zukor

Shale Gas: Promises, Promises, Promises

Your article stated that Dr. Berman looked at production data. I have not read his report but production data would not reveal how many shale intervals within a well have not been fracture stimulated and are basically behind pipe. What often happens is that the operator will drill the horizonal wells and frac some intervals immediately and then, at a future time, frac the other intervals to offset decline in production. The first production yields rapid payback of drilling cost and the subsequent production is virtually all profit. It is only the the gas in the intervals that have been fraced that show up in reserves and of course, production figures. In this case, Dr. Berman's study would be incomplete and grossly understate the economics of shale gas.

Dendreon: Provenge's Shortcomings Have the Shorts Coming

I believe there is a large population study of Provenge that is underway. The FDA would not totally pull the plug on any cancer drug that shows effectiveness, even if the data is "less than perfect." Consequently, I believe the FDA will issue an approvable letter, state their concerns with the drug and rely on the results of the definitive study for approval of the drug. I'm not sure this is the outcome the bulls on DNDN want, but seems to be the logical progression, given the questions about this drug.