tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203302732026-04-09T17:21:35.139-06:00The unfortunate reality for People, Ideas & Objects is even a small financial gain would improve our outlook. This has consequences for producers, as we have no vested interest, responsibility or obligations to them. Software companies like ours face significant disruption. If we don’t adapt now, we squander resources. We’ve fortuitously positioned ourselves to realize this AI future while resolving oil & gas industry’s greatest business challenge. Who’s ready to join us?Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.comBlogger3512125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-26581334039848657512026-03-27T05:30:00.021-06:002026-03-27T05:30:00.118-06:00

People, Ideas & Objects is pleased to publish the first in a series of papers on 21st Century Markets in North American oil and gas. This first paper addresses the difficult issues now becoming evident to producers and others across the industry, and outlines the methods we have chosen to resolve them.A 21st Century Marketplace Vision for Oil and GasPeople, Ideas & ObjectsPreliminary

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-5568252087503194532026-02-25T05:30:00.000-07:002026-02-25T05:30:00.118-07:00

 After substantial reductions in scope, the March 27, 2026 White Paper now exceeds sixty-five thousand words. It is, in practical terms, a book rather than a White Paper.Accordingly, the publication strategy will evolve. The material will be released as a series of standalone White Papers throughout 2026, culminating in the publication of the complete work as a book. In parallel, this body

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-24256634090221180802026-02-23T05:30:00.022-07:002026-02-23T05:30:00.119-07:00

 First, for the record: in the ongoing debate across the oil & gas sector—largely a mechanical repetition of legacy talking points—there has been no substantive engagement with the issue of approximately 10 Bcf per day of Permian gas flowing into Henry Hub priced as a by-product. That volume, treated effectively as surplus, has exerted a structural influence on Henry Hub pricing. Given

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-27508477907214502542026-02-16T05:30:00.080-07:002026-03-20T14:18:03.144-06:00

 It is difficult to understand how producers have allowed their essential service sector to deteriorate so severely. As the industry’s primary actors, they know full well that the tier-2 and tier-3 ecosystem is not peripheral—it is economically interdependent. Producer revenues are not created in a vacuum. They are made possible by a geographically dispersed, technically sophisticated

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-39757548422407130182026-02-09T05:30:00.063-07:002026-02-10T12:54:45.710-07:00

We have been focused on developing a paper first announced on November 27, 2025. I am pleased to have been able to turn full attention to this work. The subject matter is necessary for the industry, integral to the Preliminary Specification, and fundamental to securing producer infrastructure for the future.We are now in a position to formally announce both the title and publication date. The

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-37664177427077049522026-02-04T05:30:00.014-07:002026-03-20T14:14:20.346-06:00

 Delivering bad news runs counter to my generally optimistic outlook, so I will begin there. I have updated the natural gas losses for the 2025 calendar year. The result is an additional $364.8 billion in lost value across North America, bringing cumulative losses this century to $5.035 trillion. For ease of communication, we will round that figure to $5 trillion. That rounding is

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-3621950834662711912026-01-26T05:30:00.014-07:002026-01-26T05:30:00.116-07:00

 As Artificial Intelligence advances, it is becoming increasingly evident that electrical energy is emerging as a binding constraint on its development and deployment in the United States. Electrical demand is, at its core, energy demand—no different in economic substance from oil and gas demand. As aggregate U.S. energy requirements rise, the strategic question is not whether demand exists,

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-48680817643626030152026-01-20T05:30:00.035-07:002026-01-20T05:30:00.113-07:00

 The producer officers and directors have entangled themselves in what appears to be an unprecedented conflict of interest, evident in their shifting narratives over the past decade.On one side, they've consistently downplayed earnings prospects to investors, blaming government policies (e.g., under the Biden administration), regulatory hurdles, and a litany of external scapegoats—while

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-32723977722520462272026-01-15T05:30:00.013-07:002026-01-15T05:30:00.110-07:00

 ...I can confirm I've been accepted back into the X community without conditions. Ill be cross posting my X posts back to the blog to ensure the community receives the message. The ongoing discussion within the oil and gas industry regarding breakeven costs remains both confusing and fundamentally flawed, a topic I explored in my recent Wednesday X post and Monday blog entry.World Oil

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-62073643377092459452026-01-12T05:30:00.014-07:002026-01-12T05:30:00.112-07:00

 The energy sector is once again engaged in the "break even" debate, intensified by declining oil and gas prices and the sustained reality of systemic overproduction. This situation compels producers to justify their operations despite having “restructured” their cost base through consolidation, creating a financially tenuous position. This analysis suggests that reported "break even"

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-70399668871547127772025-12-31T05:30:00.011-07:002025-12-31T05:30:00.115-07:00

As we usher in a prosperous and profitable 2026, it's essential to look back and evaluate the true impact of Artificial Intelligence in 2025. Did it live up to the hype? I believe it surpassed expectations, and 2026 holds even greater promise. For People, Ideas & Objects, AI has been a game-changer, and last year witnessed a significant acceleration in the quality of these sophisticated

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-78015491840128396542025-12-29T05:30:00.085-07:002025-12-29T05:30:00.117-07:00

 On December 29, 2005 I wrote the following as the first post of this blog. Hello,I want to invite everyone to this new blog to discuss the role of innovation in oil and gas, a topic that is complex, is being addressed globally, and might possibly be one of the most important corporate issues throughout the business world. That issue being how do we continue to fuel the global economy?

