WESTERN GAS FULL PAGE ADVERTISEMENT IN THE KATY TIMES:

In an obvious attempt to undercut the concerns of the Katy residents (both current and future) who live over the Fulshear Field or near it, Western Gas ran a full page ad in the Katy Times.

"There are a lot of stories going around about Western's plans for the Fulshear Field in Katy.  Now we'd like to present the facts.

We plan to drill 7,000 feet deep into the Hillebrenner sand, which has produced gas since the 1950's.  We'll use the wells to move gas into and out of the reservoir.  On days of low demand, a compressor station will inject natural gas taken from the area's large diameter pipelines.  The same natural gas will be withdrawn on days of high demand.

Your concerns are ours.

At Western, we want to be good neighbors.  The natural gas storage facility will occupy 15 acres within an 82-acre plot of land.  We've already taken steps toward landscaping the area so that passers-by will have a pleasing view.  In fact, we're considering making some of the property available to the community for recreational purposes.

We promise to work quietly.

Our design includes completely enclosing the compressor building and installing state-of-the-art equipment balanced to minimize noise and vibration.  We'll install acoustical sound panels, louvers, intake and exhaust silencers, and we'll wrap piping with acoustical insulation to ensure that noise will not be a problem.

Though none of these steps is required, we've chosen to comply with the very strict Federal Energy Regulatory Commission guidelines.  You see, we truly are concerned about the community.

Maintaining your quality of life.

At Western, we've taken action to guarantee that our operation will not jeopardize your safety or threaten the quality of your water.

We will equip all systems for both automatic and manual shutdown.  This means that all sources of natural gas would be isolated should an accident be suspected or if unusual pressure conditions are measured.  We'll have trained operators on duty at all times and we'll develop and implement an emergency response plan.

Under the Texas Railroad Commission's supervision, we will re-enter, inspect and plug all wells that show potential of allowing gas to leave the reservoir.  We'll retain an independent company to maintain an ongoing area water-well testing program.  We'll double case all newly drilled wells to a level of 2600 feet.

Historically, projects such as ours have been beneficial to the community.  One of Houston's most prestigious neighborhoods, Champions, lies partially within the Bammel Field, a similar but much older facility.

We'll pay about $1,000,000 dollars per year into the Katy and Fort Bend County economy.  The tax money will be used for your children's education, to improve the roads you drive on, and for your police and fire protection.  And not only will Western Gas Resources become one of the area's largest property tax payers, we'll become an employer as well.

We'd like to hear from you.

As your neighbor, Western Gas Resources is concerned with your opinions.  That's why you're invited to stop by Katy City Hall, 910 Avenue C in Katy, to review the landscape plans we've had drawn up by two Houston-based firms.  The plans differ substantially and we're interested in your preference for the overall look of the area.

Write us, or call us toll-free, and tell us what you think.  We look forward to hearing from you.  And to being your good neighbor of a long time to come.

There is also a photo showing Northgate Forest and Champions--which are claimed to be two of the Houston area's finest neighborhoods.  Both have homes within the boundaries of the Bammel Field, a facility similar to, but much older than the one Western has planned.

Western Gas Resources Storage, Inc.  12200 N. Pecos Street, Suite 230, Denver, Colorado 80234-3439*1-800-933-5603*Ask for Bill Koch or Dave Sander.