Colorado Cracks Down on Oil, Gas Drilling Near Homes
(Bloomberg) -- It wasn’t so long ago that Coloradans voted against a bid to block oil and gas development near homes. The state -- one of the nation’s top crude-producing regions -- is cracking down anyway.
Companies planning to drill wells within 2,000 feet (610 meters) of a home should now expect additional scrutiny from Colorado’s energy regulator, which will only approve those wells if they can be operated in a way that won’t adversely affect health.
The shift in policy comes after a study commissioned by the state’s health department found heightened risk of benzene exposure within 2,000 feet of drill sites. Risk was highest during the flowback stage of the fracking process, when the mix of water and chemicals used to create fractures in the shale rock returns to the surface, according to the study.
“The study indicates the potential for short-term health impacts” within the range of 2,000 feet, said Jeff Robbins, the acting director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. He said that 39 pending applications will be affected.
Voters in November rejected a ballot initiative that sought to impose a 2,500-foot buffer zone between drill sites and homes. Since then, the state has passed a sweeping overhaul of its oil and gas laws, giving local governments more power to regulate drilling.
To contact the reporter on this story:
Catherine Traywick in Denver at ctraywick@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story:
David Marino at dmarino4@bloomberg.net
Mike Jeffers, Steven Frank
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.
- Norway Regulator Blasts Proposal to Halt New Oil and Gas Permits
- Chinese Mega Company Makes Major Oilfield Discovery
- EIA Drops 2024 Henry Hub Gas Price Forecast
- EIA and Standard Chartered Offer Up Latest Oil Price Predictions
- Red Sea Region Sees Another Watershed Incident
- Chevron Oil Project in Kazakhstan to Cost $48.5B
- OPEC Voices Encouragement after IEA Affirms Support for Oil Security
- Biden Govt Bares Strategy for Freight Charging, Hydrogen Fueling Infra
- Rystad Looks at the Buzz Around White Hydrogen
- Ukraine Hits Third Russian Refinery In Escalating Drone Strikes
- VIDEO: Missile Attack Kills Crew Transiting Gulf of Aden
- Norway Regulator Blasts Proposal to Halt New Oil and Gas Permits
- Chinese Mega Company Makes Major Oilfield Discovery
- What Is the Biggest Risk to Offshore Oil and Gas Personnel in 2024?
- Is Peak Oil Demand Close?
- Vessel Sinks in Red Sea After Missile Strike
- JP Morgan, Standard Chartered Reveal Latest Oil Price Forecasts
- Exxon Rights in Stabroek Do Not Apply to Hess Merger with Chevron: Hess
- Rystad Forecasts Net Production of Top Permian Producers in 2024
- Analysts Reveal Latest Oil Price Outlook Following OPEC+ Cut Extension