Fracking Disputes Involving El Paso Oil and Gas - Legal and Regulatory Considerations

Fracking in El Paso and the Permian Basin causes general public concern about air pollution, freshwater use, seismic activity, property damage, and more. However, many victims of the oil and gas industry feel helpless against energy giants with the resources and incentives to continue drilling at any cost. If you’ve suffered harm due to oil production near you, consulting with an experienced West Texas lawyer ensures that you protect your rights.

We have English and Spanish-speaking professionals ready to speak with you 24/7 to schedule your free case review, so call 800-862-1260 now! Get the justice and compensation you are owed.

Fracking disputes are similar to other oil extraction complaints, as they similarly impact the lives of Texans.

In some oil and gas lease agreements, a mineral rights holder may lease rights to an oil drilling company without the consent of the surface rights holder. This means that the fracking company may use the land to develop roads, storage, and drilling infrastructure, and their rights are dominant.

Surface estate owners have rights. El Paso TX oil and gas attorneys can help you negotiate surface use agreements and ensure that the oil company uses legal venues to pursue easements and accommodate the surface owner’s land use whenever possible.

Air and water depletion are common oil and gas fracking disputes, although seismic activity often appears in public concern. Fracking requires lots of freshwater, which is scarce in the El Paso desert climate. Legal arguments concern the definition of “produced water,” or water produced during the fracking process. An experienced Texas attorney will argue whether this water is included in leased mineral rights.

Air pollution from fracking includes multiple toxic chemicals that create smog in nearby communities, negatively impacting anyone who lives near a fracking site. Clean air is one of the consistent El Paso oil and gas legal issues regulators face, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) includes it among its initiatives concerning fracking.

Finally, the public health concerns related to fracking include access to clean water, respiratory issues caused by air pollution, and the quality of the lives of people who must look at new pipelines and oil rigs built near their own backyards.

At Carabin Shaw, we frequently encounter the negative impacts the oil and gas industry has on everyday people in Texas. Read our client reviews to discover how we’ve helped clients get compensation for their injuries and property damage. We offer our services on a contingency-fee-basis, so you can seek legal help without an upfront financial obligation.

In some fracking lawsuits in West Texas, oil companies have clearly violated laws and regulations meant to preserve the rights of Texans.

Laws and regulations that can help victims include:

• Railroad Commission rules about groundwater contamination in hydraulic fracturing.
• Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (TSWQS) by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
• Texas Water Code laws about oil and gas waste disposal.
• Clean Air Act laws regarding federal air quality standards and regulatory agencies charged with enforcing those laws.
• The Safe Drinking Water Act dictates the preservation of clean drinking water for all Americans.

If you are a landowner with surface rights but no mineral rights, you may suffer long-term damages when a fracking operation occurs on your land. Hiring lawyers in El Paso, Texas may provide the opportunity to enter negotiations with the mineral rights owner and the oil company. It will ensure you protect your rights to compensation for losses that can affect you and your community.

The biggest mistake victims of oil and gas operations make is not seeking legal help when pursuing a case. Not doing so encourages oil and gas companies to continue exploiting the rights of landowners without consequence. Hiring a lawyer sends a message to large oil companies that may stimulate fair settlement offers before a lawsuit.

Our team of El Paso attorneys at Carabin Shaw can help you with your oil and gas fracking dispute. Call our toll-free number at 800-862-1260 to schedule a free case review. Someone is available to speak with you 24/7. We have English- AND Spanish-speaking staff available for your convenience as well.

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