New Creek Activity Reported to COGCC / State Official Views Site

I reported the observations I and a family member made Saturday, to the Parachute-based state field inspector Monday morning. I received a call from an environmental assessment official based in Denver Tuesday morning about an hour before they requested a site inspection. The official noted that an EnCana representative would also be present. Fortunately, I was able to arrange to take them both on a brief tour of the site and demonstrate the two areas which have developed surface disturbance activity.

Turkey Point Observations
The first area we visited is a place we refer to as Turkey Point. It consists of Divide Creek wrapping around a small peninsula of land which bristles with the arching skeletons of standing dead trees and perennially hosts a flock of wild turkeys. The beaver built a pond around this area many years ago, and, this spring shored up their dam, expanding the pond area twenty yards or so upstream. The new pond area remains still, but an area in the old part of the pond which had only experienced literally one intermittent vent near a boulder in stream at the height of the seep has become active once again, and in fact, exhibits multiple points (perhaps six) of exiting gas that releases collectively (within seconds of one another) every 5-7 minutes. 

Old Beaver Pond Observations
We then visited the pond which had, in 2004, been the subject of significant surface bubbling activity and, for a brief while, the focus of state sampling efforts.
Click here to to view the Beaver Pond as it was in 2004.

The pond has undergone changes since 2004, with the beaver building a new dam further East and extending the pond configuration perhaps eighty yards downstream. All together, the old pond (West end) and the new addition (East end) creates a pond perhaps two hundred yards long and ten to twenty yards wide. Click here to view the Beaver Pond now [2007].

I will note that while I do not know what this new activity in the pond represents, it appears identical (though less intense) to the activity which occurred in the older part of the pond during the height of the seep. The activity which availed itself in 2004 had not been present in the creek previously - in all the fifteen years we had lived here prior to the event, and closely observed the characteristics of the creek and surrounding area, nor, more specifically, in the time since the pond had been built. Also of note, the sudden and unusual activity disappeared after remediation efforts on the Schwartz well were undertaken. The sampling from the pond, at the time of the activity, we were told by sampling state officials (the same person who observed the site again Tuesday) was attributable to near surface microbial activity, meaning a natural occurrence, nothing more. It is striking to me that the activity first appeared during problems with drilling on the Schwartz well, disappeared after remediation - remains to this day as it appeared in the past (that is, perfectly placid and without bubbling activity); yet, a new area of the pond, which has been added on by the beaver this year, is now active with similar bubbling such as we saw during the seep in 2004. The bubbles in the pond back in 2004 were lit to determine whether they would ignite. In fact, they did. It should be noted that the bubbles which combusted in this area had no odor associated with them - such as one might expect to find in swampy or other situations where there is extensive decomposition of vegetative and other organic matter - at least, to be more specific, in situations where there is such a degree of continuous decomposition so as to create sedimentary saturation and frequent venting of gas to the surface, like that which we are seeing once again in the new pond addition.

Moreover, the activity appears to have increased slightly from that which we observed on Saturday (maybe by 10-20%).  I do no understand how two areas, mere yards apart, of the same body of water and pond configuration can demonstrate such different surface characteristics.

Of course, I asked the state official on Tuesday to what phenomenon he could attribute this action, as I am no expert in these matters, and can only bring a perspective of historical eye-witness observation. As a geologist - hydro/geologist he didn't seem to know, but suggested that it could be a seasonal or rare type of naturally recurring activity - or, he said it could be connected to drilling activities. He asked what I thought should be done, to which I noted my obvious lack of credentialed insight; but I did ask that if he deemed himself or others on staff unable to adequately assess the situation, perhaps a more qualified expert could be consulted. He said that the area should be sampled, but noted the difficulty of sampling a pond environment. I suggested that one approach may be to don waders, enter the waters and sample from the soil depths. I suggest this because I presume that the silty bottom of the pond acts like a sponge, collecting and distributing any gaseous subsurface release, and holding onto it until it becomes saturated, whereby it then will seek a path of release. Indeed, last year, frustrated by the repeated denial by state officials that the beaver pond had been subjected to the same seep activity which had been officially delineated within the "main seep" area, Blackcloud entered the waters raising a broad caldron of fizzing bubbles to the surface, which he then ignited. This was for our own purposes, as we believed that the soils were retaining the gases, and there was, consequently, far more gas present than a number of regularly venting streams of gas would suggest. Indeed, this seemed to be the case.

