Drilling under discussion for KISD Ag Farm

With the oil and gas industry booming, there is no place off limits — not even school property — when it comes to drilling.

Kilgore Independent School District is negotiating with Samson Energy of Tulsa on their request to drill a gas well on the Kilgore High School agriculture farm.

Samson owns the mineral rights to the 21.6 acre piece of property adjacent to Wilshire Rd.

Andy Alexander, professional landman, reported to the KISD board of trustees at their August meeting on Samson's plan to locate the well.

The site will take up approximately 2.35 acres for the well, .65 acre for an access road and 714 feet for the pipeline.

Derek Borders, KISD board member, voiced concerns that the road was taking up too much ground and would like to see is Samson could re-direct the road to the well.

Alexander told the board he would take the request back to Samson along with the possible option of relocation the mud pits which would change entry location into the well site, also requested by the board.

Samson has offered KISD $20,000 for the acreage the well would occypy - $8225 for the 2.35 acres, $2275 for the .65- acre tract and $100 per rod for the length of the pipeline. The acreage price is based on $3500 an acre.

The gas well, Flannagan #20, will have its gas flow directed to a well already owned by Samson, located just to the south of the Ag Farm, across Wilshire Rd.

Revard Pfeffer, business manager for KISD, said Samson is making every effort possible to accommodate KISD and the agriculture farm.

Pfeffer said once the well is in operation it will be fenced off and the 2.35 acre spot could possibly be fenced off with barbed wire, which would protect the well site and and student owned animals.

The access road will likely be fenced, as well.

Pfeffer said Alexander will talk to Samson officials and will come back, probably before the next board meeting, or in a meeting with Jody Clements, superintendent, with either a new proposal or a reiteration of the original offer.

Pfeffer said the school board can turn down Samson's offer, but then it would be up to the courts to make a determination for how the drilling is handled.

Alexander said Samson hopes to start drilling the well by early December.