by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company will be sending out another letter this weekend to Wellington property owners asking for permission to use mineral rights data after getting just 25 percent respondents from the first letter sent out in November.

The letter is asking those who own parcels of land to sign what is essentially a permission slip to allow the company to obtain mineral rights data recently collected by a 3D geophysical survey company.

Carol Manhard, permit agent for McDonald Land Services, said the company would like to get permission from at least 50 percent of the property owners. She said the second letter is being issued in order to clear up any confusion.

The letter is as follows: 

Dear Sir/Madam;

We previously sent out a mineral permit that caused some confusion with many people as to exactly what we were requesting permission for.  We are in hopes that this letter and the revised mineral permit will resolve any confusion we may have caused.

 You may remember last summer that there were trucks and equipment along the city streets.  At that time we were conducting a seismic survey with permission from the city, state, and private individuals.  All of the surface operations were completed and the seismic data was acquired where we had permissions.  The purpose of the seismic survey is to map the earth’s geologic layers and create a three dimensional (3D) subsurface image that will aid in oil and gas exploration.  This technology is similar to a medical MRI.  However, where TGS does not have any mineral permission, we are not allowed to view those minerals and the image will be blank under those properties.   With your permission, TGS can include the data and create a more complete image under the city.

No operations will be required on the surface.  This is simply a request for permission to view the minerals (geology) under your property.  Any minerals you may own will not be affected by giving permission for TGS to view the data that has been acquired.   This one time mineral permit is for the TGS Wellington 3D seismic project only and will not extend to any other activity in the area.

Please sign the enclosed mineral permit and return to us in the enclosed stamped envelope.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Julie Gordon, Operations Manager for TGS at 713-860-2278 or Carol Manhard, Permit Agent for McDonald Land Services at 620-399-8117.  You are also welcome to come by our office in Wellington at 116 N Washington, Wellington, KS.  We thank you in advance for your time, consideration, and cooperation. 

Sincerely,

TGS/ McDonald Land Services.

Manhart said the letter will include a self-stamped addressed envelope.

“We are simply trying to get as much data as possible to get a more complete picture of what is below Wellington’s surface,” she said. “If we do not get a property owner’s permission, then we can’t use the data. To do so would be mineral right trespassing and that is a big no-no.”