Bad enough is the fact Sinkhole Two, so-named because it is near an older sinkhole called “Sinkhole”, is surrounded by oil and gas wells and has already destroyed crude oil flow lines at the Hendrick Oil and Gas Field. Worse still is the fact it is getting larger and could affect the drinking water of the towns of Kermit and Wink.
This disaster-in-waiting has prompted a meeting of over 70 geologists, petroleum company officials and government representatives who gathered together to discuss the Winkler County sinkhole and the hazard it represents to the area.
The gathering also called for the formation of a technical advisory committee to identify resources, including money and in-kind donations of seismic and other geological data, which would help to understand and combat the sinkhole.
According to Steven Seni, who led the session, “The newer sink is surrounded by oil and gas wells, about 60 per 10 acres, and around the sinkhole are several ‘subsidence anomalies’, or abnormal dips in the ground. These are a concern because typically you don’t see the earth dropping 20 to 30 feet [a normal occurrence].”
To John Bell, independent producer and Kermit resident, Sinkhole Two is a menace. “Sinkhole Two is deep enough to allow fresh but nonpotable water to reach and ruin an aquifer and the two small West Texas towns of Kermit and Wink rely on groundwater for their drinking supply,” said Bell.
