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 FORMATION, UNNAMED FIELD, RIO BLANCO COUNTY, COLORADO |
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CAUSE NO. 547
DOCKET NO. 170100046
TYPE: SPACING
ORDER NO. 547-23 |
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION
The Commission heard this matter on January 30, 2017, at the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 801, Denver, Colorado, upon application for an order to establish an approximate 1,280-acre drilling and spacing unit for Sections 27 and 34, Township 2 North, Range 97 West, 6th P.M., and approve up to four horizontal wells within the unit, for the production of oil, gas, and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara Formation.
FINDINGS
The Commission finds as follows:
1. Anschutz Exploration Corporation (Operator No. 3102) (“Anschutz” 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. of the Rules and Regulations of the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission 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 2 North, Range 97 West, 6th P.M., are subject to this Rule for the Niobrara Formation.
5. On December 1, 2016, Anschutz, by its attorneys, filed a verified application (“Application”) pursuant to §34-60-116, C.R.S., for an order to establish an approximate 1,280-acre drilling and spacing unit for the below-described lands (“Application Lands”) and to approve up to four horizontal wells within the unit, 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 600 feet from the unit boundaries, and no closer than 1,200 feet from the productive interval of any other wellbore located in the unit, without exception being granted by the Director:
Township 2 North, Range 97 West, 6th P.M.
Section 27: All
Section 34: All
Applicant stated that the proposed wells will be drilled from no more than two multi-well pads within the unit, or from a legal location on adjacent lands.
6. On January 9, 2017, amended January 19, 2017, Anschutz, 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. Land testimony and exhibits submitted in support of the Application by David K. Davenport, Senior Land Manager for Anschutz, showed that Anschutz holds oil and gas leasehold interests and has a right to drill in the Application Lands.
8. Geologic testimony and exhibits submitted in support of the Application by Flemming C. Mengel, Senior Geologist of Anschutz, showed that the Niobrara Formation is present throughout the Application Lands, is approximately 1,500 to 1,550 feet thick, and is generally of uniform thickness throughout the Application Lands.
9. Engineering testimony and exhibits submitted in support of the Application by Jaime J. Hecht, Reservoir Engineering Manager for Anschutz, showed that the drainage area for a horizontal Niobrara Formation well is estimated at 320 acres, and an appropriate 1,280-acre drilling and spacing unit is therefore not less than the maximum area than can be efficiently, economically and effectively drained by a horizontal well producing oil, gas and associated hydrocarbons from 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. Anschutz agreed 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 establishing an approximate 1,280-acre drilling and spacing unit for Sections 27 and 34, Township 2 North, Range 97 West, 6th P.M., and approve up to four horizontal wells within the unit, for the production of oil, gas, and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara Formation.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
1. An approximate 1,280-acre drilling and spacing unit for the below-described lands, is hereby established, and a total of up to four horizontal wells within the unit, are hereby approved, for the production of oil, gas and associated hydrocarbons from the Niobrara Formation:
Township 2 North, Range 97 West, 6th P.M.
Section 27: All
Section 34: All
2. The productive interval of the wellbore will be located no closer than 600 feet from the unit boundaries, and no closer than 1,200 feet from the productive interval of any other wellbore located in the unit, unless the Director grants an exception.
3. The proposed wells shall be located on no more than two multi-well pads within the drilling and spacing unit, or from a legal location on adjacent lands, unless the Director grants and 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 2nd day of February, 2017, as of January 30, 2017.
OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
By__________________________________
Julie Murphy, Secretary