BP American Production Co. is proposing to double the number of coal-bed methane wells to 520 in its 65-square-mile energy field near Bayfield.
BP says it needs more wells to drain methane from coal formations more efficiently.
If the existing spacing of one well every 160 acres is retained, it will leave 45 percent of the available coal-bed methane in the ground, the company says.
Environmental groups question whether BP truly needs the wells to get the gas.
“We would like to know if it’s necessary or if they just want to make money faster,” said Mark Pearson, executive director of the San Juan Citizens Alliance.
Durango residents tonight are slated to get a first look at the BP proposal.
The company says it will drill angled wells from existing well pads to hit new underground targets up to a quarter-mile away.
The technique will eliminate the need for new roads, pipelines and compressor stations, spokesman Dan Larsen said.
While the costs of directional drilling are higher than for conventional vertical wells, Larsen said, BP believes it’s the appropriate thing to do.
“This is an area where people live; we feel this is best way to be a good neighbor,” Larsen said.
The plan will be discussed at a public meeting at Durango’s Escalante Middle School at 7 tonight.
Coal-bed methane has become a major contributor to La Plata County’s economy. Coal-bed methane operators accounted for 62 percent of the county’s property tax revenues.
Drilling one well every 80 acres, as is being proposed, will let BP extract up to 80 percent of the gas, Larsen said.
Without new wells, production would begin to decline 10 to 15 percent annually as early as next year, the company estimates.
The company will submit its plan to the state in August, Larsen said.
Staff writer Theo Stein can be reached at 303-820-1657 or tstein@denverpost.com.
