Author's posts
Danger of ‘forever chemicals’ leads to criminal probes
From fire-fighting foam used at Air Force bases in Oklahoma and across the U.S. to sticky notes to the shoes we wear….they involve PFAS chemicals and now have led to criminal investigations involving the EPA. Bloomberg Environment reports it’s the latest twist involving what are called “forever chemicals.” The Environmental Protection Agency acknowledged the probes in …
Denver court ruling leads to EPA reduction of waivers to ethanol blending
The Environmental Protection Agency says it will drastically reduce the number of exemptions granted to small refineries seeking to cut their 2020 ethanol blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The announcement comes after a Denver federal court ruling in January said the EPA exceeded its authority in exempting three oil refineries including one in …
Energy news in brief
** The Federal Trade Commission challenges a proposed merger between St. Louis-based companies Arch Coal and Peabody Energy, saying the move would harm consumers. ** Federal regulators are contesting two coal companies’ proposed Wyoming operations merger, concerned that it would impede competition that has helped keep prices down. ** A Wisconsin board votes to move forward with plans to seek federal approval to …
$8 billion modernization plan announced by Missouri power company
Ameren’s Missouri electric utility filed a plan with state regulators this week describing a proposal to spend $7.6 billion through 2024 on grid modernization, 700 MW of wind generation and installation of about 1 million smart meters, officials said in an earnings call Wednesday. In all, Ameren plans to add $8.8 billion to its …
ONEOK launches $305 million expansion of Elk Creek Pipeline
As it announced an 11% increase in net income to $1,278.6 million, ONEOK is also expanding its natural gas liquids pipeline that runs from the Bakken in North Dakota to Kansas. It is a $305 million project. The Tulsa-based company also will add a new processing facility to its Elk Creek Pipeline that became operational in …
Despite earnings losses, Continental saw increased oil production in 2019
Oklahoma City’s Continental Resources reported a loss of quarterly and yearly revenues, showing its net income for the quarter that ended Dec. 31, 2019 totaled $193.9 million or $0.53 per diluted share. It was down from the $197.7 million reported a year earlier. It came as the company remained the number one oil producer …
A Water Lobby Day scheduled at Oklahoma capitol
A Water Lobby Day is planned at the Oklahoma State Capitol next week, one sponsored by the Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club. The organization says it plans to educate the general public and state legislators on topics that impact the state’s water. Those behind the Lobby Day include citizens,tribal representatives and public interest organizations. …
Earnings improved for ONEOK in 2019 and the last quarter
ONE reported higher results both for the last quarter of the year and for all of 2019. And earnings continue to improve in 2020. ONEOK’s net income increased 9% in the fourth quarter 2019 and 11% for the full year 2019, compared with the same periods in 2018. Adjusted EBITDA went up 5% reaching more …
OGE reports 2019 earnings increased over previous year
Tulsa-based OGE Energy Corp. reported increased earnings in 2019 compared to 2018 but quarterly earnings were down. The company stated its earnings were $2.16 per average diluted share in 2019 compared with $2.12 in 2018. In 2019, OG&E, a regulated electric utility, reported net income of $350 million and contributed $1.74 per diluted share, compared with $328 million, or $1.64 per diluted share in …
Sister wells produce more than 5,200 barrels of oil for Devon Energy
Oklahoma City’s Devon Energy is riding high after reporting not one but three sister wells this week with combined production of more than 5,200 barrels of oil a day out of the STACK play. We initially reported the company had one Everett 12_1-15n-11w well with production of 1,578 barrels a day at the site …
