CHESAPEAKE ENERGY TESTING IN GREERS FERRY LAKE

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

And I thought it couldn't get any worse! Today's Democrat Gazette is carrying a story (page 1B) on a proposed constitutional amendment to raise the severance tax on gas. Part of the story mentions that Chesapeake has built docks and launched testing equipment that will determine if gas is available from formations under the lake. The testing was permitted by the USACE and monitored by the AGFC to be sure fish were not harmed. The docks are to become public property later. Many permits would be required before drilling in the lake could take place if it ever does. Years ago no one thought gas drilling would be taking place in the Fayetteville shale, either.

The land based drilling and web of pipeline installations detract greatly from my enjoyment of outdoor views. I wonder if anyone would mind seeing drill rigs on the lake ...........?

Captain Aleve, alias Mike Coogan

[prophet]

are they talking about drilling ON the lake or directional drilling under the lake?

[Roger]

Getting mixed messages here in the midst of all this. Chesapeake is selling off almost $5 billion in Fayetteville shale assets. This is said to be all their assets.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-2 ... ssets.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If they are getting out of the play, why expend time and resources for seismic testing? Word from their PR mill is that the minerals under the lake are not leased (yet).

http://www.arktimes.com/arkansas/lookin ... id=1573603" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If any drilling is done, it will be done from private property since it cannot be done from federal property. They would be close enough to drill directionally under the lake if they desired and obtained the mineral rights.
Some concerns are:
1) Lake is water supply to some hundreds of thousand users. Any drilling pad development close to the lake could result in run-off, chemical or drilling fluid spills, sediment run-off, etc. which can impact the water quality not to mention the fishery itself.
2) Location of wells and their proximity to the CofE dam. Until they rule out any connection between the fracking operations and earthquakes, I think that would be something to hold of from allowing.
3) Visual and noise pollution (even though you have the outboard motors on the lake) that would be sure to impact one's trip to the lake.

Having worked in this business and having an understanding, I really don't trust these people since they have moved pipelines from their original routes and have little regard for the people living in the area. And when you toss in the lax oversight from our state agencies, I really don't have a good feeling about this.

[prophet]

It wouldnt be a big deal to drill under the lake compared to current drilling, no different than anywhere else really. it would make no sense to me to set a rig in the lake as they drill 3/4 mile horizontally anyway. a few hundred feet setback from the Lake wouldnt matter much. I wonder who owns the minerals under the lake. btw, if you do, please call

[Shark Attack]

Prophet, all rights under the lake and easements belong to the Feds to eternity and beyond. Make anyone feel better? That had to be done before the flooding to make a lake.

[Shark Attack]

And Roger you are right about where the pipelines end up located. I've worked with property owners where the pipelines have ended up nearly 1000' from where they were flagged.

[prophet]

Prophet, all rights under the lake and easements belong to the Feds to eternity and beyond. Make anyone feel better? That had to be done before the flooding to make a lake.

i'd rather the money stay in State,