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UN Calls Fracking in the United States ‘A Cautionary Tale’

In early June, the United Nations released a report meant to act as a stepping stone for nations interested in developing their shale and natural gas resources. Though the UN report appears, at first, as a benevolent gesture, it feels far more politicized.

The US ‘Cautionary Tale’

In its most recent Commodities at a Glance report, the United Nations parroted the oft-repeated but hardly founded belief that fracking brings with it environmental issues. The report also took time to infer that the United States’ enthusiasm for oil production helped caused the worldwide drop in gas prices begun in 2009 and increasing drastically over the next seven years.

The report even arrives at the erroneous conclusion that the worldwide downturn may have permanently dissuaded investors from returning to production. Ultimately — and unsurprisingly — the UN report concluded that the best way for developing nations to proceed was by investing in renewable energy.

The European Perspective

The United Nations report may claim to be data-driven, but its conclusions are perfectly in line with the political aims of the organization. Too bad none are based on the truth.

In the years of the global decline in oil prices, the United States energy sector took a hit. That’s true enough, but the fault wasn’t in the oil and gas industry itself. In fact, most experts have admitted that the markets were prepared for the rapid US expansion. The issue came when international demand failed to rise in concert with production.

Rather than fold, however, the United States spent the years of the downturn building a more efficient and cost-effective production model, effectively becoming the world model for energy production.

The United Nations Report Is Half-Right

The United Nations is right in the following: as developing countries develop the infrastructure to support their internal demand for energy, they’ll need to look to a model. However, the UN is wrong when they suggest the US’ energy history is one to avoid. The energy sector of the United States has proven resilient to an incredible degree; further, they’ve developed safe, cheap means of extracting oil and natural gas from the earth to a degree that is far more efficient and reasonable than any renewable options.

For countries who strive to be self-sufficient, but who remain short on funds, the US fracking model is an ideal for which to strive, not some failed experiment.

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Upstream Petroleum Management Is Celebrating 5 Years!

On March 4, 2018, the team at Upstream Petroleum Management will mark their fifth year serving the oil and gas industry’s regulatory needs. The previous half decade has delivered its share of difficulties and victories, but Upstream founder Kim Rodell has overseen a period of consistent growth, carving out a niche in the oil and gas’ challenging regulatory sector.

Just five short years ago, Kim opened the doors of Upstream Petroleum Management, Inc. with a handful of clients, decades of industry insight, and a universal commitment to relationship building and customer service. Over the years, the family at Upstream has stayed together, growing as professionals and adding to their knowledge with each passing year. Andrea Gross, Mitchell Dix, Angela Callaway and Shea Andress have been working tirelessly for clients since day one.

Upstream has even added talent to the team in Tish Jenkins, a veteran oil and gas employee with a Master’s Degree from the University of Denver. Buoyed by a growing number of satisfied customers and a reputation for excellence, Upstream Petroleum Management, Inc. continues to grow.

Over the last five years, Kim has become an active member of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, the Denver Petroleum Club, and Women in Energy, in addition to taking on a role as a board member of the Western Energy Alliance. The CEO is thrilled to put these experiences to work for every one of her clients.

As Upstream approaches this pivotal benchmark, we want to convey our immense gratitude for the people who have helped us thrive in a competitive world.

We cannot say enough about our loyal clients and our extensive list of government contacts. The men and women with whom we have forged valuable relationships have helped forge Upstream into the company it is today.

To the operators who have kept our number in mind even after changing companies, to the customers who have passed our name along, to the extensive list of people who have helped nurture our business since we opened our doors, we say thank you.

We look forward to another five fantastic years honoring our commitment to our community and introducing customers to the entire Upstream family. Together, we can work toward a brighter future.

Thank you for Five Great Years!

Upstream Petroleum Management, Inc.

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Looking Ahead to a Potential Boom Year in Oil and Gas

At long last, it’s time to pull the shutters closed on 2016, one of the hardest years in oil and gas history. At the end of a multi-year slump the industry is finally beginning to show signs of life. It won’t happen overnight, but there’s every indication that 2017 will be a much kinder year for the thousands of Americans who rely on the oil and gas industry to thrive.

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Does Trump Have the Oil and Gas Industry Knowledge that America Needs?

With November 8 just around the corner, America is a few short weeks away from making a pretty tough decision. Neither Donald Trump nor Hillary Clinton may be a particularly desirable choice, on the second Tuesday in November every citizen will cast their ballot for President of the United States. For those millions of Americans who rely on oil and gas for their livelihood, each candidate’s stance on the industry is a crucial component of our vote.

We’ve previously looked at Democratic Candidate Hillary Clinton’s take on oil and gas, so now it’s Donald Trump’s turn. The Republican candidate for President recently got into some hot water when he indicated that local communities should be able to determine whether oil and gas projects could take place. Since then, Trump has done his best to assure the oil and gas industry that he will work determinedly in their best interests.

However, is that the truth, or is Trump just trying to scratch up some votes from a historically conservative industry? More to the point, does the candidate even have the information necessary to make an informed decision about the oil and gas industry?

Trump’s Oil and Gas Plans

Okay, so let’s just move past Trump’s comments about local communities being able to overturn oil and gas projects in their community. That’s not his stance; the original comment was made in error. Since his misstep was pointed out, Trump has walked those comments back and done his level best to assure executives in the oil and gas industry that he will get to work eradicating some unpopular legislation.

In a speech to executives of the oil and gas industry in Philadelphia, the Republican candidate promised to “repeal a slew of regulations including the Clean Power Plan, Obama’s Climate Action Plan, the ban on new coal mining leases on federal land and other regulations.”

In another speech given in Denver, Trump allegedly proclaimed, “If Hillary [Clinton] gets in, she’ll put you out of business.”

So, while the specifics of his plan are still being kept under wraps, Trump has come out as a big fan of the oil and gas industry. His goal is limit regulation and help get more oil and gas projects up and running.

Trump and the Coal Industry

In an increasingly competitive energy race, Trump has divided his attention somewhat. Time and again, the GOP candidate has professed his love not only for oil and gas, but for coal as well. As one point, Trump was even quoted saying, “Coal will last for 1,000 years in this country.”

While no average citizen would actively root for the demise of the coal industry, the mere fact of the matter is that coal is on the decline because it’s being slowly supplanted by cleaner, more efficient energy extraction techniques like hydraulic fracturing. By actively supporting it, Trump may be making a lot of friends in the coal industry, but he’s also overlooking the fact that it’ll be likely impossible for both industries to thrive, no matter how much de-regulation the industry sees.

Donald Trump and His Line Item Knowledge

Perhaps the biggest area where Trump falters is his displayed knowledge of oil and gas. In the second Presidential debate, Trump made several claims that were proven to be outright false. He said that the energy industry is shrinking. It’s not. He said that energy income could pay off the national debt. It can’t. He also said there was such a thing as “clean coal,” a unicorn that only really exists in the minds of coal industry lobbyists.

Hillary Clinton absolutely distorted the facts to pander to the environmental vote, but Trump demonstrated that he desperately needs an oil and gas education.

Trump Really Wants the Oil and Gas Vote (A Lot.)

In recent weeks, Donald Trump has promised pretty much anything he can in order to appease oil and gas voters. He wants to strip government regulations, and there’s little reason to believe he won’t should he get voted into office.

Most troubling is Trump’s apparent willingness to say whatever will get him voters. His demeanor more than anything has turned people off at all levels of the oil and gas industry. One local shale industry union rep referred to Donald Trump as, a “snake oil salesman,” adding, “There’s just no way that I was going to associate … with any function that gives this guy an avenue to speak.”