Barnett Shale

Pro-drilling petition in Southlake falls short

A citizen's group that opposes the city of Southlake's current drilling ordinance failed to get enough signatures to let residents vote in November on a new ordinance that would be less restrictive. The story is here.

-- Jim Fuquay

Southlake group backs more drilling

Last year, XTO Energy and Chesapeake Energy abandoned efforts to drill in Southlake after City Council rejected one permit request and another drew a lawsuit. Now, Southlake Citizens for Property Rights, wants changes to the city's drilling ordinance that would make it easier for producers to get permits. Read the Star-Telegram's report on the group here.

-- Jim Fuquay

Southlake again tables first gas well permit

Southlake’s first gas well was tabled by the City Council for the second time in two months at 12:45 a.m. Wednesday. The council will continue the public hearing for the third time at its Feb. 1 meeting. Last year, XTO Energy applied to drill up to 18 gas wells on the 52-acre Milner ranch at 651 E. Highland St. between White Chapel Boulevard and Texas 114. The proposed 2.75-acre pad site is 380 feet from Highland Street. On Tuesday and on into Wednesday morning, City Council members asked questions and negotiated with Walter Dueease, senior regulatory affairs coordinator for XTO, on the details of the application.

-- Nicholas Sakelaris

Colleyville grants first drilling permit

Titan Operating won approval late Tuesday for the first gas-drilling permit in this affluent Northeast Tarrant County community, ending months of debate over its request to drill on the city's northern end near Southlake. The City Council unanimously approved Titan's plan to drill up to 14 natural gas wells on 13.2 acres at 7404 and 7504 Pleasant Run Road. That property is owned by the Trinity Christian Center of Santa Ana Inc. of California. However, the drilling cannot begin until city leaders also approve the route of a pipeline that will carry the gas from the well site. No pipeline company has applied for a construction permit, though officials expect one to do so now.

For more, click here.

-- Steve Norder

Dale goes after leases in NE Tarrant County

  Here's the full story from S-T staffer David Wethe on Dale Resources' pitch to neighborhood groups in Colleyville, Southlake, North Richland Hills, and Keller for leases. The offer could apply broadly to people in Colleyville and Southlake. Don't have a lease offer from Dale? Read this story to find out more on what you can do to find out if you're eligible.

Here's S-T staffer Adrienne Nettles' story from earlier this week on the Southlake City Council's consideration of changes that would allow drilling closer to homes.

Pictured is a map of drill sites that Dale Resources says Chesapeake has secured in the affected Northeast Tarrant County area. Dale reps handed the map out to neighborhood leaders at a meeting Tuesday night.

-- Scott Nishimura