BEFORE THE OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
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IN THE MATTER OF THE PROMULGATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF FIELD RULES TO GOVERN OPERATIONS FOR THE NIOBRARA, FORT HAYES, CODELL, AND CARLILE FORMATIONS, UNNAMED FIELD, WELD COUNTY, COLORADO |
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CAUSE NO. 535
DOCKET NO. 170600330
TYPE: SPACING
ORDER NO. 535 -817
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REPORT OF THE COMMISSION
The Commission heard this matter on June 12, 2017, at the Rio Blanco County Courthouse, 555 Main Street, Meeker, Colorado, upon application for an order to: 1) vacate an approximate 960-acre drilling and spacing unit established by Order No. 535-268 for Sections 27 and 34, Township 11 North, Range 58 West, 6th P.M., for the production of oil, gas, and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara Formation; 2) vacate Order No. 535-630; and 3) establish an approximate 1280-acre drilling and spacing unit for Sections 27 and 34, Township 11 North, Range 58 West, 6th P.M., and approve up to 32 horizontal wells within the unit, for the production of oil, gas, and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara, Fort Hayes, Codell, and Carlile Formations.
FINDINGS
The Commission finds as follows:
1. Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation (Operator No. 96155) (“Whiting” or “Applicant”) 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. Rule 318.a., requires that, on unspaced lands, 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. Sections 27 and 34, Township 11 North, Range 58 West, 6th P.M., are subject to this rule for the production of oil, gas, and associated hydrocarbons from the Fort Hayes, Codell, and Carlile Formations. The N½ of Section 27, Township 11 North, Range 58 West, 6th P.M., is subject to this rule for the production of oil, gas, and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara Formation.
5. On March 12, 2013, the Commission entered Order No. 535-268, which established ten approximate 960-acre drilling and spacing units and approved up to four horizontal wells within each unit, for the production of oil, gas and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara Formation, with the treated interval of the horizontal wellbore to be no closer than 600 feet from the unit boundaries, and no closer than 150 feet from the treated interval of any other wellbore located in the unit. The S½ of Section 27 and all of Section 34, Township 11 North, Range 58 West, 6th P.M., are subject to this Order for the production of oil, gas and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara Formation.
6. On January 26, 2015, the Commission entered Order No. 535-630, which approved an additional 12 horizontal wells, for a total of up to 16 horizontal wells within the existing approximate 960-acre drilling and spacing units for the production of oil, gas and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara Formation, with the productive interval of the wellbore to be located no closer than 300 feet from the unit boundaries, and no closer than 300 feet from the productive interval of any other wellbore located in the unit, without exception. The S½ of Section 27 and all of Section 34, Township 11 North, Range 58 West, 6th P.M., are subject to this Order for the production of oil, gas and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara Formation.
7. On April 13, 2015, the Commission entered Order No. 535-659, which established one approximate 960-acre drilling and spacing unit and approved 32 horizontal wells in said drilling and spacing unit for the production of oil, gas and associated hydrocarbons from the Codell and Niobrara Formations. The N½ of Section 25, Township 11 North, Range 59 West, 6th P.M. is subject to this Order for the Codell and Niobrara Formations.
8. On April 13, 2017, amended May 5, 2017, Whiting, by its attorneys, filed with the Commission a verified application (“Application”) pursuant to §34-60-116, C.R.S., for an order to: 1) vacate an approximate 960-acre drilling and spacing unit established by Order No. 535-268 for Sections 27 and 34, Township 11 North, Range 58 West, 6th P.M., for the production of oil, gas, and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara Formation; 2) vacate Order No. 535-630; and 3) establish an approximate 1280-acre drilling and spacing unit for the below-described lands (“Application Lands”) and to approve up to 32 horizontal wells within the unit, for the production of oil, gas and associated hydrocarbons from the, Niobrara, Fort Hayes, Codell, and Carlile Formations, with the productive interval of the wellbore of any permitted wells in the unit to be located no closer than 100 feet from the productive interval of any other wellbore located in the unit, and no closer than 100 feet from a unit boundary unless such boundary abuts or corners lands for which the Commission has not at the time of the drilling permit application granted the right to locate the treated interval of the wellbore no closer than 100 feet from a unit boundary, in which case, if the Commission has not at the time of the drilling permit application granted to the owners of the adjacent or cornering lands the right to locate the treated interval of the wellbore no closer than 100 feet from a unit boundary, then the treated interval of the wellbore shall be located no closer than 300 feet from the unit boundary, without exception being granted by the Director:
Township 11 North, Range 58 West, 6th P.M.
Section 27: All
Section 34: All
9. Applicant states that any horizontal wells to be drilled under this Application will be drilled from no more than four multi-well pads on the Application Lands, or from a legal location on adjacent lands, without exception being granted by the Director.
