Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Oil And Gas Leasing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tatum ISD board authorizes superintendent to execute Sabine Oil & Gas lease for district land
Summary
The Tatum ISD Board voted unanimously to give the superintendent authority to execute a lease with Sabine Oil and Gas for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing on roughly 13 acres of district property near the Coliseum; the board said it will consider terms including royalty and bonus amounts.
The Tatum Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 7-0 on Dec. 9 to grant Superintendent Dr. J.P. Richardson authority to execute a lease agreement with Sabine Oil and Gas Corporation for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing on district land.
Dr. Richardson and Assistant Superintendent of Finance Brandon Milam presented the proposal, which described drilling at the L.E. Helvenston Gas Unit about one mile northwest of the Coliseum on approximately 13 acres of Tatum ISD property. The district's presentation included estimated vertical depths of about 10,400 feet for the targeted horizon, with the possibility of reaching the Haynesville at about 11,660 vertical feet. Board member Matt Crawford moved to "grant the Superintendent authority to execute a lease agreement with Sabine Oil and Gas Corporation," Dennis Williams seconded the motion, and the board approved it 7-0.
Board members and district leaders said they had consulted outside resources and would pay close attention to lease details such as term length, royalty rates and any bonus payments. The motion recorded in the minutes grants the superintendent authority to finalize a lease; the minutes do not list finalized royalty rates, bonus amounts, or environmental protections in the contract language. There was no recorded public comment or recorded vote opposing the authorization during the meeting.
The board did not record further discussion of environmental review steps, permitting timelines, or community outreach in the minutes provided. The board's action authorizes negotiation and execution of a lease; any final contract terms and subsequent permitting or operational activity would be subject to additional processes not detailed in the meeting record.
