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