SM Energy, the oil and gas company behind the planned Draco Pad project, has filed a new drilling map with the state, on the heels of sending a last-minute lease offer for Erie-owned mineral rights that would have fallen within its previous drilling map.
A contentious agreement fell through last month for SM Energy to purchase Erie-owned mineral rights within the previously planned Draco drilling area. Town officials said they then received a lease offer from SM Energy for mineral rights last week, with a deadline to respond by 5 p.m. Aug. 28.
Erie Mayor Andrew Moore said he received the lease offer letter via email Aug. 26 but did not see it until Aug. 28. He forwarded the offer to town staff, who said there was not enough time for the Town Council to consider it before SM Energy’s provided deadline…