Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Aug 26 - 29

Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Friday, August 26, 2016
Morning 74 Degrees, Wind variable, calm to 1 Mph, Humidity 99%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 99 Degrees, Wind NNE at 2 to 7 Mph, Humidity 38%, Scattered Clouds.

Today the wire line crew was here to do their work and left late in the afternoon. Otherwise not much doing today, or slow gate traffic during the day. There are usually two trucks a day removing water this is mostly from the fracking of the new well.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Saturday, August 27, 2016
Morning 72 Degrees, Wind ESE variable, calm to 1 Mph, Humidity 96%, .
Afternoon 97 Degrees, Wind E at 3 to 9 Mph, Humidity 39%, sunny.

Slow day and shopping. Interesting cattle show for about three hours they were coming by Buster’s location. Group of three, group of six, group of nine and other groups. I went to Rio Grand City shopping, yes a day early and we are expecting to leave Friday so I did not get much.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Sunday, August 28, 2016
Morning 73 Degrees, Wind E variable, calm to 1 Mph, Humidity 95%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 97 Degrees, Wind S at 1 to 5 Mph, Humidity 74%, Scattered Clouds.

Slow Sunday now that we have plans to be at a real address I am ordering some things we have been wanting. A new omni antenna for the cell telephone booster amplifier we have as the current antenna we use is short and mounted to Buster’s right side. The new omni antenna will mount on a pole and extend higher to receive a better signal. I will be able to get the antenna up to twenty-two feet in the air for a better signal. I have the pole now a ten foot section of PVC pipe and a telescoping pole I can put into the PVC pipe and attaches outside to Buster. Even with this antenna and a three watt amplifier our signal strength varies from hour to hour from 1X 1 bar to 4 G two bars sometimes. That is now waiting for us there in Pleasanton. Calls do drop and the other person has a hard time hearing my voice. The air card for internet is also slow and for that reason uses more bites to load information.

The cattle show was different tonight, the cows stayed longer on Busters left side eating the grass that has not been picked over since we have been here at the gate. As the picture shows they were right up to the generator trailer and the gray water tank on the ground.

Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Aug 21 - 25

Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Sunday, August 21, 2016
Morning 76 Degrees, Wind SE at 1 to 7 Mph, Humidity 89%, overcast rain.
Afternoon 87 Degrees, Wind ESE at 1 to 8 Mph, Humidity 62%, overcast.

Rio Grand City shopping day after my wife had her day sleep. Gate is slow, weekend with very few coming and going.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Monday, August 22, 2016
Morning 76 Degrees, Wind SE at 1 to 3 Mph, Humidity 98%, partly sunny.
Afternoon 97 Degrees, Wind SR at 7 to 18 Mph, Humidity 34%, mostly sunny.

We had cattle come past Buster’s gate in two groups today. They are coming by earlier in the day as we are not seeing the triple digit temperatures. The early group just did a walk thru. This was kind of a “Indian style” single file or one behind another, first time I had seen that here. The second group came latter grazing and walking
More workers in today with the winding down operations to bring the well “on line” in production.

Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Morning 76 Degrees, Wind SE at 2 to 3 Mph, Humidity %, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 97 Degrees, Wind SSE at 7 to 16 Mph, Humidity 49%, sunny.

More cattle sighting here at the gate. A little more going on today inside with the pipeline crew in for the final work. We are closing down on Friday thus making plans for the next week getting doctor visits for new proscriptions.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Morning 75 Degrees, Wind SW at 2 to 3 Mph, Humidity 93%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 99 Degrees, Wind SE at 5 to 13 Mph, Humidity 34%, sunny.

The well is “on line” I might have failed to say that the primary product is natural gas and oil comes as a residual by product. We do have at least one oil tank truck per week and there is also a propane pickup almost on a weekly basis from the other wells on (now three wells on the site thru this gate) the ranch. There is a natural gas compressor on site and that output is delivered off site thru a pipeline system.

Cattle are coming everyday, and are very interesting to watch their routines grazing and moving on to the next area. About noon today I got a call telling me we are needed another week on the gate. That will take us up to the holiday (laborday) weekend. That works out for our doctors appointments as the doctors office is closed next week.

