Company seeking permit for new injection well in Jefferson Davis

A commercial waste disposal facility in rural Jefferson Davis Parish is seeking a new injection well permit from the state. The American Press reports Phil Thibodeaux, district manager for MBO Lacassine Oilfield Services, has informed the police jury last week that the company plans to seek the permit from the state Department of Natural Resources. “We are going to put in a permit application to drill a new injection well on the property. By doing so we will help treat materials a lot quicker,” Thibodeaux says. “It should also help eliminate the odors if we can get the water on the materials and get it treated.” The permit process is expected to take from six months to a year to complete. MBO has a facility located on a 100-plus-acre site just off La. 101 that’s been in operation since 2008. The facility accepts drilling fluids, production sludge and other oil exploration and production fluids. The company already operates two injection wells. The new well would be 6,200 feet deep. The state approved company plans in 2007 to reopen the closed oilfield–waste treatment facility, despite public protest. The decision allowed the company to move forward with plans to build and operate two injection wells and reopen the commercial exploration and production waste facility. Since that time, the company has come under fire from nearby residents, who complain of foul odors coming from the facility and allege it’s responsible for creating pollution and public health issues.