Dec. 19, 2007
Contact: David Boyd, Public Affairs Specialist, (970) 947-2832
Melodie Lloyd, Public Affairs Specialist, (970) 244-3097

BLM seeks public comment on well-development proposal near DeBeque

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on an oil and gas exploration and development proposal two miles east of DeBeque, Colo.

EnCana Oil and Gas (USA) Inc. proposes drilling 95 wells over two-to-three years beginning this spring. The proposed Orchard II development area encompasses approximately 12,067 acres of federal lands and minerals within the Little Alkali Creek, Alkali Creek, Smith Gulch, Horsethief Creek and Little Horsethief Creek watersheds.

The wells would be drilled from 25 proposed well pads and one existing pad, and would require the improvement or construction of 8.8 miles of roads.  Additionally, the gathering system for the proposed wells would require installation of 15.5 miles of buried pipelines.  Directional and closed loop drilling technology would be used to drill the majority of the wells. 

BLM requires operators to submit these Master Development Plans so that a broad evaluation of plans and impacts can be completed, and environmental impacts and appropriate measures to mitigate these impacts can be identified.

Before BLM completes an Environmental Assessment on this plan, it wants to hear any specific issues, concerns and comments the public has on the proposal and would like to see addressed through the assessment.  Comments will be most helpful if received by Jan. 18, 2008.

Written comments and questions should be directed to the Glenwood Springs Energy Office at 2425 S. Grand Ave., Suite 101, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.  Electronic comments may be submitted to gsfomail@co.blm.gov.

Copies of the Orchard II Master Development Plan,  which further details the proposed oil and gas development, are available for review at the BLM Glenwood Springs Energy Office, 2425 S. Grand Ave., Suite 101, Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Digital copies of the Master Development Plan proposal and project maps are available at http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gsfo/GSFO_MasterPlansOfDevelopment.htm

-BLM-