Adams County was especially hard when Third Creek pipelines were dismantled because of safety concerns. Small operators walked away from 225 wells.
Firestone explosion
Posted inBusiness, Energy, News, Politics and Government
Kerr-McGee’s plan to drill oil and gas wells within 2,000 feet of homes in Firestone is rejected by regulators
A bid by the state’s largest oil and gas producer to drill 26 wells within 2,000 feet of 62 homes in Firestone was rejected Thursday by Colorado regulators. It was the first major test of the state’s requirement that oil and gas drilling be set back at least 2,000 feet from homes and schools. Both […]
Posted inBusiness, Energy, Environment, News, Politics and Government
Colorado’s largest driller still wants to put wells within 2,000 feet of homes, but offers some concessions
Kerr-McGee reversed course Wednesday and agreed to use an electric rig and non-polluting drilling muds and to pipe waste water off site in a bid to drill oil and gas wells within 2,000 feet of homes in a Firestone neighborhood. Kerr-McGee, the state’s biggest oil and gas producer, announced the concessions during a Colorado Oil […]
Posted inBusiness, Energy, Environment, Health, News, Politics and Government
Colorado’s largest oil and gas producer wants permission to drill closer than 2,000 feet from homes
The buffer between homes and oil and gas drilling in Colorado is by rule 2,000 feet, except when it isn’t, and a move to drill in the middle of a residential area in Firestone is raising questions about how secure that buffer will be. The state’s biggest operator, Occidental Petroleum, through its Colorado subsidiary Kerr-McGee, […]
Posted inBusiness, Energy, Environment, News, Politics and Government
Fine against KP Kauffman for leaks and spills upped to second largest ever by Colorado oil and gas regulators
After concluding that oil and gas operator KP Kauffman had engaged in “a pattern of violations” fines for the company were boosted to $2 million, the second largest penalty ever issued by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. In August, the commission levied a $1.8 million fine on the company, known as KPK, for […]
Posted inBusiness, Energy, Environment, Health, News, Politics and Government
Every oil and gas well in Colorado must be pressure tested annually under new rules passed by regulators
Colorado regulators Wednesday adopted new rules to guard the integrity of oil and gas wells and protect groundwater resources — rules industry and environmental groups both called the most comprehensive in the country. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission adopted the rules unanimously after a day-long hearing conducted on the Internet conference service Zoom, […]
Posted inBusiness, Energy, News, Politics and Government
“This penalty sends a message”: Colorado driller will pay $18.25 million for deadly 2017 Firestone home blast
The Colorado Oil and Gas Commission on Monday unanimously approved an $18.25 million fine against a subsidiary of the Occidental Petroleum Co. blamed for the deadly explosion of a home in Firestone on April 17, 2017. The money will be used to improve oversight and enforcement in the state’s oil fields. The fine – the […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: Colorado can take a big step to reduce risk to the people and environment posed by oil and gas
In Colorado, nearly half a million people live within a mile of the state’s 60,000 or so active oil and gas wells. Oil and gas development has its boosters and detractors, but one thing we can all agree on is that it should not harm people or the environment. Last year’s oil and gas omnibus […]
Posted inEnergy, News, Politics and Government
Colorado announces $18.25 million fine against driller in fatal 2017 Firestone home explosion
Colorado oil and gas regulators on Thursday announced they are seeking an $18.25 million fine against a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum for its role in a 2017 home explosion in Firestone that killed two men. Kerr McGee, the Occidental subsidiary, can appeal the fine in a Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission hearing process. But […]
Posted inEnergy, Environment, News, Politics and Government
Colorado oil and gas regulators are now pursuing penalties in deadly 2017 Firestone home explosion
More than two years after a home explosion in Firestone killed two men, Colorado oil and gas regulators said Wednesday they are finally pursuing penalties — likely financial — against a subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum for its role in the blast. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission said it was waiting for the National […]