ConocoPhillips to Begin Oil Exploration Near Metro Denver! AYFKM?

By Howard Pankratz
The Denver Post

Posted: 07/30/2011 01:00:00 AM MDT

ConocoPhillips will begin oil exploration in four metro-area counties in what an industry expert characterized as a major step in development of the oil-rich Niobrara formation under Colorado's plains.

Most of the 46,000 acres to be explored are adjacent to the north and east boundaries of the old Lowry bombing range in Arapahoe County.

"It is a big deal," said Marilee Utter, president of Denver-based Citiventure Associates.
Utter, a consultant to the Colorado Land Board, is developing a leasing plan so thousands of acres of the former bombing range owned by the board can be auctioned off for Niobrara exploration.

ConocoPhillips said it will begin oil exploration in Arapahoe, Adams, Elbert and Douglas counties "as soon as possible" as a result of an agreement to acquire leases from Lario Oil & Gas Co. Mike O'Shaughn- essy, president and chief executive of Lario, said 90 percent of the land is in Arapahoe County near the old bombing range. Not all of the acreage is contiguous. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Utter said the acquisition is very important because it means serious exploration of the Niobrara is heading south from Weld County, where the majority of exploration has taken place. In addition, the size of the acreage is impressive, she said.

"It is a big parcel. It gives (ConocoPhillips) more flexibility. Picking up big chunks is valuable. It gives them control," Utter said

Continue reading this moronic idea...

Dear David Neslin,

Thank you for admitting you do not have many Oil & Gas inspectors. 

This is a clear picture of inept management and lack of operational environmental management that can become catastrophic to the people of  Denver metro and the surrounding environment(s). We both know that spill incidents occur at alarming rates across Colorado.

The difference is, you deny it and we, the people, do not.

Most oil and gas leaks never get reported because there is not an inspector out in the field to actually notice and report a leaking pipe, berm breach, ruptured pipes and list goes on and on.

Many leaks get reported days, weeks or even a month later. A large percentage of Oil and Gas Spill/Incidents occur far before any inspector gets around to visit the well site.  What does this do to the environment? One hell of a lot of damage, that's what.

On COGCC's FORM 19 the inspector lists: 'Estimated Spill Amount', 'Estimated Recovered.' How is this effective?  How does this guide you for remediation planning? Guess work doesnt cut it Mr. Neslin. There is also a 'Corrective Action' portion on the FORM 19 and we feel that the action should be applied to you.  You are liable for this complacency.

 

 

Can you tell me how many thousands of spill/incidents are 'estimated' in frac-fluid/produced water loss?  How deep does this toxic cocktail penetrate the ground? You sample areas around the site to determine TBEX analytical results weeks and even a month or more past the actual spill date. How effective is it? It's charlatan O&G procedural quackery.  How many unknown barrels of toxic spills have occured? Not even you know how much has been lost/spilled thus potentitally contaminating the ground water and surrounding environment. Great work David!

What will you do when spill/incidents occur in our local Denver area at the same rate as rural spills? How will you control fugitive toxic emissions as to not harm the public?  Will you place the blame on Arapahoe County?  They can't even control their own management to not allegedly  illegally discharge paint on the ground and it's only getting worse for them.  They have one more 'BIG EXPOSE' coming very soon! 

Mr. Neslin, WE implore you to take a step back and realize that you are a puppet being fed by the industry.  You have a good-faith obligation to the citizens of Colorado to protect it's natural resources and it's people from  industrial harm.  Do not allow this development near Metro Denver!

Please send Neslin an email with your thoughts: David.Neslin@state.co.us

Copy us at WTFrack.org@gmail.com and we will post your voice.

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