TSA Rolls Out $45 Identity Verification Option for Travelers The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that beginning February 1, 2026, any passenger who does not present an acceptable form of ID but still wants to fly will have the option to pay a $45 fee to complete identity confirmation through its modernized system, TSA Confirm.ID.Under …
Tag: oil and gas
State’s oil plays still see lots of rig activity
Oklahoma Rig Activity Holds Steady as U.S. Sees Sharper Declines Oklahoma’s oil and gas activity held mostly steady in the latest Baker Hughes rig count, showing only a minimal shift even as several major U.S. basins experienced notable declines. Oklahoma Play-by-Play Oklahoma recorded 41 active rigs, down by just one from the previous week. Even …
Increased rig activity in Oklahoma and the U.S.
The latest Baker Hughes Rig Count released on Friday showed Oklahoma with a gain of one rig in its oil and gas activity while the U.S. gained 5 for a total of 554 rigs across the country. Oklahoma increased to 42 rigs while one year ago, the count stood at 44 active rigs. The …
Virginia activists worry about Williams pipeline
Residents of Virginia and North Carolina have expressed growing concerns over the expansion of a Williams Cos. pipeline meant to transport gas. Williams, headquartered in Tulsa, is one of two major energy firms to transport gas through the Appalachian regions of the two states. But their plans, part of an effort to also create …
Possible peace sent oil prices falling Friday
Growing attempts by the U.S. to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine created more concern that such an agreement could lead to increased global oil supplies. As a result, crude oil prices on Friday fell nearly 3% in the states and 2% across the world. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 2.6% to settle …
Oklahoma’s rig count rebounded in past week
Western Oklahoma remains the center of the state’s oil and gas rig activity with a gain of one rig over the past week, according to the most recent Baker Hughes Rig Count. The total grew to 42 rigs, two shy of the 44 rigs active in Oklahoma one year ago. The Cana Woodford is …
Paragon Industries CEO Charged in $66M Federal Fraud Case
Sapulpa Pipe CEO Arrested on $66M Federal Fraud Charges Federal authorities arrested Derek Wachob, the CEO of the oil and gas pipeline supplier based in Sapulpa, on charges of federal wire fraud. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York confirmed the arrest and explained the charges were that Wachob, 53, had …
Why are rig counts low? There’s an explanation
U.S. rig counts remain low as production efficiencies improve Data source: Baker Hughes Company Note: Excludes any miscellaneous rigs The average number of active rigs per month that are drilling for oil and natural gas in the U.S. Lower 48 states has declined steadily over the past few years from a recent peak of 750 rigs …
October State Tax Report Shows Stable Oklahoma Revenue
Treasurer Russ Reports Steady Growth and Energy Strength State Treasurer Todd Russ released the October 2025 State Tax Revenue Report, showing total collections of $1.45 billion—a 3.4% decrease from September, but a 4.4% increase over October 2024. Over the past 12 months, Oklahoma has collected $17.03 billion, a 0.5% year-over-year increase, signaling continued fiscal stability …
New York enviros cry “betrayed” over Williams pipeline
New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision last week to finally approve the Williams Cos.’s natural gas pipeline into New York City left a bitter taste for environmental advocates who opposed the Tulsa company’s request. Some felt “betrayed,” as stated by Alex Beauchamp, the northeast region director at Food and Water Watch. “By granting the …