American Oil and Gas Reporter - June 2014 - 20

IndustryDigest
infrastructure.
The NDPC says that, in January, it
pledged to capture 85 percent of the
state's gas by 2016, and 90 percent
within six years, as technology and
infrastructure matches North Dakota's
expanding oil development. ❒

Family Wins $3 Million
In Dallas Fracturing Suit
DALLAS-A Dallas jury awarded $3
million in damages to members of a
Texas family that sued two companies
over allegations hydraulic fracturing
operations near their home caused water
and air contamination that led to
illnesses.
The case, Parr v. Aruba Petroleum
Inc. and Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc.,
also alleges drilling activities harmed
the family livestock and pets, according
to published reports.
Lisa and Robert Parr filed the
lawsuit in September 2013 on behalf of
themselves and their daughter, Emma.
They allege spills, emissions and
discharges from natural gas drilling
around their 40-acre property in Wise
County, Tx., began causing health
problems in 2009, court documents say.
Court testimony indicates the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality
detected hazardous air pollutants within

a quarter-mile of the Parr home.
According to the family attorney, the
verdict includes $275,000 for the loss in
market value of the Parr's property, $2
million for past pain and suffering and
$250,000 for future pain and suffering.
The Texas Alliance of Energy
Producers warns the decision is
relatively unique but potentially
significant, suggesting that even when
oil and gas operators technically are
adhering to state and federal
environmental laws, they still could be
held liable for actions classified as
"nuisance." It adds Aruba Petroleum
plans to appeal the decision.
Under state law, to be considered a
nuisance, a company's activities must
"substantially" interfere with a person's
"use and enjoyment" of his land and
cause "unreasonable discomfort or
annoyance to a person of ordinary
sensibilities," the Alliance quotes. r

Texas City Council OKs
Moratorium On Drilling
DENTON, TX.-The Denton City
Council approved reinstating a
moratorium on new drilling and
hydraulic fracturing permits until Sept.
9, published reports indicate. The 7-0
vote was intended to give city officials
time to review Denton's drilling

ordinance, a spokeswoman said, adding
the city had imposed moratoria in 2012
and 2013 as it revised those regulations.
Denton is on the northeast fringe of the
Dallas-Forth Worth metropolitan area.
The ordinance states that increased
drilling operations near residential and
other protected sites "have resulted in
negative and deleterious effects on
Denton citizens, calling into question
whether the various interests could be
better balanced by additional review of
the city's ordinances and regulations."
While the earlier moratoria have
been lifted, city officials point out
Denton has a standstill agreement with
Dallas-based EagleRidge Energy LLC.
That agreement went into effect in
November. The company had drilled
wells under a 2002 permit, an action
that led to the city suing EagleRidge.
Denton withdrew the lawsuit a week
later.
According to media reports, the
Denton Drilling Awareness Group was
scheduled to deliver a petition with
1,871 signatures in support of a ban on
drilling and hydraulic fracturing
activities. The city has 20 days to verify
the signatures, with 596 signatures
needed to certify the petition. If that
threshold is crossed, the city council has
60 days to hold a public hearing and
vote on the ban. If the council rejects
the measure, it would go on the ballot in
November, news accounts say.
Denton has 275 wells within the city
and another 212 within its
extraterritorial jurisdiction, media
reports indicate. The group's proposal
would not impact existing wells.
If the petition is successful, Denton
would become the first Texas city to ban
hydraulic fracturing. r

Third Time No Charm
For Anti-Fracturing
Initiative In Youngstown
COLUMBUS, OH.-For a third time,
Youngstown, Oh., voters have denied an
anti-hydraulic-fracturing referendum,
the Ohio Oil & Gas Association
confirms. The referendum called for a
charter amendment that would have
banned fracturing-related industrial
activities within city limits.
The amendment was defeated 3,6743,100, or 54 percent to 45 percent,
20 THE AMERICAN OIL & GAS REPORTER
American Oil and Gas Reporter - June 2014

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