New voluntary baseline groundwater quality sampling program

Colorado Oil & Gas Association, Governor John Hickenlooper, and the Department of Natural Resources announces Voluntary Baseline Groundwater Quality Sampling Program

The Colorado Oil & Gas Association (COGA), Governor John Hickenlooper, and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced Aug. 2, 2011, the start of a new voluntary baseline groundwater quality sampling program for the oil and gas industry.  This program was developed to proactively address groundwater quality concerns across the state associated with the drilling and hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells. 

The announcement was made at COGA's 23rdannual Energy Epicenter Conference during the opening keynote by Governor John Hickenlooper. Under the program, oil and gas operators who drill wells on new pads will collect groundwater samples before and after drilling.  The data will be provided to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), who will manage it in a central database.  Annually, COGA and COGCC will prepare a joint report to the Commission summarizing participation and findings.

Governor Hickenlooper commends the new program.  "The oil and gas industry plays a critical role in Colorado's economy and is an essential partner in protecting the environment. This new groundwater testing program will increase transparency and accountability. We appreciate the Colorado Oil & Gas Association's efforts toward creating greater confidence in groundwater quality throughout the state."Scott Moore, COGA's Chairman of the Board and Anadarko Petroleum Corporation's Vice President of Marketing, added that, "Our industry recognizes that our neighbors would like to see assurance that their groundwater is not being impacted by drilling operations.  We are proud to put forward the first program in the country designed to ensure that groundwater data is collected before and after drilling on new well pads."

Tisha Conoly Schuller, President and CEO of COGA, is encouraged by the 90 percent participation by industry.  "Our goal is to have every operator in Colorado participate.  With further outreach and the unanimous support of our Board, we are confident that operators will see the value in participating in COGA's program."  Schuller continues, "The positive response by our members acknowledges how important it is that we demonstrate that we are protecting the quality of Colorado's groundwater.  COGA and our industry partners are committed to demonstrating to our landowners and communities that they can have confidence in our operations and the quality of our state's groundwater."

DNR Director Mike King commended COGA for approaching the Administration with the Program. "We appreciate the oil and gas industry's innovative approach to groundwater protection with this new initiative," King said. "This shows important leadership from the industry, and reflects its efforts to work collaboratively and transparently with the oil and gas commission and the public."

COGCC Director David Neslin added, "Our staff has reviewed the details of the program and we are confident that this is a strong addition to groundwater monitoring across Colorado," Neslin said.  "It will add to the data we have previously collected on more than 5,000 water wells in the state and assist us in addressing ground water quality concerns associated with hydraulic fracturing."

The following companies have agreed to participate in COGA's Program:

  • Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
  • Antero Resources
  • Bill Barrett Corporation
  • Bonanza Creek Energy Operating Company
  • BP America
  • Chesapeake Energy Corporation
  • El Paso E&P
  • Encana Oil & Gas (USA)
  • EOG Resources
  • Gunnison Energy
  • HRM Resources
  • KP Kaufmann
  • Marathon Oil Company
  • Noble Energy
  • Oxy USA PDC Energy
  • Pioneer Natural Resources Quicksilver Resources
  • Quicksilver Resources Inc.
  • Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation
  • Williams Production RMT Company 

Program Details of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association's (COGA) voluntary baseline groundwater quality sampling program

  1. This Program applies to all newly developed or new expansions of wells or pads, not existing wells or pads.
  2. This Program is contingent upon landowner-approved access.
  3. Samples will be collected in accordance with a Sampling and Analysis Plan developed for COGA's voluntary program and approved by the COGCC.
  4. Sampling will be conducted at two downgradient groundwater features within a ½ mile radius of the surface location of the proposed oil and gas well pad. 
  5. Post-drilling sampling will be conducted within 1 to 3 year period. 
  6. In the event of a complaint from a water well owner located within ½ mile of the well pad, the operator will, upon proper notification and expeditious access to the well granted by the landowner, make its best efforts to collect a sample within 48 hours, after being notified of a complaint alleging a distinct, identifiable change in water quality (such as odor, color, taste, or turbidity). 
  7. Samples will be collected by qualified individuals and sent to a certified laboratory for analysis.
  8. Within three months of collecting the sample(s), the landowner will be provided with a letter explaining the testing and analyses completed and a copy of the laboratory analytical report. Landowners must also consent to allowing the laboratory analytical results to be submitted to the operator, COGCC, or any other regulatory agencies.
  9. Landowners will also be provided with educational materials developed specifically for COGA's Program that address topics such as water well integrity, groundwater quality, and oil and gas operations and regulations.
  10. The groundwater sampling data will be made available to the public, including operators, by the COGCC through their database link via their website.  The data will be posted within two weeks of electronic submittal to the COGCC. 
  11. The COGCC database will be used to assist operators in conducting the baseline groundwater sampling program and to characterize and evaluate trends in groundwater quality within different basins in Colorado. 
  12. COGCC and COGA will review annually the implementation of the Program and report the results at a COGCC hearing. 
  13. Companies that participate will confirm with COGA annually that they are meeting the conditions of the Program.