February 6, 2021 archive

Northern Oklahoma quakes result in shutdowns of disposal wells

  Oklahoma regulators have asked some oil and gas well operators in northern Oklahoma to cease operations following a 4.2 magnitude earthquake that struck near Covington in Garfield County. The Corporation Commission’s Induced Seismicity Department directed the operators to take the action. No injuries or damage were reported from the 4.2 magnitude quake reported Mike …

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Total expands solar operations in the U.S.

      The French  oil and gas group Total increased its U.S. solar power production by adding another 2.2GW with the purchase of four large scale solar projects near Houston, Texas. The company did not disclose how much it paid for the solar farms from SunChase Power, but said it will turn green its …

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New wind farm construction soared in 2020 in Texas, Wyoming and Oklahoma

  Texas remains far and above the number one wind industry state in the U.S. as the industry recorded its strongest year ever last year with record growth. New construction in Oklahoma ranked third in the nation. The wind industry nearly doubled installations over those in 2019 and built nearly 17 gigawatts of capacity. The …

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Energy news in brief

**Canada’s second-biggest oil company, Suncor Energy Inc, said on Thursday it had started a third-party safety review, after three contract workers died in two separate mining accidents. ** A judge says U.S officials downplayed climate change impacts and other environmental costs from the expansion of a massive coal mine near the Montana-Wyoming border, in a case …

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Defiant Texas congressman issues challenge to Democrats and Biden

  “Come and take it” challenged Texas Rep. Chip Roy in a Friday speech on the House floor as he attacked Democrats and the Biden administration over their war against the oil and natural gas industry. The Republican Congressman accused Democrats of attacking the natural resources that are “the very great strength that the United …

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After gloomy 4Q report, NOV chairman is optimistic about 2021

  National Oilwell Varco reported a drop in its fourth quarter 2020 revenues, falling four percent from the previous quarter and 42% from a year earlier. The Houston-based company said its fourth quarter revenues were $1.33 billion and the net loss was $347 million or 26.1% of sales. Its adjusted EBITDA fell $54 million to …

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Congresswoman wants to spare New Mexico from Biden’s ban on oil and gas leases

  New Mexico Republican Congresswoman Yvette Herrell is fighting Biden’s ban on new federal oil and gas land leases with a bill to exempt her state from the moratorium. Rep. Herrell announced she was introducing the Protecting New Mexico’s Jobs and Public Education System Act  blocking the current order from affecting her home state. She argued New …

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Montana Senator plans to fight nomination of New Mexico Democrat to head Interior

  President Biden’s nomination of New Mexico Congresswoman Deb Haaland to be Interior secretary has run into opposition from Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana. He plans to block the confirmation of the Democratic U.S. Representative who has received support because of her Indian heritage. Sen. Daines sees it differently.   “I’m deeply concerned with …

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Pay as you go is proposed for highway travelers in Wyoming

  The state of Wyoming is considering a legislative bill to charge driver’s for every mile they travel in the state. It’s in response to the growth of electric vehicles which don’t pay gasoline taxes whose revenue is used to help for highway maintenance. USA Today reported House Bill HB0037 will put a per mile …

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