Author's posts
New Interstate 40 Interchange to be Dedicated in El Reno
A new $17 million Interstate 40 interchange will be dedicated Thursday morning at El Reno. Gov. Mary Fallin will be joined by other dignitaries in dedicating the project that began four years ago with a vow from Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy to contribute land for the creation of the Radio Road interchange. “It’s a rare …
Latest Pawnee Earthquake Intensifies Frustration of Pawnee Nation Leader
Pawnee Nation Executive Director Andrew Knife Chief didn’t feel the latest earthquake to shake Pawnee and his tribal headquarters. But it didn’t take long for him to be awakened by phone calls and messages that a 4.5 magnitude quake had struck the area Tuesday night. “We had some more plaster fall down, we had dust …
State and Federal Officials are Reviewing Latest Pawnee Earthquake
Oklahoma and federal agencies are reviewing data from the 4.5 magnitude Tuesday night earthquake near Pawnee to consider what recommendations to make regarding wastewater injection wells in the area. “We started working early this morning with the EPA, as you know, they have jurisdiction over the Osage County operations and data,” said Matt Skinner, a …
Converting Abandoned Wells into Geothermal Systems
One energy publication in Canada is suggesting the oil and gas industry should take advantage of thousands of its abandoned wells, converting them to geothermal systems. Writing in Alberta Oil, Elizabeth Lappen says it would put drilling and service firms back to work and provide heat and power to those who see the wells as …
Costs Grow for Tribal Members in Their Protest of North Dakota Pipeline
The protest led by Native Americans against the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota has turned into a huge financial challenge for the protesters. Money is being raised and spent and approaching winter will present another kind of challenge for those fighting the $3.8 billion pipeline being built by Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners. A fund …
Small Oil and Gas Operators Await Outcome of Lawsuit Against EPA
Small oil and gas operators in Oklahoma are awaiting the outcome of their legal challenge to new Clean Air act rules from the Environmental Protection Agency that they contend could put them out of business. The Oklahoma Independent Producers Association joined the national group called the Independent Petroleum Association of America in filing a lawsuit …
Experts Still Argue Injection Wells are Causing Oklahoma’s Earthquakes
At a recent legislative study hearing held at the state capitol, one Oklahoma State University professor declared the evidence that oil and gas wastewater injection wells are causing earthquakes is “clear and convincing.” It’s the charge from hydrogeologist Dr. Todd Halihan, who said a lot of published research from Columbia University, the U.S. Geological Survey and other …
Oklahoma Gas Price Average Falls Below $2—–Lowest in the Nation
For the first time since mid-August, the average price of gasoline in Oklahoma dropped below $2 a gallon, according to the latest Fuel Gauge Report from AAA Oklahoma. Oklahoma’s new statewide average is $1.99, tied with Missouri for the lowest in the nation. “Although Tulsa’s citywide gas price average today for regular is lower than …
Marathon Oil Turns Out Three Large Wells in Oklahoma’s STACK
The STACK’s latest big hits to be reported to the Corporation Commission are three wells by Houston, Texas based Marathon Oil Company…the largest coming in at more than 2,000 barrels of oil a day. The Marjorie in Blaine County is producing 2,070 barrels a day along with 3,285 Mcf of gas, according to the completion reports …
Scientists Now Believe Oil Drilling Caused Deadly 1933 Earthquake in Long Beach, California
Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey now believe oil drilling might have triggered the 1933 earthquake that left more than 100 people dead in the Los Angeles region. Going back through historical records, they identified several quakes in the 20s and 30s that might have been caused by industry activities. The 1933 magnitude 6.4 quake …