BEFORE THE OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION

                                                                OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

 

IN THE MATTER OF ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF THE RULES              )                    CAUSE NO. 1V

AND REGULATIONS OF THE COLORADO OIL AND GAS                     )

CONSERVATION COMMISSION BY ELM RIDGE RESOURCES,           )                    DOCKET NO. 0403-OV-17

LA PLATA COUNTY, COLORADO                                                          )

                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER BY CONSENT

 

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES AND TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

 

            On October 17, 2003, a leak of Di-Ethylene Amine and deionized water occurred at the Ignacio Amine Plant operated by Elm Ridge Resources (“Elm Ridge”).  The spill flowed onto the soil and off the plant site and into a draw.  On October 20, 2003, a complaint was filed by Doug Davis, the land owner affected by the spill.  Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (“COGCC”) staff inspected the spill site on October 20, 2003.

 

            A Notice of Alleged Violation (“NOAV”) was issued to Elm Ridge on October 29, 2003.  The NOAV alleged Elm Ridge failed to report the spill to the COGCC as required by Rule 906.b.(3) and also failed to consult with the landowner as required by Rule 906.c.  The NOAV required Elm Ridge to obtain a lab analysis of water and soil samples from the affected area, submit a Site Investigation and Remediation Work Plan, Form 27 to the COGCC for approval, and submit a complete spill report.  This corrective action was to be completed by December 1, 2003.

 

            Elm Ridge submitted a Spill/Release Report, Form 19, on November 17, 2003 and the lab analysis of water and soil samples on November 12, 2003.  The spill report described the spill as 20 barrels of water and 1 barrel of amine.  COGCC staff sent Elm Ridge a spill remediation recommendation on December 22, 2003.

 

            On January 5, 2004, COGCC staff issued an Administrative Order by Consent (“AOC”) to Elm Ridge Resources for the violation of COGCC Rules 906.b.(3) and 906.c. for failure to report a spill to the COGCC and to consult with the landowner prior to commencing operations to remediate a spill.  On January 22, 2004, Elm Ridge Resources agreed to and accepted the AOC, including the fine of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000).

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission of the State of Colorado, pursuant to the above, has scheduled the above-entitled matter for hearing on:

                 

Date:                            Monday, March 15, 2004

 

Time:                           10:00 a.m.

 

Place:                          Suite 801, The Chancery Building

                                    1120 Lincoln Street

                                    Denver, CO 80203

                       

            In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if any party requires special accommodations for this hearing as a result of a disability, please contact Audra Serlet at (303) 894-2100, extension 114, prior to the hearing and arrangements will be made.

 

Pursuant to said hearing in the above-entitled matter at the time and place aforesaid, or at any adjourned meeting, the Commission will enter such orders as it deems appropriate and necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare and to prevent the waste of oil and gas, either or both, in the operations of said field, and carry out the purposes of the statute.

 

In accordance with Rule 509., any interested party desiring to protest or to intervene should file with the Commission a written protest or a notice to intervene no later than March 1, 2004 briefly stating the basis of the protest or intervention.  Such interested party shall, at the same time, serve a copy of the protest or notice to intervene to the person filing the application.  An original and nine (9) copies shall be filed with the Commission.

 

      IN THE NAME OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

 

                                                                  OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION

                               OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

 

 

 

                        By_________________________________

Dated at Suite 801                                                              Patricia C. Beaver, Secretary

1120 Lincoln Street

Denver, Colorado, 80203

February 12, 2004