Sign up for email newsletters

Sign up for email newsletters

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 18,000-plus wells in the county.

» NOBLE ENERGY INC reported Sept. 9 a historical well spill near Weld County Road 55 and 40, about 16 miles east of Gilcrest. An unknown amount of oil, condensate and produced water spilled. Lab analysis indicated a historical release at the decommissioned wellhead. One soil sample exceeded COGCC protection of groundwater standards for 1-methylnaphthalene.

» KERR MCGEE OIL & GAS ONSHORE LP reported Sept. 6 a historical well spill near Weld 40 and 3, about 5 miles southeast of Berthoud. An unknown amount of oil, condensate and produced water spilled. Historically impacted soil was found following cut and cap operations at the wellhead. Excavation and assessment are ongoing.

» PDC ENERGY INC reported Sept. 6 a recent spill near 83rd Avenue and 4th Street in Greeley. Approximately 4 barrels of production fluid spilled into secondary containment. The incidental release happened at the separator during a repair.

» NOBLE ENERGY INC reported Sept. 6 a historical spill near Weld 57 and 46, about 10 miles south of Kersey. An unknown amount of oil, condensate and produced water spilled. Lab analysis indicated a historical release at the decommissioned wellhead. One soil sample exceeded COGCC protection of groundwater standards for 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and naphthalene.

» TAPROOT ROCKIES MIDSTREAM LLC reported Sept. 5 a recent produced water spill near Colo. 14 and Weld 115, about 13 miles southeast of Keota. More than 100 barrels of produced water spilled. The operator found the spill and notified Taproot, who shut down the pipeline segment. Cleanup is ongoing. The cause of the spill came from the short section of the felxpipe failing under normal operating pressure. The failed piping will be removed and investigated.

» CRESTONE PEAK RESOURCES OPERATING LLC reported Sept. 5 a recent tank battery spill near I-25 and Weld 22 in Firestone. A compromised production tank spilled approximately 12 barrels of produced water inside an unlined containment. Vacuum trucks were dispatched to remove the fluid. The impacted soil and ballast material will be removed and hauled to a COGCC-approved disposal facility. Confirmation soil samples will be collected and submitted for lab analysis.

» ANADARKO WATTENBERG OIL COMPLEX LLC reported Sept. 2 a recent pipeline spill near Weld 34 and 31, about 5 miles northeast of Platteville. At least one barrel of condensate spilled after a small containment overflowed on location. The release was controlled and remedial activities will be initiated.

» KERR MCGEE OIL & GAS ONSHORE LP reported Aug. 31 a recent spill near Colo. 66 and Weld 7 in Mead. An unknown amount of stray soil gas spilled. Five shallow soil vapor points were installed near the wellhead during routine testing. Samples were collected and submitted for gas composition analysis. Results indicated the presence of a trace concentration of thermogenic gas.

» DCP OPERATING COMPANY LP reported Aug. 30 a historical pipeline spill near Weld 113 and 80, about 10 miles southwest of New Raymer. An unknown amount of condensate spilled. The operator found distressed vegetation on the surface during routine maintenance. The line was not in operation, but it was immediately isolated and tested to find the source point. Excavation is ongoing.

» 8 NORTH LLC reported Aug. 30 a recent tank battery spill near Weld 122 and 95, about 6 miles northeast of Grover. An unknown amount of oil spilled. The operator found a 2-inch valve failed during routine inspections. The heater treater was shut in and the fluid was drained.

» 8 NORTH LLC reported Aug. 30 a historical flowline spill near Weld 134 and 89, about 7 miles north of Grover. An unknown amount of oil, condensate and produced water spilled. Soil samples were collected across the location during wellhead and flowline decommissioning operations. Soil analysis indicated naphthalene, total petroleum hydrocarbons, 1,3,5-TMB, and 1- and 2-methylnaphthalene exceedances at the flowline riser. Cleanup and investigation of the historical impacts is ongoing.

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

Sign up for email newsletters

Treehouse Learning offers a safe environment for childhood learning. The primary mission is to provide a stimulating environment that supports...

Alpine Surgical is proud to be an award-winning general surgery in Boulder. Dr. Richard Fox and Dr. Akin Beckley treat...

Have you been to Wyatt’s Wet Goods? Wyatt’s is your neighborhood liquor store, located in the Village at the Peaks...

What do funeral services cost? You shouldn’t have to guess, and you don’t have to. Viegut Funeral Home takes the...

It’s hard to find a pet-friendly apartment in Longmont that you’ll love living in. The Shores at McIntosh Lake is...