before the oil and gas conservation commission
of the state of COLORADO
IN
THE MATTER OF PROMULGATION AND ) CAUSE NOS. 139, 440, 479 and 510
ESTABLISHMENT
OF FIELD RULES TO GOVERN )
OPERATIONS
IN THE PARACHUTE AND RULISON ) ORDER NOS. 139-74, 440-44, 479-19
FIELDS,
GARFIELD COUNTY, COLORADO ) and 510-34
report of the commission
This cause came on for
hearing before the Commission at 9:00 a.m. on May 10, 2007, in Suite 801, The
Chancery Building, 1120 Lincoln Street, Denver, Colorado, for an order to allow
the equivalent of one well per 10 acres, for the S˝ N˝ of Section 13, Township 6 South, Range 96 West, 6th P.M., for the production of gas
and associated hydrocarbons from the Williams Fork Formation of the Mesaverde
Group.
FINDINGS
The Commission finds as follows:
4. Rule
318.a. of the Rules and Regulations of the Commission requires that wells
drilled in excess of 2,500 feet in depth be located not less than 600 feet from
any lease line, and located not less than 1,200 feet from any other producible
or drilling oil or gas well when drilling to the same common source of
supply. Certain lands in Township 6
South, Range 96 West, 6th P.M. are subject to this Rule.
5. On
January 8, 2007, the Commission issued Order Nos. 139-69,
440-40, 479-18 and 510-30, which, among other things, allowed the equivalent of
one well per 10 acres to be drilled for the production of gas and associated
hydrocarbons from the Williams Fork Formation of the Mesaverde Group, including
the S˝ of
Section 13, in Township 6 South, Range 96 West, 6th P.M.
6. On
March 20, 2007, Williams Production RMT Company, by its attorney, filed with
the Commission a verified application for an order to allow the equivalent of
one well per 10 acres to be drilled in the S˝ N˝
of Section 13, Township
6 South, Range 96 West, 6th P.M., for production of gas and
associated hydrocarbons from the Williams Fork Formation.
All future wells on the
application lands should be located downhole anywhere upon such lands but no
closer than 100 feet from the outside boundary of the drilling and spacing unit
unless such unit abuts or corners lands in respect of which the Commission has
not at the time of the drilling permit application granted the right to drill
10-acre density downhole drilling for the Williams Fork Formation, in which
event the Williams Fork Formation wells to be drilled upon the application
lands should be drilled downhole no closer than 200 feet from the portion of
the boundary which so abuts or corners the lands in respect of which 10-acre
density downhole drilling for the Williams Fork Formation wells has not been
ordered by the Commission.
That all wells to be drilled
under the verified application will be drilled from the surface, either
vertically or directionally, from no more than one pad locate on a given
quarter quarter section unless exception is granted by the Colorado Oil and Gas
Conservation Commission pursuant to application made for such exemption.
7. On
April 26, 2007, Williams, by its attorney, filed with the Commission a written
request to approve the application based on the merits of the verified
application and the supporting testimony and exhibit. Sworn written testimony and an exhibit were
submitted in support of the application.
ORDER
NOW, THEREFORE IT IS
ORDERED, that the equivalent of one well per 10 acres is hereby approved for
wells to be drilled in the S˝ N˝ of Section 13, Township 6 South, Range 96
West, 6th P.M., for production of gas and associated hydrocarbons
from the Williams Fork Formation.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that the permitted well shall be located no
closer than 100 feet from the outside boundary of the application lands, unless
such boundary abuts or corners lands in respect of which the Commission has not
at the time of the drilling permit application granted the right to drill
10-acre density wells, in which event the wells to be drilled on the
application lands shall be drilled downhole no closer than 200 feet from that
portion of the boundary which so abuts or corners the lands in respect of which
10-acre density downhole drilling for Williams Fork Formation wells has not
been ordered by the Commission.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that except as previously authorized by order of
the Commission, wells to be drilled under this application shall be drilled from
the surface either vertically or directionally from no more than one pad
located on a given quarter quarter section unless exception is granted by the
Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission pursuant to application made for
such exception.
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.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that under the State Administrative Procedure
Act, the Commission considers this order to be final agency action for purposes
of judicial review within 30 days after the date this order is mailed by the
Commission.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that an application for reconsideration by the
Commission of this order is not required prior to filing for judicial review.
ENTERED this ________ day of May, as of May 10, 2007.
OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO |
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By: |
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Patricia C. Beaver, Secretary |
Dated
at Suite 801
1120
Lincoln Street
Denver,
Colorado 80203
May
25, 2007