Barnett Shale: Devon, you underwhelm me.

Devon Energy donated $50,000 to Wise County for “damage to infrastructure caused by flooding during the summer’s unusually heavy rains.” According to a Star-Telegram News Brief they gave the same amount to Johnson and Parker Counties.

At first glance, that may seem generous of the “Largest Natural Gas Producer” in the Barnett Shale but, considering the damage they do to the infrastructure in those same counties with their trucks, it ain’t much to brag about.

Roy Eaton wrote in the Wise County Messenger:

“The Barnett Shale is one of the country’s most important new sources of clean-burning natural gas, and it represented 26 percent of Devon’s companywide reserve bases at year-end 2006,” according to the annual report. “The Barnett Shale is one of Devon’s most prized assets and it will likely remain so for many years to come.”

It should be one of Devon’s most prized assets because Devon is making billions in profit from Barnett Shale gas.

As reported in Denny Deady’s cleverly titled Messenger article, Energetic earnings, Devon earned a net of $1.6 billion in the first six months of this year.

All I can say to Devon is this: “I am underwhelmed by your gift.”

Barnett Shale: The newest blood for oil war