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BLM warns county of ongoing operator problems after Paradox/"American Helium" ownership changes
Summary
A BLM lands manager told the commissioners that past operator Paradox/CCI went bankrupt and assets were resold to a group (G&G Ventures/American Helium); the Lisbon gas plant fire and missed royalty payments led to shut‑ins, emergency securing of sites and large agency expenditures while many wells remain unproduced and bonding/plugging obligations continue.
The Bureau of Land Management briefed the board on oil, gas and helium activity in Dolores County and nearby federal units, emphasizing ongoing operational and regulatory problems tied to a group of related operators.
Ryan Joiner, a BLM assistant manager for lands and minerals, outlined that the Paradox/CCI holdings were shut in after years of unpaid royalties and that the operator declared bankruptcy in March 2024. The assets were sold and later operated under names including G&G Ventures and American Helium. Joiner said the operator fired regulatory staff, leaving a skeletal field presence, and that the Lisbon gas plant fire in December further disrupted processing options and market pathways for gas and helium.
"They went bankrupt then declared bankruptcy in March of 2024," Joiner said, summarizing the operator sequence. The BLM raised bond levels and contracted emergency securing and removal work, spending roughly $840,000 to stabilize locations and remove liquids and safety hazards when the operator lacked capacity; the agency plans to seek cost recovery from the operator.
Joiner said the new operator has applied for state plugging funds for some wells, but many wells remain in uncertain status and the processing plant remains offline, leaving production and transport options unresolved. The agency is inspecting 100% of the operator's locations and coordinating with state regulators and inspectors general on investigations.
Why it matters: federal wells in Dolores County affect local jobs and the county tax base; a failed operator creates environmental and fiscal risk—including potential orphan‑well liabilities that could fall to the federal government if bonds and responsible parties are exhausted.
What comes next: BLM will continue inspections, pursue cost recovery and keep the county informed; BLM offered to supply detailed maps of wells in the county to aid local planning.
