Horizontal Drilling

Is horizontal drilling technology a legal practice?

For much of the life of the oil and gas drilling industry, vertical wells have been the only means of accessing and extracting valuable oil and natural gas resources directly beneath a well. In recent years, however, horizontal or lateral drilling technology has made it possible to access hard-to-reach areas located beneath impossible well locations where structures or other challenges arise. This technology has become so advanced, in fact, that drilling operations can even drill vertically to a certain point and then make a right angle to begin to drill horizontally.

While horizontal drilling provides an excellent means for reaching previously inaccessible deposits of oil and natural gas, it can also be utilized to access resources not covered in existing subsurface oil and gas leases, such as deposits that are located beneath the surface of other areas. This type of unethical practice can lead to breach of contract and litigation in court. A skilled Texas oil and gas law lawyer can assist in these matters, and may be able to achieve a favorable result in terms of either defending the actions of a well site operation or protecting the rights and resources of landowners.

Acceptable Horizontal Drilling Support in Texas

Horizontal drilling is certainly considered to be controversial in situations where the reach of a well actually extends into property where mineral rights do not exist. The Amaro Law Firm understands the many different scenarios where horizontal drilling is either appropriate or discouraged, and we can work closely with drilling operations to make sure that a breach of contract does not occur. If an oil and gas lease violation does occur, our team of qualified attorneys will aggressively pursue the realization of your rights and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve, or see to your full protection under the law.

Contact a Texas oil and gas law attorney if you are involved in a drilling operation as a landowner or gas company, and want to discuss the potential of horizontal drilling.