Shocking and disgraceful. It’s the words used to describe how accountant David Greenwell was denied by the Corporation Commission an opportunity to support claims that the Commission’s audits of the 2021 storm costs were not legitimate audits. Costs that Oklahoma ratepayers will be paying for the next 25 years. Nichols Hills Mayor Sody McCampbell …
New CFO named at Helmerich and Payne
Drilling-rig manufacturer Helmerich & Payne announced the naming of a new Chief Financial Officer. The company said it hired J. Kevin Vann to succeed Mark Smith as CFO after Smith will retire on August 15. H&P said Vann brings extensive public company financial and accounting experience in the oil and gas industry, which will …
Oklahoma is in second phase of EV charger installation program
After spending $9 million to install 13 EV chargers on I-40, I-44 and I-44 corridors in the state, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation has ended a second phase of the Biden administration’s big push to mande electric vehicles in place of fossil fuel cars and trucks. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has completed the …
Oklahoma gets $800 million in more broadband expansion money
The Biden administration is about to give another $800 milllion in federal funds so Oklahoma can proceed with the expansion of its broadband service into rural areas of the state. Mike Sanders, director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office called it a “game changer” as the funds would represent a share of $1.6 billion going …
Army begins search for forever chemicals at two posts in Oklahoma
An investigation is underway to determine whether those forever chemicals are located in well water near Fort Sill and the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant. The Army and the Environmental Protection AGency plans to test the water as well at more than half a dozen Army posts in the states of Alabama, California, Georgia, Kentucky, …
Oil prices hit 8 month low on Friday while OK energy stocks tumbled
Not only did crude oil prices fall Friday to their lowest levels since January, but Oklahoma energy stocks also tumbled, some as much as 7%. The crude price drop came after the U.S. economy added fewer jobs than expected in July and unemployment rose. West Texas Intermediate, the US benchmark, dropped $2.79 r 3.66% per …
Mitchell Talks Energy with Jerry Bohnen as they explore the Todd Hiett scandal
It’s no surprise what Scott Mitchell and Jerry Bohnen lead in their weekly discussion of energy news on Mitchell Talks Energy…. of course it is the scandal surrounding Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett and the claims he drunkenly tried to grope a man during a convention in June. Not just any man, but reportedly …
Democratic leader calls again for special session to impeach Todd Hiett
Oklahoma state House Democratic leader Cyndi Munson didn’t get a response from Gov. Kevin Stitt this week when she asked him to call a special session of the legislature to impeach Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett. Her call came after revelations of accusations that Hiett, a Republican, was drunk at a national convention in June and …
Nation’s oil and gas rigs numbers slip—Oklahoma remains steady
The number of oil and gas rigs actively pursuing new production in the U.S. dropped by three to 586 in the past week, according to the latest rig count released by the Baker Hughes Co. At the same time, Oklahoma’s count remained at 35 with no change. A year ago, the state recorded 39 …
Energy briefs
** Exxon Mobil on Friday posted a better-than-expected $9.2 billion second-quarter profit based on rising oil prices and volume gains from its purchase this year of shale oil firm Pioneer Natural Resources. Exxon delivered a $2.14 per share profit that beat analysts’ estimates on oil production and pricing gains that offset refining weakness. ** A U.S. circuit …