BLM launches public comment period on CO2 wells
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CANON CITY, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Field Office is seeking public comments on an environmental assessment for two proposed CO2 wells near Gardner, Colo.
OXY USA, the operator of the existing Sheep Mountain CO2 production unit, has proposed to drill two new CO2 wells (SMU 7-15-I and SMU 8-15-D). The project would take place within the boundaries of their existing operation, on private surface land, to access public minerals managed by the BLM. The project would utilize existing roads, powerlines and maintenance facilities. A new pipeline would be installed within an existing pipeline corridor. One well (7-15-I) would take place on an existing pad with currently producing wells, while a new pad would be constructed next to an existing pad in order to drill the other well (7-15-D). Most of the expansion would be reclaimed and re-vegetated as soon as the rig leaves the pad. The project is estimated to take three months for each well.
The draft environmental assessment, as well as project maps, can be found on the BLM Royal Gorge Field Office website athttp://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo/planning/sheep_mountain_co2.html.
For additional information or to provide a comment, please contact Aaron Richter at (719) 269-8512 or arichter@blm.gov. Comments are most helpful if received before Aug. 22, 2014. Keep up with RGFO planning efforts at http://blm.gov/3zld.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.