a county’s role in oil & gas development (one county’s perspective) presented to –...
TRANSCRIPT
A COUNTY’S ROLE IN OIL & GAS DEVELOPMENT
(ONE COUNTY’S PERSPECTIVE)
Presented To –Colorado Institute for Leadership Training
April 3, 2004
Presented By -Doug Dennison, Oil & Gas Auditor
Garfield County, Colorado
2April 3, 2004
Outline
• Background
• Regulatory Setting
• 2003 Complaint Summary
• A County’s Role in Oil & Gas Development
• Garfield County’s Approach & Initiatives
3April 3, 2004
Background
• Most drilling activity in Colorado– As of 03/26/04, 34 out of 68 drilling rigs operating
in Colorado were in Garfield County – next most was Weld County with 14 rigs
– At least nine oil & gas companies are actively involved in exploration and production of natural gas in the county
– Most exploration and production of natural gas is from tight sands but potential of coal bed natural gas production is being evaluated
4April 3, 2004
Background (cont.)
• APDs approved– CY 2003 = 566, a record high– CY 2004 (as of 03/17/04) = 141– Projected for 2004 = >650
• Over 1,600 active wells
• Over 300 new natural gas wells drilled during 2003 with over 500 planned for 2004
5April 3, 2004
2003 Summary of Complaints
Complaints Received 4/1/03 – 12/31/03Category Number of Complaints
Odors/Air Quality 23
Traffic 19
Facility Location/Size 14
Dust/Roads 12
Private Property Damage 11
Water Concerns 10
Noise 10
Other 8
Leaks/Spills 7
Lights/Visual 5
Trash 4
6April 3, 2004
Regulatory Setting
• State of Colorado: – Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation
Commission (COGCC)• Has primary authority for regulating O&G
industry• Has responsibility to promote development of
resources in a manner that protects human health and the environment
• Local field engineers based in Battlement Mesa
7April 3, 2004
Regulatory Setting (Cont.)
• State of Colorado (Cont.): – Certain activities also fall under
jurisdiction of other agencies• Colorado Department of Public Health &
Environment (CDPHE)– Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC)– Air Pollution Control Division (APCD)
• Colorado Division of Water Resources (State Engineer)
• Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW)
8April 3, 2004
Regulatory Setting (Cont.)
• Federal Government– Several agencies may be involved,
including:• Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – primary
responsibility for permitting and monitoring activities on Federal lands
• U.S. Forest Service (USFS)• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)• Army Corps of Engineers (COE)
9April 3, 2004
Regulatory Setting (Cont.)
• County– County’s authority is very limited– Cannot supersede or conflict with COGCC– Few counties have O&G regulations– Generally regulate through land-use code– Most counties use planning personnel– Can participate as a Local Governmental
Designee (LGD) in COGCC APD process
10April 3, 2004
Regulatory Setting (Cont.)
• County’s Role in COGCC LGD Process– Initial 10-day review of application– Request additional 20 days for review, if
required– Request onsite consultation with COGCC,
if required– Request public hearing, if required
11April 3, 2004
A County’s Role in Oil & Gas Development
• CAUTION: There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution– Local government’s involvement in and
regulation of industry activities is dictated by several factors, including:
• Level of industry activity• Available resources• Political environment• Technical factors which dictate development
practices
12April 3, 2004
A County’s Role in Oil & Gas Development (cont.)
• In the simplest terms, a county’s role is to “fill the gap” where industry activities are not addressed by State and Federal Regulations– For example
• Land-use regulations• Local road-use regulations
• Participate in the COGCC LGD process and utilize the process to its fullest extent
13April 3, 2004
A County’s Role in Oil & Gas Development (cont.)
• Actively participate in COGCC hearings and rulemakings
• Provide opportunities for citizens to receive education regarding industry
• Provide a forum for issues surrounding the industry to be discussed
• Participate with State and Federal agencies in review of proposed activities
14April 3, 2004
A County’s Role in Oil & Gas Development (cont.)
• Devote resources, as needed and available, to assist public in dealing with impact from industry
• Coordinate with other local agencies (e.g., municipalities, fire districts, etc.) to address impacts
15April 3, 2004
Garfield County’s Approach & Initiatives
• Attempting to establish and maintain positive relationships with industry and State and Federal regulators to effectively address issues
• Actively participating in rulemaking discussions with CCI, COGCC and COGA
• Co-sponsor of NW Colorado Oil & Gas Forum• Maximizing the use of all existing resources to deal
with impacts from industry– Coordinating training needs for industry with Colorado
Mountain College– Assisting local emergency responders and industry in
assessing HAZMAT capabilities and training needs
16April 3, 2004
Garfield County’s Approach & Initiatives (cont.)
• First county in CO to hire a full-time individual to be focal point for all industry activities – Garfield County Oil & Gas Auditor
• Specific Duties– Serve as a liaison between citizens, industry,
county, and regulators– Educate citizens on industry activities– Respond to complaints and develop and maintain
a database of citizen complaints– Review all Applications to Drill (APDs) for new
wells
17April 3, 2004
Garfield County’s Approach & Initiatives (cont.)
• Oil & Gas Auditor - Specific Duties (cont.)– Develop technical information library– Conduct periodic informational meetings– Assist Assessor’s and Treasurer’s offices
in validating industry financial and county royalty payment information
– Provide input and advice to BOCC regarding industry issues
18April 3, 2004
Garfield County’s Approach & Initiatives (cont.)
• Oil & Gas Auditor - Specific Duties (cont.)– Participate in land-use review process for
industry activities– Participate in development of new
industry-related land-use regulations– Facilitate “lessons-learned” reviews of
industry-related incidents– Other duties, as assigned and needed
19April 3, 2004
Garfield County’s Approach & Initiatives (cont.)
• New Initiatives– Establishing Garfield County Energy
Advisory Board (EAB)• Currently stated mission of the EAB is –
“… to provide a forum for the oil and gas industry, the public, impacted landowners, and local government to prevent or minimize conflict associated with oil and gas development through positive and proactive communication and actions that encourage responsible and balanced development of these resources within Garfield County. “
20April 3, 2004
Garfield County’s Approach & Initiatives (cont.)
• New Initiatives (cont.)– Establishing Garfield Count Energy
Advisory Board (EAB) (cont.)• Membership of the EAB will include –
– Municipalities– School districts– Citizen groups– Cattlemen's associations– Industry– 6 citizen representatives
21April 3, 2004
Garfield County’s Approach & Initiatives (cont.)
• New Initiatives (cont.)– Evaluating new land-use regulations
regarding the oil & gas industry• Current revision consists of development plan
review via a primarily administrative process• Regulations have been referred to Planning &
Zoning Commission for review and may be reviewed by BOCC again in May, 2004
22April 3, 2004
Garfield County’s Approach & Initiatives (cont.)
• New Initiatives (cont.)– Developing program for performing air-quality
monitoring in western GarCo• Assembling a group consisting of citizen groups,
Colorado Mountain College, local school districts, CDPHE, COGCC, industry and others to address this issue
• Currently pursuing grant funds from CDPHE for start-up costs
• Will pursue energy impact grants and other funding sources in the next several months
• Pursuing training from CDPHE for certified odor assessors
23April 3, 2004
Garfield County’s Approach & Initiatives (cont.)
• Summary– GarCo’s relationship with industry is one
of mutual need• The county benefits from additional tax
revenue, increased employment, etc.• Industry must recognize the needs of the
community and work with the county and other local governments to address those needs