Within the Forest Cove Townhome complex, currently being bought out by Harris County Flood Control, two wells, and three oil and gas storage tanks have been abandoned. The operator, Noxxe Oil and Gas, LLC went out of business in February this year for failure to pay franchise taxes. At least one of the wells has a history of a recent leak that affected the West Fork San Jacinto. The tanks sit rusting and leaning at odd angles. And the pipes connecting them are broken and twisted.
The Texas Railroad Commission has investigated the site numerous times since Harvey and required cleanup and remediation by the operator until the company went out of business.
Because the operator is now defunct, the Railroad Commission plans to step in and complete the cleanup process once additional funds become available in the next fiscal year starting September 2020.
According to Harris County Flood Control, the Railroad Commission does not believe there is an imminent danger at this time from the existing tank battery and facilities.
However, the Commission says it will likely be an expensive cleanup. At public expense.
However, as fields and wells near the end of their producing life, the economics of production become marginal. Near the end, stripper wells may produce only 10-15 barrels per day – or less. Only operators on shoestring budgets can afford to keep such wells producing at that point. They become hand-me-down wells from operators with deep pockets and big costs to smaller companies with less capital and lower costs.
In theory, that’s how to maximize recovery from a well. However, when problems develop, the smaller companies are sometimes ill-equipped to handle them.
These pictures below show part of the legacy Noxxe left behind.
Some of the equipment left behind by Noxxe in Forest Cove: tanks and pump-jacks.This tank seems to lean at about a ten degree angle.These lean even more.The plumbing connecting the tanks is disconnected and in disarray.Tanks are rusted, dented, overgrown and covered with graffiti.
The collapse of oil prices in response to COVID restrictions earlier this year hurt small producers more than large ones. It will be interesting to see how many other stories like this emerge in coming days.
If you see similar problems, reach out to the local office of the TRRC at 713-869-5001.
Posted by Bob Rehak on June 6, 2020
1012 Days After Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20200604-RJR_3084.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=18001200adminadmin2020-06-05 20:04:232020-06-05 21:26:43Cleanup of Forest Cove Oil Wells, Tanks Scheduled for Fall
Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin announced today that the City of Houston has completed Kingwood Storm Line Inspections. Only a few spots needed debris removal. The rest were clear, according to Martin.
City storm line inspection in May 2019 with Elm Grove flood-victim Keith Jennings looking on.
30 Miles of Stormwater Drains Now Clear
When the City encountered debris, crews removed it with specialized equipment and personnel trained to work in confined spaces, says Martin. Public Works inspected approximately 150,000 linear feet or about 30 miles of storm water lines.
Subdivisions Inspected
The communities inspected include:
Elm Grove
Hunter’s Ridge
North & South Woodland Hills
Bear Branch
Forest Cove
Greentree Village
Kings Crossing
Kings Forest
Kings Point
Kingwood Lakes
Kingwood Place Village
Lakeshore
Magnolia Point (Huffman)
Mills Branch
North Kingwood Forest
Riverchase
Sand Creek Village
Sherwood Trails
Woodspring Village
Woodstream Village
Trailwood Village.
Public Works inspected Kingwood villages impacted by Tropical Storm Imelda and others based on the number of reports made to 3-1-1.
Storm Drain Photos Available for Inspection
Martin has posted every community’s storm-line inspection photos in his Facebook Photo Albums.
How and Why to Report Storm Line Problems
It is critically important that if you identify areas with drainage issues that you report them to 3-1-1.
The City determines larger drainage (or other infrastructure) projects from 3-1-1 reports. The more calls about an issue, the higher the project’s priority.
Join Adopt-A-Drain Program
Martin encourages neighborhoods to Adopt-A-Drain. He gave a shout out to those who have already adopted and named their drains in the Kingwood Area. They include: Big Bertha, Maleficent, Shrader’s Drain, A1 Signs, Lil Bandingo’s Drain, Botta Boom Drain and many more!
“Residents, businesses, and community groups can take advantage of lots of drains and naming opportunities while helping decrease debris in our drainage system,” said Martin.
