Governor Signs Bill into Law Affecting Royalty Payment Interest Rates

Governor Mary Fallin has signed into law a bill making changes to the interest rate paid by oil and natural gas producers when there are issues with royalties on minerals. The governor signed House bill 2775 making it effective Nov. 1 at which time changes to the Production Revenue Standards Act will happen. Under the …

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Realtors Take Issue with Call by Striking Teachers to Eliminate Capital Gains Tax Exemptions

The call by striking teachers for the state to eliminate the tax deductions or exemptions from capital gains is being opposed by at least one group. The Oklahoma Association of Realtors came out this week with a video and statement indicating such a move would be harmful to Oklahoma’s economy. Capital gains exemptions are common …

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Chesapeake Considers Possible Sale of Billions in Senior Notes

Chesapeake Energy in Oklahoma City has filed forms with the SEC indicating the possible sale of several billion dollars in Senior Notes. In the filing made this week with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the energy company indicated the information in the prospectus was not complete and could be changed. Chesapeake also noted that it …

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AG Bends—Releases Controversial Audits of Tar Creek Superfund Site Buyouts

After being sued by a Washington D.C. watchdog group and facing criticism, Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter has released controversial audits of how the buyout of homes and businesses was handled at the Tar Creek Superfund site. He announced the release after getting approval from Judge Thomas Prince who presides over Oklahoma’s Multicounty Grand Jury.  …

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State Regulators Respond to Oklahoma’s Latest Earthquakes

State regulators are waiting to see if their latest attempts to ease the potential for an increase in northern Oklahoma earthquakes will work. Following what was originally rated a 4.6 magnitude earthquake, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission directed the operator of one wastewater disposal well to reduce the volume of injection. The volume was to be …

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SandRidge Energy Responds to Icahn’s Attempted Takeover

Days after corporate raider Carl Icahn announced his intention to attempt a total replacement of the SandRidge Energy Board of Directors, the company responded Monday saying it has attempted to get his input but he has refused the offers. The lengthy statement said in part: “SandRidge welcomes shareholder input and will review all qualified candidates …

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Senators Put Wind Industry in Their Sights

One of the latest bills in the legislature to target Oklahoma’s wind industry was unveiled Monday by two Senators who maintained they were not “anti-wind industry,” but that Oklahoma is on the hook for up to $750 million in tax credits in the next ten years. “It’s not right that we are raising everyone else’s …

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Crude Oil Prices Make Big Two-Week Gains in Monday’s Trading

With tensions easing in a possible trade war with China, crude oil prices rose the most in two weeks on Monday. The price for a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.36 to hit $63.42 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.  It’s still a few dollars below the 52-week high of $66.66. …

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Denver Federal Appeals Court Rules Against Two Osage County Land Owners

The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver has ruled against two northeast Oklahoma residents in their legal fight against oil and gas operations in Osage County. The federal appeals court upheld a lower court judge’s ruling to dismiss the suit filed by Martha Donelson and John Friend. The two had originally filed suit …

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Informational Meeting Set for Eagle Industries Superfund Site in Midwest City

The State Department of Environmental Quality plans to hold an informational meeting Tuesday evening to discuss the Eagle Industries Superfund Site in Midwest City. The event will be held from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Nick Harroz Midwest City Community center at 200 North Midwest Boulevard. Representatives from the DEQ and the Environmental …

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