Archive for April, 2011
US Labor Department launches national outreach campaign to protect workers from heat-related illnesses
National News Release: 11-594-NAT
April, 26, 2011
Contact: Enrique Chaurand Jesse Lawder
Phone: 202-693-4679 202-693-4659
Email: chaurand.enrique@dol.gov lawder.jesse@dol.gov
US Labor Department launches national outreach
campaign to protect workers from heat-related illnesses
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today will announce, from Anaheim, Calif., a national outreach initiative by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to educate workers and their employers about the hazards of working outdoors in the heat and steps needed to prevent heat-related illnesses.
“If you’re working outdoors, you’re at risk for heat-related illnesses that can cause serious medical problems and even death,” said Secretary Solis. “But heat illness can be prevented. This Labor Department campaign will reach across the country with a very simple message – water, rest and shade.”
Each year, thousands of outdoor workers experience heat illness, which often manifests as heat exhaustion. If not quickly addressed, heat exhaustion can become heat stroke, which killed more than 30 workers last year.
“As we move into the summer months, it is very important for workers and employers to take the steps necessary to stay safe in extreme heat,” said OSHA Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels. “Drinking water often, taking breaks and limiting time in the heat are simple, effective ways to prevent heat illness.”
Heat can be a real danger for workers in jobs ranging from agriculture and landscaping to construction, road repair, airport baggage handling and even car sales.
OSHA has developed heat illness educational materials in English and Spanish, as well as a curriculum to be used for workplace training. Additionally, a new Web page provides information and resources on heat illness – including how to prevent it and what to do in case of an emergency – for workers and employers. The page is available at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html.
Federal OSHA has worked closely with the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration to adapt materials from that state’s successful outreach campaign on heat illness for use in this national effort. In addition, OSHA is now partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on weather service alerts that will incorporate worker safety precautions when heat alerts are issued across the U.S. NOAA also will include pertinent worker safety information on its Heat Watch Web page at http://www.noaawatch.gov/themes/heat.php.
OSHA will leverage relationships with other state and local partners, employers, trade organizations, unions, community groups, educational institutions and health care professionals to disseminate training materials, and educate workers and employers, on the hazards of working in the heat and how to prevent heat-related illnesses
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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.
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Carrizo Oil & Gas Announces Sale of Non-Core Barnett Shale Properties for $104 Million
Carrizo Oil & Gas Announces Sale of Non-Core Barnett Shale Properties for $104 Million
Houston, TX, April 27, 2011 - Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRZO) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of its Barnett Shale Tier 1 properties to KKR Natural Resources, the partnership formed between an affiliate of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (KKR) and Premier Natural Resources, for $104 million. This sale is expected to close in mid-May and is subject to customary closing conditions and purchase price adjustments. The approximately 13,000 acres being sold include 75 gross (58.5 net) wells currently producing at an approximate gross rate of 15.7 MMcfe per day (8.3 MMcfed net). Estimated proved reserves associated with the divested properties amount to 122.4 Bcfe, 55% of which are proved undeveloped, as determined by Carrizo’s third party engineers at year-end 2010. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this sale to repay borrowings under its revolving credit facility. The Company expects to use the resulting additional capacity under its revolving credit facility to fund, in part, its 2011 capital expenditure plan, and for general corporate purposes.
Carrizo President and CEO S. P. “Chip” Johnson, IV commented on the sale, “Our plan to focus our Barnett Shale development drilling on our Core properties in Tarrant County and our success in the initial development of our liquids-rich Eagle Ford Shale and Niobrara resource plays made our Tier 1 Barnett property a candidate for divestiture. We had a number of strong indications of interest in this quality gas asset and are pleased to be able to announce this sale to KKR. The resulting increase in liquidity generated by the sale of these properties will give us the flexibility to increase our investment in liquids-rich resource plays should the opportunity appear.”
About the Company
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. is a Houston-based energy company actively engaged in the exploration, development, exploitation, and production of oil and natural gas primarily in the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas, the Barnett Shale in North Texas, the Marcellus Shale in Appalachia, the Niobrara Formation in Colorado, and in proven onshore trends along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast regions. Carrizo is also actively developing its oil discovery known as the Huntington Field in the UK North Sea. Carrizo controls significant prospective acreage blocks and utilizes advanced drilling and completion technology along with sophisticated 3-D seismic techniques to identify potential oil and gas drilling opportunities and to optimize reserve recovery.