10. On May 22, 2017, supplemented June 6, 2017, Whiting, 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.
11. Land testimony and exhibits submitted in support of the Application by Scott McDaniel, Regional Land Manager for Whiting, showed that Whiting holds oil and gas leasehold interests and has a right to drill in the Application Lands.
12. Geologic testimony and exhibits submitted in support of the Application by Samuel Z. Scott, Senior Geologist for Whiting, showed that the Niobrara Formation is present throughout the Application Lands, is approximately 320 feet thick, and is generally of uniform thickness throughout the Application Lands. Geologic testimony showed that Niobrara production is from three chalk zones known as the Niobrara A, B, and C Zones. Further testimony showed that the Niobrara Formation is a sequence of chalks, marls and limestones, and is a common source of supply. Geologic testimony and exhibits also showed that the Fort Hayes Formation is present throughout the Application Lands, is approximately 40 feet thick, and is generally of uniform thickness throughout the Application Lands. Further testimony showed that the Fort Hayes Formation is mainly chalk, and is a common source of supply. Geologic testimony and exhibits also showed that the Codell Formation is present throughout the Application Lands, is approximately 17 feet thick, and is generally of uniform thickness throughout the Application Lands. Further testimony showed that the Codell Formation is mainly fine-grained sandstones and silty shales, and is a common source of supply. Geologic testimony and exhibits also showed that the Carlile Formation is present throughout the Application Lands, is approximately 116 feet thick, and is generally of uniform thickness throughout the Application Lands. Further testimony showed that the Carlile Formation is mainly sandstone mixed with higher amounts of silt and clay than the rock found in the Codell Formation, and is a common source of supply.
13. Engineering testimony and exhibits submitted in support of the Application by Joel Dill, Engineer for Whiting, showed that Whiting plans to drill eight wells each in the Niobrara A, B, and C Zones. The testimony further showed that Whiting plans to drill eight wells in the Codell Formation, but that the horizontal wellbore may deviate into the Fort Hayes and Carlile Formations, so those two formations also need to be included in the drilling and spacing unit. Engineering testimony and exhibits further showed that the drainage area for analog horizontal Niobrara Formation wells is estimated at 59.5 acres, the drainage area for analog horizontal Codell Formation wells is estimated at 127.5 acres, and an approximate 1280-acre drilling and spacing unit is therefore not less than the maximum area than can be efficiently, economically and effectively drained by 32 horizontal wells producing oil, gas and associated hydrocarbons from the three zones in the Niobrara Formation and from the Codell Formation.
14. 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.
15. Whiting agreed to be bound by oral order of the Commission.
16. 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: 1) vacate an approximate 960-acre drilling and spacing unit established by Order No. 535-268 for sections 27 and 34, Township 11 North, Range 58 West, 6th P.M., for the production of oil, gas, and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara Formation; 2) vacate Order No. 535-630; and 3) establish an approximate 1280-acre drilling and spacing unit for Sections 27 and 34, Township 11 North, Range 58 West, 6th P.M., and approve up to 32 horizontal wells within the unit, for the production of oil, gas, and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara, Fort Hayes, Codell, and Carlile Formations.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
1. An approximate 960-acre drilling and spacing unit established by Order No. 535-268 for Sections 27 and 34, Township 11 North, Range 58 West, 6th P.M., for the production of oil, gas, and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara Formation is hereby vacated.
2. Order No. 535-630 is hereby vacated.
3. An approximate 1280-acre drilling and spacing unit for the below-described lands, is hereby established, and a total of up to 32 horizontal wells within the unit are hereby approved, for the production of oil, gas and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara, Fort Hayes, Codell and Carlile Formations:
Township 11 North, Range 58 West, 6th P.M.
Section 25: All
Section 36: All
4. The productive interval of the wellbore of any permitted wells in the unit shall be located no closer than 100 feet from the productive interval of any other wellbore located in the unit, and no closer than 100 feet from a unit boundary unless such boundary abuts or corners lands for which the Commission has not at the time of the drilling permit application granted the right to locate the treated interval of the wellbore no closer than 100 feet from a unit boundary. If the Commission has not at the time of the drilling permit application granted to the owners of the adjacent or cornering lands the right to locate the treated interval of the wellbore no closer than 100 feet from a unit boundary, then the treated interval of the wellbore shall be located no closer than 300 feet from the unit boundary, without exception being granted by the Director
5. All wells permitted under this Order shall be drilled from no more than four multi-well pads within the unit, or from a legal location on adjacent lands, unless the Director grants an exception.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED:
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 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 21st day of June, 2017, effective as of June 12, 2017.
OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
By: ____________________________________
Peter Gowen, Acting Secretary