Midland City Council gave the green light to additional oil‑well drilling inside city limits, including in residential neighborhoods, after a six‑to‑one vote at its meeting last week. The decision, reported by First Alert 7, expands the number of permits for operators such as Petroplex Energy, which already runs a site east of Lamesa Road and north of West Loop 250.

At the approved Petroplex Energy location, three existing wells are slated to be plugged in exchange for three new wells, according to the council’s permit agreement. The agreement also obligates the operator to repair any road damage caused by heavy‑truck traffic during drilling operations.

Councilman John Norman cast the sole dissenting vote. He voiced personal concerns, saying, “I have people that I personally know that live in these areas… my dad… keeps calling me because I’m on city council saying ‘what are we going to do about all this noise and all this drilling around the house keeping me up at night?’”

Several nearby residents, who asked not to be identified on camera, told First Alert 7 that the noise from current operations has been kept to a minimum and that they have not lodged any major complaints. Oil‑field workers who also live in the area acknowledged neighbors’ concerns but emphasized that they, too, are part of the community.

The council’s approval comes amid ongoing discussions in Midland about balancing energy development with quality‑of‑life considerations for homeowners. By requiring road‑repair commitments and noting the lack of significant noise complaints, the council aims to address community worries while supporting the local oil industry that contributes to the region’s economy.

First Alert 7 reached out to Petroplex Energy for comment on the new permits but had not received a response at the time of publication.

Sources: firstalert7.com