”), and anyone with a financial interest in the Marcellus/Utica region, including supply chain companies of various types. This is my ongoing mission: “Helping People & Businesses Profit from Northeast Shale Drilling.” Everything I choose to write about goes through that filter first, so that only items worthy of your attention make it in. At least, that’s my goal.

When I’m sorting through the hundreds (often thousands) of potential news items each day, I come across bits and pieces that don’t directly affect the M-U. They may come from other regions, or be national or international news. On occasion, I come across a worthy galactic story! (Those are always fun.) I write brief summaries of these items for my “best of the rest” post, now titled “MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest.” It’s a catch-all for things that piqued my interest, and I figure they may pique yours too.

For this week only, there will be no MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest post. That’s the change you’ll notice in the daily email. You’ll still see the usual 5-6 main article headlines with links and the latest list of events that you may want to consider attending.

Why & How

Running a small business where you’re the chief cook and bottle-washer means that when life events happen, it’s hard to keep those events from affecting the business. I’ve had a few such life-changers in the past few years, and they’ve resulted in a few days of no M-U reporting. Another such event is at hand with my surgery.

I’ve developed a serious case of sciatica. Pain runs down one leg all the way to the foot, caused by a spot in my lower back pressing on nerves along the spine. I’ve lived with intense pain and little sleep for nearly two months. It’s not easy writing each day from a recliner, which is the only place I can sit comfortably. But researching and writing are my passions, and focusing on MDN has helped me get through this rough stretch.

I could have taken the week off, and I’m sure you’d understand. However, I’ve built up a large backlog of stories that I think are worthy of your attention. I always keep a pool of potential stories and decide each day which ones are most relevant to share. That pool has grown large. So instead of saying, “See you in a week,” I’ve preloaded these stories to run all week while I’m recovering. I think you’ll find them highly relevant and not just yesterday’s news. If major news breaks while I’m out, I’ll catch you up on it when I’m back.

In addition to the backlog, each day this week (Monday through Friday), you’ll get a story covering a session from last week’s Shale Insight event. Shale Insight always breaks important news, and this year was no different. You won’t want to miss these installments!

Among the stories coming your way this week: I will catch you up on pipeline and gas-fired power plant approvals and news, important legal developments that impact landowners and drillers, analysis of items affecting the price of natural gas (and potentially your royalty check), and an interesting white paper. The usual rig count post runs Monday, and the latest permits for new wells post runs Friday, per usual.

I expect to be back to regular daily reporting, including the “best of the rest” posts, beginning Oct. 5. If recovery takes a bit longer, I’ll let you know.

Please say a prayer or send a kind thought my way for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery (and relief from this interminable pain). I truly appreciate all of you who have been so kind and understanding over the years when life happens.

Jim Willis
Editor
Marcellus Drilling News

12 Comments

  2. Jim, best of luck on the surgery. I will continue to pray for the physicians, you, and your family during this time. Thank you for all you do with the Marcellus Drilling News. It is very helpful and much appreciated.

  7. Thanks Jim, I’ll miss the “other stories” but more importantly, get better quick. I’m going through some family health issues currently myself and praying has become a regular part of life (as it always should have been). Even though I have never met you, you just got added to that list. You have been my go-to most enjoyable and educational read of the day for several years now. Always appreciate what you do and your “fun” commentary. No matter what they do to “fix” you, I’m pretty sure it couldn’t happen without hydrocarbons. All the best Jim.

  8. Jim, Get well soon our thoughts and prayers are with you for a 100% recovery. Your health is your wealth in life. We hope the surgery center is powered by a gas fired power plant! If not may the wind blow and the sun shine. Nancy & Tim

  10. Godspeed on your surgery and recovery, and many thanks for your steadfast production of the MDN. It’s a daily must-read, and your diligence through these years is an inspiration. Get better and carry-on with your mission as you can.

  11. Thanks again for the kind words. Back home recuperating. Yes, it’s still quite painful, but I can see an end in sight now. As one astute person above has said, my surgery would not have been possible without fossil fuels!

  12. Hello,hope you have a quick & successful recovery;
    on another note:” my MDN hasn’t shown up in my emails for several weeks ………. can you help with this (i believe my subscription is still active; thanks in advance for your help;
    Earl L. Forman,II Esq.
    zaneboy434

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