A convoy of strange-looking trucks roaming west McComb and intermittent booms heard in the area recently are all part of the search for oil.
Denbury Resources is reviewing oil reservoirs of where seismic testing was done in 2006 to check the amount of carbon dioxide left in them.
The Texas-based oil company with operation in southwest Mississippi uses carbon dioxide to revive wells that stood dormant for decades until such technology came about.
Ross Campbell, manager of Denbury investor relations, said the activity is a routine check-up.
“We flood oil reservoirs with carbon dioxide to produce the residual oil left in the reservoir,” he said. “The seismic work is to see how the carbon dioxide has progressed in the reservoir over time.”
The loud booms residents have been hearing are from massive trucks with metal plates beneath them that shake the ground in order to move residual oil.
“Some booms are closer than others, which makes them louder,” Ross said.
Back in 2006, crews conducting seismic testing used dynamite in their work.
Campbell said Denbury works closely with utility companies and property owners to make sure building foundations, gas lines and water lines are not disturbed.
“If anyone has issues or concerns, a team responds immediately,” he said. “We’re trying to work closely with cities and municipalities so that we can stay on top of any problems.”
Denbury said the testing this year is different than that of 2006 because the current testing is a “full field review.”
“We did pieces of the area a couple of years ago, but not to this extent,” he said.
The work comes as there is little drilling for oil in the area due to falling prices, but Campbell said the lack of oil drilling does not determine how often seismic reviews are conducted.
“It’s a prudent thing to do as far as an operation standpoint and taking advantage of the resources as much as possible,” he said.
Campbell said crews should be finished with testing in the area by early next week.
He said he doesn’t know when testing or reviews will be conducted again, but he doesn’t anticipate it being in the near future.
