** The Trump administration is giving companies temporary breaks on royalties and rent they pay to extract oil and gas on public land, which could lower revenue for states like North Dakota. ** Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is expected to sign an executive order today that includes extending a ban on utility shut-offs through June. ** In its decision to strike down …
PSO announces more grants in fight against COVID-19 pandemic
Public Service Company of Oklahoma is announcing more than $70,000 in grants from the American Electric Power Foundation to help nonprofit agencies across Oklahoma address the basic needs of people struggling in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The AEP Foundation is the charitable arm of PSO’s parent company, American Electric Power. “The COVID-19 crisis …
BLM postpones oil lease auction of Permian Basin land
An auction of oil and gas leases in New Mexico and Texas was abruptly postponed Wednesday without the Bureau of Land Management offering an explanation. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) spokeswoman Allison Sandoval confirmed the delay, which was first announced on a government website. She said the agency “will provide further information at a future …
Study is critical of some western states enforcement of oil and gas regulations
When it comes to enforcement of oil and gas regulations in western states, Colorado is best and Utah worst according to a new study released by the group Center for Western Priorities. This new analysis by the Center for Western Priorities finds that many Western state oil and gas enforcement programs are at times understaffed, …
Jobless can apply on line for Oklahoma benefits
Oklahomans eligible for 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits may now file online at https://ui.ok.gov. The federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program is designed for individuals who have exhausted regular benefits. Eligible claimants will receive an additional 13 weeks of relief for the period of March 29, 2020, through the week ending December 26, …
NGL sets date to release earnings report
NGL Energy Partners LP plans to issue its fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31, 2020 earnings press release post-market close on Monday, June 1, 2020 . Members of NGL’s management team intend to host an earnings call following this release on Monday, June 1, 2020 at 5:00 pm CDT to discuss its financial results. NGL …
More layoffs hit Oklahoma including shutdown of aerospace plant
While Oklahoma’s energy industry has endured thousands of layoffs in the coronavirus pandemic and the oil crisis, so have other industries including chain stores in the state. The latest to be told their jobs will soon end are employees of a Dillard’s store in Lawton and an aircraft manufacturing plant in Tulsa. Tulsa operations …
Dems support tribe’s efforts to shut down Dakota Access oil pipeline
Some of the same Democrats who ran for President and came out against the oil and gas industry and called for a ban of hydraulic fracking are among those supporting a tribe’s effort to shut down the Dakota Access crude oil pipeline in North Dakota. At least three dozen congressional Democrats are backing the …
Rural broadband bill vetoed by OK Gov. Stitt
A bill that would have created a Rural Broadband Expansion Council in Oklahoma was vetoed this week by Gov. Kevin Stitt who called it “unnecessary and redundant.” House Bill 4018 was reportedly the measure at the heart of a budget fight between legislators and the governor. Governor Stitt had said digital transformation was a “top …
Crude storage at Cushing drops and oil prices hit 10-week high
As crude oil storage at the Cushing hub in Oklahoma fell an estimated 5.5 million barrels this week, oil futures on Wednesday finished at their highest level in nearly 10 weeks. July West Texas Intermediate rose $1.53 or 4.8% to settle at $33.49 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was the highest …