Field Operations Notice:
Intent to Conduct Hydraulic Fracturing Treatment
Occidental Petroleum has notified the
COGCC that field operations will take place at the Mae J 14-8HZ Well Pad (formerly known as the Shumaker Well Pad) located outside of Erie limits (north of Co Rd 10 and east of Co Rd 3). The notice was provided to the Town of Erie upon submittal to COGCC due to the location’s proximity (within 2,000 feet) of Erie limits, as required by COGCC Rule 405.
Hydraulic fracturing (sometimes referred to as “fracking”) is the process of creating small cracks, or fractures, underground to release oil or natural gas and allow it to flow up the well for an operator to capture. To create the cracks, fracturing fluids – water, sand, and chemical additives – are injected down the well bore into the earth. The fluid causes the rock to fracture along weak areas.
This process may result in emissions of natural gas into the atmosphere, leaks, and/or spills, or nuisances with noise, odor, and/or air quality, and necessitates submission of this notice.
The Field Operations Notices indicate that the operator intends to conduct hydraulic fracturing treatments beginning on Feb. 12 at 11 a.m. and the field operations are expected to last through Feb. 24. Notices were received on Feb. 10 for wells listed below:
- Mae J #8-1HZ
- Mae J #8-2HZ
- Mae J #8-3HZ
- Mae J #8-7HZ
- Mae J #8-8HZ
- Mae J #8-9HZ
- Mae J #8-10HZ
- Mae J #8-11HZ
- Mae J #8-12HZ