BEFORE THE OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION
COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
IN THE MATTER OF THE PROMULGATION AND
ESTABLISHMENT OF FIELD RULES TO GOVERN OPERATIONS FOR THE NIOBRARA FORMATION,
UNNAMED FIELD, WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
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CAUSE NO. 535
DOCKET NO. 150500251
ORDER NO. 535-666
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REPORT OF THE COMMISSION
The Commission heard this matter on May 18, 2015, at the Aims Community
College, 260 College Avenue, Fort Lupton, Colorado, upon application for an
order to establish an approximate 1270.40-acre drilling and spacing unit and
approve up to seven horizontal wells within the unit, for production of oil,
gas and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara Formation.
FINDINGS
The Commission finds as follows:
1.
Anadarko
E&P Onshore LLC (Operator
No. 2800) (“Anadarko” 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.
5.
On February 18, 2015,
Anadarko, by its attorneys, filed
with the Commission a verified application (“Application”) for an order to
establish an approximate 1270.40-acre drilling and spacing unit for the
below-described lands (“Application Lands”) and approve up to seven horizontal
wells within the unit, for production of oil, gas and associated hydrocarbons
from the Niobrara Formation with the productive interval of the wellbore no closer
than 600 feet from the unit boundaries and no closer than 600 feet from the productive
interval of a well producing from the Niobrara Formation, without exception
being granted by the Director.
Township 11 North, Range 65 West, 6th
P.M.
Section 4: All
Township 12
North, Range 65 West, 6th P.M.
Section 33: All
Applicant states that any horizontal well to be drilled under this
Application will be drilled from the surface of the drilling unit, or on
adjacent lands with consent of the landowner, unless an exception is granted by
the Director.
6.
On April 27, 2015, Anadarko, 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.
7.
Testimony
and exhibits submitted in support of the Application by Jason Rayburn, Landman
for Anadarko, showed that Anadarko owns
substantial leasehold interests in the Application Lands.
8.
Testimony
and exhibits submitted in support of the Application by Thomas A. Berkman,
Senior Project Geologist for Anadarko, showed that the Niobrara Formation
underlies the entirety of the Application Lands. The Niobrara Formation ranges
from approximately 135 to 140 feet thick.
9.
Testimony
and exhibits submitted in support of the Application by Emily Boecking,
Reservoir Engineer for Anadarko, showed that estimated drainage area for the
Niobrara Formation is approximately 137 acres for approximate laterals drilled
on a 1280-acre drilling and spacing unit, and would accommodate the drilling of
up to seven horizontal wells for the Niobrara Formation.
10.
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.
11.
Anadarko agrees to be bound by oral order of the Commission.
12.
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 establish an approximate 1270.40-acre
drilling and spacing unit and approve up to seven horizontal wells within the unit,
for production of oil, gas and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara
Formation.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
1.
An approximate 1270.40-acre
drilling and spacing unit for the below-described lands, is hereby established,
for the production of oil, gas and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara
Formation and up to seven horizontal wells, are hereby approved, for production
of oil, gas, and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara Formation.
Township 11 North, Range 65 West, 6th P.M.
Section 4: All
Township 12 North, Range 65 West, 6th P.M.
Section 33: All
2.
The
productive interval of the wellbores shall be located no closer than 600 feet
from the unit boundaries and no closer than 600 feet from the productive
interval of a well producing from the same formation, without exception being
granted by the Director.
3.
A maximum of
four surface locations will be allowed for development of minerals from
the Niobrara Formation within the spacing unit.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED:
1.
The
provisions contained in the above order shall become effective immediately.
2.
The
Commission expressly reserves the 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 35 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 3d day of June, 2015, as of May 18, 2015.
OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
By
Julie Murphy, Secretary