Tulsa’s Laredo Petroleum is among the latest energy companies proposing a reverse stock split as an economic move to survive in the plummet of oil prices and the impact of the coronavirus. The company notified shareholders this past week of its proposal to be decided at the upcoming May 14 annual meeting scheduled for now, …
Michigan court rules in favor of fracking-ban petitioners
An appeals court ruling might very well mean Michigan could become the next state where voters will have a say whether to ban fracking. And they could vote on the issue as soon as November of this year. The Michigan state appeals court last week ruled in favor of fracking opponents and revived their effort to present …
Coalition urges more anti-fossil fuel programs in next stimulus package
While Democrats in Congress now push for a possible fourth coronavirus stimulus bill, a coalition of scientists including a University of Oklahoma weather researcher wants the effort to include more environmental efforts. It is also clear they are against the fossil fuel industry. Zeke Baker, identified as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of …
ONEOK to move ahead with annual meeting in Tulsa in May
ONEOK is planning for now to go ahead with its annual shareholders meeting in late May in Tulsa unless the coronavirus pandemic causes the need for a virtual meeting. The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Central Daylight time on Wednesday, May 20 at ONEOK Plaza, 100 West Fifth Street in Tulsa, according to …
Kansas Supreme Court rules against higher utility fees for solar users
The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday delivered a major victory to solar power users, ruling that utilities cannot charge them higher rates. The ruling was a reversal of a state appeals court decision. In a 14-page opinion by Justice Caleb Stegall, the state’s high court found rate increases by Westar Energy, now Evergy, and Kansas Gas …
Governor declares revenue failure—legislators to handle it
Oklahoma legislators return to the State Capitol Monday as Gov. Kevin Stitt expects a state revenue failure of nearly $416 million for the rest of the year because of what the coronavirus pandemic has done to the world. He announced Friday the economic failure also was caused by massive depressed oil and natural gas prices. …
Friday rebound still leaves oil less than $30
A Friday White House meeting between President Trump and oil leaders, including Oklahomans Harold Hamm and Dave Hager came as oil prices rebounded more than 3 dollars, settling at just under $30 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate crude rose $3.02 in Friday’s trading before ending the day at $28.34, up nearly 8 dollars …
Layoffs hit Houston’s Cactus Inc.
Houston-based Cactus, Inc. has announced a 30% cut in its employee workforce as of the first of April and a 50% cut in its remaining 2020 capital expenditures, explaining the move was in response to the weakened energy economy. The company also said it cut the CEO’s base salary by 50% while other executives experienced …
Hager and Hamm among oil leaders who met with President Trump
(Harold Hamm with back to camera) Oklahoma oil leaders Harold Hamm and Dave Hager sat listening to President Trump on Friday during their meeting with him at the White House and were reported to be among those who asked for access to government programs to help the ailing oil and gas industry. Hamm, founder of …
Rig counts plunge in Oklahoma and the U.S.
Oklahoma and most other oil-producing states suffered heavy losses in their rig counts this past week as Oklahoma’s count plummeted by 10 to only 29 active rigs. A year ago, the state had 107 oil and gas rigs drilling for new energy. The count has suffered as a result of the oil price war …