Subdivision residents oppose proposed oil drilling north of Carlsbad

The Associated Press

Residents of a subdivision north of Carlsbad, N.M., are concerned over proposed oil drilling near the only access road to their homes.

Tyler, Texas-based Mewbourne Oil Co. has applied for a drilling permit for a Bureau of Land Management site on the east side of the neighborhood.

“We are not protesting the drilling,” resident Robert Kelly said at a neighborhood meeting April 25. “We understand the need for that. A lot of people out here, or their family members make their living in the oil and gas industry. It’s a safety issue for us.”

Most residents were concerned that the proposed drilling site is located at the entrance of the single access road into the Roberts subdivision.

“All we can do is maybe request that the BLM or the oil company build an access road so that people will have a safety access road during the time the well is being drilled,” County Manager Steve Massey said.

Thiess said BLM is still negotiating with the oil company and working to address the concerns of residents. “We would like to get them as far away from the subdivision as possible.”