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Crestone Peak Resources has followed through on its pledge to move its proposed Boulder County oil and gas project closer to a busy highway corridor and farther from residential areas.
The Denver-based oil and gas company released a map Friday showing 140 wells — five well pads with 28 wells each — which is a decrease from the 180 wells across six well pads originally proposed. The wells are clustered in three different sections just south of Colo. 52 between U.S. 287 and County Line Road.
"All three of these locations are on surface where Crestone has the underlying mineral ownership," said spokesman Jason Oates. "Boulder County is the surface owner."
Boulder County Chief Planner Kim Sanchez confirmed that the three alternative locations are on open space. She declined to comment specifically on the new map, saying the county is awaiting the other information expected in the third draft due next Wednesday.
The company is the fifth-largest oil and gas producer in Colorado and has voluntarily agreed to use a new state process — called the "Comprehensive Drilling Plan" (CDP) — as part of its proposal to drill within 12 square miles on the eastern edge of Boulder County.
Oates said the boundary line in the western area was shrunk by a half mile, which contributed to the reduction in the proposed well count.
"The geosciences team is continually evaluating the number of wells required in the Niobrara A, Niobrara B, Niobrara C and Codell formations to achieve optimal recovery of hydrocarbons from these formations in the reservoir," Oates said.
Citizen groups represented by attorneys, the Town of Erie and the Colorado Department of Public Health recommended the move to the state highway corridor, a more industrial stretch that already sees heavy traffic volume.
Sonya Jaquez Lewis, a landowner along Oxford Road who has been outspoken about her criticism of the process, said the move is a good first step.
Jaquez Lewis said she is cautiously optimistic, but she wants more discussion and information about public safety protections around the production area.
"I am proud of all the citizen involvement thus far and I believe more Coloradoans are getting involved every week in educating themselves about the gas and oil industry," Jaquez Lewis said. "That is a positive outcome to this CDP process."
However, a landowner near the plan's easternmost cluster of 56 wells, up from 18 wells in the previous plan, said he was promised his land would be protected from industry.
He asked that his name not be used out of fear that his criticism would further deter Crestone from communicating with him. He said he hasn't heard from any representatives, despite numerous calls and written comments.
"I am shocked and I don't think it's a fair method just to put all the danger in one area or in lesser areas," he said.
The timeline for the process has shifted now that Crestone decided to create a third draft. Written comment on the third draft will be accepted from Dec. 29 to Jan. 19.
Crestone's final package is now due to state regulators by Jan. 29, more than a month after it was originally due.
The plan is expected to be considered for approval by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission during a hearing in April.
The proposal will then go through an extensive review process by Boulder County.
Amelia Arvesen: 303-684-5212, arvesena@times-call.com or twitter.com/ameliaarvesen
