Greetings from the Bayou City, which has had some of the strangest weather in many years. This has been mostly observed from my condominium in Houston since I had 4 surgeries last year; but my lovely spouse has provided some interesting travel meantime. Travel I can do. Spring is at last upon us, and the trees and azaleas are blooming. Hope does spring eternal. Surgery #3 was pretty amazing as I had my eyes done with inter-modal lenses. I figured I might as well do it, since I was already laid up. It worked brilliantly (literally). No more eye glasses for me. The doctors tell me that the eyes will outlive me.
I really do apologize for the late issue of the blog, covering some 6 months of time; but things have been very busy for all of us in the industry and for myself personally. At least I was able to update the Alumni Directory several times, which has required hundreds of changes, and there is a new version (Q1 2016) attached with the mail announcing this blog.
Ruminations
Regarding our previous Summer 2015 blog, I can't figure out if our country is trying to commit energy suicide or not. Our nice friends the Saudis are trying to kill the shale boom in the US (or perhaps Russia and Iran, whom they really hate); the US gas people are trying to kill the coal industry (which bye the bye provides 32% of all power in the US) but are doing a very good job of it; the export ban on oil from the US has been lifted; China is failing as a consuming state for the moment; LNG exports are commencing from the Gulf Coast to foreign destinations, including Japan which has no petroleum resources at all.
In short, I'm confused. The one thing I do know is that the dynamics in the offshore drilling industry are changing rapidly as are now the dynamics in the onshore drilling industry in the US (nobody has the talent that we have in that area, except for the Saudis and neighboring states who just need to poke a hole in the ground).
It does bother me just a little that the focus on climate change, renewables (at extremely high cost per KwH) and various other pipe dreams seem to dominate the stage. Who in their right mind would put a 50 year program on a 10 year track? Not up to me, but then I'm not running for office. I have a simple vote like anyone else. Use it.
Meantime, we have many friends who are either retiring or are too young to do so; and the young are the ones that we need to take care of. Who's going to re-start the industry? Been there before, I was one of the re-starters in the 80's. Glad to be retired, but we have to take care of our own. Which I will do for as long as I am able. Anytime, anywhere.
Meantime, on a lighter note, anyone who wants to whip me at golf is welcome to do so. A year off has not exactly improved my game, but do I care? It's the camaraderie that makes golf work. Friendship matters more than anything else, whether in work or sport.
The Bust
The situation is simple as described above, but in a little more detail. The US has almost 750 million barrels of oil in ready storage if not more. There are thousands of uncompleted US onshore wells that are ready for completion and production when and if needed. The Iranian resurgence in oil production has proven to be surprisingly weak, probably because they have neither maintained their equipment nor have they improved their equipment. And, other countries that are incompetent in oil field engineering - we can certainly point out Russia and Venezuela - will suffer mightily even with oil going for $40.
I think it's fascinating that TransCanada pivoted from the KeyStone XL (the denial of which was a political statement that had nothing to do with economic benefit) to the purchase of Columbia Pipelines. Which achieves approximately the same goal.
Gas is a different issue because it is difficult to transport. At the moment Australia has the advantage, since they have large supplies and are close to Asia.
You'd be surprised (those of you who have not been) to see the huge construction sites at Mont Belvieu for light refining and gas export. And it's enroute to the the Golden Nugget at Lake Charles, which is a pretty good way to blow off some steam.
The world always changes.
So where does one go in such a situation? Do as I did and head overseas, or perhaps to head downstream to the processors and refiners which are abundant in SE Texas? If you need to save yourself and your family, talk to these people now. Related industries that rely on the same skills that we do are also available; you'd be surprised. Join an association that is related to your specialty and attend regular meetings to network. As always the Alumni will help. If you have a need, we'll do our best.
New Insurance Arrangements for Retirees
I don't know who set this up but it's been a total disaster for retirees. Costs triple, reimbursements fall by half; I've spent 4 months with OneExchange setting up my payments to my chosen provider, and weeks setting up recurring payments for outrageous amounts. Finally started receiving reimbursements from OneExchange against my 2016 reimbursement account, but guess what? They take the whole amount of each monthly premium against your reimbursement account, so you run out of reimbursements in mid-year. Assuming that you filed the reimbursement claim correctly.
