Hilcorp hosts public meeting at Industrial ISD
Submitted by jcht2010 on
Industrial ISD hosted a public meeting on June 1, with Hilcorp Energy Company answering questions and responding to concerns from the public.
Hilcorp’s project plans to inject CO2 into wells to access oil in the West Ranch Oil Field that couldn’t otherwise be reached and used. They call it Enhanced Oil Recovery, and Hilcorp’s Asset Team Leader Jill Fisk said the project will help make the US more energy independent and reduce CO2 emissions.
Jackson County residents have expressed concerns for the ground water in the Vanderbilt area which is home to three of the four Industrial schools. Hilcorp says they’re taking every precaution to avoid contaminating drinkable water with state of the art monitoring systems.
Some residents say that isn’t enough, asking for a plan from Hilcorp in case that happens.
Representative Phil Stevenson attended, asking Fisk multiple times, “Are you going to take responsibility if this contaminates these people’s water? What are you going to do for them?” Fisk finally did say that Hilcorp would take responsibility for any mishaps or leaks.
Representative Stephenson said he is troubled by what seemed like “dodging the question,” but isn’t opposed to the project, as long as it is safe, which seems to be the consensus among Jackson County Residents, and those who do business here.
Todd Lanphere, owner of Phere Energy, whose lease borders Hilcorp's Property said "If they did the right thing, I'd be on their side of this, but they're not doing this the right way."
Johnny Dugger, who lives near Edna, expressed concern that there doesn’t seem to be a backup plan if it does get to that point, but Fisk said that is because the safeguards in place won’t allow it to get that far, should there be a breach.
She explained that the monitoring system would alert them well before any CO2 or salt water got anywhere near the groundwater, eliminating that problem before it becomes a problem.
The injection process begins in Fort Bend County, where CO2 will be captured and pumped underground and travel via pipeline to West Ranch near Vanderbilt. Fisk said this helps combat pollution, using the CO2 for a purpose rather than just releasing it into the air. It would then be injected into the wells to help retrieve the previously unreachable oil.
Tony Williams, Industrial ISD Superintendent thanked everyone for their attendance and their honest, frank questions and comments. He then closed the meeting, saying there would be several more meetings of this type as the project progresses. Future will be open to the public.
This is an ongoing story. A more comprehensive article will be in the June 10 issue of the Jackson County Herald-Tribune.
Rate this article:
- Log in to post comments
