Over the past several days, citizens and media outlets have contacted MCTX officials and staff about a foul odor in the vicinity of the intersection of Fort Bend County Toll Road/Texas Parkway.
The incident, which happened outside of the City’s jurisdiction, was investigated by the Railroad Commission of Texas, which is continuing to monitor the situation. Gaye Greever McElwain, Communications and Outreach Manager for the RRC, issued the following statement today (Friday, Sept. 13):
“On September 11, the Railroad Commission (RRC) was notified of a strong odor in the vicinity of the intersection of FM 2234 and Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road. An RRC inspector determined the source of the odor to be drilling and completion operations on the Viceroy Petroleum Cities Services Fee Lease Well No 1951 (DP 854473), API 157-33261. In accordance with Commission jurisdiction, RRC cited the Operator for noncompliance with Statewide Rule (SWR) 32(e)(4) that requires gas releases to be burned in a Flare for safety reasons.”
To view the full text of SWR 32, click on this link: http://bit.ly/2kAEYwr. To review the Commission’s flaring regulations, click on this link: http://bit.ly/2lO5C54.
McElwain added that the “open top tanks on the lease have been emptied of fluid. The operator has altered the flow of fluids into covered storage tanks and is installing separation equipment so that any excess gas from the liquid may be flared. No spillage of fluids or impacts to groundwater have been observed.”
For contact information of the Commission, visit: www.rrc.texas.gov.
Air emissions are regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). To report a concern or contact TCEQ, please visit: www.tceq.texas.gov.
Although the incident took place outside MCTX City limits, the odor impacted several neighborhoods in the area and staff will continue to provide updates to citizens should they become available.
For updates on Missouri City, please watch the City website: www.missouricitytx.gov, like us on Facebook—fb/MissouriCityTX, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat—@MissouriCityTX, Nextdoor and watch Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T U-verse) or download the MCTX Mobile app (available for free in Google Play and the Apple app store).