Notice of Hydraulic Fracturing

Kerr McGee has notified the COGCC that field operations will take place at the Papa Jo site located outside of Erie limits (north of CR 10 and east of CR 3). The notice was provided to the Town of Erie upon submittal to COGCC due to the location’s proximity (within 2,000 feet) of Erie limits, as required by COGCC Rule 405. 
 
Hydraulic fracturing (sometimes referred to as “fracking”) is the process of creating small cracks, or fractures, underground to release oil or natural gas and allow it to flow up the well for an operator to capture. To create the cracks, fracturing fluids – water, sand, and chemical additives – are injected down the well bore into the earth. The fluid causes the rock to fracture along weak areas.
 
This process may result in emissions of natural gas into the atmosphere, leaks, and/or spills, or nuisances with noise, odor, and/or air quality, and necessitates submission of this notice.
 
Papa Jo Field Operations Notices indicate that the operator intends to conduct hydraulic fracturing treatments beginning on Mar. 13 at 9 a.m. and the field operations are expected to last five days.

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The below message was previously sent on March 11 erroneously as 'Notice of Liquids Unloading'.

Notice of Liquids Unloading

Kerr McGee has notified the COGCC that they will begin liquids unloading on the following wells that are located outside Erie limits, north of CR 10 and east of CR 3:

Papa Jo
The operation is anticipated to take 5 days, beginning on 3/13/21.

What is liquid unloading?
Gas well liquid unloading is a procedure, implemented periodically, where liquids that have accumulated in a gas well are removed to surface equipment. The liquids accumulation can include oil, condensate, and water, and may be due to a variety of causes, including decreases in gas velocity in the well, decreases in reservoir pressure, or changing gas to liquid ratios. As liquids accumulate, well production can decline and an operator may choose to unload the liquids from the well to restore gas production. 

This process may result in emissions of natural gas into the atmosphere, leaks, and/or spills and necessitates submission of this notice.

The COGCC requires well operators to send notification within 48 hours of performing liquids unloading to allow an opportunity to perform a field inspection if needed.

More:
Contact Kerr McGee at 720-929-6000
Visit the Town of Erie interactive Oil and Gas Sites map (most compatible on a desktop)
Questions and comments can be sent to erieoilandgas@erieco.gov
View archive of Oil and Gas notifications