Oil Seeping from Ground in Parent's Back Yard

Self | 03/21/05 | Laurel Barney

[Eva]

Did you check for the nearest pipeline? Seriously though, be very careful, we (Bellingham, WA)had a pipeline explode because some kids set off illegal fireworks near a leak. They died and the whole park burned.

[FreedomCalls]

Seeping oil is no recent phenominun. Back in the late 1800's oil threatened water holes in Oklahoma and Texas where cattlemen watered their herds.

And in North Africa during WWII both the Germans and the Brits would dig wells for their use after which when that location was captured by the other side, oil would have seeped into it. Both sides accused the other of "poisoning" the wells with petroleum so they could not use it. Little did they know that Libya sat on one of the largest oil fields in the world.

But seeps go back to antiquity. It's where the Greeks got pitch to waterproof their ships. And Herodotus reported a small cave where a continuous fire came out of. It was a natural gas seep that was lit.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

I didn't post that post, The Front Porch.
Well ? if it was a orchard , then I guess the situation looks promising.
I would still get as much information about the property as you can by getting a lawyer, and go to the county library and county register.
All those other posters have good advice.
Still, have that tested, to see what ever it is.
I hope you do strike it rich.
Take care.

[fso301]

THis isn't that uncommon.

[FreedomCalls]

Besides that if you are in a residential neighborhood they will never let you drill. Ever.

They are placing drilling rigs in neighborhoods here in North Texas to drill for natural gas in the Barnett Shale.

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

dont worry about it if you try to get that oil it will soon be considered a national wildlife refuge and john kerry will fillibuster any attempts to drill for it. He has to protect the caribou you know

[Brilliant]

This unhealthy seepage of oily goop would not be happening but for the fact that the enviro-wackos have banned oil drilling, and the oil has no where to go but your mom's backyard.

[marty60]

I wouldn't buy property without mineral rights. but ofcourse with the slant drilling it really doesn't matter. they could get to it anyway.

[FreedomCalls]

Close up showing triangles near Los Gatos south of San Jose indicating known oil seeps there.

[Publius6961]

Two possibilities come to mind.
Where there any service stations anywhere in the neighborhood that have since been "abandoned"?
Are there any pipeline easements shown on the deed to the property?

[Rebelbase]

I'm guessing it's somewhere off of Blossom Hill Road?

[Nick Danger]

Push on the house and see if it slides around.

[Dimples]

Well, I just drove over there and found the pump. It is in the parking lot behind the SJNB Office Bldg. at 15405 Los Gatos Blvd (about 3 bldgs south of the Rotten Robbie Station.) It looks like it hasn't operated in quite a long time.

[The Grim Freeper]

Not too far from the truth!

[mercy]

Expunged!

More like sucked dry.

[mercy]

Well? We ARE talking Texas for gawd's sake. Freedom is still a concept here.

[tinamina]

Hy, I think we may have been neighbors. I was on Marchmont. I think I know the lot you're talking about there. Was there a red 1940s/50s house on it? I went to a garage sale there and bought a few good things just as it was sold.

[federal]

Well in many parts of Texas and the USA you wouldn't buy any property them, because in some areas they have be separated for generations. In east Texas they started selling off mineral rights in the 1930's so there is maybe 1% of the mineral rights left and then it's on property of no value.

[rbg81]

Yes, you should have seen it coming--from a mile away.

[null and void]

Hey, I can see my old house!