BEFORE THE OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION

OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

 

IN THE MATTER OF ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE COLORADO OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION BY ORR ENERGY LLC, WELD COUNTY, COLORADO

)

)

)

)

)

CAUSE NO. 1V

 

DOCKET NO. 1310-OV-39

 

ORDER NO. 1V-428

 

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER BY CONSENT

 

(Pursuant to Rule 522.b.(3) of the Rules and Regulations of the

Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, 2 CCR 404-1)

 

FINDINGS

 

1.         Orr Energy LLC (“Orr”) (Operator # 10154) is the operator of record for the wells identified in Table 1 (“Wells”). Orr hydraulically fractured the Wells on the dates identified in Table 1.

 

TABLE 1

 

API

Well Name

Well Number

Treatment Date

05-123-33644

HALL

19-32D        

08/09/12

05-123-33898

Hall

19-21         

05/30/12

05-123-34088

Swift

24-65         

05/24/12

05-123-34816

Swift

24-42         

05/18/12

 

2.         Rule 205A. requires that for hydraulic fracturing treatments performed on or after April 1, 2012, the hydraulic fracturing chemical disclosure registry form must be completed within 60 days following the conclusion of a hydraulic fracturing and in no case later than 120 days after the commencement of such hydraulic fracturing treatment. Orr did not meet this requirement for the Wells.

 

            3.         On June 20, 2013 Commission staff released a Notice To Operators – 205A. Hydraulic Fracturing Chemical Disclosure (“NTO”). The NTO states failure to meet the requirements of the Rule within the specified timeframes will be considered a violation of the Rule. Rule violations will be enforced pursuant to Rule 522, and penalties will be assessed pursuant to Rule 523.

 

            4.         On August 31, 2013 Commission staff issued Orr a Notice of Alleged Violation No. 1772372 ("NOAV") alleging violation Rule 205A  of the COGCC Rules of Practice and Procedure, 2 CCR 404-1 (“Rule” or “Rules”).

 

5.         Following a factual investigation and legal review of the violations alleged in the NOAV, the Hearings Staff now asserts Orr has committed the following violations:

 

a.         Four violations of Rule 205A for failure to satisfy reporting requirements of Rule 205A at the Wells.

 

6.         Pursuant to Rule 523 and the Commission’s Enforcement and Penalty Policy, Hearings staff calculated a penalty of $ 4,000 for these violations.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, based on the Findings and pursuant to Rule 522.b.(3), COGCC Rules of Practice and Procedure, 2 CCR 404-1 (“COGCC Rule(s)”), the Director proposes and Orr agrees to settle the NOAV on the following terms and conditions:

 

I.          Orr will pay a penalty of $ 4,000.

 

II.         Operator shall submit all delinquent reports within 30 days of the approval of this Order by the Commission.

 

III.        Payment of the penalty pursuant to this AOC does not relieve the operator from its obligations to complete corrective actions set forth in the NOAVs, as may be amended or modified by COGCC Staff.

 

IV.       Orr agrees to the findings of this AOC only for the purpose of expeditiously resolving the matter without a contested hearing. 

 

RECOMMENDED this  15th  day of October, 2013.

 

OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

 

 

By                                                                       

Peter J. Gowen, Enforcement Officer 

 

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED this ______day of October, 2013.

                                                                                                                                                                                                ORR ENERGY LLC

                             

 

                                                            By                                                                              

                                                            Signature of Authorized Company Representative

 

                                                                                                                                               

                                                            Print Signatory Name

                      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Title

 

ORDER

 

HAVING CONSIDERED the Agreement between the Director and Orr to resolve the NOAV, the COMMISSION ORDERS:

 

1.         Orr is found in violation of Rule 205A for failing to complete the chemical disclosure registry form and post the form on the chemical disclosure registry within the specified timeframe. 

 

2.         Pursuant to § 34-60-121, C.R.S., and Rule 523, COGCC Rules of Practice and Procedure, 2 CCR 404-1, Orr shall pay a penalty of  $ 4,000 not later than 30 days from receipt of the Order and invoice.

 

3.         Orr will file all delinquent disclosures within 30 days of the approval of this Order by the Commission.

 

4.         Orr will promptly implement procedures to assure timely filing of future disclosures.

 

5.         Entry of this Order constitutes final agency action for purposes of judicial review 30 days after the date this order is mailed by the Commission.

 

6.         The provisions contained in the above order are effective on the date this matter is heard and approved by the Commission.

 

 

===========================================================================

The Commission heard and approved this matter on the 28th day of October, 2013.

 
ENTERED this _____ day of                     , 2013 as of the 28th day of October, 2013.         

 

                                                                        OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION

                        OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

 

 

                        By____________________________________

                                                                                    Robert J. Frick, Secretary