The rise in orphan wells is being fed by smaller operators who no longer find it economical to operate in Colorado and the continued discovery of old wells, sometimes by developers looking to build houses on former oil and gas sites
oil and gas
Posted inEnvironment
New oil and gas rules would raise BLM royalties in Colorado and across nation, demand land protections
Raising fees and cleanup insurance while slowing leasing heartens environmentalists but provokes industry criticism.
Posted inOpinion Columns
Opinion: Modernize the federal oil and gas program
Current policies favor the oil and gas industry. Planned updates could better protect national parks surrounded by dense drilling activity.
Posted inOpinion Columns
Zornio: Gas prices are rising, and that’s (mostly) a good thing
Paying higher prices for gas is a necessary evil, but it matters a lot who pays more and where that money goes
Posted inOpinion Columns
Opinion: The need for balance in the regulation of the oil and natural gas industry
To get the balance between environmental action and economic reality right, we all need more collaboration.
Posted inOpinion Columns
Zornio: Oil and gas are not the future of Colorado, so plan accordingly
As a slew of new regulations seek to move the state beyond fossil fuels, those in oil and gas operations should plan their exit now
Posted inEnvironment
Colorado is first in the U.S. to make rules tying pollution reduction to oil and gas production
The “emissions intensity” rule requires companies closely monitor methane releases and limits allowed pollution based on how much oil and gas they produce
Posted inBusiness
Troubled Colorado oil and gas operator dodges cleanup deadline, $2M in fines as judge halts state enforcement action
K.P. Kauffman was supposed to pay its fines and remediate 78 sites by Aug. 1 or stop operating in Colorado. A judge agreed to stay that order while the company sues to block it from taking effect.
Posted inEnvironment
A leaky oil well poisoned a Colorado rancher’s herd, killing 6 cows. He still hasn’t been paid back.
Rancher says his yearslong dispute with Denver-based Western Operating Co. shows lack of accountability when oil and gas companies make mistakes
Posted inOpinion Columns
Carman: As the planet cooks, the bill is about to come due to the oil and gas goons, finally
The oil and gas industry has known about its impact on climate change for 50 years. Now it’s time to pay up.