On Tuesday's visit, in an attempt to clarify for the official what appears to be happening, I noted the one variable which appears obvious to even me - and that is the resumed drilling of the Schwarz site and the appearance of the pond activity which seem to have occurred simultaneously (unless there, obviously, is other disruptive subsurface activity elsewhere in the near vicinity that may be affecting things). I shared the view with he and the EnCana representative that it appears to me that the two may be related which  would certainly seem a good place to begin a line of inquiry.

He said he had not been personally informed that drilling activities had resumed on the Schwartz site, but that, of course, the field inspector had been made aware of it, who had in fact informed him of my phone call made Monday morning.

As he had inquired what I would like to see done, I said that one of the main things would have been that, given the environmental degradation attributed by the state to have been associated with the development of the Schwartz well, I would have made sure, as an official tasked with environmental assessment, that I had been informed before EnCana resumed drilling on that same site. Given the apparent division and lack of communication between vested departments within the COGCC, it appears, once again to be business as usual in Denver, with permitting being an 'administrative function' and environmental oversight yet another. Who would have thought that something as high-profile as the Divide Creek seep could fall away to antiquity so soon, and without sufficient modifications in administrative oversight. While engineering modifications have been implemented and imposed on industry operating within the moratorium area, it would certainly seem that a reengineering of communication protocol  within the COGCC is long overdue as well.

Whereas I share the view with the COGCC official that premature conclusions are wholly inappropriate to this occasion, I do believe that these events suggest that something relevant to concurrent activities is occurring and begs further investigation. Perhaps there is other relevant activity of which I am not aware. Certainly, landowners are less than apprised of changing industrial conditions which surround them. We learned 'through the grapevine' of planned activity on this site only days before drilling actually began. Of course, I believe the state should include landowners within a certain geographic locale of at least notification when such activities are permitted. But, that such disclosure would open projections to speculation, discourse and even participation by concerned citizens.

The official noted that sampling would be scheduled for sometime soon.

As it has been our experience that one should request written documentation of a reported incident to the COGCC, I have asked to receive a written report of Tuesday's site visit.
 

Today, a neighbor observed an area of his property, quite close to ours, where the seep in 2004 had first been discovered and reported. He reported that his area still appeared without activity. Good news, given this area is just upstream, plus it indicates yet another parameter of a situation that appears to be developing.
 

Those interested in researching the Divide Creek seep and the subsequent findings, which resulted in the largest fine imposed by the COGCC in state history, can locate a number of relevant documents at the COGCC website at www.oil-gas.state.co.us/ or click here to view a list of those documents and obtain document numbers for your search on the state's website: COGCC seepdocs
 

Well Progress Update

The first well has been drilled (though not yet fraced). The second well is currently underway.

EnCana's Environmental Health and Safety Manager has conveyed an interest in sampling the pond area and has projected visiting the site on or about November 1st.

Water well sampling discussed last week is taking place within 1/2 mile of the drilling area.
 

During the landowner meeting, two weeks ago, EnCana's Fracing Manager described a new technique which EnCana is anticipating using on the wells located on the Schwartz site. The new method involves fracing multiple wells simultaneously.

I had an opportunity to speak with the Fracing Manager during a phone conversation this week which confirmed that this was to be the technique used at the Schwartz site. The communicated intent behind this new method is to conserve resources during fracing operations.

Via this method, the frac operation is delayed until all the wells are drilled on a particular pad (in the case of the Schwartz site that would be 5). Once the fracing equipment moves on site, a frac pit is dug to hold fracing fluids. Two wells are then fraced simultaneously. After those fracing operations take place, the used fluids are reclaimed, treated to separate gas from fluid, and used to frac the remaining three wells simultaneously.

Though I thought this was the method I had heard described at the landowner/industry meeting, I wanted to confirm it with the Fracing Manager as this seems like an aggressive approach to an area which has already been the subject of detrimental effects aggravated in part by the aggressive pursuit of resource as well as apparently insufficient information regarding geologic/environmental conditions.

Of course, this method offers a number of obvious and attractive benefits for the operator, for landowners and for the environment. Because operational resources aren't continually moving from site to site, a financial savings is realized. Landowners and the environment benefit because there is less truck traffic and operations move toward completions that much quicker. Admittedly, these are powerful efficiency incentives to proceed with this type of plan, and, unusually in the bargain, potentially benefit multiple interests.

