Yearend odds and ends

Jan. 2, 2012
OGJ editors—particularly those manning the news desk—are charged with many important duties to provide OGJ readers with up-to-the-minute data and information.

OGJ editors—particularly those manning the news desk—are charged with many important duties to provide OGJ readers with up-to-the-minute data and information. One such task is to cull through industry-related press releases to bring the most important news to the forefront.

Oftentimes news items cross the desks of OGJ editors that don't make it to the pages of the magazine for various reasons. With the start of a new year upon us—and armed with the common yearend adage of "out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new"—this editor thought it fitting to share in this space some noteworthy oil and gas news tidbits that otherwise might not have made the cut.

Turning the spotlight on NGVs

Natural gas is already being used as a fuel to power some motor vehicle fleets, but its use for commercially produced vehicles so far has been limited, at least in the US.

In hopes to raise awareness for compressed natural gas-powered vehicles, Oklahoma singer-songwriter Graham Colton toured nationwide this past fall in a CNG-powered Tahoe.

Colton—an Oklahoma City native best known for his hit song, "Best Days"—explained: "This tour hits close to home because natural gas is a fuel that's produced in my home state. Driving a CNG vehicle gives me the opportunity to do my part in limiting my eco-footprint, as well as raising awareness about America's dependence on foreign oil. Through this tour, I hope to show my fans that switching to CNG not only frees us from oil imports, but also makes a powerful impact in the battle to curb carbon emissions."

Throughout the tour, Colton documented his experience driving a CNG Tahoe as a featured contributor to CNGnow.com, a social network and information hub for people who drive CNG vehicles or are interested in learning more about the alternative fuel.

Voters polled on energy

With the nation's election season heating up, US voters were recently given the chance to weigh in on their thoughts about energy in an "Energy Poll" conducted by a group at the University of Texas at Austin.

Mainly, the poll asked respondents about how candidates' positions on specific energy policies might influence their decisions at the polls. The majority of respondents, 56%, were somewhat or much more likely to vote for candidates who would expand tax exemptions for companies engaged in sustainable forms of energy.

Incidentally, the survey was conducted after the announcement of Solyndra's bankruptcy, "so despite that incident, people remain interested in some form of government subsidies for renewable energy," a press release said.

"Providing tax incentives for efficient vehicles received the next highest support from voters, followed by increasing offshore drilling, and lastly, increasing spending on public transportation infrastructure," the release stated, adding, "Notably, increasing offshore drilling had the greatest percentage (26%) of respondents who would be less likely to vote for a candidate who supported this activity."

Current results are from the inaugural poll, released in October 2011. Next results will be released in April. Further details can be found at www.utenergypoll.utexas.edu/home.

Fighting fire with fire (trucks)

Fire departments in Oklahoma and Texas were stretched to their limits after battling scores of wildfires this past summer. Houston independent Apache Corp. did its part to boost support by donating fire trucks and equipment.

In October, Apache's Central Region, based in Tulsa, presented a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD four-wheel drive truck to the Elk City Fire Department in Elk City, Okla. The town of 11,693 residents is on Interstate 40 and historic US Route 66 about 110 miles west of Oklahoma City.

Apache's Central Region covers East Texas and the Anadarko basin of western Oklahoma. Apache also donated the funds to convert the Chevy Silverado into a firefighting vehicle with a special flatbed, water tanks, and pumps. The new truck will allow the fire department to retire one of two aging fire trucks.

In Texas, Apache donated fire trucks in the Midland area, providing new vehicles to the Northeast Midland County Volunteer Fire Department and the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department.

More Oil & Gas Journal Current Issue Articles
More Oil & Gas Journal Archives Issue Articles
View Oil and Gas Articles on PennEnergy.com