Author's posts
Farewell to Justin Dougherty at News 9
News 9’s Justin Dougherty heads east for a Boston TV news operation. Wednesday was his last day. Often in his 4 a.m. newscasts on KWTV, he interviewed OK Energy Today’s Jerry Bohnen, discussing some of the impact of oil and gas matters and their impact on Oklahoma. Justin spent 4 years with News 9. …
Appeals Court Sides with BIA in Drilling Fight in Osage County
A 2016 Tulsa court ruling that voided the U.S. government’s approval of oil and gas leases and drilling permits on Osage tribal land in Osage County has been reversed by the Denver Federal Appeals Court. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court ordered the ruling made in March 2016 to be vacated and dismissed in the original …
$17 million in Attorney Fees in Oklahoma Case Reversed by Denver Federal Appeals Court
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver has set aside more than $17 million in attorney fees in the settlement of an Oklahoma class action lawsuit involved alleged underpayment of royalties from gas wells. In a 2-0 decision, the court sent the $52 million settlement back to Oklahoma City federal court saying the …
Wind Company Loses Tax Credit and Tariff Battle in Iowa
Another tariff and tax credit battle between a wind industry company and a state has ended in loss for the wind operators. It’s happened in Iowa where the State’s Utilities Board refused to grant MidAmerican Energy Co. an exemption from a tariff that would have allowed the company to keep federal production tax credit revenue. …
New Mexico Rancher Wonders About Future Following Decision on Methane Emissions Rule
A rancher in northwest New Mexico is preparing to resume his battle against methane gas being released by thousands of wells in the San Juan basin. Don Schreiber was one of those who fought for the emissions rule that the Obama administration adopted but the Trump administration is in the process of eliminating. He told …
GE and Baker Hughes Merger——a Done Deal
It’s a done deal….the merger of Baker Hughes Inc. in Houston with General electric Co.’s GE Oil and Gas. The merger was finalized this week, a move that created the world’s second-largest company in the industry. It’s called a merger, but technically GE acquired Baker Hughes and the new company has an estimated value of …
First Earthquake Lawsuit From Prague Quake is Settled with One Firm
Several years after Sandra Ladra of Prague sued two oil and gas companies blaming them for causing the 2011 lawsuit that injured her, she has reached settlement with one of the firms. But no settlement amount has been announced. Records obtained by Scott Mitchell of Mitchell and Associates from Lincoln County District court show Ladra …
Oklahoma Still Has Some of the Cheapest Gas in the Country
Gasoline prices now average $1.97 a gallon in Oklahoma, the third lowest state in the nation according to new figures from AAA Oklahoma. However, the average is a penny higher than a week ago. Oklahoma is behind South Carolina where the average is $1.90 and Alabama where prices average $1.96 a gallon. Gasoline prices in …
Mullin Breaks Pledge—-Will Seek a 4th Term Saying He Wants to Make a Difference
U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin announced July 4 he will forego his pledge to serve only six years in the U.S. House and seek a 4th term. The Republican who serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and three of its subcommittees and is a deputy Republican whip admits he made a mistake six years …
Pawnee Nation Fights Government in Earthquake Lawsuit
The Pawnee Nation is standing up to the U.S. Interior Department and hopes the U.S. District Court in Tulsa will allow the tribe’s lawsuit filed last year over oilfield jurisdiction and earthquakes will be allowed to move forward. In a recent filing, the Nation said the Interior Department was wrong to attempt to …