December 21, 2017 archive

Homeland Security Suspends Chemical Tests in Northern Oklahoma

The controversy over a proposed chemical test in northern Oklahoma has been suspended by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security following organized opposition by residents. The DHS made the announcement Thursday saying it suspended its plans to release chemicals on the Chilocco Indian  School campus as part of a test for a biological attack. The …

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Oil Prices Increase as Refineries Draw More Crude

Oil prices rose slightly in Thursday’s trading both in the U.S. and overseas as the U.S. crude inventories experienced a bigger than expected decline in the latest reporting week. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 13 cents to reach $58.22 a barrel in trading for Feb. 2018 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude in …

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STACK Keeps Yielding Large Wells for Oil and Gas Explorers

The STACK continues delivering big wells for oil and gas explorers. The latest completion reports from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission show Oklahoma City-based Continental Resources recently finishing a well that produced more than 1,600 barrels of oil daily. The Bailey 1-34-3XH well is located approximately 4 miles west of the Blaine county community of Greenfield …

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New Regional EPA Administrator Not Inclined to Blame Humans for Climate Change

Just 10 days after being nominated as the Region 6 Administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency in Dallas and Anne Idsal has made comments environmentalists might not appreciate. Maybe they expected her to tell the Dallas Morning News she’s much like EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt when it comes to blaming humans on any climate change. …

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Enviros Want Clean Budget Deal

Some two dozen environmental groups, including those who are well known in Oklahoma have written members of Congress asking them to make sure there is adequate funding for the nation’s environmental programs. Some of them include the Sierra Club which has a state chapter in Oklahoma.  Earthjustice and the Center for Biological Diversity are also …

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Feds Okay Oklahoma Freight Transportation Plan

The federal government recently approved Oklahoma’s Department of Transportation Freight Plan for 2018-2022. It’s a plan that will have a major impact on the movement of energy products in the state. The plan details freight trends and traffic forecasts and helps identify significant freight transportation projects needed in the state according to Dawn Sullivan, the …

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Company Pays $2.25 to Settle Royalty Fight with Government

A Houston, Texas energy company with a strong presence in Oklahoma and regional offices in Oklahoma City has agreed to pay more than $2 million to settle a federal court case filed against it by the Department of Justice. Citation Oil and Gas Corp. and its affiliates, Citation 2002 Investment Limited Partnership and Citation 2004 …

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Petition Drive Launched to Boost Tax on Oil and Gas

A group called Restore Oklahoma Now, Inc. has filed a petition drive seeking a vote of the people to restore all gross production taxes on oil and gas to a full 7 percent. Longtime oil and gas leader Mickey Thompson filed the paperwork Wednesday with the Oklahoma Secretary of State. His group has 90 days …

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Texas Company Wraps up Sale of Bakken Assets

Some $27 million in Bakken assets have been sold by Houston, Texas-based Earthstone Energy Inc. The company announced the sale was effective Dec. 2017 and proceeds will be used to pay down debt. The buyer was only described as “an unaffiliated party.” Robert J. Anderson, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Engineering at Earthstone …

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MVP Holdings Announces Formation of Great Salt Plains Midstream

Wichita, Kansas-based MVP Holdings, LLC has announced the formation of Great Salt Plains Midstream Holdings, LLC to expand crude oil and gas infrastructure in Oklahoma’s STACK oil play. It is a joint venture between MVM Midstream LLC and Chisholm Midstream, LLC.  MVM is an entity formed with Energy Spectrum Partners VII LP and MVP Holdings.The …

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