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Nov 3, 2009 4:55 pm US/Central
Grapevine To Consider Gas Well Drilling Proposal
By Selena Hernandez
GRAPEVINE (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Chesapeake Energy has its sights set on a popular area of Grapevine. The energy company is ready to drill, but must wait on final city council approval. But for those who live in the area, the idea of having two gas wells as neighbors isn't going over well.
The area where Chesapeake wants to drill is sandwiched between the popular Grapevine Mills Mall and a group of apartment complexes. The 33 acres of land is owned by Chesapeake and the energy company is just waiting for drilling rezoning approval.
As the city council prepares to make a decision nearby residents are saying "not in my backyard". "It's country side. You can sometimes hear the cows," resident Ross Castle said. "But I didn't think you'd be next to a drill."
The Chesapeake drilling plan includes setting up two gas wells, laying a connecting pipe to an existing well and building a center that will provide educational information about Chesapeake.
Some people who live near the proposed drilling site say they'd rather not play host to a potentially noisy new neighbor. "It obviously doesn't make me too enthused to live here," resident Tim Fogus said. "Someone from the city should've said something to the residents, especially because it's going to be so close to where they're going to be building."
"If you're going to drill they should ask the residents who'll have to look at it, smell it and hear the drilling," said Castle.
Officials with Chesapeake say, if approved, the drilling would last a maximum of 27 days per well and there would be no odor associated with the process.
Many Grapevine city leaders say the project is good for the city. "Our mayor and council feel people have the rights to have their mineral rights from their property and it gives them the opportunity to extract their minerals and get what they have coming from that," said Grapevine City Manager Tommy Hardy.
Grapevine city leaders have postponed making a decision on the drilling several times, but are set to make a ruling Tuesday night.
If the area is rezoned, Chesapeake would then have to apply for a drilling permit.
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