Fracking at seven natural gas wells in Colleyville is expected to take place April 22–26, an Atlas Resources representative told the City Council on April 16.

The work was expected to begin sooner, but was delayed at least in part to allow the city to complete a roundabout in the area near the wells.

Mark Schumacher, executive vice president at Atlas, said this work is the second stage of 10. The stages will take place roughly every six months.

Atlas has a special use permit from the city to drill a total of 14 wells for five years, which expires in November 2015.

Ultimately, the company wants to move the natural gas through a pipeline, currently planned to end at North Richland Hills. The pipeline would be built by another company, which Schumacher did not name.

He said Atlas has given its final counterproposal to the company for building the line, which be 12 to 16 inches in diameter and take 15-18 months.

Council member Mike Taylor said residents have told him they don't want the pipeline.

"Can the community stop the pipeline?" he asked.

Schmacher said he could not speak for the pipeline company, but noted that as a utility the company has the right to take property by eminent domain to serve the public.

Schumacher told council members at their pre-council meeting that Atlas would come back to the city for another special use permit once the first one expires.