[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,76,87,99],{"_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",6213803,"mediaKeyId","3674175-62a3fdc5f4dcd6970cba2372b0ca9f2b","parentId",3674175,"title","ECMC approves Bison Scorpion Bay 23 OGDP after CPW consultation and timing commitments","audioSeconds",3918,"startMs",2858385,"endMs",6776870,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3674175-62a3fdc5f4dcd6970cba2372b0ca9f2b&start=2858&end=6776","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3674175-62a3fdc5f4dcd6970cba2372b0ca9f2b/thumbnail_2858385.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6213803/Colorado/ECMC-approves-Bison-Scorpion-Bay-23-OGDP-after-CPW-consultation-and-timing-commitments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213803-3ef884b930f6673c260b69201597229f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571236&Signature=fxjUCUvh5EKpt4UsCI1Lq0TQo~TAtuBNAMZDTwk1LFevLb~gLTXtthuKKekWuov6TH5ONn91RGGrrAT5Sin0pMAyjFk2XTi6ORQNNJIC~Btyfav7NGBCULAvbcvKI5WqAzKjgiP1M6xP1ys9H2JwrJPiOKR6QjGTETb6GcmRYSIadPKj9nHDnaE-0-p4mfi4SbA3P576UXrdqZahCIEsMILSz9Js7-crN~aZu0VTMK--4mYXNbDvZgQZ7hHvr~Y52wZIuE7JUXMxsiPRRPRto04hOTIIjiZObMqoM6CBGZe0bw62WfMzp9Q9XpeC6ce7MMjESYcqg6G7w1Cj2v8Q4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission","date","2025-06-04T19:06:40Z","article","The Energy and Carbon Management Commission on June 4 approved Bison Operating LLC’s Scorpion Bay 23 oil and gas development plan, docket 240800191, following consultation with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and operator commitments about timing and mitigation.

Why it matters: the Scorpion Bay site lies within a mapped pronghorn winter concentration area (high‑priority habitat). The approval balances habitat protections, timing constraints and other mitigation measures while authorizing development from a single surface location covering about 1,616.44 acres of mineral lands and seven horizontal wells.

ECMC staff and Bison counsel described a detailed alternative‑location analysis that concluded the proposed pad—sited adjacent to Highway 14—best minimized impacts despite its location inside high‑priority habitat. Bison said it evaluated six alternatives and that Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) acknowledged no feasible alternative would avoid the habitat while also meeting safety, access and operational objectives.

Bison’s witnesses (Katie Gillan, vice president of regulatory affairs and EHS; Ian Hogan, executive vice president of exploration and geology; and Bennett Meyer, land manager) described the project and its BMPs: three‑phase pipeline takeaway for oil, gas and produced water; tank vapor recovery systems; LACT systems; use of quiet frac fleets; tier‑2 dual‑fuel engines with battery assist for drilling and tier‑4 engines for completions; closed‑loop pitless drilling systems; and an intent to electrify compression and connect line power to the production facility. The company stated it would use group‑2 oil‑based drilling muds and cited operational reasons for that choice, including faster drilling rates and lower “mechanical specific energy.”

Timing and mitigation: CPW required consultation because the pad sits in pronghorn winter concentration habitat and calculated compensatory mitigation to offset one‑time impacts associated with drilling and completions that could occur during the winter pronghorn timing step. Bison agreed to CPW’s higher indirect mitigation amount to allow operations within the timing step if necessary.

During deliberations Commissioner Ackerman pressed the operator on why the schedule could not avoid the pronghorn timing stipulation. Bison representatives said they had limited utility line power capacity for drilling at the site and that contractual rig schedules and permitting timelines constrained their ability to shift operations significantly. After further discussion at the hearing, Bison committed to commence and complete construction and drilling outside the timing stipulation and to use best efforts to commence completions outside the timing stipulation while acknowledging limited circumstances could require spillover. The commission included that commitment in the approval motion.

