The Arlington Summer Splash: Frac Pools

Fracing requires the use of tremendous amounts of water ~ typically around five million gallons per well.  Selling water to the gas industry is one of Arlington's cash cows.   

Unlike water used for showering or watering a lawn, water used for fracing is a one-time use.  Frac water is permanently removed from the hydrologic cycle because much of it remains down in the earth and the fluid which does return to the surface gets trucked off and disposed of in injection wells.

There are several ways to hold this water:  Frac Ponds, Frac Tanks, and now, Frac Pools.

Some of you may recall the Epic Monster Frac Pond that Chesapeake excavated 12 feet from Grand Prairie resident's backyards during the summer of 2010.  If not, click HERE.  

One of these frac ponds may be coming soon to Arlington residents who live near the Rocking Horse Drill Site.  Click HERE for that story.  Our flawed gas drilling ordinance fails to specify setback distances of  a frac pond to a protected use.  Since industry provided input with the writing of the ordinance, we wonder if this omission was deliberate.   

When frac ponds are not feasible, industry uses frac tanks.  Frac tanks hold 500 barrels, or the equivalent of 21,000 gallons of water.  This method is frowned upon in our City limits because each tank means one trailer load in and one trailer load out.  That's a lot of truck traffic to handle on our deteriorating streets.

We just learned that XTO Energy now uses Frac Pools.  Here is a short video which shows how a frac pool, aka Redneck Swimming Pool is constructed:

Next is a recent picture of a frac pool taken by one of our area resident photographers.  This is  XTO Energy's Rose Drill Site located at 8101 U.S. Highway 287 in Arlington, Texas:

Notice the color of that fluid in the pool.  Since many residents expressed concerns,  we inquired about this.  XTO assured us that only clean, potable water is in that pool.  They don't want tainted water.  Whew!  We're so glad they cleared that up!!  For a minute there we wondered if  fracing chemicals are mixed in that water.  But, as Walter Dueease, Regulatory Affairs Manager of XTO explained, the fracing process is not like baking cakes or cookies where all the ingredients get mixed in one bowl before they're put in the oven.

Perhaps they should leave this pool up after they complete fracing operations.  Neighbors would love to have a community pool, and we feel  this would be a positive contribution from the Oil & Gas Industry to the residents of Arlington who have to live next door to this stuff day in and day out.  Just think of all the happy children splashing around in there!!

For more reading enjoyment, click HERE for the story, "Pennsylvania High to Host Bizarre Swim Meet - In Fracking Fluid."
 

Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil

We are all familiar with those three chimpanzees that hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil.  That's how another gas drilling item got approved last night at the Arlington, Texas Planning and Zoning Public Hearing.
  
First, the Assistant City Attorney, Mack Reinwand, told us we had to remove the poster board off the table in the back of the room.  It displayed photos of the Monster Frac Pond that Chesapeake placed TEN FEET from homeowners' fence lines at the Corn Valley Gas Drill Site in Grand Prairie, TX.  We do not appreciate the City's attempt to suppress this information from the public during a public hearing.  This is concerning because we have to wonder if his action may have in some way hinted of compromising our first amendment rights.   Those pictures must have been speaking louder than words.

To our dismay, the commissioners approved the zoning change for the Rocking Horse Drill Site 7-0 with 2 abstaining.  Chesapeake wants to establish the drill zone, expand the boundary of the drill site, and add a frac pond.  They should have postponed this vote because Chesapeake appears to have fallen woefully short on following proper procedure and providing important specific details - such as how far the frac pond will be from homes. 

For starters, we wonder if Chesapeake selectively invited neighbors to this town hall meeting that apparently took place on November 26th.  We really wanted an invitation to that party.  Neighborhood groups are also on that list.  Fish Creek happens to be one of them.  We never received notice of that meeting.  In the future, Chesapeake, would you kindly send us the invitation.  We will make sure to spread the word to our community.

It was quite interesting to watch how Cliff Mycoskie skirted around the commissioners' questions.  They performed a wonderful dance.   Mr. Mycoskie has a long history with Planning and Zoning issues.  He previously served as Chairman on the P & Z Commission.  Perhaps that is why he is so good at what he does week after week in our City presenting all those gas drilling items. 

However, we don't think he understands how town hall announcements are handled.  Perhaps we can help with that.  Click Here for the definition of a town hall meeting.   A town hall meeting means that the town is invited - not just a select few.  He talked in circles and looked pretty wiped out by the end of the evening.  In fact, he looked like he took a cat nap during the earlier work session.  This hearing was definitely scheduled too close to the New Years' holiday for everyone.

