Seismic proposal by Norse Energy for Lebanon roads, officials delay action

LEBANON – Conquest Seismic Services has been contracted by Norse Energy Corp. to conduct seismic surveys along several roads in the Town of Lebanon, town officials reported this week.

Norse reports it wishes to access Deep Springs Road for a seismic survey and cable crossing across Vosburg and South Lebanon Road. They claim to have all landowner permits for the road work.

The method they wish to use is called “Vibroseis”. They will be using 44,000 lb trucks, which have 3 feet by 3 feet pads. These pads are lowered onto the surface of the road and vibrations are sent through the pad into the earth for 8 seconds. The pad is then lifted and the truck moves forward 120 feet. The process is repeated until the survey is completed. The process averages about 4 miles per day. Signs are to be posted in accordance with New York State DOT requirements.

The company says all evidence of work will be removed upon completion of the survey.

The company says they will need to string temporary cables (width of extension cords) across the roads. They report they will have them in place for 1 to 2 days per location. Conquest surveyors plan to be there in late November and the seismic testing is expected to begin sooon after.

The company has asked the Town of Lebanon to grant it a permit to test.

Conquest was involved with Norse in a $3 million 3D seismic testing operation of the entire township in 2007 that was essentially referred to as an MRI of the town. Since that time, a significant number of gas wells have been drilled but Supervisor Jim Goldstein also reported more complaints and inquiries from town residents in 3 months than at any time in his term as supervisor while the testing was occurring.

Town officials are delaying approving the current requested action pending review at their Nov. 9 town board meeting to ensure that all impacted property owners have been signed up given previous allegations and current pending legal action that alleges some seismic trespass or forgery by seismic agents on some permits in Lebanon and other areas.

Goldstein said that town officials want to make sure that any property owner whose property will be seismic tested from town rights of way or county road rights of way understands that this information could be used by the gas company in a negotiation for gas well lease but that the informtion may not be disclosed to the property owner unless they have a signed agreement that addresses these concerns and provides compensation for permitting seismic testing as well as protections for any potential water well impacts.

While gas development officials insist that seismic testing does not disturb or impact local water wells, there is some debate in the industry about distance between the testing and the well location, and some of the older, shallower wells in Lebanon that are closer to the road could potentially be more vulnerable.

Concerned property owners are encouraged to attend and ask questions or raise concerns.

The Town Board meets at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Office, 1210 Bradley Brook Road in the hamlet.

Seismic proposal by Norse Energy for Lebanon roads, officials delay action

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