A woman who ran oil and gas businesses in northwest New Mexico was recently indicted on charges of defrauding the federal government and two Indian tribes out of taxes and royalties. Teresa McCown’s M&M Production & Operation Inc. and Shoreline Oil & Gas Company were operating in the state’s San Juan Basin. The …
Crazy weather in Oklahoma this week
What a week of crazy weather in Oklahoma. Temperatures on Monday could hit 85 to 86 degrees in central Oklahoma and do it again on Tuesday before taking an estimated 33-35 degree plunge Tuesday leading to highs on Wednesday in the low 50s. But there is a caution about wildfire dangers in the western half …
Gains seen in oil and gas rig numbers in Oklahoma and U.S.
The number of oil and gas rigs active in Oklahoma increased by two in the past week and the total for the U.S. did the same, according to the latest figures released by Baker Hughes Co. Oklahoma’s count grew to 44, still far behind the 62 reported one year ago. Nationally, the count …
Legislative attempt to exempt Corporation Commission from Open Meetings Act
An effort is underway in the Oklahoma legislature to make the Oklahoma Corporation Commission exempt in some of its work from the state’s Open Meetings Act and allow certain meetings of the commissioners without notifying the public. The bill, HB2367 by Rep. Tammy Townley of Ardmore, would allow the three corporation commissioners to …
House speaker wants tax hike for renewable energy in Oklahoma—-targets NextEra Energy
The fight over ROFR or Right of First Refusal at the State Capitol in Oklahoma just became a hardball game, and it’s resulted in something of a firestorm for the state’s renewable energy industry. House Speaker Charles McCall, reportedly “furious” over the opposition by NextEra Energy to a possible ROFR bill in the legislature …
Senior VP retiring at Helmerich and Payne
Tulsa’s Helmerich & Payne announced the retirement of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mark W. Smith. He intends to retire in August of 2024 and the company has already launched a search to identify CFO candidates. Once he retires, Smith will remain as a senior advisor to the company until December 2024. …
Rural firefighters worried about new training mandates
Rural firefighters concerned about new mandatory training requirements issued by the state fire marshal recently jammed the state capitol office of State Rep. David Smith of Arpelar. Smith and Heavner Rep Rick West held the Feb. 21 meeting with 11 rural fire coordinators. “Volunteer rural firefighters are rural Oklahoma’s first line of defense,” Smith …
SEC might back off controversial climate disclosure rule
A controversial U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission proposed climate-risk disclosure rule that prompted Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas to file a bill opposing it could now be pared back. Politico reported the final rule might be released in the coming weeks and with less-comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions disclosure requirements. The original plan was proposed …
Crude oil, natural gas and OK energy stocks finished the week down on Friday
Crude oil prices dropped about 3% in Friday’s trading and Oklahoma energy stocks also did not fare well for the day with most recording losses. Oil prices took a nose-dive after a U.S. central bank policymaker interested interest rate cuts might be delayed for another two more months. West Texas Intermediate crude futures, considered the …
Colorado legislators to consider bill to force summer “pause” in oil and gas drilling
Not only do Democratic lawmakers and environmentalists in Colorado want to do something about fighting ozone issues in the state, they propose doing it by “pausing” oil and gas drilling in the summer months. It’s among the bills the legislators filed for their 2024 legislative session. “This is the time,” said one state Representative …