** A federal judge says the Bureau of Land Management did not violate federal environmental law in approving oil and gas drilling permits near Navajo communities in New Mexico’s San Juan Basin. ** Colorado-based Jonah Energy, the first U.S. oil and gas company to join the United Nations Oil and Gas Methane Partnership, says it will begin measuring methane emissions …
Marathon Oil planning a big drill in SCOOP
Houston’s Marathon Oil Company is sticking its neck out in Oklahoma’s Grady County where it has a 5 well effort on a single pad. The company recently received the permits for the GRETZKY 0406 #1-2-35WXH, GRETZKY 0406 #2-2-35WXH, GRETZKY 0406 #3-2-35WXH, GRETZKY 0406 #4-2-35WXH, and GRETZKY 0406 #5-2-35WXH. The wells will be located at 11 4N 6W which is …
Phone bills likely to go up to fund OUSF in Oklahoma
Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett once described the funding efforts of the controversial Oklahoma Universal Service Fund as a “runaway train,” one that he didn’t like. But Thursday, Commissioners on a 2-0 vote with Commissioner Bob Anthony choosing not to participate in signing the order, approved a new funding method that means phone …
Congressional delegation battles Biden administration over prairie chicken
Members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation prove that old adage about “birds of a feather flock together” as they join forces to fight the Biden administration’s efforts to list the Lesser Prairie Chicken under the Endangered Species Act—-a move they contend is unnecessary, at least in Oklahoma. News 9’s Alex Cameron reported on what the …
Solaray closing shop in Sapulpa
Sapulpa-based Solaray plans layoffs of nearly 90 employees in the fall according to a WARN notification made with the Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development. The company said it plans to close the facility at 620 South Linden in Sapulpa and 88 employees will be laid off between Oct. 31 and Nov. 14. Solaray said …
Oklahoma energy stocks make gains as oil prices rose Thursday
Growing Middle East tensions prompted a 1% in oil prices on Thursday but the gains were also tempered by an increase in COVID-19 cases that threaten the global energy demand recovery. Oklahoma energy stocks rode the wave of better prices. Global benchmark Brent crude finished up 91 cents for a 1.3% gain to settle …
Enverus rig report shows nationwide increase
A week after the nation’s rig numbers slipped downward, they bounced back. Enverus Rig Analytics released its weekly rig count showing an increase of seven to 566 as of Aug. 4. The number of active rigs is up 5% in the last month and up nearly 99% YOY. The most active operators in the …
Continental banks on ESG and the Bakken
While Continental Resources reported a strong second quarter, strong enough to result in $634 million in free cash flow, company leadership is also taking a serious approach to the role oil and gas has in the world of politics and the impact on the environment. A day after announcing second quarter financial results which …
Increased oil activity reflected in state’s tax collections
New state figures from the Oklahoma Treasurer showed improved oil and gas gross production tax collections during the month of July, another sign of how the state’s oil and gas industry has recovered since the 2020 collapse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Treasurer Randy McDaniel’s release indicated the revenue from the fossil fuels was …
Higher earnings in 2Q for OGE Energy Corp
The second quarter 2021 brought increased earnings for OGE Energy Corp., parent company of Oklahoma Gas and Electric. The company reported net income of $113 million or $0.56 per share in the second quarter, compared to $86 million or $0.43 per share in the year-ago quarter. “Our strong customer growth of 1.3% over the last year reflects the combination of highly …