[{"_1":2,"_136":-5,"_137":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112,124],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6234789,"mediaKeyId","3409832-38a50ae3378b7c1fbb3d881ed91382ac","parentId",3409832,"title","ECMC to launch new website in June; seeks operator user testers","audioSeconds",127,"startMs",591000,"endMs",718000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409832-38a50ae3378b7c1fbb3d881ed91382ac&start=591&end=718","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409832-38a50ae3378b7c1fbb3d881ed91382ac/thumbnail_591000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6234789/Colorado/ECMC-to-launch-new-website-in-June-seeks-operator-user-testers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234789-6b450c6ab8b55342d5bd9775a72ada35/orig.mp4?Expires=1770692003&Signature=Jh4oMADTOFVSurmfbcZF1HAzsDU8~v7TTR~OXL0~LFHZ2Vfb3eD--aVF5mi00lydd~sqnYUfoE~eog9msAtLD-MGQV0YnB9xkrKkE0y372HHuHIphVdfNyKlwrTomd4YVJJx2P-ZGfL2RvIlOUq8eP3n9vmE8mvmYGdve3wOFwjq-kIl3wxVu~V-h6-OUk4XfiQpdyj7odY2apmAAPsy20oi0btOHzhL1BwG~OXzylgRBDV~e-bYNA~3DVss54J3wMpfnhCOaIaG1wDxvCZVdYWUNovCT6~qbfLJ~~5MfjyxdiPyVoIRyYnxOU543f24VwTcIHkaWlB32Kxhh5LWeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission","date","2025-05-20T19:17:05Z","article","Chris Esinger, information applied technology manager at ECMC, said the agency will switch to a new website in June intended to improve navigation and accessibility for public users. Esinger said content migration is complete and the final phase is user testing, which will begin at the end of the week and use a guided Google form with simple tasks; testing should take about 30 minutes.

Esinger invited operator community members to volunteer as testers and to provide feedback about content and user experience; he asked interested participants to contact Raj Giri (site coordinator) or Esinger directly. The new site will resemble other state agency websites and is intended to make ECMC information easier to find for public users who may not be familiar with ECMC resources.

Esinger said the team finished migrating content and is “fixing things up” before launch and that operator feedback will influence future site improvements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ECMC Operator Meeting May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","ECMC said it will switch to a new public website in June to improve navigation and accessibility and requested operator volunteers for user testing coordinated by Raj Giri and Chris Esinger.","taxTitle","Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance State Advisory Committee, Governor's Boards and Commissions, Organizations, Executive, Colorado","taxId",28063,"location","Colorado","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6234794,"ECMC posts ex parte communications guidance and plans detailed variance application template",168,417000,585000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409832-38a50ae3378b7c1fbb3d881ed91382ac&start=417&end=585","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409832-38a50ae3378b7c1fbb3d881ed91382ac/thumbnail_417000.jpg","/articles/6234794/Colorado/ECMC-posts-ex-parte-communications-guidance-and-plans-detailed-variance-application-template","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234794-74b3cd489c19d160c56a269f3551598d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770692003&Signature=DmXYcSp832HsHJtgTtsa-zM1M7eV3WDAD7P9V01ZaRO-hakoKwAEmXXdYAlQ4uhan1PUwIjcktaMPnXBq87~UmbIehzwnNa~4QnAyjit2fWTXqPMLXdrPxNRV25CY3lz1RcsaF2Qi4d4eOlYc-KimmRn~1hjN1TVtBGJ~cGK2kkdvds8vUPtBgZoUyTWfNXRpdhGRgouwo~MUqIBz1IISXa4cbVsv31HQOAAAfChYCA0YyIRMUGAKzDqgfNRTq-EOW41PTYaDUX0m88GooBrQs~m~0gwPrWfJ1WwO3~teXBOfIHWUNn6Wrhsfo3XhzrkR7ncJEUeSJDJbNcBMkN5bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Elias Thomas, hearings manager at ECMC, announced that guidance for rule 5.30 — governing ex parte communications with commissioners or hearing officers in contested matters — is now available on ECMC’s hearings page. Thomas credited hearing officer Janet Jacobs for drafting the guidance and said it aims to clarify when the rule applies, how to comply and remedies for noncompliance.

