The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission is proposing a $1.53 million penalty against Chevron subsidiary Noble Energy for a blowout of a fracking well that sprayed pollutants over homes and a school in Weld County.
The ECMC board, which regulates oil and gas, will hold to consider the enforcement action. Monday’s announcement follows a monthslong investigation into the incident at the Bishop well site April 6, 2025, near Galeton, which is 22 miles northeast of Greeley.
The ECMC said the blowout happened when well a barrier failed and there was a loss of control over the pressure in the wellbore. Thousands of barrels of crude oil, natural gas and fracking water, which contains chemicals and other substances, spewed from the well pad, officials said.
Weld County and Galeton first responders and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency went to the scene. State officials said contractors for the company stopped the flow of fluids four days after it started.
Chevron is responsible for remediating the affected area, which isn’t expected to be complete until spring 2030. ECMC said Chevron has submitted more than 1,000 analytical reports.
ECMC said six state regulations were violated during the incident.
The area covered under the cleanup includes 317 individual parcels within 1.5 miles of the well. Six parcels have been remediated to the state’s standards, officials said.
Chevron is responsible for all costs associated with the cleanup, ECMC said. The agency said it had no information about the operator’s remediation expenses or any claims by people affected by the blowout.
“Chevron has remained actively engaged with residents since the incident, recognizing that rebuilding trust takes time and sustained effort. We are committed to transparency, ongoing dialogue with the Galeton community, and moving forward together,” company spokeswoman Patty Errico said in an email.
Chevron’s work at Galeton Elementary School included extensive cleaning of the interior, exterior, playground equipment and the removal of gravel and mulch, Errico said. The school reopened April 22.
Errico said the company worked individually with all affected property owners and tenants, providing specialized teams to help answer questions and concerns. Case managers were assigned to personalize the approach.
“We regret the inconvenience this caused and are happy to share that residents were able to return to their homes,” Errico said.
Homes were evacuated and an unknown number of people were exposed to toxic air contaminants, said Andrew Klooster, Colorado field advocate for the environmental organization Earthworks.
“The fine proposed by ECMC is significant and it is important that ECMC will continue to monitor the cleanup efforts and that Chevron will bear the full costs of remediation,” he said.
Updated to add details about cleanup and ECMC hearing.
