November 20, 2017 archive

Crude Oil Settlements Lose Ground on Monday

Oil prices traded lower on Monday as the stage is set for an OPEC meeting in Vienna where the extension of crude output cuts is set to be discussed, according to Bloomberg MarketWatch. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, December West Texas Intermediate crude fell by 46 cents, or 0.8%, to settle at $56.09 a …

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Nebraska Regulators Okay Keystone XL Pipeline

Despite opposition from environmentalists and some landowners, state regulators in Nebraska on Monday gave the green light for construction of the controversial $8 billion Keystone XL pipeline. The decision by the Nebraska Public Service Commission was on a 3-2 vote and came just days after a massive Keystone pipeline spill in South Dakota. The vote …

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Despite Higher Gasoline Costs, Thanksgiving Travel Will Be Up This Year

A lot of Americans will be traveling this Thanksgiving Holiday and that includes Oklahomans. AAA predicts 50.9 million will take a trip 50 miles or longer which represents a 3.3 percent increase from a year ago. The organization says it will be the highest Thanksgiving travel volume since 2005 with 1.6 million more hitting the …

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Chemical Maker Sued Over Fires from Houston Floods

The chemical manufacturer whose warehouse caught fire during the Houston, Texas floods has been sued by Harris County, Texas. The lawsuit filed by Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan asks a judge to order Arkema Inc. to improve its disaster safety plans and reimburse the county for responding to the incident. “We are going to seek …

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Legislator Chooses Not to Seek Final Term in State House

Ardmore Rep. Pat Ownbey has announced he will no seek re-election next year at the end of his current term. Had the Republican legislator chosen to run again, it would have been for his final term because of term limits. Ownbey was elected to the House in 2009 for the District 48 seat. He was …

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Bridge Repairs to Cause I-35 Traffic Delays at Thackerville

Just what drivers wanted to read—–another traffic delay on I-35 in southern Oklahoma. It’s effective today, Monday and the interstate’s northbound lanes will be narrowed to one lane at miler marker 8 near Thackerville according to the Oklahoma Transportation Department. The delay is in effect from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. for bridge repairs.   …

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Williams Seeks Approval for $85 Million Pipeline Project in New York and New Jersey

Tulsa’s Williams Partners L.P. is attempting to get federal approval for a project to meet the growing demand for natural gas by northeastern consumers in New Jersey and New York. The company’s Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company has filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for authorization of its nearly $85 million Gateway …

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Commission Saves Coal Mining Tax Credits in Oklahoma

Tax breaks for Oklahoma’s coal industry will remain in place following a recent meeting of the Oklahoma Incentive Evaluation Commission. Members voted against repealing the breaks for both the production and purchase of Oklahoma coal, despite a report that showed the credits cost the state $4.4 million. Randall Bauer with PFM Consulting told the commission, …

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String of Williams’ Dividends Remains Unbroken

A 30-cent a share dividend has been declared by the Williams’ board of directors in Tulsa. On an annualized basis, that’s $1.20 a share. The dividend applies to holders of record at the close of business Dec. 8, 2017 on the company’s common stock.  It also reflects a continuation of dividends for the company which …

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Texas Energy Firm Unloads Bakken Holdings

In the Bakkens of North Dakota where some Oklahoma energy companies have invested heavily, one Texas based firm is unloading its assets for $27 million in cash. Earthstone Energy Inc. based in Houston announced the sale “to an unaffiliated party” and the closing should be completed by the end of the year. “The sale of …

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