Eagle Ford Shale Road Traffic From Crude Bottleneck
Most residents of the middle part of South Texas have noticed the big increase in oilfield highway traffic that has resulted from Eagle Ford shale drilling and production. Unfortunately for drivers, the situation isn’t going to improve anytime soon. In an area where farmers and ranchers have grown accustomed to stopping in the middle of country roads to visit with neighbors, there are now scores of oil and gravel trucks plying those same roads to watch out for. Sheriff’ department officials in Wilson and Karnes counties report that many overweight vehicles are using county roads to avoid DPS troopers enforcing weight limits on state highways. Each day the number of complaints about oilfield truck traffic grows and some residents of South Texas are not happy about changes brought to the region by this large oil discovery.
Why Is There So Much Traffic On South Texas Roads?
At the present time, almost all Eagle Ford shale oil and condensate production is being moved to market by trucks. With some wells making over 1,000 barrels a day, and the capacity of a crude transport truck at around 200 barrels, that can amount to a lot of loads per day from a field. Equipment and gravel hauling trucks, roughnecks and service company vehicles going to and from new wells are also adding to the huge increase in South Texas road traffic.
New Eagle Ford Shale Pipeline Projects Underway
EOG Resources, one of the biggest players in the Eagle Ford shale, has partnered with Enterprise Products Partners in a 140 mile pipeline project that will deliver oil and condensate to Houston refineries, as well as connect with larger pipelines to send it to storage facilities in Cushing, Oklahoma. Enterprise announced on May, 4, 2011 that they would begin construction of another 80 mile pipeline, originating in Wilson County and ending near Gardendale in LaSalle county as part of a partnership with Chesapeake Energy. Kinder Morgan, another major pipeline company, has partnered with oil and gas producers Chesapeake Energy and SM Energy to build over 111 miles of pipeline in South Texas that will transport natural gas and liquids. A number of shorter liquids – gathering pipelines are currently being constructed across the play, but not fast enough to handle all the new wells coming online. Regarding the Eagle Ford shale crude bottleneck that is developing in South Texas, EOG Resources chairman Mark Papa commented to the effect that all Eagle Ford liquids production is currently being moved by trucks and due to a shortage of trucks to transport oil from the play, it will be, in his words “a tight situation throughout this year”. According to Mr. Papa, EOG Resources has a plan to deal with the situation. Unfortunately for South Texas drivers in McMullen, LaSalle, Atascosa, Bee, Karnes, DeWitt and other counties, any solution probably means more truck traffic on the road.
Cities and Counties Struggling To Cope With Eagle Ford Shale Oilfield Traffic
The city of Pleasanton, TX is even considering an ordinance banning 18 wheelers from city streets. This has the owners of non-oilfield related trucking companies worried that such ordinances will make it more difficult for them to do business. Here on Eaglefordshaleblog.com, we have been trying to raise awareness of the changes that are coming to South Texas for over two years now, but city and county leaders seem to have just woken up to the reality of this major oil boom and how it will impact roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
If you drive in South Texas, just be aware that the already heavy oilfield traffic on highways and county roads will become much worse before it gets better. Increased traffic in South Texas as a result of the Eagle Ford shale discovery will most likely be with us another decade, or longer. All of this oilfield traffic is taking its toll on roads that were not designed to handle so much extra tonnage. Hopefully TXDOT can keep South Texas roads in good shape, but this will be a big challenge for the agency as the state faces a budget shortfall of $27 billion dollars.
Be Aware Of Extra Highway Traffic In South Texas Resulting From Eagle Ford Shale Drilling
For your own sake, as well as that of other drivers, please look both ways before pulling out, take a little extra time, and watch out for oilfield trucks. Realize that there is a new traffic reality in those counties where Eagle Ford shale wells are located and that old driving habits don’t apply any more.
Article by Nolan Hart.
