June 23, 2019 archive

E. coli found in Kingfisher drinking water

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has advised the Kingfisher Public Water Supply, located in Kingfisher County, to inform users of its drinking water to use water that has been brought to a full, rolling boil for at least one minute, bottled water, or water from another acceptable source for consumption, use in food preparation, dishwashing and …

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Oklahoma’s jobless rate dropped in May to 3.2 percent

While Oklahoma’s oil and gas industry might be in a holding pattern even with a drop in rig activity, the state’s economy continues strong and the unemployment rate dropped again in May. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission reported the jobless rate dropped to 3.2 percent in May while the nation’s unemployment rate remained at 3.6 …

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Former landman draws prison sentence in kickback scheme

A 40-year old former top landman for SandRidge Energy, Inc. drew a 21-month prison sentence in Oklahoma City federal court for taking kickbacks and defrauding the company. Joel Matthew Eilerts, who now lives in San Diego, California was sentenced after pleading guilty in October of 2017 to a two-count information that charged him with conspiracy …

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Group challenges OCC approval of OGE’s $53 million power plant purchases

The May 13 order by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission in support of OGE’s purchase of the AES Shady Point coal-fired plant near Poteau is being appealed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. A group called Oklahoma Energy Results filed an appeal over the acquisition of the 360-megawatt plant.  Oklahoma Gas and Electric purchased AES Shady Point …

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More oil and gas rigs put into storage as rig counts slide

The past week was one of some states holding steady while others reported continued losses of the number of oil and gas drilling rigs across the U.S., a sign that more and more rigs are being stacked in storage rather then being used to find new energy. Oklahoma dropped one to reach 100,  compared to …

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