Landowner rights in Eagle Ford took another hit last week when Judge Russell Wilson denied a request to stop the further development of an underground wastewater disposal facility.
Sable Environmental, LLC obtained a permit from the Texas Railroad Commission (TRC) to store 20,000-25,000 barrels of wastewater underground in Karnes County, and the decision immediately drew fire from local landowners who are fearful that the water will contaminate their property. After banding together, they filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to stop the company from proceeding. Judge Wilson denied the request on January 14th, choosing instead to wait on a decision in a similar case before the Texas Supreme Court that will set a precedent for future cases of this nature.
“As the Eagle Ford Shale continues its development, I think that we are going to see more and more instances in which the rights of the property owners are going to collide with oil and gas industry’s operations. While property owners should consider the needs of the industry in their decision making, the industry needs to respect the rights that landowners have in their property when conducting their operations. Finding that balance is going to be crucial for the long-term success of the Eagle Ford Shale.”
Wasterwater disposal has become a hot topic as hydraulic fracturing has increased over the last few years. After drilling, the wastewater is cleaned and then pumped deep into injection wells. The potential risks of this practice are still unknown but are commonly connected to increased earthquakes, water contamination and danger to the ecosystem.
Related: New Texas Wastewater Disposal Rules
Related: Eagle Ford Disposal Wells
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