From covering the protest to taking cover

November 14, 2016 jasonspiess 0

  When journalist Erin Schrode arrived to the Bakken she assumed she would be covering the protest for a number of media outlets. After a few days, Schrode went from telling stories to becoming a major one, one that went viral across social media, viewed by millions and picked up […]

Bakken BBQ: Sweet and tangy apricot BBQ sauce

July 24, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interviews: David Williams, Missouri River Resources Explains how Missouri River Resources is talking with other tribes in other shale plays across the US about energy exploration. Interview: Dennis Jared, Steffes Corporation Gives a recipe for a sweet and tangy apricot sauce for your BBQ.

An alternative crop with low commodity prices

July 5, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interview: Eric Bartch, AGT Foods Explains the PULSE crop market and how it is an alternative crop in today’s low commodity prices.  He also talks about how North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana are very large growers of PULSE crops. Interview: Jessie Johnson, KJL Gives tips on how to cook […]

Texas BBQ tips for the company cook out

July 5, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interviews: Kelly Braun, Make A Wish Gives an overview of how regional energy companies came together for an event to raise money for Make A Wish.  He also talks about several of the kids who have been battling cancer and other life threatening illnesses. Interview – Leonard the BBQ Cooker, […]

Tips from the 4th Annual Bakken BBQ

June 26, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interview: Joseph Nicolas, Pedigree Technology Talks about how the oil and gas industry is their main customer base, but have had to branch into South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado to diversify their business. He also talks about the switch to Big Data in oil and gas. Interview: Bram Lasster, BBQ […]

BBQ season in the Bakken

June 14, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interviews: Tiffany Steiner and Jackie Schmidt, MBI Energy Services Gives an update on the 4th Annual Bakken BBQ July 17 in Dickinson, ND.  They give a run down of the prizes, sponsors, BBQ food and festivities.  They also talk about how many companies are still supporting the event despite the […]

Liquid natural gas seen as a market indicator

June 6, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interviews: Ron Ness, president, North Dakota Petroleum Council Talks about the value added market in the Bakken.  He believes it will be the next economy in the Bakken. Interview: Lynn Helms, director, ND Department of Mineral Resources Explains why continued momentum is important in shale plays like the Bakken and […]

Watford City still growing in the Bakken

June 4, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interview: Amanda Anderson, Clean Harbors Explains how emergency clean up services work in health care, agriculture and oil and gas. Interview: Gene Veeder, executive director, McKenzie County Job Development Authority Talks about the oil and gas activity in Watford City and McKenzie County and how the it has impacted the […]

PULSE crops emerging in the Upper Midwest

June 3, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interview: Roger Johnson, president, National Farmers Union Talks about the emerging PULSE crops (peas, lentil, chickpeas) in the United States and the PULSE processing plant being built in Minot, ND.   The current plans call for the largest PULSE plant in North America and possibly the world.  He also talks about […]

Business expanding in the Bakken despite low oil prices

June 3, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interviews:  Tiffany Steiner & Jackie Schmidt, MBI Energy Services, Dickinson, ND Gives the details for the 4th Annual Bakken BBQ in June and talks about Pick Up the Patch and other community driver events. Interview: Jeremy Van Der Schaegen, Minnesota Limited Explains their business in the Bakken and how it […]

CNBC’s Sullivan comments on the Bakken’s new normal

May 31, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Part Three of multimedia journalist Jason Spiess’ interview with Brian Sullivan, “Power Lunch” Co-Anchor Jason Spiess: Same question. What was it like this go around?  Still $300 to $400 a night hotel rooms? What was the new normal? Brian Sullivan: I paid $129-a-night this time and it was in the […]

India is the new China in energy

May 28, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interviews: Lynn Helms, director, ND Department of Mineral Resources Explains why Iran is back in the news and why India is the new China.  He also runs through active rigs and trust land activity. Interview: Shawn Kessel, city administrator, Dickinson, ND Talks about the city’s $100M debt and how the […]