Access route and habitat fragmentation: Commissioners discussed a roughly half‑mile access road from Weld County Road 83 versus direct access from State Highway 14. Bison said direct Highway 14 access would require permanent turning and deceleration lanes and more extensive road construction with greater long‑term disturbance; the company argued the chosen access reduced permanent fragmentation. Commissioners noted the local government and CDOT approvals are relevant to road configuration.

Action: Commissioner Ackerman moved to approve the application with the amended calendar condition (construction and drilling to take place entirely outside the pronghorn timing restrictions and best efforts to keep completions outside the timing restrictions, allowing for limited spillover with BMPs). The motion also allowed recalculation of compensatory mitigation fees between CPW and the operator if operations occur in the timing step. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Conditions and follow‑up: Bison agreed to submit a communitization agreement to the Bureau of Land Management at least 30 days before anticipated first production (the spacing unit includes federal minerals), to implement the listed BMPs, and to coordinate mitigation fees with CPW. The commission directed staff to treat the timing‑based commitments as conditions of approval and noted that issuing drilling permits in an expedited manner was important to enable the operator’s timing commitments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ECMC Commission Hearing - June 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Energy and Carbon Management Commission on June 4 approved Bison Operating LLC’s Scorpion Bay 23 OGDP, with conditions after CPW consultation and operator commitments to schedule construction and drilling outside the pronghorn winter timing stipulation.","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":44,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6213809,"ECMC approves Bison Cartwright 24 oil and gas development plan with conditions",2051,807305,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3674175-62a3fdc5f4dcd6970cba2372b0ca9f2b&start=807&end=2858","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3674175-62a3fdc5f4dcd6970cba2372b0ca9f2b/thumbnail_807305.jpg","/articles/6213809/Colorado/ECMC-approves-Bison-Cartwright-24-oil-and-gas-development-plan-with-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213809-f09a3bea09cac058eccaf5439ff6af72/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571236&Signature=EXAhNQNoMT4CwawoPmdxbjdvStAel74EdPSOmwloDhXzqzQA4xECDJTyrPW4-a8T3Fq5yQ8u6ygYhLRjAMOvhHLvfqF0Y6A2DBsNAiBjD1hb3tqrGaKjhN7QNqlevUYNC4Pc~GBUS5S2R1jXme58pprzttNMAPOuOkYvTPuXGyf~SpEHi9NDGyP8fzlZT8RSch7d9nDjNDcY9G1OR6A11wslYc0fq2lzL4tYq8PuCwDb29GnSETxaG3qrwyGQkyiiS~qo0znAHbEuIy4rFg6CrF4OET9UJYYAbDNxuHUCZdBOiik28QH0R30DRsN-zvR1tTwP0CdqIMFxsyNNGVsdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Energy and Carbon Management Commission on June 4 approved Bison Operating LLC’s Cartwright 24 oil and gas development plan, docket 240900236, subject to conditions of approval and a requirement to memorialize a produced‑water pipeline takeaway commitment in the order.

Why it matters: The decision authorizes development on roughly 4,463.88 acres of mineral estate from a single surface location and allows up to 15 horizontal wells across three drilling and spacing units while imposing site‑specific mitigation commitments and reporting conditions.

ECMC staff specialist Sierra Folkt said the application had a post‑filing correction: the operator will use tier‑2 dual‑fuel drill rig engines with battery assist for drilling rather than the tier‑4 engines listed in the original materials. Folkt said staff will update the BMPs and attach the corrected cumulative‑impacts plan before final approval; the director’s recommendation to approve the OGDP was not affected by the correction.

Weld County representative Brett Kavanaugh told the commission that Weld County held the pre‑application meeting, that the county had not received public comments or petitions on the local 1041 (WOGLA) hearing, and that Weld County supports approval. Bison’s counsel and witnesses described the site as remote, cited no residential building units or high‑occupancy structures within one mile, and said the project would use pipelines for oil, gas and produced water takeaway; the company said it would develop the DSU in two occupations.

