BEFORE THE OIL AND
GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF NOBLE ENERGY, INC. FOR AN ORDER TO VACATE POOLING ORDER NO. 535-200 FOR SECTION 9, TOWNSHIP 9 NORTH, RANGE 59 WEST, 6TH P.M. FOR THE NIOBRARA FORMATION, UNNAMED FIELD, WELD COUNTY, COLORADO |
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CAUSE NO. 535
DOCKET NO. 1310-SP-1202
ORDER NO. 535-429 |
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION
The Commission heard this matter on October 28, 2013, at the Limon Community Center, 477 D Avenue, Limon, Colorado, upon application for an order to vacate Order No. 535-200, which pooled all interests in an approximate 640-acre drilling and spacing unit for Section 9, Township 9 North, Range 59 West, 6th P.M., to accommodate the Timbro LC13-72HN Well, for the development and operation of the Niobrara Formation.
FINDINGS
The Commission finds as follows:
1. Noble Energy, Inc. (“Noble” or “Applicant”) 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 pursuant to the Oil and Gas Conservation Act.
4. On February 22, 2011, the Commission entered Order No. 535-3 which, among other things, established 160 approximate 640-acre drilling and spacing units, and approved one horizontal well within each unit, for the production of oil, gas and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara Formation. Section 9, Township 9 North, Range 59 West, 6th P.M. is subject to this Order for the Niobrara Formation.
5. On August 20, 2012, the Commission entered Order No. 535-200 which, among other things, pooled all interests Section 9, Township 9 North, Range 59 West, 6th P.M., to accommodate the Timbro LC13-72HN Well (API No. 05-123-33097) (“Well”), for the development and operation of the Niobrara Formation. The Timbro LC09-78HN Well (API No. 05-123-37849) was permitted (but not drilled) in Section 9 instead of the Timbro LC13-72HN. Section 9, Township 9 North, Range 59 West, 6th P.M. is subject to this Order for the Niobrara Formation.
6. On August 29, 2013, Noble, by its attorneys, filed with the Commission pursuant to § 34-60-116 C.R.S., a verified application (“Application”) for an order to vacate Order No. 535-200, which pooled all interests in an approximate 640-acre drilling and spacing unit for the below-described lands (“Application Lands”), to accommodate the Timbro LC13-72HN Well, for the development and operation of the Niobrara Formation:
Township 9 North, Range 59 West, 6th P.M.
Section 9: All
7. On October 15, 2013, Noble, by its attorneys, filed with the Commission a written request to approve the Application based on the merits of the verified Application and the supporting exhibits. Sworn written testimony and exhibits were submitted in support of the Application.
8. Land testimony and exhibits submitted in support of the Application by Joseph H. Lorenzo, Senior Land Manager for Noble, showed the Timbro LC09-78HN Well was permitted (but not drilled) in Section 9 instead of the Timbro LC13-72HN.
9. The above-referenced testimony and exhibits show that granting the Application will allow more efficient reservoir drainage, will prevent waste, will assure a greater ultimate recovery of hydrocarbons, and will not violate correlative rights.
10. Noble agreed to be bound by oral order of the Commission.
11. Based on the facts stated in the verified Application, having received no protests, and based on the Hearing Officer review of the Application under Rule 511, the Commission should enter an order to vacate Order No. 535-200, which pooled all interests in an approximate 640-acre drilling and spacing unit for the below-described lands (“Application Lands”), to accommodate the Timbro LC13-72HN Well, for the development and operation of the Niobrara Formation.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
1. Order No. 535-200 (dated August 20, 2012), is hereby vacated.
1. The provisions contained in the above order shall become effective immediately.
2. The Commission expressly reserves its right, after notice and hearing, to alter, amend or repeal any and/or all of the above orders.
3. 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.
4. An application for reconsideration by the Commission of this Order is not required prior to the filing for judicial review.
ENTERED this 8th day of November, 2013, as of October 28, 2013.
OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
By____________________________________
Robert J. Frick, Secretary