North Dakota oil production recovered slightly in June but was still near historic lows as the pandemic-induced petroleum slump continued. The report was issued as Baker Hughes Co. indicated only eleven rigs are actively drilling for oil in the state. North Dakota, the nation’s second-largest oil-producing state, pumped out 890,109 barrels per day in June, …
August 2020 archive
With utility shutoffs looming, many Missourians are in danger of being left in the dark
In an editorial opinion, the Kansas City Star this week said a crisis is in the making in Missouri as moratoriums on disconnecting utility services have ended. The disappearance of a federal supplement to jobless benefits also disappeared and delinquent gas and electric bills are coming due for thousands. Click here to read the …
Energy news in brief
** The Nagashiki Shipping Co.-owned vessel that ran aground last month and spilled oil off the Mauritian coast has broken up. “The bigger part which was lying outside the lagoon is being towed toward the high seas,” the Shipping Ministry spokesman, Jasvin Sok Appadu, said by phone. ** China plans to ship large volumes of U.S. crude …
New Mexico Governor named Wind Energy Champion
The American Wind Energy Association presented its 2020 Wind Champion Award to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in an online forum that highlighted New Mexico’s progress in building wind-generation across the state. The award and forum, which included the governor and executives from several wind development companies, were part of the national association’s “American Wind …
Energy closings to increase poverty in Gallup, New Mexico
The COVID-19 pandemic had already hit Gallup, New Mexico hard but now economic conditions are getting worse as the city’s oil and gas refinery is closing and a nearby coal-fired generating plan will shut down at year’s end. The Marathon Petroleum Corp. refinery shutdown will put 200 employees out of work. Another 226 will …
Federal legislation unlikely this year over US Supreme Court ruling
Prospects have dimmed for federal legislation this year to clarify Oklahoma’s criminal and civil jurisdiction in the wake of a momentous U.S. Supreme Court decision that could soon mean nearly half the state is Indian reservation land. The Tulsa World reported U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., the senior member of the state’s congressional delegation, …
OKC’s Chaparral Energy files Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
Weeks after indicating it would miss loan repayments, Oklahoma City’s Chaparral Energy, Inc. announced Monday it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The filing was made Sunday in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware as part of a restructuring agreement the company made with some of its debtholders. ““While we have taken …
Rep. Hern promotes Oklahoma’s aeronautical industry
In his first week back in Oklahoma during a congressional recess, Rep. Kevin Hern visited some of the industries in his first congressional district. “I’m always happy to be home. Congress should be in session right now, working on further COVID-19 relief for the American people, but I can’t control that. What I can …
From golf to COVID-19 to a packed warehouse—challenges for OERB
Mindy Stitt, the executive director of the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board has more than a few challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic. One is an 8,000 square warehouse filled with supplies the OERB normally hands out to students during environmental presentations. Then there is the Oct. 8 John C. Godwin memorial golf tournament that …
Panhandle Oil and Gas saw $3.5 million loss in quarter
The just-concluded quarter proved to be a losing one for Oklahoma City’s Panhandle Oil and Gas Company as the firm reported a net loss of nearly $3.5 million or 21 cents a share. The loss was on top of the $20.5 million reported lost in the previous quarter but the company still made strides …
