SandRidge Energy, Inc. announced that Carl Giesler, Jr. has resigned as Chief Executive Officer, President and a member of the Board of Directors for the company in order to pursue another career opportunity. Giesler’s resignation will be effective July 16, 2021, and is not the result of any disagreement with the company or any …
US Energy Dept awards $12 million in funding to 13 tribal communities
At least 13 American Indian and Alaska Native communities received $12 million in funding this week from the U.S. Department of Energy to help them reduce energy costs and increase energy security. The selected projects will power their homes and communities, make their buildings more energy efficient, and install microgrids for essential services and resiliency – critical elements to reaching the Biden Administration’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions …
Bankrupt firm hit with big fine in Colorado
An oil company that no longer exists faces a $344,000 fine in Colorado but the state doesn’t expect to really collect it. The Colorado Sun reports the fine was necessary for the state to seize a $20,000 bon d from bankrupt, Houston-based Alta Mesa Resources LP. Click here for Colorado Sun story.
Nation’s drilling approvals increase despite Biden climate pledge
While President Biden has targeted the oil and gas industry with more drilling restrictions, the approvals of companies to drill on U.S. public lands is also on pace in 2021 to reach the highest level since George W. Bush was president. The Interior Department gave approval to nearly 2,500 permits in the first half …
Outage leads to wastewater dumped into KC river
A power outage over the weekend at a Kansas City wastewater plant resulted in several million gallons of untreated wastewater being dumped into the Blue River. KC Water officials confirmed the incident this week explaining the treatment plant was unable to treat the wastewater because of the power outage caused by overnight storms reported …
Prioritizing infrastructure—Rep. Tom Cole
Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole expressed his thoughts about “infrastructure” in a column released this week. “Infrastructure is a topic that has been getting a lot of attention in recent weeks and months, especially after President Joe Biden rolled out a proposal earlier this year and with ongoing negotiations for actual legislation in Congress. Certainly, …
State to hold informative session on federal infrastructure programs
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce will hold a session Tuesday morning to offer information about federal programs aimed at infrastructure improvements. Speakers will represent the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Marshall Vogts of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The program will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday and the public can view it …
Crude oil prices take another slide down
Despite tight crude supplies in the U.S., oil prices slumped again in Monday’s trading as prices nationally settled just above $74 a barrel. Analysts blamed growing concerns over spreading COVID-19 variants, concerns that brought fuel demand to near pre-pandemic levels. West Texas Intermediate crude for August delivery finished down 46 cents or 0.6% and …
Gasoline demand soars to record high
At 10 million b/d, gasoline demand reached a new Energy Information Administration (EIA) record last week, according to AAA. That number reflects only a portion of Independence Day holiday travel. The nearly 1 million b/d jump in demand drove down gasoline supplies by 6.1 million bbl to 235,000 million bbl and consequently pushed the …
Oklahoma regulators to meet Tuesday
Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners will meet Tuesday morning for a regular meeting at the State Capitol. The 9:30 a.m. meeting will include a review and discussion of the Fiscal Year 2022 budget by Holly George, the Commission’s Director of Finance. Commissioners might take votes on some proposed orders in causes on the 24-hour signing agenda …