Statements in this news release, including but not limited to those relating to use of proceeds and additional capacity, effects or benefits of the transaction, flexibility to increase investment, timing of closing, reserves, timing and levels of production, development plans, the Company’s or management’s intentions, beliefs, expectations, hopes, projections, assessment of risks, estimations, plans or predictions for the future, results of the Company’s strategies, timing of completion and drilling of wells, completion and pipeline connections and other statements that are not historical facts are forward looking statements that are based on current expectations. Although the Company believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements include results of purchase price adjustments, failure of closing conditions to be satisfied, actions by the purchaser, market and other conditions, capital needs and uses, regulatory changes, permitting, commodity price changes, effects of the global financial crisis on exploration activity, dependence on exploratory drilling activities, operating risks, land issues, availability of capital and equipment, actions by governmental authorities, industry partners and other third parties, weather and other risks described in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For More Information Contact
Paul F. Boling
Chief Financial Officer
(713) 328-1000
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US Department of Labor’s OSHA cites Webb-Stiles of Alabama for repeat, serious safety and health violations; proposes more than $69,000 in fines
Region 4 News Release: 11-530-ATL (173)
April 26, 2011
Contact: Michael D’Aquino Michael Wald
Phone: 404-562-2076 404-562-2078
E-mail: d’aquino.michael@dol.gov wald.michael@dol.gov
US Department of Labor’s OSHA cites Webb-Stiles of Alabama for repeat,
serious safety and health violations; proposes more than $69,000 in fines
GADSDEN, Ala. – Gadsden-based Webb-Stiles of Alabama Inc. has been cited for 21 safety and health violations by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The citations, carrying fines of $69,300, were issued after OSHA conducted an inspection under its Site-Specific Targeting Program focused on industries with high injury and illness rates.
OSHA issued Webb-Stiles of Alabama citations for two repeat safety violations with $16,200 in fines. The violations are failing to conduct periodic inspections of the energy control procedures for employees performing servicing and maintenance on equipment, and machine guarding hazards. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. In November 2009, the company’s corporate office in Valley City, Ohio, was cited for similar violations.
The agency also issued the company citations for 14 serious violations with $53,100 in fines. Some of the safety-related violations include exposing employees to slip, trip and fall hazards; electrical deficiencies; not having handrails on stairs; and failing to provide workers with flameproof screens and shields. Health-related violations include an insufficient eyewash station and not offering the Hepatitis B vaccination series to designated first aid responders. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
The company received citations for three other-than-serious safety violations: damaged electrical cords, unprotected work lamps and a missing electrical cover. In addition, two other-than-serious health violations were cited: not providing a medical evaluation to an employee performing spray painting operations wearing a half-mask respirator, and the employee not being fit-tested to wear a half-mask respirator. No monetary penalties were proposed for these violations. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.
“This company continues to put its workers’ safety and health at risk by exposing them to a variety of hazardous conditions,” said Roberto Sanchez, OSHA’s area director in Birmingham. “OSHA’s standards must be followed to avoid injuries and fatalities.”
The company, which manufactures custom conveyor systems, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA’s Birmingham Area Office located at 950 N. 22 St., Suite 1050, Birmingham, Ala. 35203; telephone 205-731-1534. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.
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Victory Energy Corporation Acquires Interest in Alwan West Natural Gas Prospect
Victory Energy Corporation Acquires Interest in Alwan West Natural Gas Prospect
8.75 BCF Reservoir Potential Represents Largest Natural Gas Prospect Acquisition for Victory
Newport Beach, CA, April 26, 2011 - As part of its continuing corporate rebuilding strategy, Victory Energy Corporation (PINKSHEETS: VYEY), through its partnership with Aurora Energy Partners, announced the acquisition of a working interest in the Alwan West natural gas prospect.
The Alwan West prospect will be the largest natural gas well drilled by Victory Energy to date. This prospect’s potential reservoir covers an area of 175 acres. It has a reserve potential of 8.75 billion cubic feet (BCF) of natural gas and 43.75 thousand barrels of gas condensate. The reserve potential is based on 50 feet of reservoir sand, one million cubic feet per acre-foot of natural gas and five barrels per million cubic feet of gas condensate. These reserve estimates are for the first Yegua sand only, which is the primary objective, and do not include potential in the secondary objectives.
The Alwan West prospect is located in far western Wharton County, Texas, near the Jackson County line. There are two natural gas lines that cross the lease within 1,000 feet of the proposed location. Victory Energy acquired the prospect, which includes a 5 percent working interest (WI) and a 3.8 percent net revenue interest (NRI), from Miramar Petroleum, Inc. of Corpus Christi, Texas, who will be the operator and who also owns a significant working interest in the well. The well is anticipated to spud in early June of this year.
This area produces from the Frio and Yegua (Oligocene) formations. The lease area is surrounded on all sides by gas condensate production. The first Yegua sand is the primary objective. Secondary objectives are the Frio and second Yegua sand. Alwan West lies on strike between two Yegua fields, Lost Fork (one mile west) and AVO Grande (3,000 feet east). Lost Fork has produced over 42 BCF, while AVO Grande has produced 7 BCF of natural gas. Both of these fields are stratigraphic traps, as is the Alwan West prospect.