What we don't understand is why a City would approve such a critical zoning change for a company that has an unfavorable reputation.  There is no transparency, and they are not  providing the City or residents with specific details.   For instance, Mr. Mycoskie was simply pulling a number out of thin air when asked how close in proximity will this frac pond be placed to homes.  He clearly did not know, and because Arlington's gas drilling ordinance does not specify setback requirements for frac ponds, it is  guaranteed that the homeowners on Redwater Drive will get a frac pond VERY close to their fence lines too.  

After the meeting we grabbed a bite to eat at a neighborhood  bar and grill.  The place was bustling with activity and we finally found a small table available in the corner and sat down.  The waitress told us that this room was reserved for the Atheists, but the group welcomed us to stay.  We didn't even have to fill out a visitor's card!  The events of  the evening transitioned quite smoothly as we left one set of individuals who refused to recognize God's ways to those who do not believe in God.  Funny, the group who says there is no God seems to have a better grasp on morality than the people making crucial decisions in our City.  Hmmm...

It was good to meet new people in the community and discuss the suburban gas drilling issue.  It is affirming to know that the majority of people feel the same way we do about the issue.

Time to gear up for the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 where our elected officials will vote on whether or not Arlington homeowners will get a frac pond on the other side of their fence line.  Be prepared to speak or forever hold your peace.

For those who haven't been following the history of the Rocking Horse drill site, click:

Here,

Here

Here

and

Here

To watch that January 2nd public hearing and see some classic good ol boy style of government, click Here for that direct link.

Going, Going, Gone

 

Let's Paint the Town Red ~ no need to attend the Arlington, TX City Council Meeting on Tuesday, October 16th.   Chesapeake's request to drill an additional gas well at the Rocking Horse Site located at 4945 South Collins Street is on hold ~ at least until December.  Stay tuned...

It was so gracious of Chesapeake to settle with Mr. Thursby over their year-and-a-half-long dispute regarding the length of time that temporary frac pond would be allowed to remain.   Although the contractual agreement specified continuous drilling, Chesapeake only drilled one out of approximately 11 wells in three years.  That land where the pond currently sits is being released back  to its rightful owner.  

   

Chesapeake is draining the moat-like frac pond which is soon to be filled with earth.   Clients are interested in developing that land, and the process could begin in as little as 60 days.  The property is proposed to house medical offices. 

Thank you, Lovell, Lovell, Newsom & Isern, L.L.P. for successfully helping your client and our community.

Just How Temporary Are Those Frac Ponds?

Did Mayor Cluck really tell Charles Davis of Chesapeake to, "go ahead and drill 80 wells if you want to"?  {on the Rocking Horse Pad Site }  Yes, he did ~ as long as they can find a different water source because he wants them to take that frac tank [sic] out.  We can't blame the developer for wanting that frac pond removed because as long as that pond sits there, he cannot develop his property.

These ponds are temporary. 

     Definition of temporary: not permanent; a short period of time.  

So, the question is:  Who gets to define temporary?  It has been two years, and only one well out of a dozen or so have been drilled.  At this rate, the temporary frac pond will need to remain for an additional 22 years!  

(June 5, 2012 Arlington City Council Public Hearing - Rocking Horse Well)

(We wonder what brand of gum XTO's Walter Dueease is chewing?)

Now let's talk about the water.  Last summer ~ during the intense Texas drought when residents were asked to conserve ~ water was being transported via an elaborate pipeline highway which stretched under Interstate 20 from a mega church's pond  and reached its final destination at the I-20 JV Drill Site adjacent to Bowie High School.  Click here to see those photos and story from last summer.  

Whew.  It was a really hot summer!

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

It has come to our attention that  today, June 29th is Charles Davis' last day of employment with Chesapeake.  We would like to share his farewell letter with you:

"It is with great sadness to inform you that my last day with Chesapeake will be this Friday, June 29. Every one of you has played a vital role in my development at Chesapeake Energy and within your community. Thank you for always having an open door.

Even though my last day with Chesapeake is this week, please rest assured that you will continue to have access to information regarding the company's operations. If you or your neighbors have any questions regarding your lease, royalty payments, status of operations at a wellsite, or are just curious about future plans, our Neighbor Relations team remains ready to answer those questions. They can be reached at askchesapeake@chk.com or by calling 817.502.5000.

Truly, I will miss you all, and thankful to our digital world we are only an e-mail.[sic] So as I hang my Chesapeake hat on the door, I would like to say "ciao" for now. I am sure our paths will cross again, and I will forever remain appreciative for our business relationship."

Sincerely,
Charles Davis