Boulder County, CO - SPILL OF THE DAY - NOBLE ENERGY INC

This spill is interesting as it was derived from a 'plugged' (abandoned) well.  The images below show a timeline of when the well appears to be active and then when it was plugged.  A contaminant release of unknown quantities was reportedly released and groundwater was positively tested as positive.

Our questions are these: What length of time had the contaminant discharge been ongoing? Does the state know that the well bore has not been compromised and the surrounding aquifers are safe? If so, we'd like the state to show its data to back such an assertion? Will this land be used for housing development?  Will the tenants know of the spill?  Will the contaminant spill happen again?

There are a lot of questions for the state to answer on this one. I urge all readers to comment and or send the COGGC's Director, David Neslin an email indicating your concerns.  email COGCC HERE

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Date Rec'd:	4/11/2011	Report taken by:	BOB CHESSON
DocNum:	2213240	API number:	05-013 -06272	Facility ID:	206777

Operator Information

Operator:	NOBLE ENERGY PRODUCTION INC	Oper. No.	10120
Address:	1625 BROADWAY STE 2200 ATTN: TED BROWN DENVER , CO 80202
Phone:	(303 )389-3600	Fax:	(303 )595-7403
Operator Contact:	TODD CULLUM

Description of Spill:

Date of Incident:	4/7/2011
Type of Facility:	TANK BATTERY
Well Name/No.	RALPH L CARR 1-11	Fac. Name/No.
County Name:	BOULDER
qtrqtr: SESW section: 11 township: 1S range: 69W meridian: 6

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Volumes spilled and recovered (bbls)
Oil spilled:	Recvrd:
Water spilled:	Recvrd:
Other spilled:	Recved:
GW Impact? YES (groundwater impact) Surface water impact? N Contained within berm? N
Area and vertical extent of spill: - X -
Current land use: LAND DEVELOPEMENT
Weather conditions: CLEAR AND WARM
Soil/Geology description NUNN SANDY CLAY LOAM
Distance in feet to nearest surface water: 940
Depth to shallowest GW: 10
Wetlands:	Buildings: 650
Livestock:	Water Wells: 650
Cause of spill:
EQUIPMENT FAILURE
Immediate Response:
WELL HAS BEEN PLUGGED AND ABANDONED.
Emergency Pits:
N/A
How extent determined:
A SITE ASSESSMENT WILL BE PERFORMED TO DELINEATE THE EXTENT OF IMPACT.
Further Remediation
IMPACTED SOILS WILL BE EXCAVATED AND HAULED TO BUFFALO RIDGE LANDFILL.
Prevent Problem:
WELL HAS BEEN PLUGGED AND ABANDONED.
Detailed Description:
DURING PLUG AND ABANDONMENT OF WELL AND TANK BATTERY, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE WATER VAULT HAD BEEN LEAKING.

Other Notifications
Date	Agency	Contact	Response
4/8/2011	COGCC	BOB CHESSON

Click on any image to enlarge

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