This is right outside the left side window

Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Thursday, August 25, 2016
Morning 74 Degrees, Wind E variable, calm to 1 Mph, Humidity 95%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 99 Degrees, Wind SSW at 5 to 9 Mph, Humidity 32%, sunny.

Pipeline crew last work day on this job site today (not coming back anymore). Anothe crew came late in the afternoon leaving equipment for tomorrow. We still get water trucks twice a day everyday for now. This water is coming back up as it was used in the frak operation.

Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Aug 14 - 20

Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Sunday, August 14, 2016
Morning 75 Degrees, Wind NE variable, calm to 4 Mph, Humidity 97%, overcast.
Afternoon 78 Degrees, Wind SW at 2 to 4 Mph, Humidity 95%, overcast / rain.

We had rain overnight and it came back (1.75 inches) after noon just in time for a couple of trailer trucks that are sand handling equipment used in the frak operation.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Monday, August 15, 2016
Morning 74 Degrees, Wind S variable, calm to 1 Mph, Humidity 98%, overcast.
Afternoon 95 Degrees, Wind N variable, calm N to 5 Mph, Humidity 50%, Scattered Clouds.

Afternoon rain > than an inch and we have gotten away from the triple digit temperatures thank goodness. More frak equipment trailers and rigging up equipment for the frak thru the gate today.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Morning 73 Degrees, Wind SW variable, calm to 1 Mph, Humidity 98%, Scattered Clouds.
Afternoon 88 Degrees, Wind SSE at 1 to 7 Mph, Humidity 68%, Scattered Clouds.

Rain shower this afternoon. High volume of vehicles today with support equipment and Frak trailers coming in to the work site.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Morning 74 Degrees, Wind E at variable, calm 1 Mph, Humidity 96%, Scattered Clouds.
Afternoon 95 Degrees, Wind SSE at 5 to 13 Mph, Humidity 53%, Scattered Clouds.

 Frak one stage done and an early day for the workers. An easier day here at the gate.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Thursday, August 18, 2016
Morning 75 Degrees, Wind E variable, calm to 1 Mph, Humidity 95%, mostly cloudy.
Afternoon 97 Degrees, Wind SE at 5 to 12 Mph, Humidity 52%, Scattered Clouds.

The Frak finished up this morning, quickest frak job we have been gating on only two stages. An above average day morning and early afternoon than really busy late afternoon with frak trucks moving out.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Friday, August 19, 2016
Morning 78 Degrees, Wind SSE at 4 to 7 Mph, Humidity 91%, mostly cloudy.
Afternoon 97 Degrees, Wind SSE at 9 to 15 Mph, Humidity %, Scattered Clouds.

More rig down and equipment moving out today. We now have water trucks removing water from the “flow back”. Hydraulic fracturing is interesting operation as sand with chemicals and water under high pressure is pumped into the well to fracture the rock. Then the water comes back up and is hauled to a water disposal site.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Saturday, August 20, 2016
Morning 78 Degrees, Wind S at 1 to 11 Mph, Humidity 90%, sunny.
Afternoon 99 Degrees, Wind E at 10 to 14 Mph, Humidity 56%, mostly cloudy.

Well things are winding down at this gate coming to a closing of this job site for us. We will head towards Pleasanton foe as week after we close here. In Pleasanton it is time to visit the doctor and get our prescriptions for another year.  


Thought for the Day:

Apparently Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life.

Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Aug 6 - 13

Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Saturday, August 6, 2016
Morning 77 Degrees, Wind E variable, calm to 1 Mph, Humidity 90%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 101 Degrees, Wind SSE at 6 to 14 Mph, Humidity 34%, sunny.
 
Another day of “Frak” tanks being brought in to the new well site. We had our first cattle show tonight in a long time. Since the night I had to get them away from the cone that holds our sending unit alerting us there is a vehicle coming out.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Sunday, August 7, 2016
Morning 78 Degrees, Wind E variable, calm to 3 Mph, Humidity 90%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 100 Degrees, Wind SE at 6 to 11 Mph, Humidity 40%, sunny.
 
A day of rest for the gate people. We do get the pumper or gauger every day so he was our only gate opening today. I went to Rio Grand City for our groceries this week as usual. My wife was up early enough for my three and a half hour journey and shopping.