Thomas also addressed operator concerns about the variance application and review process and said the hearings unit will issue a new, more detailed variance-application template and accompanying guidance in June. The template will specify the information to include in the application, testimony and procedural and notice requirements; Thomas said the intent is to increase consistency and reduce refiling or supplemental filings so reviews can proceed more quickly without sacrificing thoroughness. He said the hearings unit will make himself available at the next operator meeting for updates.

Operators were invited to direct questions about ex parte guidance to Hearing Officer Janet Jacobs at the email on the hearings page; Thomas said the variance-application materials should be ready in the next month.","ECMC hearings manager announced guidance on rule 5.30 (ex parte communications) is posted and that the hearings unit will issue a more detailed variance application template and guidance in June to improve application completeness and review speed.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6234798,"ECMC posts Form 2F and begins guidance on cumulative-impacts area of evaluation",95,284000,379000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409832-38a50ae3378b7c1fbb3d881ed91382ac&start=284&end=379","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409832-38a50ae3378b7c1fbb3d881ed91382ac/thumbnail_284000.jpg","/articles/6234798/Colorado/ECMC-posts-Form-2F-and-begins-guidance-on-cumulative-impacts-area-of-evaluation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234798-3d32d8e9ede664390935e322e8df4d33/orig.mp4?Expires=1770692003&Signature=dIOXXUOQTOLSiDfZ748m8vNkjhh027R0GQFY6hHJ2Q5aP~eiqEyNSEgyKztcvci0vLjeQ7Hj2XIvsSJEaV0c7yUea613KoqVRtH2hzGk57a~44AfIdqJX7NG0ByFuHss-SHmB4EFwFMy~7aAbtUpcWrsIzhzz7hzbgbMeGDtQcjcy7Qucb2D0zUzP8n46oD5oVf4qOPQM7gwOzJjExXSrmr3UCgU680A1vbWNRMqMiui2RX0tXtDEgGhlBaIcLRzCUUrwJH~30eunK6leM3qY-m0jD5GFUvmZHHTJBF4kOIQUnmI4P8Vwir-M4M-qsLlMjwssfuppotvMFtCB0weqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Steven Schwarz, cumulative impact supervisor, announced that Form 2F — the cumulative-impacts data identification form used with comprehensive area plans (CAPs) — has been released in webforms. Schwarz said Form 2F is required with CAP applications when an operator is not seeking preliminary siting approval (PSA) for all locations and that operators should direct Form 2F questions to his office.

Schwarz said the cumulative-impacts team is shifting from form development to writing guidance related to the cumulative impacts and enhanced systems-and-practices rulemaking. The first guidance will focus on how to determine the area of evaluation for cumulative-impacts analysis as covered in rule 3.15(b). Schwarz said the guidance will be located on both the Form 2A guidance page and the operator guidance page under the pre-application operator guidance sections that reference rules 301(f)(3) and 301(g)(1), because the cumulative-impacts analysis is an attachment for Form 2A and the area of evaluation is discussed during pre-application meetings.

Operators with questions were asked to contact Schwarz directly; Schwarz thanked participants and said the guidance is intended to clarify how to apply the new cumulative-impacts requirements consistently.","ECMC released the Form 2F (cumulative impacts data identification) and said the cumulative-impacts team will shift to guidance writing; the first guidance clarifies how to determine the area of evaluation referenced in rule 3.15(b).",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6234803,"ECMC updates Form 5A workflow: TPZ now controlled by Form 5A; due date clarified as 30 days after operation",202,738000,940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409832-38a50ae3378b7c1fbb3d881ed91382ac&start=738&end=940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409832-38a50ae3378b7c1fbb3d881ed91382ac/thumbnail_738000.jpg","/articles/6234803/Colorado/ECMC-updates-Form-5A-workflow-TPZ-now-controlled-by-Form-5A-due-date-clarified-as-30-days-after-operation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234803-6e639dc9575bf9272376b2e039a69644/orig.mp4?Expires=1770692003&Signature=UFHH2HlFzeMy7HOvRfraWHnKxBevk9Eq5RjGm3~v286K1z9HyU6~LU8w~wONSlFGLZy8zGQ2uls6ZGuRAEw5Hlz7pNFq3oVg~aC0~AkROjURUTHnmzw2Fvw8l6IJOaKsvpqJORWl7ZkTm~X7FLfeVUbkLG~mWFYk2nrhw-sqp7tStuOQjau1VZkO80IosBxGz6A9eGUkmidX2FMUQmofaYbSLWoswkmNl1UBcA-uMkhLMMUHcYnIRRBXb5LC4PusPwszSamK6uF3cV~kXdcF0Nth3XCotY5pr6oXKJu0LfnbgzxcSoyzUNmoQnnm0pDSJYx92zkNHmaF5IlO4WsFhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Misty Mason, senior permit completion specialist in ECMC’s planning and permitting unit, announced changes to how top-of-production-zone (TPZ) data are managed and clarified Form 5A timing and behavior. The TPZ fields were moved so that the Form 5A now controls the final locking in of the TPZ; the form will be auto-populated with the as-permitted TPZ once Form 5A is approved and subsequent Form 5A submissions will have those fields disabled to prevent edits.

