The latest Baker Hughes Co. rig count shows activity in Oklahoma remained steady with a total of 55 operating oil and gas rigs, the same total as the previous week. The U.S. total dropped by 3 to 584 active total rigs. Oklahoma’s count of 55 rigs compares to 45 reported by Baker Hughes a …
May 2025 archive
OU Manufacturing Lab visited by Sen. Mullin
During the April in-state work period, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), visited the University of Oklahoma’s Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Lab (SAML) in Norman. SAML is at the forefront of high-tech manufacturing research and workforce training, serving both federal and industry partners. The lab is expanding through an exciting new collaboration with the Oak Ridge National …
Energy briefs
** A Utah couple living in a 27,000 square foot mansion have been arrested on federal charges of running a $300 million money-laundering scheme and allegedly smuggling crude oil from Mexico. ** U.S. President Donald Trump said all purchases of Iranian oil or petrochemical products must stop and any country or person buying any from …
US Senate votes to reverse Biden-era EPA rule
When Utah U.S. Sen. John Curtis celebrated his first piece of legislation passing in the Senate, he had the support of Oklahoma Sens. James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin. They voted in support of the Curtis resolution to overturn a Biden-era Environmental Protection Agency Rule. The final vote was 52-46 to undo the 2024 rule …
Fuel shortage reported in Kansas—Governor declares emergency
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, claiming there is a fuel shortage in her state and neighboring ones as well, has declared an emergency, a move that waived trucking hours all in the name of fuel. Her office on Friday said the shortage is causing long lines at fuel terminals and also disrupting supply delivery. The …
Driverless trucks? They’re in Texas
Technology has paved the way for the nation’s first driverless trucks and they’re in Texas. Reports indicated the trucks are making regular long-haul routes between Dallas and Houston. Autonomous trucking company, Aurora, made the announcement, indicating its first customers were Uber Freight and Hirschbach Motor Lines. The new technology is called “Aurora Driver” …
More sanctions threatened against Iran and crude oil prices closed higher
What a roller coaster ride for crude oil prices. New threats of more sanctions on Iran were made by President Trump and as a result, oil prices rose nearly 2%. The President threatened the secondary sanctions after a fourth round of U.S.-Iran talks was postponed. Reuters reported Trump said all purchases of Iranian oil …
“Confusing” water bill sent to Governor Stitt
A bill to increase Water Resources Board grants to small towns and cities across the state was among those mired down in the slow-walking actions Tuesday of Democrats in the Oklahoma Senate. SB1438, originally filed to create the Waters and Water Rights Modernization Act of 2025 was authored by Rep. Kenton Patzkowsky and Sen. …
April was a record-setter for rainfall in Oklahoma
Oklahoma recorded so much rain last month it turned out to be a record. A record, not a new record. As a follower of the late Edwin Newman, a longtime NBC correspondent and author, I believe he’s correct in his belief emphasized in his book “Strictly Speaking: Will America be the Death of English?” that …
Iowa Senators take unusual stand against eminent domain for carbon capture pipeline
Just as Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and some legislators have taken a strong stand against the use of eminent domain for energy projects, the situation in the Iowa legislature became even more dramatic this week. It’s when nine Republicans in the Iowa State Senate took the rare step of speaking against eminent domain …




