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1. What is the Barnett Shale?

The Barnett Shale is a large natural gas reserve that stretches underground across a 15 county area. Some experts have suggested the Barnett Shale may be the largest onshore natural gas field in the United States. The Barnett Shale contains an estimated 26 to 30 trillion cubic feet of gas. In recent years, advances in drilling technology have made it possible for energy companies to extract natural gas from the Barnett Shale.

2. Where are gas wells allowed in North Richland Hills?

In accordance with the City Ordinance, applications for gas well permits can be approved by City staff if they are located 600 feet or more from all residential and commercial structures, and meet all other technical and legal requirements. If an application is made to locate a gas well less than 600 feet from residential or commercial structures, property owners will be notified and a public hearing will be held before the Gas Board of Appeals. If an application is made to locate a well less than 300 feet from such structures, the applicant must also obtain written consent from property owners. No well is permitted if it is located less than 150 feet from an existing structure. Drilling on non-residential properties must meet the above requirements and must receive a Special Use Permit as specified in the City's Zoning Regulations.

3. What activity takes place at a gas well site?

During construction of the well site, the actual drilling and final well completion, you may see activity and hear noises that appear unusual. Initially, residents will be see bulldozers clearing the site and large trucks delivering equipment. A drilling rig, usually about 120 to 165 feet tall, will be set up and a crew will be on site 24 hours a day to oversee the drilling operation. A chain link fence with fabric screening will be installed for safety and inspections will be made by the Railroad Commission and the City.

After the hole, or wellbore, is drilled a process called "fracturing" takes place. Fracturing requires dozens of trucks with large pumps to send water down the well to make cracks in the Barnett Shale, which allows the gas to flow. The fracturing process can be noisy and may take 5 to 6 days to complete. The City regulates the hours of operation during the fracturing process and inspects the site to make sure all regulations and safety requirements are met. The water that is used for fracturing is hauled away for safe disposal.

When the fracturing is completed and natural gas finally flows up the wellbore, the initial gas to rise up will be burned off, or flared. This can be seen as bright flames from vent stacks, even when the well is a good distance away. These sights and sounds are normal and temporary. Once this is completed - usually in just a few days - everything will return to normal and production begins.

Equipment is installed to allow the gas to flow safely from the well to nearby pipelines and then on to power plants, factories and even homes. During the production phase the site is quiet and has a minimal impact. Production sites will be monitored daily by the production company and will be inspected regularly by the City. An 8 foot tall masonry wall and landscaping will surrounding the wells for safety and to screen them from the public view after they are put into production.

In communities where drilling is already taking place, the most common complaints during the drilling process are about noise and lighting. The City will monitor noise levels and can require additional sound muffling devices if noise exceeds the levels specified in the Gas Well Drilling and Production Ordinance. Lights at the gas well sites will be directed downward and shielded to prevent illumination of public roads, dwellings and buildings within 600 feet.

The City of North Richland Hills has a gas inspector on staff who makes regular inspections throughout this process to ensure that ordinances and safety standards are being followed.

4. When was the Gas Well Drilling & Production Ordinance adopted?

The City Council adopted Chapter 104, Gas Well Drilling & Production, to the City Code of Ordinance on November 14, 2005 after several months of research and review by City staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission. In preparing the ordinance, City staff reviewed ordinances from other area cities and received input from several individuals and organizations including an outside expert attorney, two drilling companies, the Fort Worth Gas Inspector, the Railroad Commission, the University of North Texas and Texas A&M University. The ordinance was discussed at Planning & Zoning Commission work sessions in September and October 2006 and public hearings were held during the October 20, 2006 Planning & Zoning Commission and the November 14, 2006 City Council Meeting. A revision to Chapter 104 was adopted on July 23, 2007 following several work sessions by City Council. The revision included updated technology in drilling and specific regulations for gas pipeline installation were added. The latest change to the ordinance occurred on November 12, 2007 with the addition of a Special Use Permit required for all drilling on non-residential properties within the City.

5. Can I view the Gas Well Drilling & Production Ordinance?

Yes, to view the ordinance online, go to Chapter 104 of the city's online Code of Ordinances.
Code of Ordinances

6. Is drilling for natural gas safe?

Yes. Drilling for natural gas takes place in many communities in Texas. The Texas Railroad Commission regulates gas drilling and production to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the public and to protect the environment. In addition, the North Richland Hills City Council approved an ordinance to further regulate gas well drilling and production within our City limits. This ordinance requires companies to obtain permits and inspections from the City. The ordinance also addresses distance requirements and issues such as noise, screening and landscaping.

7. Does drilling for natural gas harm the environment?

Any kind of drilling impacts the environment to some degree, but drilling for natural gas is cleaner and more environmentally friendly than drilling for oil. New drilling techniques have a much smaller impact on land than oil wells. Directional drilling minimizes the disruption to the surface land, as multiple reserves of natural gas may be accessed from the same site.

8. How can I contact Chesapeake Energy?

To contact Chesapeake about its operations in North Richland Hills, call 817-870-1250. You may also visit their website at http://www.AskChesapeake.com.

9. What are the benefits of allowing gas wells on City owned property?

Cities and other government agencies that lease property for this purpose typically receive considerable signing bonuses and royalties. The total dollar amount depends on the number of acres leased and how productive the wells are over the years. In North Richland Hills, such revenue would be used for public projects and services benefiting all residents of the City.

10. Where are gas well permit applications filed?

Applications for gas well permits should be filed with the Planning & Development Department at City Hall, 7301 NE Loop 820. Applicants must pay a $10,000 fee and provide specific and detailed information such as site plans, an emergency response plan, hazardous materials plan, insurance, right of way maintenance agreement, storm water management plan and tree preservation plan. Applicants must also obtain and show proof of a permit from the Texas Railroad Commission.