Convenience Big Store: Who's to blame for the West Texas geyser that's still erupting?

October 16, 2024

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Good morning, Houston.

You know, just the other day I was wondering what Kam Franklin and The Suffers were up to. Lo and behold, Franklin has just released a new video for her single "Talk to You" on HoustonChronicle.com. She wrote the song and takes on vocals, guitar and directed the video. Check it out.

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J.R. Gonzales, Senior Digital Production Editor

john.gonzales@houstonchronicle.com

Well control specialist Hawk Dunlap puts away his protective gear after checking out a geyser of salty water and oil as it spews out near a dry hole on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 in Toyha, Texas.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley (Staff Photographer)

Today we're talking about who is to blame for the West Texas geyser that recently erupted...

In case you forgot, a saltwater geyser carrying poisonous hydrogen sulfide gas erupted earlier this month outside Toyah in West Texas.

What's happened since then? Well, the geyser is still gushing two weeks later.

And as we're finding out, there may have been warning signs. In 2017, Apache Corp., an oil company, warned of potentially dangerous faults and fractures in its Reeves County oil field that could allow the oil industry's toxic wastewater to flow into protected groundwater and natural springs, regulatory filings show. This geyser, which also appears to contain oil, erupted from the same field.

The eruption has cast light on Texas regulators responsible for preventing and addressing these types of oil field failures. It also comes just weeks before the oil industry's most powerful regulator, Railroad Commission Chairman Christi Craddick, faces a contested reelection bid.

Should the Railroad Commission have heeded Apache's warning? One expert believes so.

Find out what led Apache to issue its warning and why it potentially went unheeded in Amanda Drane's article.

📰 Need to Know

DEBATE TAKEAWAYS: The debate between Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Colin Allred grew heated at times as the two discussed abortion, transgender sports bans, immigration and the economy.
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL: An hour-long vigil at a Houston park honored the life of Christa Bauer Gilley, a 38-year-old mother of two and a Memorial Hermann physical therapist, who died Oct. 7. Her husband has been charged with capital murder in connection with her death.
'NO EVIDENCE': After an investigation into alleged misuse of state funds, the TEA reported that it had found "no evidence" of any wrongdoing by Third Future Schools or Superintendent Mike Miles.
MOTION DENIED: A Texas court denied a motion to vacate an execution warrant and remove a judge in the case of death row inmate Robert Roberson. All eyes are now on Gov. Greg Abbott as fellow Republicans also urge him to pardon Roberson.
HHA EVAL: The housing authority's board voted Tuesday to hire a consultant to evaluate President and CEO David A. Northern Sr.
DUVALL SALUTED AT MFAH: A Fort Worth native who spent years in Houston, Shelley Duvall will be celebrated with screenings of "Brewster McCloud," "The Shining" and "3 Women."

🌲 Suburbs

KLEIN ISD: Six months after an alleged sex trafficking scandal rocked the Klein ISD's community, seven candidates are running to fill three seats on the school board. Challengers say it's time for a change. Incumbents say they've done the job well. Here are the main issues.
NEW INDICTMENT: Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Commissioners candidate Taral Patel, who's already accused of creating fake Facebook profiles to harass himself, is now facing charges for allegedly harassing an unnamed victim online.
WITNESSES SOUGHT: Webster City police are looking for witnesses related to a reported scuffle at Great Wolf Lodge Pool on Oct. 6.
LIGHT DISPLAY RETURNS: The interactive holiday light display "Radiant Nature" returns to Houston Botanic Garden with several new installations among the more than 50 along the trail. It is produced by Tianyu Arts & Culture, a company that produces Chinese lantern festivals around the world.
DISASTER DECLARED: Wildfire concerns across Texas have prompted some counties to issue burn bans and Gov. Greg Abbott to declare a disaster as drought conditions worsen.

❓ Question of the Week

Who won Tuesday's debate between Ted Cruz and Colin Allred?

Photo by: Houston Chronicle

Today's question is prefaced on the assumption that you saw last night's debate between Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Colin Allred. The question is simple: Who won? Set aside the idea that your candidate can do no wrong. Perhaps it's possible your candidate fell short during the debate. Hey, it happens. Send us your thoughts and we'll run some of your responses on Friday.

📅 Events at the Chronicle

Promotional image for virtual event on the 2024 election

Photo by: Susan Barber

Event: Will the $4.4B Houston ISD bond really help?

Chronicle readers are invited to a private Zoom on Oct. 16 with Houston Chronicle Editorial Board members. They will discuss key issues and races that Houstonians will be voting on this November, including their recommendation regarding the $4.4 billion HISD bond.

☝️ One Last Word

When Shaquille O'Neal drops by Bellaire, where does he eat?

We found out where on Monday. And if O'Neal and I have something in common, I can say we've eaten at the same restaurant. Uh, just not at the same time. Or during the same year.

— J.R. Gonzales