October 1, 2018 archive

Oklahoma natural gas production increased in July

Natural gas production hit another record high in July according to recent figures released by the Energy Information Administration. Gross gas production from the lower 48 states rose to 92.5 Bcf/d which was a nearly 2 percent increase from June and nearly 12 percent higher than July 2017. Oklahoma’s natural gas production in July was …

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Weyerhaeuser in fight over endangered frog

Timber giant Weyerhaeuser, the company with large operations in southeast Oklahoma’s mountainous forests was part of the U.S. Supreme Court’s October session. The company is involved in a fight over a frog in Louisiana. Weyerhaeuser filed suit against the Interior Department challenging it reach of the Endangered Species Act. The fight is over the Fish …

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Supreme Court to decide whether a state can enforce a gasoline tax against Indian tribes

Oklahoma state leaders might be paying close attention later in the month as the U.S. Supreme Court considers the right of a state to enforce a fuels tax on an Indian tribe. At stake is the case of a tribal gas retailer in Washington state. The state Supreme court ruled that tribal treaties from the …

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Judge rules against Plains All American over Illinois pipeline spill

An Illinois federal judge has refused to dismiss a class-action lawsuit filed against Plains All american Pipeline Co. over a 2015 pipeline spill near East St. Louis. U.S. District Judge Staci M. Yandle made the ruling in the lawsuit filed by some residents of Highland, Illinois after the 4,200 gallon oil spill polluted the town’s …

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Groundbreaking for $235 million convention center and hotel in downtown OKC

Another indication of a resurgence in Oklahoma’s economy, one driven strongly by the oil and gas industry. Groundbreaking was planned Monday morning for a $235 million, 605-room convention center and hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. It’s being built by Omni Hotel and Resorts and company president Peter Strebel was to be on hand. The 17-story …

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NGL must wait 30 days to reach EPA settlement and cough up $25 million fine

Tulsa’s NGL Crude Logistics LLC has to wait for nearly another month before a U.S. District court judge decides whether to approve a lawsuit with the Environmental Protection Agency. Under the agreement, NGL will pay a $25 million civil penalty to end violations of the Renewable Fuel Standard Program. The company will also be forced …

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1947 Texas tragedy sparks opposition to new ammonia plant

Seventy one years after a horrific fertilizer explosion left hundreds dead at Texas City, Texas, the tragedy is foremost in the minds of residents who fear a proposed new ammonia fertilizer plant in their backyard. Read how the Houston Chronicle has explored the developing story.  

Pipeline projects increase in west Texas

EnCap Flatrock Midstream, a San Antonio private equity firm with dealings in Oklahoma is backing Lotus Midstream in a joint venture to build a multibillion dollar crude pipeline from West Texas to Houston and Beaumont. Lotus is joining Exxon Mobil and Houston’s Plains All American, another firm with extensive pipeline operations in Oklahoma. At the …

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Earthquakes rattle southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma

Residents near the small southern Kansas town of Perth were the latest to feel the shaking and rumbling of an earthquake in an oil and gas drilling zone. A 3.0 magnitude quake was recorded around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday with a depth of about 3 miles. The U.S. Geological Survey indicated the epicenter was about …

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State Regulators to consider emergency wind farm rulemaking to comply with new law

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission is apparently taking emergency moves to enforce a new state law that might have been violated by NexEra Energy in development of two wind farms near Hinton, Oklahoma. The law was designed to protect military installations and their runway space from the encroachment of wind farms. The Corporation Commission has scheduled …

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