A Montgomery County judge has blocked Blackfin Pipeline LLC from building a natural gas compressor station behind a family-run furniture store in Conroe, citing noise, flaring, and restrictive covenant violations.
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A Montgomery County judge has put a stop to Blackfin Pipeline LLC’s plans to build a large natural gas compressor station right behind Bartholet Home Furnishings, determining that the project would create a nuisance and breach land-use regulations.
A temporary injunction has been granted by Judge Vincenzo J. Santini in favor of a family-owned furniture store, halting the construction of a four-compressor facility and a 48-inch pipeline intended for a property along Interstate 45 South.
Judge Vincenzo J. Santini's directive prohibits Blackfin from installing equipment, performing blowdowns, or testing pipelines at the location until a comprehensive trial, scheduled for May 2026.
Recent court testimony emphasized the prospective impact of the project on local businesses and the broader community. Experts in pipeline technology informed the court that the compressors would continuously operate at approximately 100 decibels, comparable to the sound of a siren. Officials have issued a caution that regular pressure relief procedures may take place as frequently as 144 times annually, producing loud noises and emitting pollutants into the environment.
Judge Santini pointed out that both noise and potential flaring are deliberate disturbances. “Blackfin moved forward with this project aware that the land had certain restrictions,” Santini stated in the order.
The Bartholet family, long-time operators of the Conroe showroom, expressed a sense of relief following the ruling. “We are incredibly thankful,” co-owner Sarah Gwin Bartholet expressed following the hearing. “We battled not just for our means of survival, but for our loved ones and the community we cherish.”
The family has shared a disturbing incident from July, when an unexpected hydro-test produced an overwhelming noise that prompted employees to shield their ears, leading to police intervention following multiple 911 calls. They contended that the compressor station would expose them and their customers to persistent health and safety hazards.
Blackfin Pipeline has delayed its timeline, maintaining that its operations are secure and adhere to regulations. “At the heart of our operations lies safety, and this initiative has received the green light from all relevant regulatory bodies, including city and county authorities,” stated company spokesperson Cody McGregor. “Pipelines of this nature represent the most secure method for moving the energy that Texans rely on daily.”
McGregor announced that the company intends to pursue an appeal. “The outcome of today’s ruling disheartens us, but we are eager to challenge it robustly and utilize all our legal avenues to secure a fair resolution.” This decision appears to prioritize the interests of a single individual over the broader interests of the state and county, which have long been advocates for property rights and the energy sector in Texas.
Santini established the bond for the injunction at $5,000, and according to the Bartholet family’s attorney, Seth Rubinson, they plan to post it on Tuesday.
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