Gross production taxes on oil and gas increased nearly 32 percent in April from a year ago helping boost gross receipts to the Oklahoma Treasury to a record high. But they slipped from March 2019 collections, another sign of the impact that stagnant oil and gas prices are having on the economy. State Treasurer Randy …
May 13, 2019 archive
Gasoline prices take a 4-cent drop in Oklahoma
Following a drop in U.S. crude inventories in the past week, gasoline prices in Oklahoma and the region have slipped too. Oklahoma’s average is down about 4 cents a gallon to $2.56 compared to this week’s national average of $2.86 per gallon, according to AAA Oklahoma. The national average also fell about 4 cents. The …
Earthquake rumbles east of Enid
Oklahoma’s latest earthquake happened early Monday morning in the north central part of the state. The 2.9 magnitude quake happened around 2:50 a.m. and its epicenter was closed to the town of Lucien which is about 22 miles east of Enid. The U.S. Geological Survey issued the following information about the earthquake which is in …
Federal Reserve reports improving economy in Oklahoma
A recent release from the Oklahoma City Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City showed moderate improvements in the district’s economy in April. Activity had dropped in March but the report indicated that most month-over-month indexes rose showing improvements in revenue and sales, employment and inventories. The report indicated the general revenue/sales index …
Houston based pipeline operation sold in $6.5 billion deal
An Australian investment firm is buying Houston pipeline firm Buckeye Partners for $6.5 billion. Buckeye Partners has struggled in recent years and made the decision to sell to IFM Investors in an all-cash deal. Buckeye owns about 6,000 miles of petroleum pipelines and operates 115 terminals and storage tanks along the East Coast and the …
Weatherford’s growing debt forces company to Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Oilfield services provider Weatherford International Plc plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. With operations in 90 countries and offices in Oklahoma City, the company has been saddled with a heavy debt load and years of losses. At one time, the company was valued at more than $50 billion but it never recovered from …
NGL redeems $165 million in shares
Tulsa-based NGL Energy Partners LP announced it has redeemed more than 12 million of the remaining issued and outstanding 10.75 percent Class A Convertible Preferred Units in a deal totaling $165 million. The company said the $165.1 million redemption involved 12,473,191 of the units at a price of $13.2385 per unit. The redemption was financed …
Midstates reports 1Q losses but moves ahead with Amplify Energy merger
Tulsa’s Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc. announced its first quarter 2019 financial results showing a net loss of $17.8 million or 78 cents a share. The company said the loss included a $7.7 million loss on commodity derivative contracts and a $9.7 million non-cash ceiling-test impairment. However, adjusted EBITDA earnings were $14.2 million, outpacing quarterly …
Pawnee County jury awards $9 million in negligence lawsuit against BNSF railway
Six years after Richard Knight was killed when a BNSF train struck him in northern Oklahoma, a jury has awarded his family $9 million in a negligence lawsuit. The Edmond man was killed at a BNSF railroad crossing on May 8, 2018. His family sued Burlington Northern Santa Fe in Pawnee County where the accident …
Coal company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
A Wyoming coal company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Cloud Peak Energy Inc., the only pure-play Powder River Basin coal company said it anticipates to continue operations of its mines as it works its way through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Colin Marshall, President and Chief Executive Officer of …