Mason said the TPZ fields will remain visible on Form 5 but that the Form 5A is the controlling record for final TPZ values. If operators find an error after auto-population, they should note it in the operator comments on the submit tab so staff can update the record. Mason clarified that the Form 5A due date is 30 days after the operation is completed — for example, 30 days after stimulation (frac) — and is not dependent on when the well is flowing through production equipment. Draft forms already in process are not affected; the new version applies only to new Form 5A records created as of the announcement date.

Mason said updated Form 5A guidance would be released by the end of the week and invited operators with technical questions to contact her via the email shown on the slide.","ECMC’s planning and permitting unit said top-of-production-zone (TPZ) fields will be controlled by Form 5A (auto-populated after approval) and reminded operators that Form 5A is due 30 days after completion of operations; drafts already in process are unaffected.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6234808,"ECMC outlines Bishop loss-of-well-control response; issues Notice to Operators on pressure management",327,948000,1275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409832-38a50ae3378b7c1fbb3d881ed91382ac&start=948&end=1275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409832-38a50ae3378b7c1fbb3d881ed91382ac/thumbnail_948000.jpg","/articles/6234808/Colorado/ECMC-outlines-Bishop-loss-of-well-control-response-issues-Notice-to-Operators-on-pressure-management","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234808-d2f608d8ddeb2e841c55962647067606/orig.mp4?Expires=1770692003&Signature=Ab~oCHziVqnADHXM7AwT19dSuI3fZTOA9ddw0ICwcd~YN-STCDoCmvJyIHVUzXDReevzv9NXLRABYo-d-2cVjL9RM-4Wjq1hRCTfy8FHrSkNK8yvi6jWxRouFQc3nOF6VfKwYspqMkrrrY3UWVp2n7FR0XOqJVQenQgrn4riNPSvGIY0v8WS-YoiP1Kc6gG1nshvLloHfg8B4hNB0B3DdD2ZFDySUIV9szkcy6u1H7rQwo3QDnDc07lU3aqUcgsp~PGQ5FvPVMvuwuZZ74cLxlqmlkfrt0ldtHYZxku0Ogjyl7OJuamoyYjLk-qNb41fxU1aOh7AVnNLbn3ukxg9cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mike Leonard, UCMC QA/QC manager at ECMC, reviewed the April 6 loss-of-well-control incident on a Chevron 16-well pad near Galeton (the Bishop site) and described the emergency response and subsequent regulatory steps. The incident led to a unified incident command response including Weld County first responders, Galeton Fire Protection, Chevron and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Chevron’s third-party loss-of-well-control expert stopped the flow on April 10 and the incident was declared secured on April 11.

Leonard said ECMC assigned spill ID 489797, identified the pad as A-07-10-01 and the well as Bishop A-18-742 (API 12352071), and returned the site to ECMC jurisdiction under the state’s Oil and Gas Conservation Act for investigation and remediation oversight. “ECMC approves remediation plans, but you as operators execute those plans,” Leonard said, emphasizing that ECMC reviews and validates testing until compliance with rules is achieved.

Out of preliminary findings, Director Murphy issued a Notice to Operators (NTO) requiring operators to assess their processes and wellhead procedures during the period between drilling-rig release and start of production and to report that assessment to ECMC. Leonard said the NTO was issued “out of an abundance of caution” and that ECMC has not yet made a final determination on the incident’s cause; OSHA is conducting a separate investigation.

Leonard reported that the NTO required documentation from 42 operators with active permits and that ECMC had received 37 responses as of the meeting; staff were following up with the five outstanding operators. ECMC said it will continue its investigation in collaboration with operators and other agencies and will take additional action as necessary to protect public health and safety.

