The following spills were reported to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in the past week.
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. Any spill of five barrels or more must be reported within 24 hours, and any spill of one barrel or more, which occurs outside secondary containment, such as metal or earthen berms, must also be reported within 24 hours, according to COGCC rules. Spills and leaks typically are found during routine maintenance on existing wells, though some actual “spills” do occur among the 24,000-plus wells in the county.
* NOBLE ENERGY INC, reported Oct. 15 a historical tank battery spill about 11 miles east of Gilcrest, near Weld County roads 42 and 49. Between one and five barrels of produced water spilled. During decommissioning operations, crews found the spill.
* PDC ENERGY INC, reported Oct. 14 a tank battery spill about 2 miles east of Severance, near Weld County roads 27 and 74. About 10 barrels of produced water spilled because of an unexpected increase in water production.
* NOBLE MIDSTREAM SERVICES LLC, reported Oct. 11 a produced water transfer system about 14 miles north of Keenesburg, near Weld County roads 30 and 49. About one barrel of produced water spilled. A hose detached from the fitting, while a vendor was proving the produced water skid, causing the spill.
* BONANZA CREEK ENERGY OPERATING COMPANY LLC, reported Oct. 11 a tank battery spill about 7 miles southeast of Kersey, near Weld County roads 50 and 65. About four barrels of produced water spilled. A water hauling contractor didn’t fully close a valve, resulting in the spill.
* KP KAUFFMAN COMPANY INC, reported Oct. 10 a flowline spill in Dacono, near York Street and Weld County Road 12. Between one and five barrels each of condensate and produced water spilled. A third-party performing excavation struck a flowline, causing the spill.
* EXTRACTION OIL & GAS INC, reported Oct. 9 a historical tank battery spill about 3 miles northwest of Severance, near Weld County roads 19 and 78. An unknown amount of oil spilled. While performing decommissioning activities, the spill was found near the separator.
