Neighbors Displeased With Drilling

It is a crude awakening for a neighborhood near Sand Springs.  Trying to meet the demand for more domestic oil production, one company is tapping wells near there.  The News On 6's Chris Wright reports some neighbors don't want rigs in their backyards.

In an effort to prevent new drilling, the neighborhood wants to be annexed by Sand Springs.  But, officials say there is little that can be done to avoid the expanding operation.

For some, that is the sound of prosperity.  For others, it's an unwelcome intrusion into their tranquil neighborhood.

"I walked through there, and it was terrible. It just makes me sick," said resident Carolyn Lambright.

International Energy Corp has already re-opened several wells down the road from Carolyn Lambright's property.  It now plans to expand and possibly drill on her property, as well as more than a dozen of her neighbors land.

The company can do it because it owns the mineral rights, and says it stands to make as much as $20 million there.

But, neighbors say they could care less about the lucrative potential of oil wells. They just say they don't want to see all of the oilfield equipment on their property.

"When you buy a home, you don't really think of things happening to you or your neighbors. But it has happened here," said resident Carolyn Lambright.

"It's a rude shock when someone moves in a drilling rig and says hi you're next," said Bruce Foster with International Energy Corporation.

IEC's senior engineer says he empathizes with the homeowners' plight, but his company has already invested millions, and is simply exercising its right to drill. 

Since drilling is not allowed in Sand Springs, residents now hope to be annexed by the city.  But, because its operation is already underway, IEC says that will not likely make any difference.

"Obviously, they think it's going to stop drilling, and we have legal opinion that it won't, and we intend to drill. We're fully functional and ready to go," said Bruce Foster with International Energy Corporation.

So like it or not, residents may have to get used to the sights and sounds.

Sand Springs city manager agrees with International Energy.  He says that even if the area is annexed, that likely will not mean an end to the operation.  International Energy Corp also points out the area has been drilled, on and off, since the 1920s.