Wyoming Landowners Skeptical of Oil Company’s Drilling Plans
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Landowners in southeast Wyoming say a major oil and gas developer is creating a monopoly in their area and have asked state regulators to intervene.
Anadarko Petroleum disputes many of the landowners' assumptions but the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has agreed to hold a hearing on the matter.
The landowners own mineral rights they want developed. They say Anadarko has applied for 2,200 drilling permits with no feasible way to drill them all any time soon.
The landowners would need to prove a threat to their mineral rights or evidence that Anadarko were wasting resources.
Anadarko attorney Jim Mowry says only Anadarko can speak for its plans to drill. Mowry says the company's applications to drill are technically sound and should be approved.