Author's posts
Oil and Gas Rig Counts Slip in Oklahoma and the Nation
Figures from Baker Hughes Co. and the Independent Oil and Gas Service indicate a nationwide drop of at least 8 units in the latest weekly oil and gas rig count. Oklahoma’s count fell by 3 rigs in the past week to reach 124 still seeking new energy. The two rig accounting firms reported a total …
Ponca City Legislator Asks for Support of Fuel Tax Hike
If the Republican leadership in the Oklahoma legislature gets its way, motorists in Oklahoma will be paying higher motor fuel taxes. Rep. Steve Vaughan of Ponca City chairs the House Transportation Committee and wants the support of voters in raising the tax on gasoline and diesel fuel by 6 cents a gallon. “At 23 cents …
Legislators Still Negotiating a Budget Deal
Still no deal in the Oklahoma legislature as the special session continues with legislative leaders and Gov. Mary Fallin in talks with hopes of reaching an agreement to resolve the $215 million budget hole. At last word, House Floor Leader Jon Echols indicated legislators were told to prepare to return for work on Oct. …
Democrats Want Inspector General to Probe Scott Pruitt’s Spending
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s spending and travel costs have the attention of two senior House Transportation Democrats who want the Agency’s inspector general to carry out a probe. It’s what Representatives Peter DeFazio and Grace Napolitano asked in a letter this week to the inspector general. “This culture, which is reflected in travel and lifestyle …
Another Sen. Inhofe Link to Latest EPA Nomination
A former staffer for Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe has been nominated by President Trump to become a Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. If Andrew Wheeler is confirmed, he would be a right-hand man to Scott Pruitt, the former Oklahoma Attorney General who became the EPA Administrator earlier in the year. At one …
Rep. Inman Claims a Budget Agreement is Reached Including a 5% Gross Production Tax on Oil and Gas
Democrats in the Oklahoma House reportedly got part of their wish to raise the gross production tax on oil and gas and also eliminate a sales tax exemption for the wind industry. But Gov. Mary Fallin denies it and said so in a late Thursday afternoon announcement. “Let me just start out by stating bluntly—-there …
High Costs and Investor Pressure Slow Permian Basin Excitement
A study confirms that rising production costs as well as high prices for leases have led to a slowdown in the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico. Writing this week, the Houston Chronicle found that while drillers spent $35 billion in West Texas over 9 months ending in the spring, the collective value of …
Oklahoma’s Vertical and Horizontal Drilling Fight Gets National Attention
The story of vertical well drillers fighting Oklahoma’s larger horizontal well operations is getting some national play as Bloomberg News reported on the battle this week. Bloomberg told the story of one Oklahoma independent operator whose old vertical wells have been harmed by horizontal drilling. The news service also briefly revisited the OK Energy …
Viking Energy Makes Another Buy in Shallow Well Country of Eastern Kansas
New York based Viking Energy Group has bought more oil and gas leases of shallow-well opportunities in eastern Kansas. It’s the second purchase in the past month. Using a wholly-owned subsidiary, Mid-Con Drilling LLC, the company acquired a 100% working interest ni six new oil and gas leases in Miami and Franklin Counties. The wells …
Energy Issues Discussed During Kansas Governor’s Secret Trip to Israel
Reporters are just learning about an unpublicized eight-day trade mission to Israel taken by Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback in late August and early September where he discussed energy business with the country. His meeting, according to the Hutchinson News included a lengthy meeting with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The paper reported the Kansas Commerce …