IN THE MATTER OF THE PROMULGATION AND
CAUSE NOS. 499, 232 and
ESTABLISHMENT OF FIELD RULES TO GOVERN
407
OPERATIONS IN THE WATTENBERG FIELD, THE
WATTENBERG GAS SPACED AREA, AND THE
ORDER NOS. 499-29, 232-174 and
CODELL-NIOBRARA SPACED AREA,
407-235
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION
This cause came on for hearing before the Commission on May 19, 1997, 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 the application
of Amoco Production Company for an order to allow the Keith A. Carter Unit No. 1
Well, currently producing or capable of producing from the "J" Sand Formation,
to be produced from the Dakota Formation as an additional well for the 320-acre
drilling and spacing unit consisting of the E½ of Section 32, Township 2 North,
Range 66 West, 6th P.M. The Keith A. Carter Unit Well #2 located in the SE¼ of
said Section 32 currently produces from the Dakota Formation, for the 320-acre
drilling and spacing unit consisting of the E½ of Section 32.
FINDINGS
The Commission finds as follows:
1. Amoco Production Company, as applicant herein, 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. In Order No. 499-1, the Commission established 320-acre drilling and spacing
units for the production of oil, gas and associated hydrocarbons from the Dakota
Formation in certain lands, with the 320-acre drilling and spacing units to be
identical to those previously established for the "J" Sand Formation under Cause
No. 232, with the permitted wells to be located in the NW¼ and the SE¼ of the
section and no closer than 990 feet from the boundaries of the quarter section.
Subsequent Order No. 499-13, extended the Wattenberg Field rules to cover
additional lands including Section 32, Township 2 North, Range 66 West, 6th P.M.
In Order Nos. 499-15, 232-89, 407-125, 493-22 and 496-3, the Commission allowed
the commingling of production from the Dakota, "J" Sand, Codell, Niobrara,
Sussex and Shannon Formations.
5. In Cause No. 232, the Commission established 320-acre drilling and spacing
units for the production of gas from the "J" Sand Formation in the Wattenberg
Field with one well allowed for each unit to be located in the NE¼ and SW¼ and
no closer than 990 feet to the boundaries of the quarter section. On August 21,
1979, the Commission issued Order No. 232-20 which allowed a second well to be
drilled on each 320-acre unit, including Section 32, Township 2 North, Range 66
West, 6th P.M.
6. In Order No. 407 1, the Commission established 80 acre drilling and spacing
units for the production of oil and/or gas and associated hydrocarbons from the
Codell Formation. Wells shall be located in the center of the 40 acre tract or
quarter quarter section with a tolerance of 200 feet in any direction. In Order
Nos. 407 10 and 407 13, the Commission amended Order No. 407 1 to include
production from the Niobrara Formation in certain lands and to allow the
downhole commingling of production from the Codell and Niobrara Formations,
including Section 32, Township 2 North, Range 66 West, 6th P.M.
7. This matter was heard by the Hearing Officer who recommends approval based
upon the testimony presented at the administrative hearing that 320-acres is not
less than the area that could be efficiently and economically drained by two (2)
wells on this unit and that an additional well is necessary to prevent waste,
protect correlative rights and recover remaining reserves.
8. That at the time of the administrative hearing, Amoco Production Company
agreed to be bound by oral order of the Commission.
9. Based on the facts stated in the application, having received no protests to
the application, and having been heard by the Hearing Officer who recommends
approval, the Commission should enter an order allowing the Keith A. Carter Unit
No. 1 Well, currently producing or capable of producing from the "J" Sand
Formation, to be produced from the Dakota Formation as an additional well for
the 320-acre drilling and spacing unit consisting of the E½ of Section 32,
Township 2 North, Range 66 West, 6th P.M.
ORDER
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED, that the Keith A. Carter Unit No. 1 Well,
currently producing or capable of producing from the "J" Sand Formation, is
hereby approved to produced from the Dakota Formation as an additional well for
the 320-acre drilling and spacing unit consisting of the E½ of Section 32,
Township 2 North, Range 66 West, 6th P.M.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that should a commercial well be completed at the
location set forth above, the Commission shall, upon application of any
interested person, take such action as will offset any advantage which the
person securing the exception may have over other procedures by reason of the
drilling of the well as an exception location.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that the provisions contained in the above order shall
become effective forthwith, as the party agreed to accept the verbal order of
the Commission.
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 29th day of May, 1997, as of May 19, 1997.
OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
By Patricia C. Beaver, Secretary
Dated at Suite 801, 1120 Lincoln Street, Denver, Colorado 80203 May 29, 1997
(499-29)