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A homeowner's association goes to court, trying to prevent oil drilling near their homes.
As we told you Monday night, those homeowners live just south of Sapulpa. They got a temporary restraining order to keep oil crews from using their private road. Wednesday, a judge weighed in on the matter.
The homeowners say they have tapped into their savings to fight the legal battle. But, the judge said the law is clear and, like it or not, the oil company can drill on their property.
In the Hidden Valley Estates, there are less than a dozen homes along a gravel road. Rachel and Mark Hall own a home there on 20 acres of land. But, they learned they don't own the mineral rights. Caylx Oil has those and they plan to drill.
"When you think of them coming in and putting something on your property that you don't want, I just can't get over that," Mark says.
The company began their work last Friday. On the same day, the Halls and their neighbors got a temporary restraining order to keep oil crews off the private neighborhood road.
But Wednesday, a judge told them they can't keep the company from rolling in.
"I regret that this upsets them," says Caylx Attorney Sam Allen. "And, I understand that. But, my client has a right to drill. But, I'd also like to point out that there's other mineral owners who will benefit from this production."
"The judge says that's their legal right," Hall says. "It may be their legal right, but it's not right."
After months of digging in, the Halls say the ruling is their last attempt to stop the drilling.
"I do think it's a lesson for everyone about what the law is and what these big oil companies can do to the little guy," Hall says.
State law entitles landowners to damages related to drilling. The Hall say their next focus is on striking a deal.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission oversees drilling. They say Oklahoma is in the middle of a boom and that it's busier than it has been for about 15 years.
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