Railroad Commission says Hilcorp does not have to monitor groundwater

Michael Skalicky and Robert Martin of the Texana Groundwater Conservation District stood before the Railroad Commission in Austin on Feb. 28 and unsuccessfully asked them to require Hilcorp to more closely monitor their CO2 injection project on the West Ranch outside of Vanderbilt.
TGCD has periodically attended hearings of the Railroad Commissioners, with little success.
Hilcorp’s attorneys claim there is nothing to worry about, and that the dual monitoring systems already in place are more than sufficient, despite being voluntary.
Skalicky pleaded with the commission, “I am coming before you to ask you to help us do our job. We need you to do something the groundwater commission can’t in this case, and that is to require an oil company to implement a groundwater monitoring plan.”
Skalicky, Martin, and Attorney Tim Allison cited concerns ranging from Hilcorp reneging on their word in the absence of a requirement to monitor their injection wells, to transparency issues stemming from the monitoring systems being voluntary.
Ultimately the commissioners approved the examiner’s recommendation, which was to not legally require Hilcorp to implement groundwater monitoring plans.
Commissioner Ryan Sitton told Skalicky that the commission was happy to continue the relationship they have with TGCD and that any further concerns should be brought before the commission.
Commissioner Wayne Christian echoed his thoughts.
“If something’s going wrong, you feel free. This is where you call,” he said. “We’re here working for you.”