Mella McEwen

Midland

Oil Editor at Midland Reporter-Telegram

I cover the Permian Basin's energy industry, from oil and gas to the emerging wind, solar and geothermal industries. I also cover businesses of all ranges.

Articles

Oil services employment remains steady amid uncertainty

5 days ago | mrt.com | Mella McEwen

Volatility that has roiled the oil and natural gas markets is starting to make its way into energy employment. In its just-released April 2025 jobs report, the Energy Workforce & Technology Council found a slight month-over-month dip, indicating the energy jobs market is steady despite broader market transitions and ongoing global trade uncertainty.
Devon Energy sells Matterhorn Express pipeline stake for $375 million

5 days ago | mrt.com | Mella McEwen

Just months into service, the Matterhorn Express pipeline is undergoing some ownership changes. Devon Energy is selling its equity interest in the pipeline for approximately $375 million in a transaction expected to close this quarter. Article continues below this adI Squared, MPLX LP and Enbridge have entered into an agreement to acquire the equity interests from Devon and Ridgemont Equity Partners.
Rising Phoenix Capital acquires new mineral interests in Midland Basin

5 days ago | mrt.com | Mella McEwen

Rising Phoenix Capital is continuing its push into the Midland Basin with its latest mineral interests acquisition. The company has acquired mineral interests in Ector and Midland counties that are operated by ConocoPhillips. The acquisition was made through the Maroon Bells Fund, one of Rising Phoenix Capital’s actively managed mineral portfolios. It is the company’s fourth Midland Basin acquisition of the year.
Permian Basin sees lowest rig activity since December 2021

6 days ago | mrt.com | Mella McEwen

Drilling activity continued its downward trend, falling for a second consecutive week. Oilfield services firm Baker Hughes said Friday its weekly rig count dropped by six rigs to 578, the lowest level since January and 25 rigs or 4% below the 603 rigs active last year. Article continues below this adThe number of rigs drilling for crude was down five to 474, the lowest level since January and 22 rigs or 4% below the 496 seeking crude oil last May.
Plains All American: Permian entering optimization, utilization phase

1 week ago | mrt.com | Mella McEwen

Having scrambled to accommodate the massive growth in the Permian Basin, Plains All American is ready for the next stage of Permian oil and natural gas. “A lot of cash was spent, and debt rose during that 15-year growth cycle. Infrastructure was built out, and producers developed their production,” said Willie Chiang, chairman and chief executive officer of Plains All American.
Phillips 66 Announces Plans for Iron Mesa Gas Plant in Permian Basin

1 week ago | chemicalprocessing.com | Mella McEwen

Natural gas liquids are fueling Phillips 66's expansion plans in the Permian Basin. The company announced May 3 plans to construct the Iron Mesa gas plant, a 300 million cubic feet per day facility that is expected to enter service in early 2027. Phillips 66 officials tell the Reporter-Telegram that the new plant will be near its Goldsmith and James Lake facilities. The location was chosen to offer supply optionality from both the Delaware and Midland basins.
Political gridlock blocks U.S. climate, biodiversity solutions, UT speaker says

1 week ago | mrt.com | Mella McEwen

Serious environmental issues face the nation, from climate change to biodiversity, yet they have become so contentious, solutions are difficult, a speaker from the University of Texas at Austin says. Melinda Taylor, a distinguished lecturer at UT, told the Permian Basin Environmental Regulatory Seminar several factors have set the table for today: Extreme polarization, a distrust of science and a dysfunctional Congress.
Railroad Commission updates oilfield waste rules, streamlines oversight

1 week ago | mrt.com | Mella McEwen

Changes are coming to how the Railroad Commission regulates oilfield waste. Effective July 1, the commission’s Statewide Rule 8 and Statewide Rule 57 will be eliminated and fall under Chapter 4 subchapter A. Paul Dubois, assistant director for technical permitting at the commission's oil and gas division, told the Permian Basin Environmental Regulatory Seminar that the moves were made to modernize oversight of oilfield waste.
Vaquero Midstream expands Delaware Basin with $400M pipeline, plant

1 week ago | mrt.com | Mella McEwen

After receiving an expanded $400 million credit facility led by BOK Financial, Vaquero Midstream is wasting no time putting those funds to work. Vaquero is embarking on two major system expansion projects supporting its Delaware Basin operations. Article continues below this adOne project is a new 70-mile, 24-inch, high-pressure pipeline loop that will originate at Vaquero’s processing complex near Waha in Pecos County and connects to Vaquero’s existing high-pressure pipeline in Loving County.
New Era Helium makes moves in data center, helium businesses

2 weeks ago | mrt.com | Mella McEwen

New Era Helium has seen multiple pieces of its various business initiatives fall into place in recent weeks. After finalizing a joint venture with Sharon AI to form Texas Critical Data Centers, the two companies have begun closing requirements on a 235-acre site in Ector County. They companies plan to develop a 250-megawatt, net-zero artificial intelligence and high-performance computing facility on the acreage. Closing of the acquisition is expected in the next 90 days.