Feds open public scoping for new oil and gas drilling in Sweetwater County
— May 7, 2013
The Bureau of Land Management Rock Springs Field Office recently launched a 30-day public scoping period prior to preparing an environmental assessment on a proposal by Devon Energy Production Company, L.P. to develop up to 20 new oil or gas wells within the Horseshoe Basin Unit in Sweetwater County.
The project area encompasses 24,972 acres of primarily federal land, with a small amount of state, and privately owned land, approximately 55 miles southeast of Rock Springs. The Horseshoe Basin Unit was developed in 2005, and presently has two gas wells, roads, pipelines and a centralized production facility. The new project proposes drilling two wells per year utilizing horizontal or vertical drilling at depths ranging from 8,500 to 11,500 feet depending on the geologic formation. The project would also include access roads, pipelines, and power lines. Devon plans to minimize surface disturbance by co-locating new wells on existing well pads, or by establishing multi-well pads, when possible. The maximum surface disturbance is anticipated to be approximately 40 acres. The wells would be developed during the next 10 years, with the life of the project anticipated to be between 20 to 30 years.
Public comments are most useful when they are specific, cite additional relevant issues and/or determine the extent of those issues. Written substantive scoping comments should be received by June 4, and may be submitted via facsimile, email, mail, or hand-delivery during regular business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to:
Brandon Teppo, Natural Resource Specialist
BLM Rock Springs Field Office
280 Highway 191 North
Rock Springs, WY 82901
Facsimile: 307-352-0329
Email: BLM_WY_HorseshoeBasin@blm.gov
(please include “Horseshoe Basin Scoping Comment” in the subject line).
For more information on the project visit: http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/