The commission’s deliberations included a request from Commissioner Messner that the operator’s commitment to produced‑water pipeline takeaway be memorialized in the order. Assistant Attorney General Boudreaux advised that including the commitment in the motion/order would make it a requirement even if it was not listed on Form 2A. Commissioner Messner moved to approve the application and to memorialize the produced‑water pipeline takeaway commitment in the order; the motion referenced the two COAs included in staff’s recommendation. A second was recorded and the commission approved the application by voice vote.

Conditions and clarifications: the director will attach the corrected cumulative‑impacts plan and updated BMPs before final approval. Two conditions of approval on the Form 2A require updated reference area photos and an updated waste‑management plan if Bison uses additional waste disposal facilities beyond those listed.

The commission recorded no roll‑call tally; the chair announced the motion carried. No intervening petitions or public comments were recorded on the Form 2A for this docket.","The Energy and Carbon Management Commission approved Bison Operating’s Cartwright 24 oil and gas development plan (docket 240900236) with conditions requiring updated BMPs, two conditions of approval and memorialization of a produced‑water pipeline takeaway commitment in the order; the vote was by voice and the motion carried.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6213814,"Commissioner proposes expert panel to review recent health studies on oil and gas exposures",472,282500,755395,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3674175-62a3fdc5f4dcd6970cba2372b0ca9f2b&start=282&end=755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3674175-62a3fdc5f4dcd6970cba2372b0ca9f2b/thumbnail_282500.jpg","/articles/6213814/Colorado/Commissioner-proposes-expert-panel-to-review-recent-health-studies-on-oil-and-gas-exposures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213814-84624f99d5f79798d79388f519055345/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571236&Signature=Q51c7eWEFejh4JfGBq5u0vpZ3X8seDiuw3LejLj~bsIgY6p-CVylH340J7EteLDI-4O7-oBs6XxNDMUwhmgmh-Tac4PBAMSkFMfaOjht5deNVG3GPWw8AA9KE4XTC4IhCIRImeBjJgLP3hobOJpqXnnPUphUTwvpZqMJt8dm0AuMFW0GKQJqcglUHzNVG~q4JckyMj0DnmSE~VNTfQAU-hh2WREqmGBiRQwZEvozPa0I3zZz7pEmpSNV5NQgPJ4jZoKsFNlh2TWj0iR~hLIZK42V0l90ySXVVbDoF8psbbkkDFsubFwhwIiWLJeDaUFF9RcW3slKEhsBplW9JV5GUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Othon told the Energy and Carbon Management Commission on June 4 that she will assemble a panel of experts to review several new health studies related to oil and gas development in Colorado and to prepare a report for the commission.

Othon said she has been reviewing three studies — “Measuring and modeling air pollution and noise exposure near unconventional oil and gas development in Colorado,” “Exposures from oil and gas development and childhood leukemia risk,” and “A cumulative human health risk assessment of regional ozone and volatile organic compounds from unconventional oil and gas sites in Colorado’s Front Range” — and that meeting with study authors and attending public events left her seeking a deeper, structured review.

\"I would put together a panel of folks ... and the group would then meet with the authors of each of those studies,\" Othon said. She offered to lead the effort and to produce a public report summarizing each study’s scope, methodologies, key takeaways, limitations and gaps.

Why it matters: the commission has rulemaking and permitting responsibilities that intersect with air quality and public health. Othon said a structured review could help the commission better understand recent science and inform any future staff recommendations or rule considerations.

Commissioner Othon said the panel should include public‑health and air‑quality experts and represent varied perspectives. Chair and other commissioners signaled support for the idea; the commission did not make a formal, binding directive beyond expressing support for Othon to proceed.

