Brent crude was lower but WTI was higher on Monday. Reuters reported that worries about falling demand were compounded by disappointing eurozone business activity and a weak Chinese economy. West Texas Intermediate crude finished 31 cents higher Monday at $70.68 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, the global benchmark, was 59 …
September 2024 archive
Energy briefs
** The US Commerce Department on Monday proposed prohibiting key Chinese software and hardware in connected vehicles on American roads due to national security concerns – a move that would effectively bar nearly all Chinese cars from entering the US market. ** The U.S. Energy Department awards a manganese and zinc mine under development in …
OSU receives $5.5 million grant for study of local weather systems
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded Oklahoma State University (OSU) $5.5 million as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. The purpose of these funds is to increase knowledge about local weather systems in the lower atmosphere, enabling the safe integration of small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Advanced Air Mobility …
New Mexico wants to double oil and gas industry permitting fees
It’s not just a small increase that New Mexico regulators propose in oil and gas permitting fees to help fund staff to process applications and enforce rules. In some cases, it would be more than doubling the existing fees. Environment Secretary James Kenney recently informed a legislative committee that the big jump in fees …
US House Approves Resolution To Overturn EPA Tailpipe Rule
The Oklahoma congressional delegation joins other Republicans in a vote supporting a resolution to overturn the EPA’s tailpipe rule. The Associated Press reports the GOP claims the move by the Biden administration would force people to buy high-price electric vehicles they don’t want. Opponents have called the rule change a “mandate,” but it doesn’t force …
Oklahoma Family Business Still Supplying Rodeo Horses Despite Losses
The Beutler and Son Rodeo Company is still supplying horses to rodeos despite the deaths of a big part of its herd. Stock for Friday’s rodeo at the Oklahoma State Fair came from the Elk City operation. A tainted feed mixup earlier this year caused the deaths of about one-third of the Beutler herd. KOCO-TV …
Commissioner Hiett wants more time to respond to lawsuit by 3 legislators
Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett wants more time from the State Supreme Court to respond to the lawsuit filed against him by three legislators. He filed a motion on Friday requesting a 14-day extension of time after the Court responded to the lawsuit by Reps. Tom Gann of Inola, Kevin West of Moore and …
Chesapeake and Southwestern Energy merger moves closer to completion
The $7 billion merger of Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy and Houston-based Southwestern Energy is closer at hand. After a delay caused by the Federal Trade Commission which wanted more documents and details of the deal, now the two companies anticipate a closing early in the fourth quarter. It’s what Chesapeake CEO Nick Dell’Osso said over …
Texas officials consider oil and gas operations caused 5.1 magnitude earthquake
The Texas Railroad Commission wasted little time in starting an investigation into whether oil and gas operations and wastewater disposal wells were linked to last week’s 5.1 magnitude earthquake that rattled the Permian Basin. The quake was centered about 28 miles north of Midland and was one of the strongest recorded in Texas history. …
Energy briefs
** An agriculture industry watchdog sues Arkansas-based Tyson Foods for misleading consumers by marketing “climate friendly” beef and pledging to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 despite the near impossibility of mass-producing beef in ways that benefit the climate. ** Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) expressed optimism this week that lawmakers would soon reach a deal to extend radiation …