Operators seeking the NTO or to be added to ECMC’s engineering distribution list were directed to dnr_ecmc_engineering@state.co.us; Leonard said sample responses vary by operator and should be focused, typically as a bullet-point list rather than a lengthy narrative.","ECMC briefed operators on a loss-of-well-control incident at the Bishop site near Galeton, Weld County, and said Director Murphy issued a Notice to Operators requiring assessments of wellhead and process controls; ECMC reported 37 of 42 required operator responses received by the May 9 deadline.",{"_33":125,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":126,"_41":127,"_43":128,"_45":129,"_47":130,"_49":131,"_51":132,"_53":133,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":134,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":135,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6234813,"ECMC opens marginal-well plugging applications with $12.6 million federal grant and state funds",240,35000,275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409832-38a50ae3378b7c1fbb3d881ed91382ac&start=35&end=275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409832-38a50ae3378b7c1fbb3d881ed91382ac/thumbnail_35000.jpg","/articles/6234813/Colorado/ECMC-opens-marginal-well-plugging-applications-with-126-million-federal-grant-and-state-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6234813-9a18a424df295a4ea9fb5c45b592c4f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770692003&Signature=TINrEzfFKHyt3TjDt6TbDy5E2Lzj8Bn7t3aC~aL8Lf0dlferXoYeQ4iwVkBmlo~Jn0fhvqC~7Oifuu6cRcVy9mtLu6jqBrAdjT56jNsH2FH64yMi4iNkLv0T38e7YCnat6oNgi96ZpJVSDdQySMtxs3pIaKSHbzSjtWWb7zS69OGpTcJXyBy6x-1sjvGu7v7YqNIlBWs4S~jRBBhnf9~9bBA6DPZHqNV1OeYBHyrWyn3tDmD1QI9WJxD8oOuvqUJeBCsjqV9uy4Noa~t5gvZcKEEMR0sN80aCld8MaLi2816kVrq9eqF~OL8Ifpq4grbnJqN6ePBOo--yp0-k42deA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dita Osborne, air quality specialist and program manager for ECMC’s marginal well plugging program, announced a new two-track funding opportunity that combines state enterprise funds with a $12,600,000 federal methane emissions reduction grant to reimburse operators who volunteer marginal wells for plugging and abandonment.

The program is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve local air quality, and reclaim well sites. Osborne said applications are being prioritized to plug marginal wells “in or near disproportionately impacted communities” and that the enterprise and federal grants share an application, program manager, and services contractor though they differ on eligible production rates and ranking weights. “This new program has 2 funding sources for operators to volunteer marginal wells for plugging and abandoning reimbursement,” Osborne said.

ECMC described the Colorado Orphan Well Mitigation Enterprise as a mitigation-fee-funded entity that plugs, remediates and reclaims orphaned and marginal wells. Applications will be evaluated first for the federal grant because it is a five-year program and then for the enterprise state funding. Wells selected for either program will have pre-plugging methane measurements, plugging and field operations, post-plugging methane measurements, and then operators will submit documentation for reimbursement. ECMC will publish a program data dashboard with metrics for awarded projects.

Osborne said the application is open now and will close on May 20; she noted funding is limited and that ECMC has already received several applications. Operators can find eligibility criteria, the joint application and application guidance on ECMC’s marginal-well plugging web page and can send questions to the program email listed on that page. “These funding sources provide an opportunity for our state to mitigate methane emissions and improve our quality,” Osborne said.

Details such as precise eligible production-rate thresholds and the specific ranking criteria weights for each funding source were described in ECMC guidance and on the webpage; applicants should consult that guidance and the application for exact requirements.","ECMC announced a marginal well plugging program combining Colorado Orphan Well Mitigation Enterprise state funds and $12,600,000 in federal methane-reduction grant money to reimburse operators who volunteer marginal wells for plugging; applications are open and close May 20.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

ECMC to launch new website in June; seeks operator user testers

ECMC posts ex parte communications guidance and plans detailed variance application template

ECMC posts Form 2F and begins guidance on cumulative-impacts area of evaluation

ECMC updates Form 5A workflow: TPZ now controlled by Form 5A; due date clarified as 30 days after operation

ECMC outlines Bishop loss-of-well-control response; issues Notice to Operators on pressure management

ECMC opens marginal-well plugging applications with $12.6 million federal grant and state funds