President Trump designated Venezuela a “foreign terrorist organization” Tuesday and formally ordered a blockade of all U.S. sanctioned oil tankers servicing the country. Trump’s newest escalation, which he says is backed by a giant U.S. armada, exerts unprecedented pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro’s regime, threatening to bankrupt the country’s already struggling economy. Intel names …
Oil dropped 3% and Brent finished below $60 a barrel
Crude Oil Prices Overseas crude oil prices fell below $60 a barrel on Tuesday following a nearly 3% decline, marking the first time since May that the global benchmark closed under that level. Market observers attributed the sharp drop to growing expectations of a potential Russia-Ukraine peace deal, which could increase global oil supplies if …
Texas Sues Xcel Over 2024 Fire That Burned Into Oklahoma
Lawsuit targets utility over historic wildfire Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Xcel Energy, accusing the utility of causing the 2024 Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest wildfire ever recorded in Texas history and one that spread into western Oklahoma. “Xcel’s blatant negligence killed three Texans and caused unfathomable destruction in the …
Colder winter than predicted means higher energy bills
The coming winter (yes, it is still officially fall until Dec. 21) will have more of an impact on household and business energy expenses than the government initially predicted. In other words, get ready to throw another log on the fire! The U.S. Energy Information Administration has changed its Winter Fuels Outlook forecast of the …
Regulators reveal non-public meeting discussion
The filed form revealing the meeting as part of a new law allowing commissioners to meet without complying with the state’s Open Meeting law, showed all three commissioners were present, Brian Bingman, Kim David and Todd Hiett. Under the law, some closed-door discussions are allowed. “A(6) – Discussing internal processes A(8) – Receiving informational …
OVINTIV Enters long-term Gas Deal
Ovintiv announced a major natural gas deal this week, reaching the agreement with a subsidiary of Pembina Pipeline Corporation. It is a 12-year agreement for 0.5 million tonnes per annum of Pembina’s liquefaction capacity at the Cedar LNG facility. The Agreement enables the export of 0.5 mtpa of LNG, under which Pembina will provide …
OGE named 2025 Oklahoma Top Workplace
Employee feedback drives Top Workplace recognition Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E) has been named a 2025 Oklahoma Top Workplace through The Oklahoman’s annual employee survey program, a distinction based entirely on confidential employee feedback. The recognition reflects OG&E’s workplace culture, leadership, and organizational health, as measured through employee responses rather than management submissions or external …
Down for the day–crude oil, natural gas and OK energy stocks
Monday was a day of falling prices—-crude oil, natural gas and Oklahoma energy stocks. Crude oil because of disruptions tied to the growing U.S. and Venezuelan tensions and the impact of a potential Russia-Ukraine peace deal. Venezuela’s oil exports have fallen sharply since the U.S. seized a tanker last week and imposed fresh sanctions on …
Oklahoma court orders propane tank removal in HOA dispute
Appeals court upholds injunction against petroleum company The Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals has upheld a lower court ruling that ordered a petroleum company to remove a 500-gallon propane tank installed at a condominium complex without required approval from the property owners’ association. The appellate court affirmed a decision by Delaware County District Judge Jennifer …
Ovintiv board chairman to retire
The same week Helmerich & Payne in Tulsa announced the approaching retirement of CEO John Lindsay, Denver’s Ovintiv Inc. did the same for board of directors member Peter Dea. The oil and gas company said he will officially retire as board chairman in May, 2026 and will be replaced by Steven Nance. Dea …