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-82617660731435750772025-12-12T11:32:00.001-07:002025-12-13T01:44:03.117-07:00

 An article on oilprice.com offers a timely snapshot of current sentiment in the Permian. Exxon, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips are now positioning their post-consolidation performance as proof of a new operating model. The passage that drew my attention is noted in my references annotations:Production climbed 400,000 bpd year-over-year even with WTI dipping below $60. Rig counts fell 15%, yet

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-54333488733339682372025-12-08T05:30:00.067-07:002025-12-17T12:36:16.124-07:00

 The Cloud ERP Strategy: Questions for 2026The ongoing, rapid transition to cloud-based operations requires immediate consideration from oil and gas producers regarding the adoption of a single, industry-standard Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, such as the Preliminary Specification.This strategic imperative raises critical questions:Unified Approach: Is a standardized, objective

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-70743259292782694792025-11-27T05:30:00.098-07:002025-11-27T05:30:00.113-07:00

 Thanksgiving marks the official start of the U.S. holiday season, a time for reflection and gratitude. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and the time I have to dedicate to the work of People, Ideas & Objects.I've been holding off on a complex paper for a few months due to day-to-day interruptions, but now, with a period of more focused time ahead, I hope to make significant

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-26407541310995537062025-11-21T05:30:00.033-07:002025-11-21T05:30:00.110-07:00

 In our previous post, we discussed how the capital component of producers' break-even calculations has been stretched far beyond what is commercially viable. The industry's cultural acceptance of selling oil and gas at a loss, which was initially perceived as inconsequential, has been exacerbated by a prolonged failure to address chronic losses. This inaction has effectively turned many of

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-70148488322201599302025-11-19T05:30:00.006-07:002025-11-19T05:30:00.112-07:00

The capital-cost dynamics embedded in producers’ cost structures offer a strategic vantage point into their true financial performance. If each month’s Joint Operating Committee financials reflected these behaviors faithfully, firms would gain unprecedented visibility into the profitability of every property. The foundational issue is a core economic principle rarely acknowledged in the sector,

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-40756869964930031032025-11-18T05:30:00.003-07:002025-11-18T08:31:22.270-07:00

Exxon is back in the headlines touting its post-consolidation financial performance, and the self-congratulation is striking. If this is the benchmark they’re championing, the organization is well past any credible pathway to rehabilitation. Let’s deconstruct the reporter’s summary to understand what’s actually being asserted.Cost BehaviorsThe headline claim—$14 billion in “structural cost

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-68310934939821566652025-11-17T05:30:00.078-07:002025-11-17T05:30:00.129-07:00

 In our last post we noted how the Preliminary Specification  recycled cash through the producer repeatedly through property, plant and equipment in order to finance future capital expenditures. How investors will return, however never for “putting cash in the ground” again. And only to support profitable operations.  We also noted briefly how other industries were experiencing

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-78164162914862936212025-11-14T05:30:00.029-07:002025-11-14T05:30:00.117-07:00

People, Ideas & Objects Preliminary Specification is designed to tackle the disproportionate overhead burden faced by start-up, small and midsize producers in the complex oil and gas industry. This overhead is largely driven by unique challenges like intricate royalty payments and regulatory capture.Historically, larger firms have used onerous regulations to raise the barriers to entry and

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-44440699444976389512025-11-13T05:30:00.032-07:002025-11-13T05:30:00.121-07:00

When establishing a business model, start-up and small oil and gas producers should examine the industry to identify areas where value is being overlooked, wasted, or unrealized. This evaluation should encompass the entire exploration-to-production process, including product distribution and sales. Retaining control over product sales to the ultimate consumer can yield the most significant value

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-28087527243477746382025-11-11T05:30:00.053-07:002025-11-11T05:30:00.111-07:00

 Two of People, Ideas & Objects papers published in 2025 provide a vision for how startup and small producers are able to be established and prosper in North American oil & gas. The two papers are:Reconstructing Oil & Gas:Enabling Engineers and Geologists to be This Century’s Pioneers and Lead the Industry's Future And Oil & gas Arbitrage: The

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-47677931609096631182025-11-10T05:30:00.046-07:002025-11-10T05:30:00.112-07:00

 As we’ve found each year, Oracle Database World / Cloud World and now Oracle Artificial Intelligence World have had an impact on People, Ideas & Objects and our Preliminary Specification. Three years ago, the Oracle CloudWorld 2022 conference prompted a comprehensive rewrite of the entire specification. A rewrite I completed in November 2023. To be clear, I won’t be spending 2026 doing

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-29536121596872300862025-11-07T05:30:00.028-07:002025-11-07T05:30:00.117-07:00

 The papers published by People, Ideas & Objects this year have each touched on elements of Artificial Intelligence and its implementation in the Preliminary Specification. I want to review quickly how it is we see Artificial Intelligence being used in the oil & gas culture we’re building. We start today with our paper:Hyper Specialization in Today’s Artificial Intelligence &

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20330273.post-35155894711563862062025-11-06T05:30:00.015-07:002025-11-06T05:30:00.111-07:00

When People, Ideas & Objects developed the Preliminary Specification based on using the Joint Operating Committee as the key organizational construct for our software, we soon found the perspective for everything in the industry had changed. How and what we did as an Enterprise Resource Planning software system needed to change in order to accommodate that one difference. The organizational

Paul Coxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18311415353913869734noreply@blogger.com0