Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Natural gas exploration comes to TCU campus

Do you smell something?

By John P. Meyer

The Executive Committee of Texas Christian University's Board of Trustees has announced its decision to lease potential gas-producing property on campus to Fort Worth-based Four Sevens Resources Company, Ltd.

Four Sevens (wonder where that name originated?) will drill for natural gas north of the football stadium in remote campus parking, whose remoteness now becomes a verifiable asset to the faculty, staff and students who are likely to be affected by the exploration and potential production activities.

Freelance spelunker explores for gas beneath an undisclosed remote parking lot location

According to Brian Gutierrez, TCU vice chancellor for finance and administration, “we invested major time and effort to negotiate a lease that satisfies our concerns and addresses neighbors' concerns to the best of our ability. As a result, we anticipate an efficient process from start to finish.”

Keeping university priorities firmly in mind, TCU's agreement with Four Sevens (which does not appear to maintain a company website, but whose contact information can be referenced here) stipulates that no drilling will occur during football season, which means that only during the months of January through July (in 2008, 2009 and 2010) will the roughnecks be at large way out there on the campus north 40. Furthermore, no feckless freshmen are likely to be stepping into open drill holes and plunging into earth's molten core, because the drill site will be fenced off and monitored by both state and local officials. Drill rigs and support vehicles will be routed in such a way as to minimize the impact of such traffic on the neighborhood. Parking lost to the endeavor will be "relocated to other university parking lots." Hm.

Typical oilfield (i.e., remote parking lot) roughnecks

Spinning with all his PR might, TCU Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. stated: "I am pleased we have been able to review the safety and traffic concerns of those most impacted by this gas exploration -- neighbors, faculty, staff and students." Noting that funds secured through gas extraction will be placed in the university's endowment, Boschini continued: "The resources acquired through gas exploration will better enable TCU to offer an excellent university experience. This includes providing a campus where students live and learn in a diverse, technologically advanced environment in classrooms with a small student-to-faculty ratio. It also means more opportunities for scholarships.”

And gas.

Related stories

• TCU transfers gas lease option to Chesapeake Exploration (Nov. 13, 2007)

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• Oil and Energy
• Colleges & Universities > Texas Christian University