Oscar

If the natural gas industry has its way, Gasland director Josh Fox won’t be “thanking the academy” for an Oscar on Feb. 27.

Legendary Texas oilman Oscar Wyatt, 83, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison after pleading guilty in October to paying illegal kickbacks to Saddam Hussein’s energy regime in exchange for oil contracts in 2001 (see NGI, Oct. 8). Wyatt had faced up to 24 months in prison. Judge Denny Chin of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued the sentence. Wyatt had earlier agreed to forfeit $11 million as part of his plea agreement. Wyatt pleaded guilty in October four weeks into a criminal trial and shortly before prosecutors were to complete their case. Wyatt, who founded Coastal Corp., which later merged with El Paso Corp. (see NGI, May 8, 2000),was indicted in late 2005 with five other individuals. He had faced up to 70 years in prison if he had been convicted on all five counts of his indictment. Wyatt had also been charged with conducting financial transactions with Iraq, which was an enemy nation in 2001, and for violating a U.S. embargo with Iraq.

Legendary Texas oilman Oscar Wyatt, 83, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty in October to paying illegal kickbacks to Saddam Hussein’s energy regime in exchange for oil contracts in 2001 (see Daily GPI, Oct. 2). Wyatt had faced up to 24 months in prison.

Oscar S. Wyatt Jr., almost as well known for his legendary oil and natural gas prowess as his cantankerous personality, pleaded guilty Monday in a New York City courtroom to paying illegal kickbacks to Saddam Hussein’s enemy regime in exchange for oil contracts in 2001. The 83-year-old Houstonian faces up to 24 months in prison.

Oscar S. Wyatt Jr., almost as well known for his legendary oil and natural gas prowess as his cantankerous personality, faces up to 24 months in prison after he pleaded guilty last week in a New York City courtroom to paying illegal kickbacks to Saddam Hussein’s regime in exchange for oil contracts in 2001.

Major El Paso Corp. investors Selim K. Zilkha and Oscar S. Wyatt Jr. will have to win the support of three major institutional investment firms in California to take control of the board of directors from the financially weakened company at the annual El Paso shareholder meeting this year, a veteran energy analyst said. Zilka, who has Wyatt’s backing, revealed his plans last week to make a run at the El Paso board.

Major El Paso Corp. investors Selim K. Zilkha and Oscar S. Wyatt Jr. will have to win the support of three major institutional stockholders in California if they are to succeed in taking control of the board of directors from the financially weakened company at the annual El Paso shareholder meeting this year, a veteran energy analyst said.

The recent Oscar winners have nothing on San Francisco’svenerable Gran Dame of combination energy utilities, Pacific Gasand Electric Co., whose film career and notoriety seem destined towin increasing Hollywood scrutiny if not gold statuettes.

Sunday’s Oscar winners have nothing on San Francisco’s venerableGran Dame of combination energy utilities, Pacific Gas and ElectricCo., whose film career and notoriety seem destined to winincreasing Hollywood scrutiny if not gold statuettes.