| MAP OF BARNETT SHALE AREA |
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A large deposit of natural gas called the "Barnett
Shale" is causing both excitement and concern in our neighborhood. While some can't wait for the bonus and royalty
checks to start flowing, others are rightfully worried about the safety and environmental impact of drilling in our urban
area.
Not everyone will share in the mineral rights bonanza but all homeowners are naturally concerned
about the effect on property values. Approximately 1000 wells have already been drilled in the City of
Fort Worth and many more are coming. Some citizens worry about issues of air and water quality as well as
noise levels and drilling traffic on our neighborhood streets. There are concerns about studies that have shown increased
cancer and health risks among those who live near gas drilling operations. Many toxic chemicals are used at the
padsites and run inside the pipelines. These volatile substances evaporate into the air from open storage
tanks. Gas operators are generally not required to comply Federal clean air and clean water legislation.
East Fort Worth residents are concerned about energy independence and understand the urgent need to boost our domestic
energy production. Those that own their mineral rights are excited about the potential income that may come with a gas
lease. All of us want the gas drilling to be done in the safest manner possible with the least environmental impact in
our beautiful area.
HYDRAULIC
FRACTURING:
A relatively new process now allows gas production in deep formations like the Barnett Shale.
In 2005, Congress approved this controversial technology. While allowing fewer wells to cover larger areas, hydraulic
"fracing" is exempt from all Federal environmental standards such as the Clean Air Act and Safe Drinking Water
Act. Here are several sites that give information on this process:
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING PROCESS VIDEO
EARTHWORKS - HYDRAULIC FRACTURING 101
HIGH IMPACT WELLS:
Gas wells located closer than 600' to homes or schools are described
as "high impact" wells. Waivers are required from homeowners who live
within the 600' circumference from the well site.
City
Ordinances require gas operators to publish public notices in the newspaper 10-15 days prior to the permit
hearing before the City Council. A notice of Public Information Meeting (will be referred to as "PIM") is also included.
The PIM usually consists of a generic video presentation and Q/A session about gas well drilling in general and about specific
gas well cases that are coming up for a City Council vote. Well operators and gas inspectors are requested
to be present to answer questions. Public input is not taken at the meetings. They are for informational
purposes only.
DISPOSAL (INJECTION) WELLS:
All wells
are technically "injection wells". Disposal wells are used to pump waste water from drilling processes down
into deeper formations where they will supposedly be isolated and pose no threat to drinking water aquifers. Many
residents express grave reservations about the chemicals that are being pumped into these deep wells. They also worry
about the traffic associated with disposal wells. A disposal well site means a large number
of trucks filled with hazardous wastewater will be traveling on our streets.
There is an injection
well currently located along E. 1st Street that was approved before the City of Fort Worth placed
a moratorium on further injection well permits. The first moratorium expired 4-01-08 and was extended for
another six months. There are ongoing negotiations between the City and the gas companies as to how waste water will
be allocated to this disposal well. The large the amount, more truck traffic to the E. 1st Street location.
For more information about injection (disposal) wells, check out the links
below:
PIPELINES:
Potentially high pressure 16"pipelines are being proposed that will
run directly under/along homes and residential streets. Residents are naturally concerned about these large, industrial-strength
gas gathering lines so close to their homes. Carter Avenue will be subjected to the very first urban pipeline of
this type in Fort Worth, if approved by the City Council. (Scott Avenue has also been targeted as the access road
to the proposed 5 wells on the Johnson 1H padsite.)
Compressor stations are located along the pipelines to
maintain pressure. Diesel engines run 24/7 and release pollutants that degrade air quality and may cause unacceptable noise
levels for surrounding areas.
GREATER MEADOWBROOK COMMUNITY LEASE:
In 2008,
five Neighborhood Associations joined forces to form the "Greater Meadowbrook Mineral Leasing Task Force",
seeking the best price and terms for area homeowners. After shopping our mineral rights to many gas companies, the
GMMLTF signed a record-breaking lease with XTO Energy. Beyond royalty and signing bonus offers, the Task Force
believed that Fort Worth based XTO would be more protective our neighborhoods than other gas companies.
Leasing to a gas company may mean more than just extra $$$ in your bank account.
It may also include dust from drilling, air pollutants from gas venting, heavy truck traffic carrying
flameable wastewater on our neighborhood streets, potential for gas leaks and pipeline accidents, and noisy compressors
that will operate long after the initial drilling rigs are gone.
Some residents consider these to be temporary
inconveniences for the greater economic good. Other residents believe urban gas drilling will permanently destroy
the quality of life and adversely affect the health of current and future generations.
The decisions
we make now will impact this area for many years to come ... we must proceed with caution....
In an effort to present both sides of this issue, we are providing links to websites with differing viewpoints.
We urge all residents to become informed and involved in the process:
(a publication for gas drilling professionals)
