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Board approves pooling orders, accepts Alton Coal settlement and OKs pilot spacing; several orders continued for Feb. 26 finalization
Summary
The Board of Oil, Gas and Mining on Jan. 22 approved multiple compulsory‑pooling orders, accepted an Alton Coal settlement and approved pilot spacing for Lower Mancos appraisal, while continuing several matters for final orders in February because of notice issues.
The Board of Oil, Gas and Mining took a series of formal actions Jan. 22. The board recorded votes approving hearing‑examiner recommendations, accepting a settlement, and approving several operator‑requested spacing/pooling arrangements; several matters were continued for final order signing in February because the required 30‑day published notice window had not yet fully closed in a handful of cases.
Key actions (at a glance)
- Docket 2025‑002 (Cause 132‑66) — Ovintiv USA Inc., request for agency action (compulsory pooling): Board approved the hearing‑examiner’s recommended order, including imposition of a 300% non‑consent penalty as recommended by the hearing examiner. The order will be signed and transmitted to counsel.
- Docket 2025‑003 (Cause 132‑67) — Ovintiv USA Inc.: Board approved the hearing‑examiner recommendation and signed orders as presented (300% non‑consent penalty where requested).
- Dockets 2025‑008 / 2025‑010 / 2025‑xxx (Ovintiv matters with publication issues): Several Ovintiv pooling requests were fully heard but affected by a publisher error at the Uinta Basin Standard. The board directed that the evidence be entered and the matters be continued for final signature at the Feb. 26 meeting after the 30‑day notice window; one order was provisionally approved subject to no valid objections from late‑published notice recipients.
- Docket 2024‑054 (Alton Coal, Cause C0250005): The board accepted a stipulated motion to dismiss in a settlement between the division and Alton Coal. Under the settlement Alton Coal has a period (through July 2025) to obtain bond release to avoid further enforcement; if the company fails to obtain the release, the cessation order will be escalated.
- Dockets 2025‑004 and 2025‑005 (SM Energy Company): The board heard testimony and evidence for two compulsory‑pooling requests (2560‑acre and 1280‑acre units). The board voted to provisionally approve the requests and continued final entry of orders to the Feb. 26 meeting so that the 30‑day published‑notice period can complete.
- Docket 2025‑006 (Anschutz Exploration): Board approved four pilot 1,280‑acre spacing units in the Lower Mancos and allowed up to six long‑lateral horizontal wells per unit for appraisal. Division had no opposition.
- Docket 2025‑007 (UintaWax modification): Board approved modifying an earlier reorientation order to allow two‑mile laterals in several units and eliminate some drilling‑unit boundary wells that had been created by the prior order.
How the board voted: Where roll‑call detail was not read into the record, the minutes indicate the board approved recommendations by voice vote (unanimous “aye” responses were recorded in the transcript for the listed motions). Several approvals were conditional or provisional because final orders remain to be signed after Feb. 15/26 publication and objection windows close.
Why this matters: The orders move multiple production plans forward — compulsory pooling orders impose joint operating terms and non‑consent penalties that can materially affect the cost and development rights for nonparticipating owners. The pilot spacing approvals for Anschutz will test Lower Mancos density and well orientation for potential wider development.
