The following spills have been reported to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission within the past two weeks.
The information is based on Form 19, which operators must complete detailing leak/spill events. Any release of spills that may impact state waters should be reported as soon as possible. Spills and leaks typically occur during routine maintenance of existing wells, although some actual “spills” occur among the county’s more than 18,000 wells.
DCP OPERATING COMPANY LP reported a historic pipeline release Sept. 22 near US 76 and Weld County Route 386, approximately 5 miles northeast of Roggen. An unknown amount of condensate spilled out. The operator observed distressed vegetation on the site during routine inspections, exposed the condensate line and found a pinhole leak caused by the internal integrity of the line. The line was closed and blown. The damaged part of the line has been repaired. Delineation of the impacted soil has begun with a third party consultant.
NOBLE ENERGY INC reported a historic tank battery spill on September 21 near Weld 66 and 43, approximately seven miles northeast of Greeley. An unknown quantity of oil, condensate and produced water was released. Laboratory analysis indicated a historic release to the decommissioned tank battery. Two soil samples exceed for benzene at , 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, naphthalene, total petroleum hydrocarbons and 2-methylnaphthalene.
NOBLE ENERGY INC reported on September 20 a historic well spill near Weld 59 and 50, approximately 5 miles southeast of Kersey. An unknown quantity of oil, condensate and produced water was released. Laboratory analysis indicated a historical release at the decommissioned wellhead. A soil sample exceeded COGCC protection of groundwater standards for 1-methylnaphthalene.
NOBLE ENERGY INC reported a historic well spill Sept. 20 near Weld 43 and 30, approximately 9 miles east of Platteville. An unknown quantity of oil, condensate and produced water was released. Laboratory analysis indicated a historical release at the decommissioned wellhead. Three soil samples exceeded COGCC standards for benzene, total petroleum hydrocarbons, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, naphthalene, 1-methylnaphthalene, and 2-methylnaphthalene.
KP KAUFFMAN COMPANY INC reported a recent flowline spill near Weld 21 and 20 in Firestone on September 18. Less than a barrel of oil and produced water spilled. Workers discovered oil in the ground while digging a trench. The Greeley Fire Department has been contacted.
KP KAUFFMAN COMPANY INC reported on September 17 a recent flowline spill near Weld 19 and 14 in Frederick. Less than a barrel of oil and produced water spilled. The Fort Lupton Fire Department responded to a leak. The operator closed the wells and pipes associated with the spill.
KERR MCGEE OIL & GAS ONSHORE LP reported a historic tank battery spill Sept. 16 near Weld 46 1/2 and 19 in Johnstown. An unknown quantity of oil, condensate and produced water was released. Historically affected soils were discovered after the dismantling of the facility. Excavations and assessment are ongoing.
KERR MCGEE OIL & GAS ONSHORE LP reported a historic tank battery spill Sept. 16 near Weld 45 and 22, approximately 7 miles north of Hudson. An unknown quantity of oil, condensate and produced water was released. Historically affected soils were discovered after the dismantling of the facility. Excavations and assessment are ongoing.
KERR MCGEE OIL & GAS ONSHORE LP reported a historic well spill near Weld 18 and 15 in Firestone on September 16. An unknown quantity of oil, condensate and produced water was released. Historically impacted soils were found after the dismantling of the wellhead. Excavations and assessment are ongoing.
EXTRACTION OIL & GAS INC reported a recent tank battery spill on September 16 near Howard Smith Avenue and Kodak Drive in Windsor. An unknown quantity of oil and produced water was released. Maintenance crews found a chip on the water inside the containment. The source and volume of the spill are unknown. The investigation is ongoing. The spill was contained within secondary containment.
NOBLE ENERGY INC reported a historic spill on September 16 near Weld 57 and 40, about 10 miles south of Kersey. An unknown quantity of oil, condensate and produced water was released. Laboratory analysis indicated a historic release to the disused flowline. Two soil samples exceeded COGCC standards for benzo(a)anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene.
CRESTONE PEAK RESOURCES OPERATING LLC reported a historic flowline spill near US 85 and Weld 30 in Platteville on September 16. An unknown quantity of oil, condensate and produced water was released. The operator discovered a historical release during the dismantling of the flow line. A soil sample exceeded COGCC standards.
CRESTONE PEAK RESOURCES OPERATING LLC reported a recent tank battery spill Sept. 15 near Weld 28 and 21 1/2, about 4 miles southwest of Platteville. Approximately 3 barrels of produced water spilled. The rental operator found a failure at the bottom of the separator during an early morning visit. The separator was immediately drained and all stagnant fluid collected.
KERR MCGEE OIL & GAS ONSHORE LP reported a historic tank battery spill Sept. 15 near Weld 24 1/2 and Arbor Street, about 3 miles south of Mead. An unknown quantity of oil, condensate and produced water was released. Historically impacted soil was found near aboveground storage tanks during tank battery removal. The output volume is unknown. An evaluation is in progress.
KERR MCGEE OIL & GAS ONSHORE LP reported a historic well spill Sept. 14 near Weld 32 1/2 and 21 in Platteville. An unknown quantity of oil, condensate and produced water was released. Historically impacted soil was found near the wellhead. The output volume is unknown. The evaluation is in progress.
KERR MCGEE OIL & GAS ONSHORE LP reported a historic well spill Sept. 14 near Weld 21 and 19 1/2, about 6 miles northwest of Platteville. An unknown quantity of oil, condensate and produced water was released. Historically impacted soil was found after cutting and plugging at the wellhead. Excavations and assessment are ongoing.
KERR MCGEE OIL & GAS ONSHORE LP reported a historic well spill Sept. 14 near Weld 39 and 32, approximately 9 miles east of Platteville. An unknown quantity of oil, condensate and produced water was released. Historically impacted soil was found near the wellhead during plugging and abandonment. The output volume is unknown. The evaluation is in progress.
KP KAUFFMAN COMPANY INC reported a recent flowline spill Sept. 14 near Weld 23 and 14 1/2, approximately 3 miles northwest of Fort Lupton. An unknown quantity of oil, condensate and produced water was released. The operator was notified by a third-party contractor that the off-site flow line was damaged. The well was closed.