BEFORE THE OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION

OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

 

IN THE MATTER OF VIOLATION OF RULES 324 AND 325 BY WILLIAM PERLMAN IN THE IGNACIO-BLANCO FIELD, LA PLATA COUNTY, COLORADO

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CAUSE NO. 112

 

ORDER NO. 112-57

(Formerly Cause No. 1)

 

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION

 

This cause came on for hearing before the Commission on March 18, 1985 at 9:00 a.m., in the Community Room, 1 United Bank Center, 17th & Lincoln Streets, Denver, Colorado, after giving Notice of Hearing as required by law, on the Commission's own motion concerning the violation of Rules 324 and 325 by William Perlman, operator of certain leases in the Ignacio-Blanco Field, La Plata County, Colorado.

 

FINDINGS

 

The Commission finds as follows:

 

1.      Due notice of the time, place and purpose of the hearing has been given in all respects as required by law.

 

2.      The Commission has jurisdiction over the subject matter embraced in said Notice, and of the parties interested therein, and jurisdiction to promulgate the hereinafter prescribed order.

 

3.      On February 14, 1985, the San Juan Basin Health Department filed a complaint with the Commission alleging pollution resulting from the siphoning and spill of the produced brine water from a pit on the Mabel Payne lease operated by William Perlman and located in the SW1/4, Section 33, Township 34 North, Range 8 West, N.M.P.M., into the waters of the State.  In addition, the earthen pits on several leases operated by William Perlman are in violation of Rule Nos. 324 and 325 causing potential pollution and damage to the environment.

 

4.      At the time of hearing, William Perlman acknowledged that the siphoning and spill of the produced brine water did occur and was intentional; however, there was disagreement on the amount spilled and damage caused.  Therefore, a penalty should be assessed in accordance with 34-60-221, C.R.S., as amended.

 

5.      Reports submitted by William Perlman, and on file with the Commission, indicate that there is inadequate capacity in the permitted earthen pits to contain the produced water from several of the leases operated by Mr. Perlman.  Such conditions should be remedied or the wells shut-in pending completion of such remedy.

 

6.      This matter should be referred to as Cause No. 112, Ignacio-Blanco Field, La Plata County, Colorado instead of Cause No. 1.

 

ORDER

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED, that William Perlman, in accordance with 34-60-124, is hereby assessed a fine of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), which is to be remitted to the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission within 30-days.  In addition, any damage to the environment caused by this violation shall be remedied within 30 days of the date of this order, unless such time is extended by approval of the Director.

 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that a plan to contain in adequate earthen pits all of the produced water from leases operated by William Perlman, shall be submitted in accordance with Rule No. 325, for approval by the Director.  Should such applications for pit permits not meet the requirements to contain all of the produced water, the Director is authorized to shut-in such wells as may be deemed necessary until said plans are completed this 18th day of March, 1985.

 

ENTERED this day of as of March 18, 1985.

 

OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

 

 

By 

Frank J. Piro, Secretary