By TONI ELLINGTON
Despite major opposition from residents organized as “Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany,” the State of Louisiana Office of Conservation approved a drilling permit last week for Helis Oil & Gas Company to drill a vertical well in St. Tammany Parish, which may eventually lead to further drilling utilizing the hydraulic fracturing technique.
The approval was announced on December 19, 2014. However, before drilling can begin, Helis must obtain a wetlands permit from the Army Corps of Engineers to drill in the wetlands area. Helis must also obtain water quality certification from the state Department of Environmental Quality.
The permit approval from the Office of Conservation is not without conditions. Helis will be required to conduct water and air testing at the site. Drilling operations must be done using a closed-loop system, which means that drilling mud from the well cannot be dumped into an open pit. Rather, the mud must be put directly into tanks when it is pumped to the surface. Helis is also limited on its use of water for the operation to surface water from private ponds which are not replenished by groundwater wells. The Office of Conservation must pre-approve to the water sources
A Helis spokesman stated that the company was pleased with the permit approval, and that the company looked forward to moving ahead with the project. The well is located just north of Interstate 12 and about a mile east of Louisiana Highway 1088 in St. Tammany Parish.
For more information, contact Toni Ellington at (504) 599-8500.
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