Robert Miranda, Victory Energy’s chairman and CEO, stated, “This prospect represents our largest gas play to date and it has the potential to deliver a stable and predictable gas flow to the company. Unlike many other gas sands, the Yegua sand is known for its consistent production and very low annual decline rates. This well is supported by both significant nearby production and quality seismic data.”
About Victory Energy Corporation
Victory Energy Corporation is engaged in the exploration, acquisition, development, and exploitation of oil and gas properties. The company endeavors to utilize its broad range of oil and gas industry relationships to acquire small interests in a large volume of low- to moderate-risk oil and gas prospects. A cornerstone of this strategy is an emphasis on developing and maintaining relationships with proven, well established oil and gas exploration and development companies.
Prospect acquisitions are ideally weighted toward oil, although natural gas projects with high btu content, favorable above-market pricing and modest decline rates will also be targeted. Targeted prospects generally provide the company with a rapid return of capital while offering multiple well locations for additional drilling on an established trend. The model asset portfolio is geologically and geographically diversified. The company’s current producing oil and gas assets are located in the United States.
For more information, please visit our website http://www.vyey.com
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
There are forward-looking statements contained in this news release. They use such words as “intend,” “will,” “may,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” or other similar terminology. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the implementation of the Company’s strategic growth plan; legislation and government regulation including the ability to obtain satisfactory regulatory approvals; conditions beyond the Company’s control such as weather, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics impacting the Company’s customer base or acts of war or terrorism; availability and cost of materials and labor; demand for natural gas; cost and availability of capital; competition; the Company’s overall marketing, operational and financial performance; economic and political conditions; the continued service of the Company’s executive officer; adverse developments in and increased or unforeseen legal costs related to the Company’s litigation; the success of the Company’s strategic partnerships and joint venture relationships; the Company’s ability to pay certain debts; adoption of new, or changes in, accounting policies and practices; adverse court rulings; results of other litigation in which the company is involved; and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company’s news releases, public statements and/or filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking information is provided by Victory Energy Corporation pursuant to the safe harbor established under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and should be evaluated in the context of these factors. In addition, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
For More Information Contact
Robert J. Miranda
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
714.480.0305
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Investor Relations
714.227.0391
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US Labor Department’s OSHA cites Georgia sheet metal fabricator with 42 safety and health violations following fatality
Region 4 News Release: 11-558-ATL (168)
April 25, 2011
Contact: Michael D’Aquino Michael Wald
Phone: 404-562-2076 404-562-2078
Email: d’aquino.michael@dol.gov wald.michael@dol.gov
US Labor Department’s OSHA cites Georgia sheet metal
fabricator with 42 safety and health violations following fatality
CONLEY, Ga. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Don Park USA LP in Conley for 42 safety and health violations. OSHA began an inspection in October 2010 after an employee died when he was crushed by a large steel frame weighing approximately 1,550 pounds.
The agency has cited Don Park USA for one serious safety violation related to the fatality: failing to exercise caution or planning when moving heavy, unstable loads in a vertical position. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
“Exposing workers to life-threatening safety and health hazards is unpardonable. Many of these hazards can easily be corrected,” said William Fulcher, director of OSHA’s Atlanta-East Area Office. “No worker should have to risk his or her life for a paycheck.”
The company has received citations for 29 other serious safety violations, including hazards associated with forklifts lacking seatbelts, machinery lacking guards to protect workers from amputations, lifting equipment not designed or tested for the loads being moved, numerous electrical deficiencies exposing workers to possible shocks, and a lack of training for employees in lockout/tagout procedures and the control of hazardous energy. Additionally, an emergency exit was locked, exit routes were obstructed and inadequately lighted, and employees lacked training in the use of forklifts.
One serious health violation was cited for allowing employees to operate plasma cutting equipment without adequate personal protection equipment.
Seven other-than-serious violations include failing to notify the agency of a fatality within eight hours of the event, properly store gasoline and a gasoline-oil mix, visually inspect fire extinguishers at least monthly, subject fire extinguishers to an annual maintenance check, conduct daily inspections of forklifts, label liquefied propane gas cylinders to identify the chemical content and label same cylinders to identify the hazardous nature of the chemicals.
Four other-than-serious health violations include failing to complete OSHA logs in sufficient detail, train employees in a hazard communication program, establish a respiratory protection program and provide employees who voluntarily wear respirators with sufficient information about the respirators as required by OSHA regulations. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.
Don Park is engaged in sheet metal work for custom fabrication of air conditioning ducts and air distribution systems. Proposed penalties total $127,200.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by OSHA’s Atlanta-East Area Office, 2183 Northlake Parkway, Building 7, Suite 110, Tucker, Ga. 30084; telephone 770-493-6644. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.
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