Other Ways to Help Ensure Free-Flowing Storm Lines
Here’s how residents can help:
Make sure trash cans don’t tip before they are picked up
Ensure yard clippings and leaves stay out of gutters
Make sure yard crews don’t blow clippings down storm drains
Clear gutters before bad weather
Never throw trash or other items down drains or inlets.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/5/2020
1011 Days since Hurricane Harveyand 260 since Imelda
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Victim_03.jpg?fit=1000%2C1500&ssl=115001000adminadmin2020-06-05 14:49:152020-06-05 14:52:30Kingwood Storm Line Inspections Complete
Last week, while driving through Forest Cove, I noticed construction activity and Harris County Flood Control District signs at the Kingwood Diversion Ditch near Walnut Lane. The area downstream from the bridge has some of the worst erosion of any ditch in Kingwood.
Area Now Under Repair As It Looked in 2009
Kingwood Diversion Ditch in 2009. Looking south from Walnut Lane. Forest Cove on right.
Erosion was bad for years and only got worse during major storms in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Massive slabs of the banks broke off in chunks, threatening trails and adjacent homes.
Since the picture above in 2009, the ditch has eroded both down and outward to increase its conveyance as new subdivisions upstream scabbed off of Kingwood’s infrastructure.
Pictures of Work in Progress Today
Oh, what a difference a decade makes! Note the exposed storm drains in the pictures below that you cannot see in the picture above.
Looking south from Walnut Lane Bridge.Exposed, elevated and crushed storm drains due to erosion.
The erosion left storm drains elevated and exposed to the ravages of floodwaters. Some were crushed, causing water to back up into streets and drainage ditches during heavy rains.
The area that collapsed circa 2009 above is the same area shown under construction today.
The velocity of water through this ditch during floods has earned it the nickname “Kingwood Rapids” from white-water enthusiasts.
Storm drains left exposed and elevated as the ditch widened and deepened itself to accommodate upstream development such as Woodridge Forest.HCFCD works to restore and stabilize banks, and repair damaged storm drains.Crumpled drains being removed by excavator.
How the Diversion Ditch Got Its Name
The Kingwood Diversion Ditch got its name when Friendswood realized that Ben’s Branch could not hold all the water being brought to it by adjacent subdivisions.
So Friendswood literally built a ditch that diverts a portion of the water coming down Ben’s Branch from Montgomery County just above Northpark Drive.
The point of diversion. Believe it or not, that’s Ben’s Branch flowing from bottom to top. As Ben’s Branch squeezes down, it forces water into the diversion ditch, which splits off to the right, just south of the new St. Martha’s Catholic Church.From there, the ditch goes under Northpark Drive, past Woodland Hills, and south to the river.
Cleanup of Forest Cove Oil Wells, Tanks Scheduled for Fall
Within the Forest Cove Townhome complex, currently being bought out by Harris County Flood Control, two wells, and three oil and gas storage tanks have been abandoned. The operator, Noxxe Oil and Gas, LLC went out of business in February this year for failure to pay franchise taxes. At least one of the wells has a history of a recent leak that affected the West Fork San Jacinto. The tanks sit rusting and leaning at odd angles. And the pipes connecting them are broken and twisted.
The Texas Railroad Commission has investigated the site numerous times since Harvey and required cleanup and remediation by the operator until the company went out of business.
Because the operator is now defunct, the Railroad Commission plans to step in and complete the cleanup process once additional funds become available in the next fiscal year starting September 2020.
However, the Commission says it will likely be an expensive cleanup. At public expense.
Old Oil Field, Old Equipment
These tanks and wells represent a common problem around Lake Houston and the old Humble Oil Field. The Humble field was discovered in 1905 and, to date, has yielded more than 150 million barrels of oil.
However, as fields and wells near the end of their producing life, the economics of production become marginal. Near the end, stripper wells may produce only 10-15 barrels per day – or less. Only operators on shoestring budgets can afford to keep such wells producing at that point. They become hand-me-down wells from operators with deep pockets and big costs to smaller companies with less capital and lower costs.
Noxxe Problems Started Early and Persisted
Shortly after incorporation in 2009, Noxxe ran into legal troubles when the company’s own lawyers sued it for non-payment. Noxxe lost the case. Then Noxxe appealed, but the company’s owner failed to appear for a deposition. Eventually, Noxxe’s appeal was denied because it failed to pay court costs.
Other Noxxe problems blew up into headlines after the Memorial Day flood in 2016 when oil slicks were photographed floating from its storage tanks. Another problem surfaced in 2017 when a pipeline from one of their wells on Marina Drive started leaking into the West Fork.
Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) regulates oil and gas production. Its documents show that Noxxe ignored state regulators on more than one occasion.
The company’s problems with TRRC became visible on April 4, 2017. The Railroad Commission ordered certificates of compliance for the operator cancelled and all pipeline/carrier connections severed.
