U.S. crude oil prices rose again in Thursday’s trading, at one point reaching over the $80 a barrel mark before finishing the day at $79.46 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It represented an increase of $1.61 or 2.09% for the February delivery of the project. Global benchmark Brent Crude for March …
Former EPA leader Wheeler picked to head Virginia environmental efforts
Andrew Wheeler, the former EPA Administrator who previously spent 15 years as a key staffer for Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe was picked this week by the Republican Gov.-elect to be Virginia’s next secretary of Natural Resources. But the selection drew immediate critical response following Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin’s decision. One Virginia Representative called Wheeler …
Cushing inventories climb slightly with COVID-19 cases on the increase
The government reported this week the amount of crude oil held at the Cushing hub increased slightly since Christmas Eve, reaching a total of 37.3 million barrels, perhaps due to a growing number of more COVID-19 cases and less demand for gasoline. It represented an increase of 2.6 million barrels since December 24, 2021. …
Enverus reports increased rig activity in Anadarko Basin and U.S.
U.S. drillers are getting back to work in the new year, adding 30 rigs in the last week and bringing the total to 698 rigs as of Jan. 5, according to Enverus Rig Analytics. The increase includes the Anadarko Basin which recorded the largest week-over-week growth, adding 9 rigs to reach a total of …
Violence over energy prices leaves dozens dead in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan—now that’s a real insurrection and it has to do with energy! Oil and gas, the product that the U.S. had sent overseas as the world’s largest oil exporter—-until President Biden killed the Keystone XL pipeline last year in a move he thought would lower the price of gasoline. Instead, some observers suggest it …
Petroleum group argues against 15-cent fuel tax hike in Wyoming
A Wyoming petroleum group opposes a bill that would raise the state’s fuel tax by 15 cents to fund road repairs, arguing it would put Wyoming ahead of neighboring states’ tax rates. The Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association agrees there needs to be more revenue but there is a better solution reported the Douglas …
Senator worried about oil trains in Colorado as Feds approve Utah project
Colorado U.S. Sen. Michael Bennett said he is “deeply concerned” about the government’s approval of a railway in northeastern Utah that would allow up to 350,000 barrels of oil a day rolling through Colorado on trains. The U.S. Surface transportation Board approved the Uinta Basin Railway last month, a move that caught Bennett’s attention. …
Rep. Dills Appointed to Route 66 Centennial Commission
Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa, recently was appointed to the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. The commission was established by legislation passed in 2019 to plan, coordinate and implement programs and special events to celebrate the historic highway’s centennial in 2026 with the support of the Oklahoma Historical Society. “Route …
Government moves to protect Chaco Canyon culture in New Mexico
The Bureau of Land Management announced Thursday formal plans to remove 351,000 acres of public lands surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historic Park in northern New Mexico, a move that would bar new federal oil and gas leasing on the lands. The move was published in the Federal Register and follows President Biden’s Nov. …
Interior Dept claims US has twice as many abandoned oil and gas wells
Oklahoma is among several states that have applied for new grants to clean up abandoned oil and gas wells according to the Interior Department. The bipartisan infrastructure bill President Biden signed into law in November of last year includes $4.7 billion to restore and plug orphaned wells. In December, the department released guidance on state applications …
