SWN ending exploration work in NB, will be back in 2015: Elsipogtog War Chief Levi

A Houston-based energy company that has faced ferocious resistance from a Mi’kmaq-led coalition is ending its shale gas exploration work for the year, says Elsipogtog War Chief John Levi.

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(People round dance next to burning tires on Hwy 11 in New Brunswick Monday. Photo courtesy of Candi Simon)

APTN National News
ELSIPGOTG FIRST NATION, NB–A Houston-based energy company that has faced ferocious resistance from a Mi’kmaq-led coalition is ending its shale gas exploration work for the year, says Elsipogtog War Chief John Levi.

Levi said Friday that the RCMP informed him that SWN Resources Canada is ending its exploration work, but will return in 2015.

Levi said SWN and its contractors would be picking up geophones from the side of the highway today. Geophones interact with thumper trucks to create imaging of shale gas deposits underground.

“They are just going to be picking up their gear today,” said Levi. “At least people can take a break for Christmas.”

Demonstrations against the company escalated this week. Demonstrators twice burned tires on Hwy 11 which was the area where SWN was conducting its shale gas exploration.

SWN said in a statement late Friday afternoon that it had completed its “seismic acquisitions program in New Brunswick.”

The company, however, was silent on its future timeline for returning.

SWN obtained an extension to an injunction against the demonstrators Monday after arguing it needed two more weeks to finish its work. In its court filing, SWN claimed it needed about 25 km left to explore.

Levi said the Mi’kmaq community, which sits about 80 km north of Moncton, will be there again in 2015 to oppose the company. Levi said SWN will be returning to conduct exploratory drilling.

“We can’t allow any drilling, we didn’t allow them to do the testing from the beginning,” said Levi.

Levi said word that SWN is leaving is no cause for celebration just yet.

“We went through a lot,” he said. “We need some time for this to sink in and think about everything, think about what we went through…People did a lot of sacrificing.”

More to come

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19 thoughts on “SWN ending exploration work in NB, will be back in 2015: Elsipogtog War Chief Levi

  1. CoolServerMan says:

    I’m so proud of everyone that opposed this! Congratulations everybody.

    1. How come you weren’t standing there and “fighting” for SWN Resources Canada to stay this time? Why wait for SWN to come back to support them? If your really pro fracking you should be protesting the prostesters…in person!

  2. Burning tires are great for the environment and improve the air provided by Mother Earth. Are these people real?

    1. It’s not appreciated by those who are educated and recognize that frac’ing is safe. Jobs and the economic boost is sorely needed in this province. But of course, with an 85% welfare rate, Elsipogtog wouldn’t know much about that, now would they.

        1. Are you actually referencing a gasland case? You realize they refused to have their water tested pre-drilling and that the water was flammable due to the pre-existing conditions, right?

          1. I once read an engineering journal article that claimed PCBs were perfectly safe. Read also about Hydrogen Sulphide gas releases at the well head. You just goose-step along to the oil company’s tune. Wake up.

      1. look at all the places that have fracked and the babies are getting birth defects and everything on the land is dying and people have to relocate because they can’t drink their water. What part of any of those things I listed are safe??

        1. Ridiculous claims re birth defects. The land is not dying around the 1 million wells fracked in the US. Stop the fear mongering.

      2. Many of us who are educated enough not to swallow wholesale the “facts” energy corporations share with the public are indeed very appreciative of the work and efforts of the Elsipogtog First Nation. If they still had the land that was theirs before it was taken from them, they would not have to worry about welfare.

      3. Jen ,I know a job and $$$ are important to you and others. Short terms jobs and water and land destroyed and people abuse, who would sell their soul for a job with them? Personnaly I rather healthy life and clean water. There will be a day when you are thankful for those that put their life on the line to protect land and water for us all.

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