Then, during Harvey, Noxxe’s operations near the Forest Cove Townhomes and elsewhere on the West Fork became inundated. Again!
One month after Harvey, Steve Shaffer, the company’s president, took over as his own registered agent.
Days after that, Noxxe moved from 324 Forest Cove Drive to 1120 NASA Parkway.
On October 16, 2018, the Railroad Commission found that Noxxe failed to appear or respond to charges which included:
Finally, on February 28, 2020, the company forfeited its right to do business in Texas for failure to pay franchise taxes. (However, it still has until this June 28th to get its accounts in order and have its charter reinstated.)
Part of Noxxe’s Legacy in Forest Cove
These pictures below show part of the legacy Noxxe left behind.
The collapse of oil prices in response to COVID restrictions earlier this year hurt small producers more than large ones. It will be interesting to see how many other stories like this emerge in coming days.
Where to Report Similar Problems
While the abandoned equipment shown above may not represent an imminent threat, it still represents a threat that must be remediated by the state. It is adjacent to the drinking water supply for 2 million people and subject to frequent flooding. Jennifer Parks who used to live in one of the townhomes on Timberline Drive flooded eight times in five years.
If you see similar problems, reach out to the local office of the TRRC at 713-869-5001.
Posted by Bob Rehak on June 6, 2020
1012 Days After Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
Kingwood Storm Line Inspections Complete
Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin announced today that the City of Houston has completed Kingwood Storm Line Inspections. Only a few spots needed debris removal. The rest were clear, according to Martin.
30 Miles of Stormwater Drains Now Clear
When the City encountered debris, crews removed it with specialized equipment and personnel trained to work in confined spaces, says Martin. Public Works inspected approximately 150,000 linear feet or about 30 miles of storm water lines.
Subdivisions Inspected
The communities inspected include:
Public Works inspected Kingwood villages impacted by Tropical Storm Imelda and others based on the number of reports made to 3-1-1.
Storm Drain Photos Available for Inspection
Martin has posted every community’s storm-line inspection photos in his Facebook Photo Albums.
How and Why to Report Storm Line Problems
The City determines larger drainage (or other infrastructure) projects from 3-1-1 reports. The more calls about an issue, the higher the project’s priority.
Join Adopt-A-Drain Program
Martin encourages neighborhoods to Adopt-A-Drain. He gave a shout out to those who have already adopted and named their drains in the Kingwood Area. They include: Big Bertha, Maleficent, Shrader’s Drain, A1 Signs, Lil Bandingo’s Drain, Botta Boom Drain and many more!
“Residents, businesses, and community groups can take advantage of lots of drains and naming opportunities while helping decrease debris in our drainage system,” said Martin.
Other Ways to Help Ensure Free-Flowing Storm Lines
Here’s how residents can help:
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/5/2020
1011 Days since Hurricane Harvey and 260 since Imelda
HCFCD Begins Kingwood Diversion Ditch Repairs
Last week, while driving through Forest Cove, I noticed construction activity and Harris County Flood Control District signs at the Kingwood Diversion Ditch near Walnut Lane. The area downstream from the bridge has some of the worst erosion of any ditch in Kingwood.
Area Now Under Repair As It Looked in 2009
Erosion was bad for years and only got worse during major storms in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Massive slabs of the banks broke off in chunks, threatening trails and adjacent homes.
Since the picture above in 2009, the ditch has eroded both down and outward to increase its conveyance as new subdivisions upstream scabbed off of Kingwood’s infrastructure.
Pictures of Work in Progress Today
Oh, what a difference a decade makes! Note the exposed storm drains in the pictures below that you cannot see in the picture above.
The erosion left storm drains elevated and exposed to the ravages of floodwaters. Some were crushed, causing water to back up into streets and drainage ditches during heavy rains.
The velocity of water through this ditch during floods has earned it the nickname “Kingwood Rapids” from white-water enthusiasts.
How the Diversion Ditch Got Its Name
The Kingwood Diversion Ditch got its name when Friendswood realized that Ben’s Branch could not hold all the water being brought to it by adjacent subdivisions.
So Friendswood literally built a ditch that diverts a portion of the water coming down Ben’s Branch from Montgomery County just above Northpark Drive.
Luckily, Friendswood designed the bridges over the Diversion Ditch to accommodate expansion of the ditch. HCFCD is studying that possibility now as part of the Kingwood Area Drainage Analysis. Results of the study should be published this fall.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/5/2020
1011 Days after Harvey