IN THE MATTER OF ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF THE
CAUSE NO. 1
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE COLORADO OIL
AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION BY
ORDER NO. 1V-179
A. R. BOUCHER, DELTA COUNTY, COLORADO
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION
This cause came on for hearing before the Commission on September 17, 1999, at
8:30 a.m., in Suite 801, The Chancery Building, 1120 Lincoln Street, Denver,
Colorado, after giving Notice of Hearing as required by law, on why A. R.
Boucher is in violation of Rule 326.b., failure to pass a mechanical integrity
test within two (2) years of the initial shut-in date for the Geolfos-Scott #1
Well located in the SE¼ SW¼ of Section 28, Township 15 South, Range 91 West, 6th
P.M.
FINDINGS
The Commission finds as follows
1. A. R. Boucher is an interested party in the subject matter of the
above-referenced hearing.
2. Due notice of the time, place and purpose of the hearing has been given in
all respects as required by law.
3. 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.
4. On November 17, 1998 Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (“COGCC”)
staff inspected the Geolfos-Scott #1 Well located in the SE¼ SW¼ of Section 28,
Township 15 South, Range 91 West, 6th P.M. and found it to be shut-in without a
flow line connection. On January 6, 1999 COGCC staff issued a Notice of Alleged
Violation (“NOAV”) to the operator of record, Mr. A. R. Boucher. The NOAV cited
a violation of Rule 326.b. which states a mechanical integrity test shall be
performed on each shut-in well within two (2) years of the initial shut-in date
or within thirty (30) days if at any time, surface equipment is removed or the
well becomes incapable of production. The well has never produced since its
completion on February 28, 1980. The NOAV required that the well either be
placed on production, be tested for mechanical integrity or plugged and
abandoned with an abatement deadline of March 1, 1999.
5. Mr. A. R. Boucher responded to the NOAV by letter dated February 26, 1999
wherein he stated he was no longer responsible for the well and that the COGCC
staff should look to the bonding company for satisfaction. The well is in
continuing violation of Rule 326.b. and constitutes a threat of a significant
adverse environmental impact.
6. The Commission should authorize COGCC staff to commence a claim of the Five
Thousand dollar ($5,000.00) plugging bond to plug and abandon the well and
reclaim the site.
ORDER
NOW, THEREFORE IT IS ORDERED, that A. R. Boucher shall be found in violation of
Rule 326.b. for failure to pass a mechanical integrity test on the Geolfos-Scott
#1 Well located in the SE¼ SW¼ of Section 28, Township 15 South, Range 91 West,
6th P.M.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that COGCC staff shall be authorized to commence a claim
on A. R. Boucher’s Five Thousand dollar ($5000.00) plugging bond and that COGCC
staff shall have the well plugged and abandoned and the site reclaimed. If
plugging and abandonment costs exceed the bond amount, COGCC staff shall be
authorized to confiscate available equipment and tubulars for salvage in
accordance with §34-60-124 (6)(c), C.R.S.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that the provisions contained in the above order shall
become effective forthwith.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that the Commission expressly reserves its right after
notice and hearing, to alter, amend, or repeal any and/or all of the above
orders.
ENTERED this 30th day of September ,1999 as of September 17, 1999.
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 September 30, 1999.
(1V#179)