Seismic survey questions in Anderson county TX. I’ve been approached by a company wanting to do a seismic survey on my property in Anderson county, aka Elkhart West Seismic Survey that’s well known and well documented.
I also own ~75 NMA that’s currently unleased but have been approached several times to lease and I’m seeing how serious they’ll get. They’ve upped the offer but just fishing.
Regarding the seismic survey… I was concerned about and didn’t want the explosive detonations on the ranch, 3 water wells etc, and the guy first said they could do just the receivers and no explosives. He wanted to meet in person and discuss so we did. At that meeting several weeks ago he proceeded to tell me they could NOT do that and would have to detonate explosives. Took his word back. He got a little pushy and I explained how he could leave out the same door he came in… Then he said we can test the wells before hand etc and buffer 500’ instead of 300’ etc. I said I’d think about it and just left it there. Now he’s calling again wanting to meet again. I told him no reason to unless we can agree which we have not.
I personally know others who have receivers only in their signed executed trespass permit. Curious what may be going on…and ideas or info that might be helpful.
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You can agree or refuse seismic which is conducted by a larger company to inventory the data in its library and lease the raw data to operators. There is no benefit to your minerals for leasing. Your mineral acreage is not substantial enough to make a difference to a huge survey, unless you own and control a much larger surface area. They can pull some of the information from adjacent seismic testing. So it is just if you need the money. You do not need to sign their form which gives them all kinds of rights. You can set the parameters in your own form - date range, single pass, type of equipment allowed, no trucks, remain on lease road in atv, etc. On a side note, even if they agree to 100% liability for damages, you will have the burden of proving the economic loss from the damages in court which can very costly, unless the document wording is drawn very carefully. Make the landman and a company officer sign and return an original agreement. This my opinion, but it is up to you.
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Pretty much what I was thinking…my surface is only 300ac so not a big deal to them anyway. I just found it interesting that they first offered receivers only then took it back…and I personally know of some that have a signed permit with receivers only. Once they took their word back it opens it up to what else they’ll go back on… thanks for the reply!
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Back about 2010 - 2011 I had a 2D shoot through one of my places and later a 3D shoot. I have some “bottom land”. When they drilled the shot holes water flowed out quite a few of them. After the shoot they plugged them with basketballs. Later most of these holes turned into “Seeps” On some of the shot holes on the hill land the holes became “sink holes”. I was in an overlap zone on the 3D PGS program and they were in and out of the farm for about a 6 month period off and on. I never knew when they would show up. I hope that I will never again have to deal with a 3D program. When they are finished they are gone for good. All their warranties don’t mean a thing.
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Seismic company can definitely work around areas of concern (e.g. wells, old trees, buildings, etc.) and still get good data, but if you are adamant @ no “data shots” (i.e., holes with explosive charges) on your property, stick to it.
And only agree to having receivers laid out on your acreage. With any and all restrictions included as to where they can and cannot lay out the receivers.
You mention 75 nma - is this situated in a 75 gross acre tract? Or is this only a part of a much larger tract (e.g. 150-200 acres or more)?
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My acreage, 300, has a lot of river bottom land with very shallow water table and I’m concerned about seep holes and or sink holes afterwards from data shots. What they’re offering doesn’t move the needle.
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After the fact I learned that I could have required them to “gravel pack” the holes at the time they were drilled PRIOR to setting off the charges. This would have helped controlling the water flowing and seeps.Problems like “seeps” usually happen several months after the charges have be detonated. Sink holes years or months later can happen on hill land. If you land is leased for hunting the crews might arrive during deer season and cause you problems. In the future I’m going to try not allow seismic on land that I own the surface on. Most all of my mineral right ownership has already had 3D conducted on it about 2010-2011. Don’t be “bullied”
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Exactly…We are a working ranch with year around agricultural operations, much in the Trinity River bottom with shallow water table, year around cattle and summer time hay production that would be interrupted. . We also deer hunt starting in October that interrupting would be a major problem. Add the potential seeps and sinks etc for the little money they’re offering, $23 ac, hard pass.
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Get them to show you the locations and numbers of shot holes on your property. Approximately when they will be on your property and for how long. They may try to bluff you with eminent domain.
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Also know that the can image areas on your property where they don’t have shots planned. This is done by laying out receivers across and along the edges of “un shot” areas to capture data under those areas.
Done all the time
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Yes, Rock I know… In my opening comment I outlined how they first offered receivers only then took it back and emphasized how they can’t do that now with no explanation… threatened emenient domain at which time I showed him the door…then he started selling again. As much as anything that’s what this post is all about… them saying one thing and then something else. I’m curious if others had had such as that happen…how things went after that. As far as eminent domain that’s okay… they’ll need a court order..I can stall them well past the project time and litigate if necessary. I know for a fact they allowed receivers only for others, offered that to me, then abruptly regened. Sounds like they know something they not telling me about. Not how you win friends and influence people.
Consider having no further verbal communication with this agent to prevent any misunderstandings. Only by email. He does not have eminent domain authority to conduct 3-D seismic as that is not for a public purpose or benefit, and the company would have to register.
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I’ve already put them on notice…no communication other than email and no trespassing without prior approval.
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Last time they done this on our place in the river bottom we had water wells popping at every hole the set charges off. We gone a pallet of concrete to seal them off. You sure don’t what they flowing for long or you will have a mess.
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