What’s the focus of discussion this week on Mitchell Talks Energy? Scott Mitchell and OK Energy Today’s Jerry Bohnen talk about investigations in Oklahoma and other states of what prompted utility bills to climb so high in recent years. Plus, they discuss train derailments and Gov. Kevin Stitt’s blocking of contaminated soil being shipped …
Category: Oil & Gas
Willow drilling project in Alaska approved for ConocoPhillips
Despite heavy opposition from environmentalists, the Biden administration on Monday announced approval of the controversial Willow oil drilling project in Alaska and it was welcome news to ConocoPhillips. The administration also announced new limits on Arctic drilling in an apparent effort to temper criticism over the $8 billion Willow oil project, which has faced …
Lawsuit accuses majors of price manipulation during 2021 winter storm
Another claim has been leveled against some of the country’s largest energy firms that they manipulated natural gas supplies and prices ahead of the 2021 winter storm that not only hit Oklahoma with devastating effects at the time, but left 200 dead in the state of Texas. Who’s making the accusation? Former Enron trader …
Colorado legislators explore rising utility profits and soaring consumer bills
A special legislative committee exploring increased utility bills in Colorado recently held its first meeting in an attempt to learn more about the issue. “We have all heard from our constituents that their utility bills have gotten out of control,” said Senate President Steve Fenberg during a recent hearing for the Joint Select Committee …
Gas companies targeted for lack of transparency
Oklahoma isn’t alone in the controversy over the lack of transparency by some utilities over the high-cost of their natural gas. While the topic has brewed since the 2021 winter storm and the resulting increased energy bills for consumers, similar circumstances exist in other states. Illinois is one of them where Gov. J.B. …
Quick energy reads
** The Biden administration announced Sunday evening that it is indefinitely blocking 16 million acres of federal land and water in Alaska from future fossil fuel drilling. The Department of Interior (DOI) said it had initiated a rulemaking process to “establish maximum protection” for 13 million acres of land across the National Petroleum Reserve (NPR), an area …
Oklahoma blocks shipments of contaminated soil from Ohio train derailment
A few weeks after it was disclosed that some of t he toxic waste from the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio was being shipped to Texas, it raised the prospect that perhaps it was traveling through Oklahoma. Since then, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt revealed Sunday he blocked a shipment of the waste that …
Strong 4Q reported by Ascent Resources
“An extremely strong note,” is how leadership at Ascent Resources characterized the fourth quarter and full-year 2022 financial reports. Ascent had fourth quarter net income of $1.6 billion while its adjusted net income was $148 million and adjusted EBITDAX was $388 million. The company generated $106 million in Adjusted Free Cash flow during the …
Rig count steady in Oklahoma but national numbers declined
Oklahoma’s oil and gas rig count held steady in the past week while the national count dropped by 3 to 746 according to the Baker Hughes Co. report released on Friday. Oklahoma remained at 61 rigs. Nationally, the count included a decline of 2 oil rigs to 590 while the number of gas rigs …
Short energy reads
** Senator Joe Manchin (D., W.V.), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced Friday that he would reject yet another Biden nominee, arguing that the administration is pandering to climate radicals. The move came after Manchin sank the nomination of Gigi Sohn to the Federal Communications Commission earlier this week. ** Al Gore has warned it …