Neighbors want noise at PXP oil facility silenced in Karnes County

PXP says it is addressing complaint

KARNES COUNTY, Texas – Some neighbors living near a oil and natural gas production facility say the noise created by the site is, at times, unbearable.

"It just doesn't ever quit," said Jeanne Shepherd, who lives just around the corner from the station.

She and her neighbor, John Cooper, began noticing the noise in February and say it has caused restless days and sleepless nights ever since.

"You wake up sometimes and you're just so mad you want to go out and tear everybody up," said Cooper.

The facility is operated by Plains Exploration & Production Company, or PXP. The company says the station "is a central processing facility that services multiple well locations and leases throughout the area. The facility is used to separate the oil, produced water, and natural gas from the various leases."

"The closest sound I have to compare it to is either artillery, or somebody next to you with the base cranked up on their stereo at a red light," said Shepherd, a Navy veteran.

In response to KSAT 12's request for an interview, Hance Myers, PXP Vice President and Corporate Information Director, issued the following written statement:

"PXP has been evaluating operations at the facility for the past several weeks in response to a noise complaint we received from a neighbor in the area. As part of our analysis we have recently concluded a noise survey intended to identify any operational issues that may be causing disturbances to neighbors in the vicinity of the facility. PXP's engineers are currently analyzing the data to evaluate potential steps that could be taken to eliminate any excessive noise that may emanate from the facility."

The Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates pumping stations, says it will send an inspector to the site on Tuesday, although the Commission has "no statutory authority over noise or nuisance related issues." Karnes County does not enforce noise ordinances.

Shepherd and Cooper say they don't have a problem with the facility operating-- they just want the noise stopped.

"My intent, our intent, when we came out here was that this would be our last address," Shepherd said, "but that's not necessarily so now."

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Myra Arthur is passionate about San Antonio and sharing its stories. She graduated high school in the Alamo City and always wanted to anchor and report in her hometown. Myra anchors KSAT News at 6:00 p.m. and hosts and reports for the streaming show, KSAT Explains. She joined KSAT in 2012 after anchoring and reporting in Waco and Corpus Christi.