Thursday marked the final day for state lawmakers as both the Oklahoma House and Senate adjourned after a full legislative session. Some energy-related highlights from the 58th Session include: House Bill 2029 (Rep. Terry O’Donnell, R-Catoosa/Sen. Zack Taylor, R-Seminole) Modifies the definition of division order when related to oil and gas. This measure passed the …
May 2021 archive
Hurricane Preparations Underway by Gulf Coast Oil and Gas Companies
The nation’s oil and gas companies are diligently preparing for the 2021 hurricane season, according to an American Petroleum Institute security and emergency expert who recently led a conference call discussion with energy industry experts. “We’re trying to be as prepared as possible in 2021,” said Suzanne Lemieux, API’s operations security and emergency manager. She …
Homeland Security to Require Cybersecurity Reporting by Pipeline Industry
In the wake of last month’s debilitating Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced a security directive that will enable it to safeguard critical companies in the pipeline industry by identifying, protecting and responding to cybersecurity threats, according to an agency press release issued on Thursday. “The cybersecurity …
FEMA Earthquake Mitigation Activities Dashboard Now Available
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently released its National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) dashboard to provide the public with an overview of how grant money is spent. The activities detailed in the dashboard support local earthquake safety, mitigation and resilience activities. The FEMA NEHRP State Assistance Grant Program makes funding available through annual, non-competitive grants …
Rig Counts Drop Across the U.S.
The latest data supplied by Texas-based Enverus Rig Analytics reveals the U.S. rig count tumbled for the second week in a row. As of May 26, 2021, the total U.S. rig count is 511, down by nine for the week. The largest month-over-month decline by region occurred in the Appalachian region, falling by four to …
1.6 Million Colorado Residents Affected by Data Breaches Since 2020
Colorado has a strong data security bill, but to give more control to consumers, two more data privacy laws have been proposed. The Colorado Attorney General recently reported that data breaches have impacted 1.6 million residents and nearly 200 organizations since January 2020. This significant risk exposure has caused state legislators to introduce two new …
Inhofe Sounds Off on Lesser Prairie Chicken Proposal Impacting Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s senior statesman is ruffling feathers after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposal to list two distinct population segments of the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act on Wednesday. “Evidence shows that the lesser prairie chicken is thriving, making this proposal to list it as ‘threatened’ in Oklahoma completely unnecessary,” said …
Inhofe Praises Committee Passage of Surface Transportation Bill
Following the unanimous vote on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021 (STRA) by the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe praised its passage and announced how this key legislation will benefit Oklahoma. “This bill included a number of provisions that benefit Oklahomans, including my provisions to designate U.S. Route …
BCE-Mach III Acquires Cimarex Energy Assets in Oklahoma and Texas
Oklahoma City-based BCE-Mach III LLC recently inked an agreement to purchase producing properties in Western and Southern Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle from Cimarex Energy. The acquisition also includes two gas gathering and processing assets located in Southern Oklahoma. The transaction is expected to close in June 2021, according to a company press release. BCE-Mach …
OU Energy Faculty Couple Pleads Guilty to Charges Involving DOE Grants
A Norman couple charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud has pleaded guilty to making false statements regarding grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, according to a KFOR report on Wednesday. Shaorong Liu and Juan Lu were charged on February 18, 2021 after a federal grand jury returned a 16-count indictment. Liu is identified …