Are you affected by the Atmos Energy Pipeline project? Attorney Philip Hundl describes the project in this video. It involves replacing an existing 18-inch gas line with a 30-inch line between the towns of Cool and Springtown in Parker County. If you could be affected, you should talk with an attorney who is experienced in handling condemnation and eminent domain cases. You can reach Mr. Hundl by calling or texting 800-266-4870.
Summary of the Atmos Energy Pipeline Video
Hi, I’m Philip Hundl. I’m an attorney who focuses on land litigation, primarily representing landowners facing eminent domain proceedings or condemnation proceedings, as they are oftentimes called here in Texas.
So right now, in the 2020 economic environment, the price of oil and gas has gone down considerably. Pipeline projects are a large part of what we do in representing landowners facing condemnation. Many of those pipeline projects have either been delayed or canceled.
However, today I want to talk about a small pipeline project that apparently is moving forward. It’s an Atmos Energy Pipeline in Parker County, Texas. The pipeline will run from the town of Cool to Springtown.
Most of the time, these pipeline projects are brand-new projects which sometimes run parallel to existing lines and sometimes not. This Atmos Energy Pipeline project is going to be the replacement of an existing line. The existing pipeline is an 18-inch gas line, and we’ve been told they’re going to replace it with a 30-inch pipeline. This project is under the T-4 permit 00578 and the subsystem name is WA project.
So, this existing line that’s in the ground, the Atmos 18-inch line, runs parallel with two other lines from Colt Energy. Atmos intends to replace this 18-inch pipeline with the larger line under the existing easement agreement for that 18-inch line. That easement agreement is from the early 1960s or thereabouts. It may vary from tract, to tract when their predecessor pipeline company secured the easements. Those earlier easement agreements aren’t in the name of Atmos. They’re in the name of a different company — I believe it’s Lone Star Energy or Lone Star Pipeline.
The Atmos Pipeline Project Seeks to Place the 30-inch Line in an Existing 18-inch Line Easement
So what the Atmos Energy Pipeline project is attempting to do is replace that existing 18-inch line with a big 30-inch line within the existing pipeline easement. However that new pipeline is substantially larger than the existing line. Atmos is attempting to acquire an easement for a temporary work space during construction. Their position is that they already have an easement for the gas line. However, our position is that Atmos Energy doesn’t have an easement that covers a larger 30-inch line.
I’ll keep everyone posted on how that turns out. So if you or someone you know is facing condemnation or eminent domain proceedings, it’s extremely important that they know and understand their rights and also understand the obligations of the condemnor, the pipeline company. It’s important that they talk to an attorney and don’t sign anything before they have talked with an attorney. They should talk with an attorney who understands condemnation proceedings.
Let Us Help You Through the Condemnation Process
We meet with our clients in person, and we can also meet via telephone or online video link. It’s very important that you talk with an experienced lawyer BEFORE you sign agreements with a right of way agent or pipeline company. Call or text our office at 800-266-4870 for an appointment with Mr. Hundl.
Call 800-266-4870 or text 979-320-9320 for an appointment. We can also arrange for online and telephone appointments all over Texas.