BLM issues Incident of Non Compliance notice to EnCana

GLENWOOD SPRINGS – The Bureau of Land Management issued an Incident of Non Compliance (INC) notice to EnCana USA for continued drilling work on a well located on private land in Grass Mesa. The notice was triggered by EnCana’s failure to complete drilling operations by Dec. 14, 2003.

BLM had granted an exception on Dec. 5 to allow EnCana to use the BLM Grass Mesa access road to complete drilling operations on the Jewell 22-10 well on the 022 pad. The existing timing restrictions would still apply to all other uses of the BLM access road. BLM’s decision to grant the exception for use of the access road was based on the risks to public safety and the environment associated with not completing drilling operations.

The BLM had issued an exception to the wildlife closure in effect in the area through Dec. 14 after a request by EnCana. The exception was granted to allow EnCana to continue to use a BLM access road despite a Dec. 1 wildlife closure. The EnCana well is located on private property.

As part of the INC notice, the BLM has provided EnCana with an abatement period through Dec. 28 to complete operations. Failure to do so may result in an assessment against EnCana.

Timing limitations apply to BLM land in the Grass Mesa from December through April as part of federal lease stipulations. This seasonal closure includes activities associated with drilling operations, and is enforced to protect critical winter range for elk and other wildlife.

Because the EnCana well is located on private surface property and private minerals, the BLM does not have regulatory authority over the drilling operations. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission regulates oil and gas operations on private land.

EnCana had received a five-day extension through Dec. 5 to allow them to secure wells currently in the completion process on five pads for the winter and remove the associated equipment. For more information, contact BLM’s Glenwood Springs Assoc. Field Manager Steve Bennett at 970-947-2813.

-BLM-