At the site there is a nineteen tanks manifolded together 

Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Monday, August 8, 2016
Morning 78 Degrees, Wind S variable, calm to 1 Mph, Humidity 91%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 103 Degrees, Wind SSW at 8 to 13 Mph, Humidity 34%, sunny/Scattered Clouds.

With the frak tanks on the well site it is now time to start filling them up. This will be a multi day job a the liquid will be water and a chemical. There will be more chemical and then water all mixed together. Pipeline work continues and we also had some water trucks tonight for my wife to let and out the gate.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Morning 80 Degrees, Wind S at 3 to 8 Mph, Humidity 89%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 103 Degrees, Wind S at 5 to 10 Mph, Humidity 37%, sun & Scattered Clouds.

Another existing well needs a valve replaced and today is the day for that job to get done. The pipeline job for the new well needs to cross the road so the road traffic will be limited today. That work will stop water trucks this morning because of the road work. What does all that mean for my day here at the gate will slow.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Morning 79 Degrees, Wind SE at 1 to 4 Mph, Humidity 90%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 103 Degrees, Wind SW at 4 to 13 Mph, Humidity 37%, sunny.

Easy day with pipeline work only today. Late today I was told the water trucks will run all weekend. Did not ask about night trucks or not they run over night. So far only Monday did we have overnight trucks for my wife’s shift. But she is there ready everyday.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Thursday, August 11, 2016
Morning 79 Degrees, Wind SE at 3 to 7 Mph, Humidity 88%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 105 Degrees, Wind ESE at 3 to 11 Mph, Humidity 32%, Scattered Clouds & sunny.

 Pipeline crew is getting smaller and the water trucks are running again today. The trucks today are hauling water with chemical and it is a longer trip from Alice, Texas where each truck only makes two trips each, or in our world less gate openings.

Water / Chemical trailer

Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Friday, August 12, 2016
Morning 78 Degrees, Wind SE at 3 to 7 Mph, Humidity 87%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 105 Degrees, Wind ESE at 5 to 8 Mph, Humidity 28%, sunny.

Pipeline workers were here a little more than half a day but the water trucks were only hauling water (no chemical) thus they were loading closer making more trips for each truck.

Today on my computer I was able to follow our grand daughter playing softball in South Carolina. A website, Game Changer where it is scored on the field and can be followed real time on the computer or smart phone.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Saturday, August 13, 2016
Morning 78 Degrees, Wind N variable, calm to 1 Mph, Humidity 92%, overcast.
Afternoon 102 Degrees, Wind ENE at 1 to 7 Mph, Humidity 37%, mostly cloudy.

Another water truck day hauling only water. There was a drop deck trailer truck that hauled out a bulldozer but the water trucks kept me hopping. Today our first cattle show in about a week as we were talking and I happened to glance out the window by the computer there were five cows out there to Buster’s left front, and they are not usually up front there eating. The cattle usually come down the road working the shoulders grazing for grass. Then go on up past Buster’s right side following the gas pipeline and they did that tonight also but they did not continue and sneak thru but after coming close to the right front the cattle back up and went around the back of Buster and followed the road to the pipeline grass area.


Thought for the Day:

Life always offers a second chance. It’s called tomorrow.

Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - July 31 - Aug 5

Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Sunday, July 31, 2016
Morning 77 Degrees, Wind ESE at 1 to 7 Mph, Humidity 89%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 101 Degrees, Wind SE at 8 to 16 Mph, Humidity 34%, mostly sunny.

Well the new coffee maker needs paper filters, OK but I did not buy any filters. The machine comes with about six so we are good for the mornings coffee. What you are reading is another trip to town for filters and a few things we did not get yesterday.
We were lucky only one store and done.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Monday, August 1, 2016
Morning 77 Degrees, Wind ESE at 5 to 8 Mph, Humidity 91%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 101 Degrees, Wind SE at 7 to 14 Mph, Humidity 32%, sunny.

We had a few vehicles today with the operators of the machines that came in on Saturday and a few others. A relaxed day and no night traffic but my wife is there and ready.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Morning 77 Degrees, Wind SSW at 1 to 3 Mph, Humidity 90%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 98 Degrees, Wind SSW at 3 to 10 Mph, Humidity 40%, sunny.

