As U.S. stockpiles of oil rose more than most analysts expected, oil prices on Wednesday fell the most in more than two weeks. WTI plunged $1.37 down to $61.64 for April 2018 deliveries. That’s a drop of 2.2%. Brent Crude in London dropped 85 cents a barrel to $65.78 Natural gas prices on the New …
February 2018 archive
State Agencies Deal with 2% Budget Cuts
Those state agencies dealing with the environment, transportation, oil and gas and other energy related matters in the state already were aware their budgets were being cut 2 percent before Gov. Mary Fallin made it official this week. Gov. Fallin on Tuesday signed House Bill 1020XX , the Fiscal Year 2018 budget bill into law. …
Governor Honors Insurance Commissioner and State Emergency Manager
Governor Mary Fallin on Wednesday presented citations to Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak and Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management Director Albert Ashwood. The governor thanked Doak for his visionary efforts the past seven years as insurance commissioner, such as organizing the National Tornado Summit held in Oklahoma City the past seven years. Doak, elected in …
87% of Puerto Rico Has Electricity Back On
While some PSO and OGE workers remain on Puerto Rico working to restore power, the government estimates nearly 87 percent of the country’s people now have electrical power following last fall’s Hurricane Maria. But sadly, some areas of the country won’t see power restored until as late as the end of May. The U.S. Army …
Deal Reached for New Wind Farm in New Mexico and Texas
Wind giant Xcel Energy, a firm with a few hundred miles of transmission lines in Oklahoma has reached an agreement to construct another large wind farm near the New Mexico and Texas border. The company, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota will build the $1.6 billion project near Portales, New Mexico and in Hale County in the …
The Value of Buybacks by Oil Companies
Buybacks of shares by oil and gas companies are getting the attention of industry observers. As oil prices climb, oil companies are buying back shares they had sold earlier. It not only means fewer shares in the marketplace but an increase in the value of those shares. ONEOK Inc. is one of them doing the …
Pruitt’s Pick of Oklahoma Friend to Manage Superfund Projects Quietly Goes About His Job
The former Oklahoma banker who had no environmental experience when he was picked by EPA Administrator and friend, Scott Pruitt to manage the agency’s Superfund sites is actually getting some good reviews from environmentalists. Ever since being picked last year, Albert “Kell” Kelly has refused to talk with reporters. “Truth be told, he’s been doing …
Austin Political Consultant Subpoenaed Over Tracking of Oklahoma Legislator
A published report indicates the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation suggests the wind industry might have hired a Texas political consultant to track an Oklahoma legislator known for opposing wind companies. George Shipley, 70 has been subpoenaed to testify next week before an Oklahoma multi-county grand jury, according to a Wednesday report in The Oklahoman. …
Oklahoma Regulators Change Earthquake Protocol for STACK and SCOOP
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission announced a new protocol this week in an effort to reduce earthquakes due to well completion and fracking activities in the STACK and SCOOP, the state’s biggest oil and gas plays. And the changes have the support of the Oklahoma Geological Survey. Tim Baker, head of the Commission’s Oil and Gas …
Regulators Study Recent Quakes Near Perry
State regulators and scientists have started taking a long serious look at a recent increase in earthquakes around Perry. As OK Energy Today reported this week, earthquakes have rattled the area in recent days. With some reaching magnitude 3.8 and 3.7, at least five have been recorded west of Perry. The U.S. Geological Center said …