Energy company notifies Roosevelt council of tentative oil-well pad proposal near Centennial Elementary

Kelsey Carter, a representative of SM Energy, told the Roosevelt City Council during public comment that the company is planning development activity near the city and wants to coordinate with local stakeholders. Carter said SM Energy, which recently combined several local operations under the SM name, is working with landowners on a "very tentative proposal" for a well site just east of Centennial Elementary School.

The matter drew attention because the proposed area is near other community facilities. Carter said she had informed local school leadership and planning staff and plans to meet with Ballard's planning and zoning office after the meeting. She described the proposal as tentative and said "nothing has been signed by anybody." Carter said SM Energy's office is "just across the street" and that the company wants to "work hand in hand" with the city as it develops around the community.

A council member asked whether the proposal was for an oil-well location. Carter confirmed it was an oil-well pad. Council members and the mayor thanked Carter for the heads-up and for offering to coordinate with municipal staff and landowners.

The council noted there are city codes that restrict oil-well locations in residential zones; Carter said her team has reviewed local zoning maps and taken those zones into account while preparing the tentative proposal. No application, permit, or formal agreement related to the site was presented to or approved by the council at the meeting.

The discussion was limited to a public-notice-style briefing; city staff and council members said they would follow usual land-use and permitting procedures as the proposal progresses.