PLUGGING IN
Oklahoma linemen help in Guatemala
Electric cooperatives from Oklahoma and Colorado last week sent 15 linemen to electrify remote villages in Guatemala.
The crews are scheduled to build power lines to two isolated villages — Pie de Cerro and Tierra Blanca Salinas — in the region of Ixcán near the Mexican border, providing first-time electricity to 100 families, two health centers, two elementary schools and five churches. The project involves 130 poles in about 4.3 miles of primary line and 3.9 miles of secondary line in and near a rain forest.
The project is led by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, the Colorado Rural Electric Association and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
“Bringing electricity to remote areas in developing countries takes electric cooperatives back to their roots,” OAEC General Manager Chris Meyers said. “It reinforces our commitment to improve the quality of life for local communities at home and abroad.”
Pipeline construction is complete
TULSA — Construction is complete on Williams Cos. Inc.’s Atlantic Sunrise pipeline project, promising 1.7 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas capacity, the company said this week. The project is awaiting final approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Backed by long-term shipper commitments, the nearly $3 billion expansion of the existing Transco natural gas pipeline will connect production in the Pennsylvania area’s Marcellus field with markets in the mid-Atlantic — including the Cove Point liquefied natural gas terminal — and the southeastern United States.
Construction began in September 2017. The project has included the installation of about 200 miles of large-diameter pipeline, two new compressor stations and compressor station modifications in five states.
Loan to aid rural electric cooperative
An Oklahoma electric cooperative will be able to expand and improve its electricity distribution system through a federal rural electric service loan program, officials announced.
The Cotton Electric Cooperative, based in Walters, is getting about $36.2 million of loan dollars through the Electric Infrastructure Loan Program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The agency on Thursday announced it was making just under $400 million in loans that will support rural electric service improvements in 13 states.
Cotton Electric will use the dollars to add about 1,300 new customers, build 154 miles of line, improve 91 more miles of line and to make other system improvements within its service territory in southwestern Oklahoma.
The loans were announced by Anne Hazlett, an assistant secretary in the agency that oversees rural development.
“Reliable and affordable electricity is undeniably a necessity in today’s world,” Hazlett said. “Under the leadership of Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner in keeping our rural communities connected to this essential infrastructure.”
California firm drills SCOOP well
California-based BNK Petroleum Inc. has successfully drilled a well in the Tishomingo Field in Oklahoma’s SCOOP field, the company said.
“Our team drilled the Brock 4-2H well safely and under budget,” CEO Wolf Regener said. “Based on everything we’ve seen, we expect the Brock 4-2H well to be another of our top-performing wells once the well has been fracture stimulated.”
NGL schedules to buy back notes
TULSA — NGL Energy Partners LP has called for redemption all of its more than $367 million in 6.875 percent senior notes due 2021. The company is scheduled to buy back the notes on Oct. 16.