A salute to the late Oklahoma astronaut Tom Stafford and a discussion of energy bills in the Oklahoma legislature. It’s what Scott Mitchell and Jerry Bohnen discuss in the latest podcast of Mitchell Talks Energy.
Kiamichi River hydropower project founders
By Mike W. Ray Southwest Ledger An out-of-state company’s plan to build a hydropower plant on an eastern Oklahoma river in order to generate electricity for Texas foundered on the shoals of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Johann Tse of Dallas, Texas, was notified March 21 by a FERC official that Southeast Oklahoma …
Geothermal energy development—can it cause earthquakes?
Could another energy development plan cause more earthquakes in Oklahoma and elsewhere? It’s a question being raised by some who worry geothermal energy generation might cause earthquakes the same way oil and gas did in Oklahoma, Texas and other parts of the nation. Oklahoma’s earthquakes were reportedly caused by deep pumping of water back …
Report—Biden wants Ukraine to back off drone attacks on Russian refineries
Over the past few months, benchmark crude oil prices in the U.S. rose above the $80 mark. On Friday, West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed at $80.63, a drop of 44 cents during the trading day. Now there are reports the Biden administration, not known for its love of oil and gas production even …
Nation’s rig count takes a fall while Oklahoma remains steady
More rigs were pulled out of oil and gas drilling across the nation over the past week. The nation’s oil and rig count dropped by 5 in the past week, falling to 624, according to the weekly rig numbers released on Friday by Baker Hughes Co. Oklahoma’s count remained at 44. A year ago, …
Possible ceasefire in Gaza sent crude prices down on Friday
The possibility of a ceasefire in Gaza resulted in weaker crude benchmarks on Friday. But as Reuters reported, the shrinking U.S. rig count cushioned the fall. Observers believe if peace talks are successful, it might convince Yemen’s Houthi rebels to allow oil tankers to pass unharmed through the Red Sea. West Texas Intermediate crude fell …
Matrix makes major construction contract with Belgium fertilizer firm
Tulsa’s Matrix Service Company just made a major deal to provide engineering, construction and industrial services to a Belgium company. Matrix did not reveal the financial content of the contract its subsidiary, Matrix PDM Enegineering made with Engicon nv headquartered in Harelbeke, Belgium. Under the memorandum of understanding, Matrix will provide total engineering, procurement and …
BlackRock fights back against Texas move to pull $8.5 billion in assets
While BlackRock escaped a ban in Arkansas over its ESG policies, it continues fighting last week’s move by the Texas State Board of Education to pull $8.5 billion in assets from the major investment firm. BlackRock, already banned in Oklahoma for allegedly discriminating against the oil and gas industry issued a statement saying …
Energy quick reads
** Maine’s top environmental regulator, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection rejected a proposed state electric vehicle (EV) mandate in a surprise vote, bucking climate concerns voiced by eco groups and Democrats. ** Minnesota company Carba is helping to slow down an overheating planet by pulling its solution right from the air. As detailed by the Star …
How much E-Junk do you have? It’s becoming a world problem
Imagine the old cell phones lying around some of your junk drawers. Or hand-held electronic games. They’re part of the nation’s and the world’s growing pile of what is called E-Junk…discarded refrigerators, old TVs and even e-cigarettes. A report by CNN showed how the E-Junk pile is growing five times faster than recycling rates …