Colorado regulators have postponed indefinitely a move by Crestone Peak Resources to drill 140 new wells north of Erie, a city located due east of Boulder.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission had scheduled a hearing on the energy company’s request but delayed matters as a Boulder county lawsuit against the firm was being heard in the courts. The Commission granted the county’s motion to delay the hearing.
Crestone had planned to drive five multi-well pads on three sites along Colo. 52 north of Ernie. The drilling would drain 10 square miles of product using horizontal drilling.
The hearing had been scheduled for later this month, Oct. 29 and 30, but will be delayed until the lawsuit Boulder County filed late last month against the company is resolved — including any ensuing appeals on the decision in the civil case.
“(Crestone’s) comprehensive drilling plan is a massive drilling project proposed in the heart of Boulder County farmland, which has been protected through the efforts and tax dollars of our residents,” Boulder County Commissioner Elise Jones said in a statement. “We are glad the COGCC is allowing the courts to consider the important legal issues raised by our lawsuit rather than prematurely reviewing the Crestone drilling proposal.”
Crestone opposed the postponement.
“It’s unfortunate to see that the commission’s staff is not following the intent of COGCC Rule 216 and giving true consideration to all of the milestones and requirements that our company has met, at their request,” Crestone spokesman Jason Oates said.
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