Author's posts
House Democrats Say It’s Time Republicans Stopped Protecting Wealthy Oil and Gas Industry
It might not be the kind of ‘line drawn in the sand’ by President Obama a few years ago, but one has been drawn by Democrats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in what has become a growing war over taxes on the oil and gas industry. “The message is this—-it’s time to come …
Texas Group Challenges EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Findings—-Says Obama Administration Didn’t Follow the Law
A petition has been filed with the EPA by the Texas Public Policy Foundation challenging the agency’s 2009 endangerment finding that designated man-made greenhouse gas emissions as a danger to human health and welfare. “The EPA endangerment finding represents abuse of the EPA regulatory process under the Obama Administration, rather than objective, science-based action,” said …
Pruitt—-Administration is Not Turning Its Back on Clean Environment
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt says critics of President Trump’s executive order declaring an end to President Obama’s “war on coal” have it wrong. Writing this week in the Washington Times, the former Oklahoma Attorney General stated the Trump administration is not turning its back on a clean environment and regulation altogether. He said the “war …
Current Economic Recovery Won’t Help This Year’s Legislature
As Oklahoma City University economist Dr. Russell Evans looks at Oklahoma’s economy and how this year, the legislature is strapped with a financial crisis, he believes next year will be a far different story. He predicts the economic recovery is already underway in the state, one led by the oil and gas industry improvements. “The …
Oklahoma Energy Index Moves Higher Again
With increased employment in the oil and gas sector in the state, the Oklahoma Energy Index has moved higher marking the eighth month i the last 10 that industry activity has grown. “The industry improvement shown in eight of the last 10 months is a sign for optimism,” said Chris Mostek, senior vice president of …
Cimarex Energy Reports 6 New Wells in the STACK
Oklahoma’s STACK has been kind to Cimarex Energy Company. The Denver, Colorado exploration company reported six wells completed and producing in Blaine and Canadian Counties, two of the counties that make up the brunt of the STACK oil play. The three wells in Blaine county were the largest with the Holieway producing 851 barrels of oil …
Pruitt Hit With Another Letter From Democratic Senators
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s decision to back out of being a speaker at an Oklahoma Republican party fundraiser now has Democrats on a U.S. Senate Committee wanting to know more about it. After all, it was their letter and complaint that he had violated the Hatch Act which prompted the former Oklahoma Attorney General to pull …
Former Chaparral Energy President Gets Company Plane and $3 million Cash
In an amended annual report filed May 1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Oklahoma City-based Chaparral Energy revealed more of its financial transactions following its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The SEC report showed the federal Bankruptcy court approved a retirement agreement with former Chairman and CEO Mark A. Fischer. While his base salary …
House Sponsors of Some Energy Bills Reject Senate Amendments
One after another, numerous bills in the State House this week were sent to conference committees because sponsors didn’t like the way they had been handled or amended in the Senate. Some pertained to the energy industry in the state while others focused on 4-day class weeks in schools or the death penalty. ‘I feel …
Chaparral Energy to Focus on STACK Assets in 2017
Oklahoma City-based Chaparral Energy, Inc. has announced its strategy for the year and a decision to start exploring strategic alternatives for the company’s Enhanced Oil Recovery assets. “Chaparral is committed to increasing value for its shareholders,” said Earl Reynolds, Chief Executive Officer. “During the remainder of 2017 we will be pursuing strategic alternatives for …