Still not looking good for a White Christmas in Oklahoma. “Well, not so great,” wrote Oklahoma climatologist Gary McManus in Tuesday’s Mesonet report. “—we’re gonna call those fantasy-casts. Just for now. But nothing showing up as we get closer to Christmas Week. But next week does look a bit wetter.” This week? A big warm up …
December 2023 archive
Brief energy stories
** The worsening bottlenecks at the drought-stricken Panama Canal are pushing at least one US diesel shipper to sail around the tip of South America en route to Chile for the first time since 2020. The vessel Green Sky is hauling ultra-low sulfur diesel loaded at Citgo Petroleum Corp.’s Clifton Ridge terminal in Louisiana to …
ERCOT’s new rules also raised electricity prices in Texas
Oh oh. New rules for the Texas electric grid costs far more than the $8 billion originally estimated last summer. Now it’s more than $12 billion, according to a review of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas by its watchdog, Potomac Economics. The new estimate is also being disputed by ERCOT. The grid took …
Energy department admits nation’s oil reserve can’t be refilled quickly
The number two official in the Energy Department admits the Biden administration might not be able to take a total advantage of falling oil prices in a move to refill the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Deputy Energy Secretary David Turk told Bloomberg TV that maintenance and physical constraints of the underground caverns where oil …
Senators attempt to restore tax relief for oil and gas producers
A bill that would give tax relief to small and mid-sized oil and gas producers in Oklahoma has been introduced by Oklahoma U.S. Sen. James Lankford and Senators from Wyoming, Montana and South Carolina. It was a move designed to counter Democrats and their effort to increase taxes on the oil and gas industry …
Crude oil prices hit with more losses on Monday
A third consecutive day of losses hit crude oil prices on Monday as both Brent and WTI recorded declines of 1%. Investors are reported to be worried about a drop in demand and aren’t sure what to expect about just how deep the OPEC+ production cuts will be. West Texas Intermediate crude fell $1.03 or …
Growing intrigue of Attorney General’s probe discussed on Mitchell talks Energy with Jerry Bohnen
The intrigue continues from the legal repercussions of the AG’s subpoena of communications related to the 2021 winter storm. It is the focus of the latest edition of Mitchell Talks Energy with Jerry Bohnen.
Board chairman at Empire Petroleum increases holdings in firm
Empire Petroleum board of directors chairman Phil Mulacek recently increased his holdings in the Tulsa-based company with a $5 milllion purchase of shares. Two years ago Mulacek, founder of InterOil Corporation, owned nearly 18.4% of Empire when he joined the company’s board of directors. This week, Empire filed a Form 8-K with the Securities …
Senators and Reps demand answers over energy delay at bomb plant in McAlester
Oklahoma’s Congressional delegation wants some answers from two top Biden administration officials why there is a delay in energy production for the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant. Led by Sen. James Lankford, the delegation sent letters of demand to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Joined by Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and …
Warm December weather might be around for two more weeks
Oklahoma Climatologist Gary McManus with the Oklahoma Mesonet says enjoy the warmer weather this week while you can. Maybe even into mid-December. “Sorry (not really), but I see no cold air coming down this way for the next 7-10 days, and maybe out to 14 days. All the REALLY cold air is bottled up well to …