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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Oil And Gas Advisory Committee - 02/24/1999 MINUTES OIL AND GAS ADVISORY COMMITTEE February 24, 1999 PRESENT: Claude D'Unger, Public Representative Charles West, Public Representative Jerry Dewbre, Industry Representative Sharon Johnson, Industry Representative Don Kersting, Industry Representative Harry Cofer, Alternate Public Representative Charles Jacobs, Alternate Industry Representative OTHERS PRESENT: J.J. Adame,Fire Chief; Jim Nelson,LEPC Administrator; Alison Gallaway,Assistant City Attorney; James Conn, Retired Petroleum Superintendent; Stephen Paine,Berry Fitzsimmons, Charles Yanez, Robert Johnsen,Don DuBose, Mike Gurski,John McMinn, Allan Poche,Mat Archibald,Mike Mattie, Craig Haydell, Chris Yeager,Western Geophysical Representatives; and one hundred(100)representatives of the Padre Isles Subdivision. The meeting was called to order by Public Representative Claude D'Unger. Mr. D'Unger asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of the meeting on October 14, 1998. On a motion by Mr. Cofer, seconded by Mr. Kersting, the minutes were unanimously approved. Mr. Berry Fitzsimmons,with Western Geophysical, began their presentation using the survey map displayed on the wall. Mr.Fitzsimmons stated that they would honor all previous mandated restrictions which includes a restriction of no discharges being allowed within 1,250 foot of a business or residence. He said they requested six(6) pound charges per one hundred (100) foot depths and are willing to review reducing the charge to two (2) pounds per one hundred (100)foot depths. The seismic equipment that would be used during the survey was provided for inspection by those interested. Mr. Fitzsimmons stated that the State also requires guidelines and restrictions that they must follow. Western Geophysical provided local phone numbers and staff names and said they want to impact the community as little as possible. Multiple residences asked where the shotholes would be and Western Geophysical representatives stated that they do not know at this point until further surveying is conducted which would begin if their proposal for a permit is granted. Mr. Fitzsimmons stated that they would need permission from the property owners to place their cables and/or equipment along their yards and assured residences that their plans for shotholes are in uninhabited areas. He stated that their work should be completed in two (2) months. The following are annotated questions and comments that were made: Why is the survey being done? Where would claims for damages be filed? How can Western Geophysical be sure that damages would not occur from vibrations? Has Western Geophysical ever used dynamite shotholes in a canal community? Since most homes are made of stucco, a bond should be required of them to cover any damages. Are the jobs created worth the incovenience of the residences? Can Western Geophysical show a substantial need for the survey? Mr. Al Woll,a resident, asked if they knew what the vibrations would register on a Richter scale and Western Geophysical representatives did not know. Mr. Robert Anderson,a resident, asked if they are marketing the survey, in what other cities have they conducted this type of seismic survey, have any lawsuits been filed due to damages from SCANNED iri a survey and what is the enforced distance from wells and pipelines? Western Geophysical representatives answered they are marketing their survey but it is confidential information, they have conducted seismic surveys within the city limits of Corpus Christi, Victoria, Laredo and Houston, no lawsuits have been filed and five hundred (500)feet is the distance required from wells and pipelines Dr. E. B. Nuckols, a resident, stated that they will be working in sensitive areas, that there is a lot of confusion among the residents and that he did not see a problem with cables or their equipment but did have a problem with vibrations felt from charges being detonated in Laguna Madre that was a mile or more away from his residence. Dr. Nuckols stated that the distance of 1,250 feet is not adequate. Mr. Von Raimond, a resident, asked if the City of Corpus Christi would be receiving any monies from this project and if so would the monies be dedicated to the raising of the JFK Causeway. Mr. John Trice, representing the Padre Island Business Association,stated they are adamantly against the granting of the seismic permit and quoted only ten dollars ($10.00) would be paid for damages according to a letter mailed to him by Western Geophysical. Mr. Bill Taylor, a resident, stated seismic testing had been conducted in the area two (2)years ago and asked why they are doing it again. He further said that many residents work during the night and sleep during the day which makes it difficult with blasts continuing throughout the day and vibrations be felt. Mr. Taylor recommended the permit be denied. Councilman Arnold Gonzales asked if this request would go before the Council and Ms. Gallaway, Assistant City Attorney,stated according to the Ordinance it does not. The seismic permit is issued by the Petroleum Superintendent, or Assistant City Manager, or City Manager. She stated that an amendment to the ordinance would be needed to change the procedures. Mr. Chuck Urban, a resident, suggested a mile be required for distances from residences and structures. Mr. Jim Maixner, a resident, expressed his concerns of the long term damages to the bulkheads that would not be realized immediately. Mr. Roy Tansill,a resident,expressed his concerns of the survey being conducted during the peak of the season and also the effect on water fowls on Bird Island. Mr. Mark Scott, a resident, expressed his concerns of the residents privacy and agreed that the distances should be set at five thousand (5,000) feet. Mr. Bob Travis, a geophysicist, stated he did not think much damage would be done using two(2)pound charges but had concerns of the ground roll that occurs with more than that amount. Ms. Bea Bloess,a resident, asked if oil and gas wells can be drilled without this survey being conducted. Mr. Brent Chesney,an attorney, said he was personally involved in a lawsuit in the valley as a result of a seismic survey and in his opinion seismic surveys do cause damages. Mr. Charles Yanez,representing Western Geophysical, stated engineering studies have been conducted to establish the proper standards that are safe to the public without damages. Ms. Alison Gallaway,Assistant City Attorney, stated that there is an obligation to the mineral right owners in the State of Texas and they have a higher priority than the surface property owner and the City of Corpus Christi cannot prohibit drilling for oil and/or gas wells within the city limits. Mr. Charles West, Committee Member, asked Ms. Gallaway, if the permit was denied what the repercussion might be. Ms. Gallaway stated that Western Geophysical could sue the city for not granting the permit since other permits have been granted previously. The Oil and Gas Advisory Committee also received letters from Craig S. Corley,David and Betty Shires, Victoriano Cantu and Paula Bugay opposing the permit and a letter from Caroline Davy Altheide in favor of the permit. The Commiittee asked Western Geophysical representatives to review their proposal, keeping in mind the issues presented,and to make possible changes. Western Geophysical answered that they would. Mr. D'Unger also asked if the Committee could be provided with a copy of the engineering studies and Western Geophysical representatives said they would provide them. A motion was made by Mr. West to deny the permit as proposed based on information supplied by the Padre Isles Area and asked that Western Geophysical devise a proposal that requests two(2)pound charges per one hundred (100)foot depth,include a 5,000 foot buffer zone if possible around the populated subdivision area or a distance further than 1,250 foot from businesses and residences where data can still be obtained and provide a site specific plan that would show shot points. Ms. Johnson seconded the motion and the motion passed with Don Kersting, Harry Cofer, Sharon Johnson and Charles West voting"Aye". Mr. Dewbre asked for nominations for Chairman and Vice Chairman. Mr. Kersting nominated Mr. Dewbre as Chairman, seconded by Ms. Johnson and all were in favor. Mr. Cofer nominated Mr. D'Unger as Vice Chairman, seconded by Mr. Kersting and all were in favor. Mr. Dewbre asked if there was any other business. Chief Adame informed the committee that he has received three(3) applicants for the Petroleum Superintendent's position and that he would be discussing the position with City Manager David Garcia to increase the twenty(20) hour position to a forty (40) hour or full time position and if approved he would need to re-advertise. If it is not approved, then he will choose from one of the three applicants who have applied. There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m. L /