Friday, December 25, 2015

Christmas 2015

Here's wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas. Whatever your chosen method of celebrating is; I hope it finds you safe, secure and warm.

I would be remiss if I didn't touch on those far less fortunate. In Nigeria, reports say hundreds were killed when a gasoline tanker exploded. In the never ending civil war in Jordan, government troops went on a rampage in Damascus. Their search for dissidents in a mostly residential neighborhood left over 200  dead. A large percentage of them were women and children. Closer to home, rare December tornadoes raging from coast to coast have left many dead and injured in their wake. While I hate mentioning these things, it serves to remind us all just how fortunate we are.

I have to apologize as I have suffered somewhat from writers block this year. The pall that hangs over the petroleum industry has dampened my creative spirit. As I look to the future it appears fuel prices may drop even more, with some saying that $20 a barrel is the new bottom. It also appears that little will happen, pending the next presidential election. In that case; even if the Republicans prevail, we will be looking at another year, at minimum, till we feel any effect down here. That's at least a couple of years till some sort of recovery - if you're counting.

No matter how depressed we may or may not be, we are seeing the results of our efforts at work. We still answer the bell/alarm promptly and conduct ourselves professionally. Only the very best will remain as contractors during this economic downturn. There are many security companies struggling right now, many with way less than half the gates they had this time last year. The owner of the company we contract with has assured us that we'll be the last to go; should it come to that. Kudos to all that work with us at J&G Security as our hard work has resulted in our company getting an exclusive contract with one of the largest exploration companies in the petroleum business. I believe that may just be enough to keep us afloat till the worst passes.

Here's hoping that all of you and yours has a wonderful holiday season and that next year is happy and prosperous for you all!

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Selling Ice Cream in the Winter

Oil continues its downward spiral and jobs by the thousands are disappearing. We have an administration that's anti fossil fuel(s) and has no interest in combating OPEC and its policy of flooding the glut market. Working in the industry or living in the oil patch has gotten down right depressing. It's almost impossible not to get swept up in the negativity. I have become a student of geo politics and have followed this decline very closely. However, I never thought we'd see sub $40 a barrel oil, and now it looks like we'll see a bottom of around $20 before it's all over. Folks, there is a concerted effort to kill off oil and coal dependency in the world. In some ways I see the point; eventually that will have to happen. However, to do it now, when alternative sources of energy are still in their infancy and most are unproven, seems ludicrous. Progress has always exacted a toll, but I had hoped that it would not be as sudden or capricious as this. I am seeing the last crash repeat itself over and over; sort of deja vu. Just like before the effect is monumental and, unfortunately, not noticed or appreciated by the masses. Everyone from the service sector; like septic pump out, catering and house cleaning, to management has been affected. We are already seeing some towns board up as the petroleum tax base shrinks. And; just like before, all the infrastructure that supports drilling and exploration is becoming worthless. Soon, getting rid of it will be like selling ice cream in the winter.