Case Studies
HARDING ENERGY PARTNERS
BARNETT SHALE
2005-2009
Harding Energy Partners and its Joint Venture partner, ExxonMobil, were among the first companies involved in the exploration, drilling, and production of natural gas in the urban areas of the high profile Barnett Shale play. Linda worked with the leadership team in all areas, including leasing of mineral rights, municipal permitting, regulatory compliance, and general media and community relations. She continues to serve as a business development, governmental affairs, and public relations strategist for Harding Energy Partners.
Factors
- The Barnett Shale play was new and few understood what gas drilling is about.
- No one had ever drilled for natural gas in the urban areas of Texas. Exploration companies were being forced to shift their paradigms.
- While the Texas Railroad Commission regulates gas drilling, it has no authority over surface operations. Cities wanted input into how drilling would be done inside their city limits.
- The public’s concerns included air quality, water pollution, water demands, and transportation impacts.
- Property owners did not understand the ownership and leasing of mineral rights.
Agency Role
Pavlik and Associates functioned as key consultant and project coordinator for Harding Energy Partners. Some of our tasks included:
- Developing all brochures, direct mail materials, and presentations for community and city council meetings.
- Participating in planning meetings and presentations to City Councils, Planning and Zoning Commissions and Boards of Adjustments.
- Anticipating and developing plans of actions when opposition surfaced to specific drilling locations.
- Serving as Harding Energy Partners’ media relations consultant, writing and distributing news releases and coordinating media interviews.
- Supporting the team with its interaction with regulatory agencies.
Results
Harding Energy Partners in its partnership with one of the industry giants became one of the foremost educators about drilling for natural gas in North Central Texas. The team helped city councils develop their gas drilling ordinances and successfully permitted the first gas wells in the cities of Arlington, Dallas, Midlothian and North Richland Hills, to name a few.
AWARDS
2008 Hermes Creative Awards International Competition
Gold Award
2007 MarCom Awards International Marketing and Communications Competition
Gold Award
- “Leasing Minerals in the Barnett Shale” informative brochure designed and written for Harding Company