BBQ bravado in the Bakken

May 28, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interviews:  Tiffany Steiner & Jackie Schmidt, MBI Energy Services, Dickinson, ND Gives the details for the 4th Annual Bakken BBQ in June and talks about Pick Up the Patch and other community driver events. Interview: David Williams, CEO, Missouri River Resources Talks about his days growing up playing high school […]

Rigs are STACKing up in this oil play

May 28, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interview: Warren Henry, Continental Resources Explains the STACK play in Oklahoma and how it is the only play adding rigs over the past 6 months.  He also compares it to the Bakken oilfields and gives an update on Continental’s future in the Bakken.

More pipes and manufacturing means more welders needed

May 20, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interview:  Michael Smith, Lynnes Welding Training, Bismarck and Fargo, ND Shares his insight on the welding industry and how there is a need for more welders.  With the increase in pipes, agriculture and manufacturing in the area, more certified welders are needed.

NDSU president sees the Bakken as a long term resource play

May 20, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interviews:  Tiffany Steiner & Jackie Schmidt, MBI Energy Services, Dickinson, ND Gives the details for the 4th Annual Bakken BBQ in June and talks about Pick Up the Patch and other community driver events. Interview: Dean Bresciani, president, North Dakota State University Talks about his time in Texas and shares […]

Update on major Bakken projects

May 20, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interview:   Shawn Kessel, city administrator, Dickinson, ND Talks about his new upcoming role in the North Dakota Oil and Gas Producing Counties, an update on some major community projects in the region and when the oil activity will return to the Bakken.

How the feds deal with cannabis in Ohio

May 20, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Special Feature: The Cannabis Caucus 2016 Interview: Mary Jane Borden, president, Ohio Rights Group Talks about how Ohio has been a “cannabis decrim” state since 1976 and how that works with the federal government.  She also talks about the medicinal cannabis bills currently in the Ohio legislature. Special Feature: Mentor […]

Williams County rigs down 98%

May 17, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interview:  Lynn Helms, director, North Dakota Dept of Minerals Explains why rig counts are down 88% from the peak, with Williams County down 98%.  Helms said oil companies are using uncompleted wells and inactive wells as tools to manage their cash flow.

Giving back is part of Hatch Realty’s business model

May 14, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interview: Doug Goehring, North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Gives an update on flaring in the Bakken and how companies and state are trying to reduce that 89% to 80%, which was an April 1 deadline. Special Feature: Mentor & Apprentices Interview: Erik Hatch, owner, Hatch Realty Hatch talks about giving back […]

Wine country in the Dakotas

May 14, 2016 jasonspiess 0

American Entrepreneur Interviews: Bruce Gussiaas, owner, Dakota Sun Gardens, Carrington, ND Talks about how being located in the middle of North Dakota and how this impacts his marketplace for wine distribution. Interviews: Erin Wallander, owner, EWI Design, Dickinson, ND Talks about how the low oil prices created a new market […]

Bakken BBQ scheduled for June 17

May 7, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interview: Tiffany Steiner & Jackie Schmidt, MBI Energy Services Tiffany and Jackie talk about community involvement with Pick Up the Patch and their upcoming 4th Annual Bakken BBQ.

Flaring goals not reached by April 1

May 7, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interview: ND Ag Commissioner and Industrial Commissioner Doug Goehring Gives a flaring update and how they did not meet their April 1 goal of 80%, the Bakken is at 89%. He also explained what it would look like at $50 oil.

Wilkins describes oil by rail

May 3, 2016 jasonspiess 0

Interview: Kelly Wilkins, Bridger Company Talks about distributing oil by rail and how it will always have a place in energy development. He also discusses how oil companies used a balanced portfolio in energy distribution.

It’s BBQ Season

July 11, 2015 jasonspiess 0

For those who have been following the Bakken oil activity over the past several years know that BBQs are more than events, they are experiences. Whether it is the annual MBI Bakken BBQ or the Bakken Rocks CookFest, the bravado and community spirit seem to come out of the woodwork […]