WOLF SPRINGS, Ala. - A company researching the development of oil-bearing Hartselle sandstone in northwest Alabama says plans are on hold while the state develops mining regulations.
The TimesDaily reports officials with MS Industries II recently met with State Geologist Nick Tew and members of the State Oil and Gas board. CEO Steve Smith says the board is probably a year or more from having regulations in place.
The company in 2010 began researching oil-bearing mineral deposits that stretch from Morgan County west into Mississippi. The company purchased property in Lawrence and Colbert counties with the plan of using surface-mining techniques to remove the minerals and extract crude oil.
Tew says the board doesn't have a time frame for the final adoption oil sands mining regulations, with staff continuing to gather key data.