Dear Editor:

After reading the article in last week's The Fairfield Recorder concerning the drilling of gas wells inside city limits, we felt compelled to answer some of the questions asked during the meeting with XTO representatives.

Since 2004, XTO has drilled five gas wells around our home which is located outside the city limits in Freestone county. Three of these gas wells are within 600 feet of our home. XTO also placed a large compressor station about 1,000 feet from our home. We also have several pipelines surrounding our home because of these wells.

The problems which have plagued us are many and seem to be getting worse with every well drilled. We will attempt to address the worse problems which affect us and will surely affect any other citizens who have wells and such placed next to their homes and businesses.

First is the noise issue. The process of drilling the well is extremely loud and annoying, including the building of the pad site before drilling even begins. The noise continues 24 hours a day even when you are trying to sleep at night. XTO and any companies who work for them work around the clock to complete the drilling. This work continues with no regard to nearby occupants of homes. The drilling takes between 25- 35 days on average with loud noises, many workers, huge lights and much traffic of trucks and vehicles. When the drilling rig finally comes down, and you think your misery is over, think again.

The second wave of invasion begins. This step will include the people who "frac" the well. This is the process of using water to shoot down into the well to open up the formations. The process can take an additional 3-4 weeks and can be just as deafening as the actual drilling.

One woman asked an XTO representative, "Will I be able to sleep?" Our answer to your question is no! Positively no! XTO just completed a well approximately 600 feet from our home. We have no doubt that your sleep will definitely be disturbed. There is so much activity going on with these wells: the roaring of big engines; pipes clanking; workers yelling to be heard above the din of noise; trucks coming and going, honking at one another; and other equipment such as front end loaders. Forget about peace and quiet!

Second, is the smell associated with these gas wells. After the well is drilled, some noxious odor is emitted from them. The fumes are horrendous enough to prevent you from remaining outside, but sadly enough the smell can even enter your home. The direction of the wind determines which way the smell will blow. With a well in the city limits in the middle of numerous homes and businesses, someone will be affected. These fumes at times give us headaches.

Now I certainly hope that whatever we are breathing is not damaging our lungs and other body parts. We have been told by people who have worked in the gas business for many years that the smell is from the poison gas, or sour gas from the wells knows as H2S. They have also told us that this poison gas will rust stainless steel. We don't know if this is a fact, but we do know after talking with XTO, Marathon and Enbridge employees that H2S is deadly if breathed in at a concentration great enough. XTO has even posted "Danger" signs and "Authorized personnel only" at the entrance to our property. Come to think of it, we have never been authorized, whatever that means!

We certainly hope that 20 years from now we don't discover that the repercussions from these wells causes cancer or other health problems, but we can't help but wonder. It will be too bad for our family and many others in Freestone county who are surrounded in our homes by all of this gas activity.

One man asked about his property values decreasing because of these wells. The information in the article led us to think the XTO people were on "Dancing with the Stars" the way they danced around the question. In our opinion, these wells will not help the value of your property. These wells can be dangerous, unsightly and smelly. It is possible for explosions to occur at the actual well site and pipelines connected to them.

If we had a choice, which we didn't, there would be zero gas wells, compression stations, or pipelines around our home. Not one! That is how strong our feelings are.

We feel the citizens of Fairfield and Teague would be wise to utilize the protection provided to them by living inside the city limits. We do not have that luxury as our county does not enact laws to protect rural home owners of Freestone county from being victimized by the process of gas exploration.

As you can tell, this is a subject which has tormented us for close to five years. We have sought answers to these very same questions seeking relief from these issues which continue to plague us by contacting XTO representatives. It seems for us there is no reprieve in sight.

We would be glad to share more thoughts and even show you first hand exactly what to expect. Good luck in your efforts to protect your homes and health.
Sincerely,
Jimmy and Vicki Brown
Freestone county