Another slow day with the operators of the large backhoe and bulldozer the vehicles coming and going today. Late today there was another backhoe delivered to the well pipeline site.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Morning 74 Degrees, Wind SE at 2 to 5 Mph, Humidity 90%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 100 Degrees, Wind SE at 3 to 10 Mph, Humidity 39%, sunny.

The most activity this week so far with pipe for the pipeline on two trucks and welders here to start the construction of the well pipe line. One operator for the pipeline stayed late tonight, almost dark when he left the gate.

Frak Tank

                                         
                                         Black pipeline at the frak we "gated" last year

Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Friday, August 5, 2016
Morning 77 Degrees, Wind SE variable, calm to 1 Mph, Humidity 92%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 101 Degrees, Wind S at 2 to 10 Mph, Humidity 34%, sunny.

Today we had frak tanks start coming in to the well site as there will be a frak of the new well. These tanks can hold a large quantity of liquid 500 barrels (42 gallons per barrel) and the front manifold (pipe) allows them to be manifolded together making a single large tank. This job will have nineteen trailers manifolded together to store the water used during the frak. All this water will be trucked in where on other frak job we worked there was a temporary pipeline laid and the water was pumped into the well site using the pipeline.

Frak trank manifolded below yellow ladder

(To enlarge pictures; Click on picture to enlarge, click on the < in the upper left to return to the blog)


Thought for the Day:

Life is not a fairy tale. If you lose you shoe at midnight, you’re not a princess, you’re drunk.

Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - July 27 - 30

Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Morning 78 Degrees, Wind ESE at 2 to 8 Mph, Humidity 91%, Scattered Clouds.
Afternoon 95 Degrees, Wind S at 3 to 8 Mph, Humidity 41%, Scattered Clouds.

Drilling company five axle trailer trucks came this morning and loaded parts of the drill rig hauling them out today. Two of the bunk houses were also moved out. Not as hot today and the Scattered Clouds provided the nice shade to Buster.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Thursday, July 28, 2016
Morning 80 Degrees, Wind S at 1 to 8 Mph, Humidity 88%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 98 Degrees, Wind SSE at 10 to 17 Mph, Humidity 44%, Scattered Clouds with a shower.

More rig parts are moved out this morning making a slow afternoon.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Friday, July 29, 2016
Morning 79 Degrees, Wind SSE at 2 to 8 Mph, Humidity 92%, overcast.
Afternoon 103 Degrees, Wind SE at 9 to 16 Mph, Humidity 26%, Scattered Clouds.

The last of the rig is out today, then we rested the rest of the day. We will go into town tomorrow as we have not been shopping in ten days and our supplies are low now. My first thought was to go last Sunday but two things changed that plan the rig finished drilling mid day and my wife got up late from her day sleep, I didn’t try to wake her early as she needed the rest. Besides I had been to the store on Tuesday only five days ago. Sunday afternoon after being informed the rig had completed the drilling about ninety minutes later I was busy the rest of the day with vehicles leaving, their work was now complete and others coming to start the rig down job. With the rig out we have no expected vehicles for the weekend. I did not go on Monday as I was too tried after a very busy day of letting vehicles in and out. The rest of th week just did not have the personal drive to make the grocery trip.


Busters Gate Jim Hogg County TX - Saturday, July 30, 2016
Morning 73 Degrees, Wind SW at 2 to 4 Mph, Humidity 85%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 102 Degrees, Wind E at 7 to 20 Mph, Humidity 34%, mostly sunny.

there were two vehicles today, the "gager or pumper" comes every day to check the completed well and a transport truck delivering a large backhoe and a return trip with a bulldozer, It was almost one-thirty by the time he was done.

We did it today, “it” we both went to town. Bigger than that we went to a restaurant to eat a late lunch together. Rio Grande city does not have much to offer so we drove further east on US 83 ending up in McAllen, TX . The way home was via the grocery store to stock Buster for the coming week. Additionally I was looking for a coffee maker the one I “had” the switch failed. The switch ps supposed to lock on then release after brewing the coffee. Most of the past week required me to hold the switch on and I released it when I heard the water finishing the cycle. We did not find a single cup to replace that one but in the second store we found a five cup that has a metal carafe that I liked besides the switch is just on and off. Ok now I have to remember to turn the coffee pot off when I am done. Yes there is a warming plate that keeps the carafe coffee warm until the switch is turned off.