The North Dakota Industrial Commission voted 2-1 to approve a proposal from QEP Energy Co. to develop 25,000 acres in McKenzie County as one large drilling unit known as the Grail-Bakken Unit.
But individual mineral owners will still have the final say. QEP needs 60 percent approval from mineral owners and working interest owners in the unit.
PrairieMagazine.com reports (same writer):Lynn Helms, director of the Department of Mineral Resources, recommended approval because QEP estimates it will be able to recover an additional 2.7 million barrels of oil by developing the area as a large unit.
An oil drilling proposal that drew opposition from many mineral owners moved forward Wednesday in a split vote with Gov. Jack Dalrymple objecting.
The North Dakota Industrial Commission voted 2-1 to approve a proposal from QEP Energy Co. to develop 25,000 acres in McKenzie County as one large drilling unit known as the Grail-Bakken Unit.
But individual mineral owners will still have the final say. QEP needs 60 percent approval from mineral owners and working interest owners in the unit.
I assume that first paragraph could have been written: "...that was supported by many mineral owners in which the commission voted 2 -1 ."Lynn Helms, director of the Department of Mineral Resources, recommended approval because QEP estimates it will be able to recover an additional 2.7 million barrels of oil by developing the area as a large unit.
I have no dog in this fight, and I will hold off comments for now (the subject is full of landmines, which I don't need).
However, I have very, very strong feelings about this on so many levels, and some day, I will write about some of them, if the spirit moves me.