The single glaring  issue, however remains this: If multiple wells are fraced simultaneously, how can environmental officials readily, efficiently and accurately detect the source of problems - should any occur? That the COGCC would  allow this technique, given the continuing issues associated with the seep, seems quite heedless to me. Given the apparent lack of communication between vested officiating parties within this division, it seems reckless as well.

The Fracing Manager did note, that he had not yet reviewed the final plans for the wells, so perhaps this technique will be further reviewed.

As usual, we are simply keeping our fingers crossed on this one that all goes well.
 

I received a copy of the official complaint from the COGCC regarding the new bubbling activity. Document Number: 200121001 / Date: 10-22-07

The response to my request for this report was unexpectedly expedient and is certainly very appreciated.

You can view the report on-line at the OCGCC website once it becomes available.

www.oil-gas.state.co.us/
 

I visited the ponds today to see about stirring any bubbles from the sediment in the bottom of the pond (newly enlarged area). If such bubbles could be stirred, I wondered if they might ignite.

Newly Enlarged Pond Area - Observations
From the bank, I pressed a stick into service near an accessible area, releasing a number of bubbles which did, in fact, ignite. No odor was associated with the bubbling.  The free-release venting (that is, bubbles releasing to the surface without my disturbance) in this area does not appear to have increased since observations on 10-23-07.

Older Area of Eicher/Bracken Beaver Pond - Observations
I then went to the older part of the pond - the one which was steadily venting during the Divide Creek seep, but which is now placid on its surface. There, too, many bubbles released from the sediment, though I could not tell if they were combustible, as it may have merely been a bursting bubble which disrupted the flame and not combustibility of the gases. No odor was associated with the bubbling. As this area has been (and continues to be) placid since remediation efforts, this is suggestive, at least to me, that gas in the sediment is perhaps working toward re-saturation from a renewed source.

Turkey Point - Observations
I then traveled to Turkey Point. These sediments were less gaseous, though in places yielded some bubbles. Again, I could not determine their combustibility. No odor was associated with the bubbling. It did appear, however, that the venting of bubbles to the surface had increased slightly in frequency, but not - that I could readily determine - in number.

Certainly, these kinds of observations are, to a degree, subjective in nature in large part because I have no means of precisely quantifying each observation and subsequent comparisons. But I have tried to be astute and conservative throughout, as well as account for all variables, and even apply various tests such as checking for soil saturation, combustion and odor in all areas; and, I am still left with the same set of suspect characteristics. This will be for experts to assess. I can only provide a carefully accounted for and historical lay perspective on this set of circumstances.
 

Capital Hill
Of note: The General Mining Law of 1872 is up for congressional review with relation to hard-rock mining activities and clean-up requirements. In my opinion, this antiquated law established to encourage "development" of the land from a perspective of the industrial age needs a total overhaul if anything is to be preserved of our natural environment. Congress.org offers more info on these issues.
 

Congress.org
Get alerts by e-mail on votes coming up before congress and see how your representative voted.

National Wildlife Federation  www.nwf.rog/action
Speak up for wildlife. Receive action alerts on legislation affecting the environment.

Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC)
Research permitted activities at the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation commission website: www.oil-gas.state.co.us/
 

The mule deer are steadily moving in and several smaller herds are now established. On our way up to view the drilling rig, we spooked a magnificently antlered buck shepparding a herd of a dozen or so does. These regal creatures are protected here on this mountain, and it was good to see them in our upper meadow. As they moved from the area, they traveled along a cliff flank and down toward Summerhawk valley. As the whole of our entire property is dedicated to the protection of wildlife, they often mill about in near proximity to the house and yard, as comfortably as they would other areas of the property. Disruptions are temporary as they quickly resume their activities of feeding, sleeping and of course, this time of year, the rut. This week the weather has been spectacular with temps in the fifties and sixties. It seems more like mid-April than late October - and there is new green grass sprouting everywhere!

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

-- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Updates      Stand Tall       Beacons and Triumphs       Image Gallery      Home

All contents of this site, unless otherwise noted are copyrighted by Lisa Bracken, 2007. All rights are reserved.
Visit links outside the scope of this website at your own risk. All information is subject to change without notice.