Oklahoma held steady for another week in its oil and gas rig activity, according to the latest Baker Hughes Rig Count released on Friday. The state’s total remained at 43 active rigs, which was the same number reported a year ago. Nationally, there was a decrease of one, leaving the total of 543. The …
January 18, 2026 archive
Port of Catoosa turns 55 years old
Turning 55! The Tulsa Port of Catoosa. It was January 21, 1971 when the first barge arrived at the port. As leadership of the Port celebrate the anniversary this week, it said the 1971 barge arrival “marked a historic turning point for Oklahoma’s economy and global connectivity.” On January 21, 1971, a barge carrying …
Legislator worries about protection from AI
Rep. Brad Boles, the Republican State House member from Marlow isn’t the only Oklahoma legislator concerned about the impact of AI and data centers. A week after he filed a measure to protect consumers being forced to pay higher electric bills for data centers to obtain their large amount of required power, Durant Rep. Cody …
Drought conditions continue slow creep upward in Oklahoma
The drought is slowly growing across Oklahoma as the state continues with very little moisture including snowfall. The latest Drought Monitor showed a slight decrease in the areas of the state where there is no reported dry conditions. The Panhandle and the northwest part of the state are considered to be void of dry …
Federal regulators give nod to grid’s “large load” plan
FERC approves SPP’s large load connection proposal The grid controlling electrical power in Oklahoma and 13 other states won approval from federal regulators for a plan to quickly handle expanded energy projects to meet the power demands of data centers and large industrial projects. It will have an impact on Oklahoma’s electrical power industry …
Energy briefs
** U.S. refining companies like Valero Energy and Marathon Petroleum are set to benefit even more from a potential Venezuelan oil resurgence than drillers, as they have the equipment to process the country’s viscous crude. ** Valero Refining Company will begin laying off hundreds of workers at its Benicia refinery this spring in California. In a regulatory …
Poultry growers unhappy with AG’s poultry pollution lawsuit efforts
The version Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s office portrayed of his recent meeting with poultry growers in Oklahoma over Illinois water pollution was far different from what one newspaper described. The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette headline declared, “Oklahoma AG gets cool reception in meeting with poultry growers.” The article reported Drummond expressed confidence that poultry …