Plugging In: Oklahoma Energy briefs for June 8

Officials warn of utility scammers

Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. and Oklahoma City Police are urging utility electric customers to be wary of scam artists that may be active in the area.

Officials said scammers are using technology allowing them to show the utility's name and customer service number on Caller ID as they place calls to customers threatening to shut off their electricity unless a supposed delinquent bill is paid.

The scammers may demand customers pay those bills with a prepaid debit card or tell victims someone will come to the home to collect the payment in cash.

Utility officials said they never ask customers for either bank or credit card information over the phone and don't ask customers to settle delinquent bills using cash or prepaid debit cards. Officials said customers who are unsure whether their bills are delinquent should log into their online account to see what they owe, or, check the same information using the utility's automated phone system.

Appointment adds to firm's board

David Geenberg has been named an independent director at Chaparral Energy Inc., the company said Thursday.

Geenberg's appointment expands the board to eight members. The new director leads the North American investment team for Strategic Value Partners LLC and is a director of Silverbow Resources and Penn Virginia Corp. He has a bachelor's degree in economics from Dartmouth College.

“We are very pleased to have added David Geenberg to our board of directors,” Chaparral Chairman Robert F. Heinemann said. “Mr. Geenberg's substantial experience working in the financial and energy sector will further strengthen our board."

New director will plan Oil & Gas Expo

Melanie Voice has been named program director for Sustaining Oklahoma's Energy Resources, a committee under the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board that supports the state's small oil and natural gas producers, officials have announced.

As program director, Voice will oversee all of its daily operations and coordinate its activities, including its marketing, networking, committee meetings, financials, and online activities.

Voice also will plan and execute the annual Oklahoma Oil & Gas Expo, as well as workshops and other events around the state.

Voice previously was the special events and marketing manager and convention and visitors bureau director for Midwest City. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in hospitality and restaurant administration from Missouri State University and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing from Oklahoma Christian University.

“We are excited to have Melanie in this leadership role,” OERB Executive Director Mindy Stitt said. “Her skills and expertise as a collaborator and event planner will be a great addition to the team.”

Enel donates funds to school systems

Enel Green Power is donating $33,500 to the Chickasha and Rush Spring school systems to help enhance their programs, technology and school events, officials have announced.

Chickasha Public Schools will use its share of the funds to help pay for several science, technology, engineering and math related programs for youths in grades pre-K through high school.

The Bill Wallace Early Childhood Center, for example, will use dollars for additional equipment in its Think and Wonder Lab, while the Chickasha High School Robotics Team will get financial aid to help pay for materials, travel and entry fees.

The release stated Rush Springs Public Schools will use its share of funding to support its Alpha Plus Program, which aims to improve scores, align math and reading skills for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

“Shrinking budgets, increasing class sizes and outdated technology are just a few challenges to delivering quality education," said Phillips Edwards, supervisor of Enel's nearby Drift Sand wind farm. "We appreciate the opportunity to be a part of providing a solution and helping students be successful.”

Magellan seeks pipeline commitments

TULSA — Magellan Midstream Partners LP has begun an open season and is considering further expanding the western leg of its refined petroleum products pipeline system in Texas. Binding commitments are due July 11.

Magellan previously said it is expanding capacity of the pipeline to about 150,000 barrels per day, up from current capacity of 100,000 barrels per day. The company said this week it is considering another 35,000 daily barrels of capacity, pushing the limit to about 185,000 barrels per day.

The expanded capacity would be designed to handle incremental shipments of gasoline and diesel fuel to Abilene, Midland and El Paso, Texas, along with markets in New Mexico. The pipeline system also can connect to existing pipelines for delivery to Arizona and Mexico.

The expanded pipeline capacity is expected online in mid-2020, the company said.

Work on Fay sand mine set to begin

Alpine Silica in the next 30 days will begin construction on a new sand mine in northwest Oklahoma, the Kermit, Texas-based company said this week.

The mine is in Fay, which is west of Watonga. Alpine Silica said it has 51 million tons of sand reserves at the site and is expected to produce about 3 million tons per year. Construction is expected to take about six months.

The company also said it is opening a new sand plant in Van Horn, in far western Texas.

“We are excited to announce the expansion of our business and development of two new plants in this region of the U.S.,” said Ronald Jordan, General Manager of Alpine Silica. “This is an exciting time for our industry, and we are at the forefront of lowering costs and increasing production to benefit our partners at major oil and gas companies.”

FROM STAFF REPORTS