April 22, 2019 archive

Fire dangers remain low as storms move into Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Forestry Department is hoping storms bring some relief to dry conditions in southwest Oklahoma and perhaps to the Panhandle. Otherwise, the department does not expect significant fire dangers through the week. Rainfall of one to two inches is expected in the southwest. But it’s the Panhandle where the Department leadership is most concerned …

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Oil prices rose after more oil sanctions against Iran were announced

Oil prices hit their highest levels in months following Monday’s announcement that the U.S. was ending exemptions from sanctions for those countries that were still importing Iranian oil. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered the news, calling it “timely action to assure that global demand is met as all Iranian oil is removed from the …

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National clean air improvements are reported

A new report is out showing progress is being made in air quality in the U.S. and Oklahoma is playing a role. The Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies stated in its 2019 report that there was a 73 percent reduction in the combined emissions from 1970 to 2017. Oklahoma reduced its amount of nitrogen …

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Company says Scott Pruitt is best lobbyist for the job

The Denver, Colorado based company that hired former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to be a lobbyist in Indiana has released more information about the hiring explaining he is the perfect man for the job in the company’s fight with two utilities. Hallador Inc, parent company of Rail Point Solutions LLC said in the announcement that …

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Keystone pipeline legal battle far from finished

The battle over the Keystone XL pipeline proposed in the northern U.S. has resulted in another fight—this one over the President’s move to revoke one cross-border permit for a new one. The President took the action last month, revoking the original March 2017 permit which was put on hold by the 9th Circuit court of …

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Illinois creates law ending tough restrictions on wind farm development

The state of Illinois has a new law streamlining the zoning rules to allow more wind farm development. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation last week that allows only counties and municipalities to set standards for wind farm development. The law prevents townships from having authority over the location of the wind farms. The governor and …

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Jobs, jobs and more jobs—-it’s what oil and gas means to Midland, Texas

Here’s what the oil and gas industry means to one part of Texas—-a 2.1 percent jobless rate! It’s in the Midland and Odessa areas of West Texas—home of the Permian Basin. The Texas Workforce Commission released figures showing the unemployment in the Midland metropolitan statistical area dropped to 2.1 percent in March from 2.2 percent …

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Hallliburton reports “flat” revenue

Halliburton’s  first quarter 2019 net income easily topped the first quarter of 2018 but the company’s total year to year revenue was flat. The Houston company said its net income so far this year was $152 million or 71 cents a diluted share compared to the $46 million and 5-cents a diluted share reported in …

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Water bills approaching deadline in Oklahoma legislature

With the legislature still in session, a big deadline’s approaching and it could have an impact on at least two bills that focus on water. As the Oklahoma Farm Report indicates, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau is paying close attention. Click here for the story.  

EOG Resources finding success just outside the STACK

While Blaine, Canadian and Kingfisher counties that make up Oklahoma’s STACK play get most of the publicity about large wells, one company’s finding some moderate success just outside the STACK. EOG Resources Inc., the Oklahoma City company with the motto “pleased but not satisfied, reports five new wells in Ellis County where Shattuck is the …

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