Energy companies are leery of Colorado’s overhaul of oil and gas regulations, but they’re trying to get a headstart on rules for protecting wildlife and the environment before they take effect.
At least 13 companies have talked to the state about what they need for a comprehensive drilling plan, one of the changes tentatively approved by regulators.
The measure is among dozens of rules the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission will take final votes on during meetings Tuesday through Thursday in Denver.
The goal of a comprehensive plan is to look at potential impacts and activities over a larger area, giving a better picture of cumulative effects and streamlining approval of drilling permits.
“From our standpoint, we saw it as the ability to create some efficiencies, so that we’re not reviewing these environmental impacts on a well-by- well basis,” said Dave Neslin, the commission’s interim director.
Denver-based Antero Resources is talking to state officials about putting together a comprehensive drilling plan for its operations in western Colorado.
“We want to get through the process as quickly as possible. We know there’s a lot of work to be done,” Robert Mueller, Antero vice president of geology, said of the decision to start work now.
If the legislature approves them, the rules will take effect on state and private land in April and on federal land in May.
Other areas covered by the new rules include management of waste pits, location of drilling rigs, and protection of wildlife during birthing and mating seasons.
The proposals are in response to state laws approved last year that give more weight to health, wildlife and environmental concerns in oil and gas regulations.
Decisions about development are to be made with input from state health and wildlife experts.
