It would seem that my enthusiasm has led me to some incorrect conclusions about what is going on currently at the slope, and elsewhere. I had not considered that the backlogs were such an enduring trend and that the work is actually planned that way. It did seem that work had been significantly delayed the last half of 2014 while TAR work pushed us late on most of our projects. Also our work started to really pick up after the first of the year, mainly with projects that had been shelved for years suddenly being resurrected.

As for the Permian Basin, I did a little looking of my own after reading your response, and found this interesting graph:

Permian Basin drilling trend

As everyone can see, the rig trend has been falling this year, not staying the course. It was easy enough to see that in the short time I had to look to check on what I was told. I got that wrong, or at least the information I was given was dated.

My affirmations are suspect, and any conclusions I asserted are unfounded. I don't know what I am talking about when it comes to slope business or the Oil and Gas industry. I apologize for speaking about things I know very little about.

Thank you AKSAR. Your insight and correction are appreciated. From hereon I will refrain from making any statements about what may be going on up on the slope or elsewhere in O&G, other than personal activities.