July 18, 2018 archive

Devon Energy wraps up $4 billion sale of interest in EnLink Midstream

Oklahoma City-based Devon Energy announced it has completed a more than $3 billion sale of its ownership interests in EnLink Midstream Partners, LLP and EnLink Midstream LLC. The total sale was $3.125 billion to affiliates of the independent infrastructure fund Global Infrastructure Partners. Devon said with the closing of the transaction, the financial results of …

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New EPA rules on coal ash pits take effect

In a move that could directly affect coal-fired power plants in Oklahoma, the Environmental Protection Agency this week finalized a rule on how coal ash is stored. How they might affect Oklahoma is yet to be determined. Just a few weeks after the EPA was roundly criticized by environmental groups for turning over coal-ash regulations …

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New leader of state forestry firefighting effort is named

A new leader of the Oklahoma Forestry Services firefighting efforts was named this week. Andy James was promoted to assistant director and fire management chief. He’s been with the agency for 22 years and will lead the agency’s wildfire suppression and mitigation operations. He will also provide leadership for the division’s field operations based out …

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NE Oklahoma residents upset about growth in poultry farms

Poultry farms are growing in northeast Oklahoma.  And residents don’t like it. Opponents met recently in the town of Peggs. Their meeting attracted residents from Tahlequah to Colcord, according to the Tulsa World. Residents are concerned about water and air quality, health and water shortages and they’re ready for a fight. Here’s why.  The Oklahoma …

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Missouri Supreme Court reverses rejection of massive Grain Belt Express wind line

Clean Line Energy Partners got a surprise ruling this week in which the Missouri Supreme Court said state regulators got it wrong in rejecting the company’s proposed 780 mile wind powered electric line known as the Grain Belt Express. Clean Line went to court after Missouri regulators blocked the transmission line from western Kansas and …

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Wind farm production costs are down by a third

The U.S. Energy Department reported recently the cost of wind-generated power dropped by one-third between 2010 and 2016. The reason? Improved technology as well as better manufacturing capability. Then there is the aspect of concentration of wind farms in regions that have lower installation costs. In 2010, the capacity-weighted average cost in inflation-adjusted dollars for …

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ICE to offer new crude futures contract in Houston—–raises doubts about Cushing’s viability

The suggestion of replacing Cushing as the oil hub setting the price of U.S. crude has resurfaced again. The Wall Street Journal raised the question this week in a story that announced Houston is ready to get its own oil futures. Intercontinental Exchange Inc. ICE, is planning a new crude futures contract with physical delivery …

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Parking changes made at OKC’s Will Rogers World Airport

Those oil and gas crews who fly in and out of Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport might want to know that hourly parking has moved to a temporary location effective this week. The move took place Wednesday, July 18. The hourly parking is relocated temporarily to an adjacent parking garage, allowing for repairs and …

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Company plans off-shore oil export terminal off the coast of Texas

Instead of bringing massive crude oil tankers into the ports of South Texas, a Houston company plans to build a massive offshore crude oil export terminal. Enterprise Products Partners L.P. announced the plan this week, indicating the terminal would be capable of fully loading Very Large Crude Carriers which have capacities of nearly 2 million …

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Energy taxation and autonomous cars are among State Senate’s interim studies

From energy taxation to aquifer recharging to autonomous vehicles. They are among the 2018 interim studies announced this week by Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore-designate Greg Treat of Edmond. The Republican Senator said a total of 43 requests had been approved including some focusing on energy-related matters. He personally asked for an interim study on …

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