This week, electric vehicle charging stations at the Federal Center in Denver are expected to be shut down as the Department of Government Efficiency continues its growing effort to cut government spending. Colorado Public Radio reported the U.S. General Services Administration explained the EV chargers are not critical to its operations in Colorado. Click …
February 2025 archive
Oklahoma makes big gain in oil and gas rigs
Oil and gas drilling in Oklahoma took a big step in the past week, increasing the state rig count by five to 49 total rigs, according to the latest Baker Hughes Co. rig count. It was the largest one-week increase for the state in months. The total of 49 compared to the 44 rigs …
BLM holds first land auction without Biden administration climate costs
Last week’s nearly $21 million sale of Permian Basin oil and gas leases was the first to be held after the Trump administration removed an analysis of environmental justice and climate costs that had been imposed by the Biden administration. The sale by the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management covered 1,317 acres …
National storm chasers group wades into proposed Oklahoma licensing efforts
The efforts of two Oklahoma legislators to create a “licensing” law for storm chasers in the state are stirring up a storm of their own. Members who attended the recent National Storm Chaser Summit in Overland Park, Kansas discussed the two bills, SB158 by Sen. Mark Mann of Oklahoma City and House Bill 2426 …
Mitchell talks energy with Jerry Bohnen—they’re not finished with ROFR
The debate isn’t finished. Another expert contends a “competitive bidding” bill by Rep. Trey Caldwell is a ROFR or Right of First Refusal bill, even though the legislator says it isn’t. It’s an issue that could affect the electricity rates paid by consumers in Oklahoma and was the topic of another Mitchell Talks Energy …
Kiamichi hydropower project rejected again by FERC
The Texas developer wanting to build a hydroelectric power plant on southeast Oklahoma’s Kiamichi River, a project opposed by tribal and state leaders, was rejected a fourth time this past week by federal regulators. Johann Tse of the Southeast Oklahoma Power Corporation located in Dallas and the man behind the proposed Pushmataha County project was …
ONEGas annual meeting date set
ONE Gas, Inc. says it will hold its 2025 annual meeting of shareholders as a cirtual meeting in May. The date will be Thursday, May 22 and the meeting will begin at 9 a.m. central daylight time. The meeting will also be audio webcast on the ONE Gas website, www.onegas.com. The record date for …
Crude oil prices and OK energy stocks hit with losses on Friday
The strife in the Middle East and a poptential peace settlement in Ukraine sent crude oil prices tumbling more than $2 a barrel on Friday and Oklahoma energy stocks followed suit. Investors also considered the growth of U.S. crude oil stockpiles in what sent prices downward. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped $2.08 or 2.87% …
House committee okays Turnpike Authority transparency bill
House Bill 1939, authored by Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh, passed the Transportation Committee. The bill is a legislative initiative that aims to increase transparency, collaboration and accountability in the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s (OTA) decision-making processes. The bill also seeks to ensure that turnpike projects undergo thorough studies and extensive public engagement before implementation. HB1939 …
Energy briefs
** ConocoPhillips announced it has entered into an agreement to sell its interests in the Ursa and Europa Fields and Ursa Oil Pipeline Company LLC to Shell Offshore Inc. and Shell Pipeline Company LP, subsidiaries of Shell plc, for $735 million subject to customary closing adjustments. The transaction also includes an overriding royalty interest in …