Othon said she would aim to complete outreach, interviews and panel discussions over a period of months and return to the commission with a report in the fall.","Commissioner Othon offered to convene an expert panel to review three newly published health studies on oil and gas exposures and to prepare a public report summarizing methodologies, key takeaways and remaining gaps for the commission.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6213819,"Colorado produced water consortium to meet Friday; Western Slope focus and technical tour planned",199,65665,265265,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3674175-62a3fdc5f4dcd6970cba2372b0ca9f2b&start=65&end=265","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3674175-62a3fdc5f4dcd6970cba2372b0ca9f2b/thumbnail_65665.jpg","/articles/6213819/Colorado/Colorado-produced-water-consortium-to-meet-Friday-Western-Slope-focus-and-technical-tour-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213819-6ddde945c993003b312b7421db35fe39/orig.mp4?Expires=1770571236&Signature=YuzWfqVgsy9nHdT~d4UmNamrRCsGPW4~FPrp4X~QuEtQRPNXNBx8ZSv31YaPQk1OuqetQdbhM2F9qgs10sQiOTOyQO9QeIkfcBCl8MZo1sOiriqDL2i1cBHTlem2xvIw8pSas5mU43uVBoXhUMVC4kxN1qhS~RIjphjE4Y4d6ZJtv60gGV1hoX6Q4iVc-xTiRtfjDEExNoWuLb~C41JkTHK6xe3txeKTEeiguK05XBFWmMYhGPn0S6rnJrybM~cQGGyywfVObhAlMZGxsb2VTY-h6J1arPmnb8vOakMw6rqvmSf7fqsiRhmMFk83NBcvuAJrw9lGsyb9qgjFriVBYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Messner told the Energy and Carbon Management Commission on June 4 that the Colorado Produced Water Consortium will hold an in‑person meeting Friday in a Western Slope location with a virtual option for remote participants.

The meeting will include a morning tour of a centralized produced‑water management facility in the Piceance Basin, Messner said, and the consortium will finalize “deliverable 9,” a literature review identifying toxicological and analytical methods for produced water treatment and beneficial use outside the oil field. “This is step 1 in a multistep process to look at ways to better understand the studies and the research that’s been done,” Messner said.

Why it matters: produced water reuse is an emerging water‑management approach in Colorado. The consortium’s work could identify research gaps and potential next steps for expanding beneficial uses while addressing technical and regulatory barriers.

Messner outlined a full agenda of presentations, emphasizing a Western Slope focus after the consortium previously concentrated on the Front Range. He said attendees will hear technical considerations for centralized storage and treatment from Jeff Kirtland of Terra Energy Partners and a Bureau of Land Management presentation from Carmia Woolley on management on BLM lands. Local government perspectives will come from Rio Blanco County and Garfield County, and Western Colorado Alliance attorney Matt Sura will discuss historical considerations. The consortium will introduce the ECMC’s new environmental justice liaison, Steven Arruza, who will share perspectives on disproportionately impacted communities on the Western Slope versus the Front Range.

Messner said the meeting will also include an update from ECMC staff (Kat Campbell) on ECMC form development that resulted from produced water rulemaking and discussion of barriers to increased use of recycled produced water, including restrictions on centralized storage and treatment facilities. He directed listeners to the Colorado Produced Water Consortium website for the meeting link.

The commissioner closed by noting the hybrid format of the meeting and encouraging stakeholders who cannot attend in person to join virtually.

The commission did not take formal action on the update; it was provided as a commissioner comment at the start of the June 4 business agenda.","Commissioner Messner said the Colorado Produced Water Consortium will meet in person Friday in a Western Slope-focused session that includes a tour of a centralized produced‑water facility, a literature‑review deliverable and presentations on technical, regulatory and local government considerations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

ECMC approves Bison Scorpion Bay 23 OGDP after CPW consultation and timing commitments

ECMC approves Bison Cartwright 24 oil and gas development plan with conditions

Commissioner proposes expert panel to review recent health studies on oil and gas exposures

Colorado produced water consortium to meet Friday; Western Slope focus and technical tour planned