December 2019 archive

Chemical plant fires still burn in South Texas

Fires are still burning at the Port Neches chemical plant and officials are warning area residents not to touch debris for fear it might contain asbestos. Officials are worried of possible asbestos exposure from debris blown by the explosion at the TPC plant. TPC officials say while the fires are still burning, they are contained. …

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Energy news in brief

** Montana Public Radio reports that Montana utility regulators say NorthWestern Energy must spend a minimum $3.2 million a year on removing trees near power lines. ** The Arizona Republic reports a state regulator proposes an independent investigation into Arizona’s largest electric utility over bad advice the company’s website offered customers. **  A report in the Casper Star-Tribune says …

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Oilman’s Boy Scout ranch mortgaged

The Boy Scouts of America organization has mortgaged one of its most spectacular properties, the vast Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, to help secure a line of credit as the financially strapped organization faces a growing wave of sex-abuse lawsuits. The BSA said  that it has no plans to sell the property and that …

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Key Energy delisted on New York Stock Exchange

The New York Stock Exchange has suspended trading of Key Energy stock and delisted the stock after it failed to maintain an average market cap of at least $15 million over a consecutive 30 trading-day period. Leaders of the Houston, Texas company with operations offices in El Reno, Oklahoma City and Hennessey say they will …

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Regulators to consider rules changes for Oklahoma petroleum storage tanks

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s Petroleum Storage Tank Division is proposing changes to its rules and plans a public meeting this week at the State Capitol. The proposed rule changes are for Chapters 15, 25, 26, 27 and 29. They will be discussed at a technical conference to be held Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m. …

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Kansas City energy projects come under FBI investigation

     The FBI investigation into two high-cost energy projects approved by the city council in Independence, Missouri is growing, according to a report by Kansas City TV KSHB. The tv station reported that council members Karen DeLuccie and Scott Roberson said two different FBI agents separately questioned them about two controversial projects: The demolition …

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Thanksgiving Holiday gasoline prices were higher than a year ago

True to form as predicted by AAA Thanksgiving holiday gasoline prices were lower than last year’s holiday prices. But not in Oklahoma. Oklahoma’s average of $2.27 a gallon  on December 1 was two cents cheaper than a week ago but still 12 cents more than what drivers paid at the Thanksgiving Holiday of 2018. The …

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More Oklahoma counties reflect increased jobless rates

Most counties in Oklahoma showed an increased unemployment rate in October from September according to an announcement by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. New figures show the oil and gas sector continued to lose workers. Unemployment rates were higher than a year earlier in 57 counties, lower in 14 counties and unchanged in six counties. …

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Energy companies plan more oil and gas exploration in Oklahoma

Who and where?  The logical questions arise when reviewing the latest list of Permits to drill issued by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. The latest permits showed Newfield Exploration Mid-Con Inc. plans to drill a four well-single pad site in Kingfisher County at 13 16N 9W. The site is about 7 miles south of the town …

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Continental Resources loses emissions fight in North Dakota Supreme Court

Oklahoma’s Continental Resources has lost a legal fight in North Dakota, the state where it explored the Bakken and helped turn North Dakota into the country’s No.2 oil producer. The North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled against Continental Resources in a fight over environmental rules restricting the mission of volatile organic compounds which can contribute …

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