Apache says one thing does another in Balmorhea

Do not trust Apache Corp to frack near Balmorhea, Texas and the Spring System.

Apache Corp Says This:

“We will do what is right for the [Balmorhea] community and often that is the right answer for us as well,” Apache vice president Gary Clark says.
Upstream.com 9 Dec 2016 00:00 by Noah Brenner

Apache Corp Does This:

The photo shows a spill on Apache Corp’s Ortler Well pad site which is only 2 miles from Balmorhea State Park and San Solomon Spring (VIDEO).  It appears the spill originated from the round, tan tank with the danger signs. There was a strong petroleum odor with a rotten egg smell st the site.

The blue tanks were venting VOCs from flowback fluid or waste water into the air. This is not best practice. Gas busters that incinerate the VOCs are available for flowback tanks.

Spilling fluids and venting VOCs is not “what is right for the [Balmorhea] community.”

Balmorhea Springs at risk:

The flow at San Solomon Spring increases “soon after a significant rainfall” which means there are shallow recharge zones in the area.
A Preliminary Analysis of the Risks to the Balmorhea Springs Complex Posed by Unconventional Oil & Gas Development

According to Dr. Jack Sharp, University of Texas, Austin hydrogeologist, these recharge zones should be identified and excluded before fracking starts.

Apache Corp is already spilling before identifying the recharge zones. A spill such as the one shown above, could quickly contaminate the spring.

Balmorhea is a rare desert oasis and special place, for global tourists. Balmorhea is too precious to risk. Do not let Apache Corp turn this special place into an oil and gas field.