I think that Medicare beneficiaries might have a better time with this process. But for us pre-65 it's a holy hell. 50 hours of my time spent with various three companies. All, we have been thrown off the back of the boat. Which in our industry is an unacceptable practice. If your buddy is in trouble, you help him or her. I don't understand this attitude. Nor apparently do the providers. Be very careful with OneExchange and your provider and document every conversation and email. We're fooling with health care here, so until you reach Medicare age this is the new reality. Welcome to the Affordable Care Act.
All, I'll be honest in that I was a front-line administrator for many years and later a back-office manager, I risked my life far less than any rig worker, but often enough. It's the nature of our business. Who can you trust if they won't guard your back?
Liz Williams at Transocean can help you, and is willing to do so. The only person who seems to be interested, and for that I congratulate her.
Business of the Tribe
Our last few issues of the Alumni blog were delayed by several events; the first, an avalanche of updates to the Alumni Directory; and the second the passing of my step-mother in CA, which occasioned considerable effort. However, I am back with you now.
There have been so many events in the lives of the Alumni that it's very hard to keep up with them all, but I will summarize.
A few misses.
Charles Keaton
5500 Lookout Ridge
Marble Falls, TX 78654
512.267.7563
cpk55210@gmail.com
Susan Deal
susandeal 2020@gmail.com
Otherwise, so many of our members have been moving about and retiring or actually dying on us (see the Necrology) that it's difficult to keep everyone tracked on an organized basis. See the Alumni Directory attached. If your information is incorrect, let me know.
A few tidbits:
Adel El-Rawi is back in Egypt ex Dubai. Happy to be home with friends and family but needs work.
Mel Grahn, an old friend who used to host parties in a kimono. I thought this was most interesting. Still in Bali but thinking about Portland OR, which I guess is a little bit more civil but perhaps a little little less exotic. Mel has always been the adventurer.
Mike Hargrave took an unusual turn which I much admire. He became the Facilities Director at Yellowstone National Park. He needs a PM Director, if anyone whats to go north. I'm envious. Money is not everything. I served as a Director on the National Parks Photography Project, for not a dime, and it was worth every minute. Now showing at the GHW Bush Library, soon to move to the Houston Science Museum. 59 individual photos of each National Park, then on to the GW Bush Library and the Johnson Library. If it's in reach you'd be crazy not to go. Forgive me, I'm just crazy about the Parks; I grew up in them since I was a troublesome child, and was sent to camp every summer (!).
Clayton Grayson has moved to Thailand as well. He claims to be grouchy but I never knew him to be so.
Ed Sammarco, who has long been missing, is still in Kansas and is starting his own business. Way to go! You need to come down and play some golf, Ed.
Elizabeth Wilkinson snuck down to RGP for the last four years and I didn't notice. Sorry Elizabeth! It's a big job keeping track of everyone.
Brian Townsend landed a job but I'm not sure where. Help us with an update, Brian, and congratulations.
Robert Bowden is recovering from a heart ailment fixed in September. Wants to golf if anyone is ready and able. Needs to get outside, as do I.
A lot of us have retired; I won't list all but you can check the Directory. More than a few. Note the Directory has a new listing of LOOKING. If you can find a contact that might be useful, let these folks know. If you are LOOKING and are not listed, let me know.
Necrology
Since we have been absent for so long, the necrology has snuck up on us, and it is a long one. Please give your thanks for the following who contributed in some way or another to your lives and pray for their souls.
- Dick Hudson: Dick and his wife Margaret with their daughter, Margaret Hunt, niece Madison Grace, and nephew Colten Elsneir perished in a house fire at their home in Chesterfield VA on January 17. A most horrid event in which 3 generations perished; but 5 of the children and grandchildren survived.
- Tye Jacko passed on January 7. A much liked co-worker in the IT department. Reported by Jackie Montgomery.
- Dick Black: We've been advised that Dick has passed. No information available, but certainly colorful.
- Skeet Jones: We've been advised that Skeet has passed. Again no information available, but equally colorful.
- Alice Springer passed on January 13, as reported by Priscilla West.
- Dave Murray passed as reported by Sandy Fraser.
Final Word
One thing I want to note re the deceased. We all were "colorful" in our day. A good thing to note as we proceed. What is life without color or adventure? In my opinion, absolutely nothing. If one dares nothing, one gets nothing. The bland just go on from day to day. I'll quote Theodore Roosevelt:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Regarding the matter of honor, I have said enough; but I think that many in the Alumni will feel the same. No one likes being kicked off the back of the boat having sacrificed life and soul for the job.
Ed Collins AKA Seahorse
PS We've had so many address and email changes it's been hard to keep up; so please do let me know re changes.
