Weld County oil spills for April 18
Loretta Lohman
The following spills were reported to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in the past two weeks:
Information is based on Form 19, which operators must fill out detailing the leakage/spill events. Any spill release that may impact waters of the state must be reported as soon as practical. Spills and leaks typically are found during routine maintenance on existing wells, though some actual “spills” do occur among the 17,000-plus wells in the county.
» NOBLE ENERGY INC reported April 13 a historical well spill near Weld County Road 57 and 46, about 9 miles southeast of Kersey. An unknown amount of oil, condensate and produced water spilled. Lab analysis indicated a historical release at the decomposed tank battery. Two soil samples exceeded COGCC standards for 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and and 1-methylnaphthalene. This location lies within a Pronghorn Winter Concentration area.
» NOBLE ENERGY INC reported April 13 a historical flowline spill near Weld 53 and 42, about 7 miles south of Kersey. An unknown amount of oil, condensate and produced water spilled. Lab analysis indicated a historical release along the decommissioned flowline and wellhead. Two soil samples exceeded COGCC standards for benzo(a)anthracene and soil adsorption ratio.
» CRESTONE PEAK RESOURCES OPERATING LLC reported April 12 a historical tank battery spill near Weld 31 and 30 in Platteville. An unknown amount of oil, condensate and produced water spilled. Historical impacts were found during decommissioning at the flowline. Impacted soil will be removed and hauled to an approved COGCC disposal facility. Confirmation soil samples will be collected and submitted for lab analysis.
» CRESTONE PEAK RESOURCES OPERATING LLC reported April 12 a recent tank battery spill near Weld 7 and 6 in Erie. Approximately 75 barrels of oil spilled. A compromised hose released oil into the secondary lined containment while transferring fluid between tanks. The tanks were isolated and shut in. A water hauler was dispatched to the location and recovered 50 barrels of fluid. There were no impacts to the ground surface. After the removal of impacted soils, there will be an inspection of the integrity of the line.
» KERR MCGEE OIL & GAS ONSHORE LP reported April 12 a historical well spill near Weld 39 and 38, about 9 miles northeast of Platteville. An unknown amount of waste spilled. Five shallow soil vapor points were installed during plugging and abandonment at the wellhead. Methane was detected with field screening equipment at three of the points. Samples were collected and submitted to IsoTech for gas composition analysis. Results indicated the presence of a trace concentration of thermogenic gas. An investigation is ongoing.
» KERR MCGEE OIL & GAS ONSHORE LP reported April 11 a historical tank battery spill near Weld 38 and 35, about 5 miles southeast of Gilcrest. An unknown amount of oil, condensate and produced water spilled. Historically impacted soil was found following decommissioning. Excavation and assessment are ongoing.
» NOBLE ENERGY INC reported April 11 a historical well spill near Weld 55 and 46, about 8 miles south of Kersey. An unknown amount of oil, condensate and produced water spilled. Lab analysis indicated a historical release at the decommissioned wellhead. Two soil sample exceeded COGCC standards for 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, 1-methylnaphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene and naphthalene.
» CRESTONE PEAK RESOURCES OPERATING LLC reported April 10 a historical well spill near Weld 31 and 30 in Platteville. An unknown amount of oil, condensate and produced water spilled. Historical impacts were found during decommissioning at the wellhead. The impacted soil will be removed and hauled to a COGCC-approved disposal facility. Confirmation soil samples will be collected and submitted for lab analysis.
» FUNDARE RESOURCES OPERATING COMPANY LLC reported April 8 a recent well spill near Weld 115 and 110, about 13 miles northeast of Keota. Approximately 3 barrels of oil spilled. A release at the wellhead was caused by a stuffing box failure. The spill was released outside of containment. The leak was isolated and a vac truck was dispatched for cleanup.
» NOBLE ENERGY INC reported April 7 a historical flowline spill near Weld 46 and 39, about 3 miles south of LaSalle. An unknown amount of oil, condensate and produced water spilled. Soil with an elevated photo-ionization detector reading and hydrocarbon odor was encountered during flowline decommissioning. A total of 15 cubic yards of soil was hauled off for disposal.
» KERR MCGEE OIL & GAS ONSHORE LP reported April 6 a historical well spill near Weld 39 and 28, about 9 miles southeast of Platteville. An unknown amount of oil, condensate and produced water spilled. Historically impacted soil was found following cut and cap at the wellhead. Excavation and assessment are ongoing
» KERR MCGEE OIL & GAS ONSHORE LP April 6 a historical flowline spill near Weld 37 and 32, about 6 miles east of Platteville. An unknown amount of oil, condensate and produced water spilled. Historically impacted soil was found following flowline removal. Excavation and assessment are ongoing.
