Timeline and Notifications

Plug & Abandon Operations: Erie 1-24 Well Update -April 1, 2024

In late November 2023, the discovery of a release/contamination was reported at the Erie 1-24 well. This well is located within Erie limits, west of Meller Street and north of Erie Parkway in the Canyon Creek neighborhood. The release and contamination was found during decommissioning and plugging of the well by Crestone Peak Resources/Civitas. Contaminated soils near the well have been excavated and removed from the well head area, though further excavation is expected once site conditions dry out this spring. 

There is no on-going leak and no indication of groundwater contamination at this time. In the last week or so, a flyer has been created and posted in some neighborhoods about a leak. This flyer is not official communication from the Town of Erie and we want to ensure residents have access to the latest, official information. Since the spill was a release at an unknown time in the past and discovered during decommissioning of the well in November, it cannot be known precisely what was spilled or exactly when. 

The documents that were filed about the spill indicate that it was some combination of exploration/production waste, produced water, crude oil, and/or condensate. Soil sampling results indicate the presence of the following compounds in excess of state regulatory concentrations for soils in residential neighborhoods: benzene, ethylbenzene, xylene, naphthalene, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene, & total volatile petroleum hydrocarbons (of gasoline, diesel, and organic ranges of composition).

For Crestone Peak Resources/Civitas to complete remediation of the Erie 1-24 well location, additional excavation will be necessary. However, this work - as well as final site grading and seeding -  needed to wait until a Stormwater Permit was approved by the Town of Erie The operator just submitted their permit request last week. It will likely be a few weeks before they commence additional excavation and sampling to confirm all contaminated materials are properly removed from the site. Notice will be sent to the HOA of Canyon Creek at least one week prior to site activities. 

After excavation, confirmation sample analysis will begin (typically a ~5-week turnaround from the lab), and assuming no additional excavation is necessary, final reclamation of the site can begin. The reclamation will include earth work to contour the land and achieve original “grade/contour” of the lands, removing any road base, importing necessary topsoil, discing/ripping the ground, and seeding all disturbed area to achieve necessary re-vegetation utilizing a Town-approved mix of native grasses and forbs. Assuming no major delays or unexpected issues arise, Civitas is estimating that work on the site will be concluded by mid/late May. Civitas has compensated the Town for the removal of two trees north of the location to accommodate rig access, and the Town Forester will oversee their replacement once work at the site is concluded.

The Town of Erie would like to repeat again that there is no on-going leak and previous excavations have been backfilled to ensure there is no potential exposure to wildlife or members of the public. While the release and subsequent contamination is of great concern and requires significant work to remedy, there is no current danger to nearby residents, natural resources, or the public at large, and there is no indication to date that ground or surface waters have been impacted. Town and State staff will work diligently throughout the remediation and reclamation process to ensure the operator is held accountable and that the site is fully restored.

Finally, Town staff have been coordinating with the Canyon Creek HOA to ensure public safety during the upcoming operations. These efforts include requiring fencing and signage to prevent unauthorized egress into the site once work resumes, closing of sidewalks while equipment is being moved on or off the location, and requiring notice before commencement of operations.

Plug & Abandon Operations: Erie 1-24 Well Update

To complete remediation of the Erie 1-24 well location, located west of Meller St and north of Erie Parkway in the Canyon Creek neighborhood, additional excavation will be necessary; however, this work as well as final site grading and seeding must wait until a Stormwater Permit is in place with the Town of Erie. Once Civitas has received the necessary permit, they may commence additional excavation and sampling to confirm all contaminated materials are properly removed from the site. Once confirmation sample analysis is received (typically a ~5-week turnaround from the lab), and assuming no additional excavation is necessary, final reclamation can begin. The reclamation will include earth work to contour the land and achieve original “grade/contour” of the lands, removing any road base, importing necessary topsoil, discing/ripping the ground, and seeding all disturbed area to achieve necessary re-vegetation utilizing a Town-approved mix of native grasses and forbs. Assuming no major delays or unexpected issues arise, Civitas is estimating that work on the site will be concluded by mid-May 2024. Civitas has compensated the Town for the removal of two trees north of the location to accommodate rig access, and the Town Forester will oversee their replacement once work at the site is concluded.

There is no on-going leak and previous excavations have been backfilled to ensure there is no potential exposure to wildlife or members of the public. While the release and subsequent contamination is of great concern and requires significant work to remedy, there is no current danger to nearby residents, natural resources, or the public at large, and there is no indication to date that ground or surface waters have been impacted.  Town and State staff will work diligently throughout the remediation and reclamation process to ensure the site is fully restored.

Finally, Town staff have been coordinating with the Canyon Creek HOA to ensure public safety during the upcoming operations. These efforts include requiring fencing and signage to prevent unauthorized egress into the site, closing of sidewalks while equipment is being moved on or off the location, and requiring 48-hour notice before commencement of operations. 

Previous Update March 6, 2024:

The Town of Erie is providing the following update of the Erie 1-24 well, located within Erie limits, west of Weld Meller St. and north of Erie Parkway in the Canyon Creek neighborhood. Crestone Peak Resources has filed documentation providing some information about a historic spill/release discovered during decommissioning of the location. Contaminated soils have been excavated and removed from the site, and confirmation samples (to determine if additional excavation is required) were collected and submitted to the state for site reclamation approval. There is no indication of groundwater contamination at this time. Erie staff inspected the site on March 5, 2024, and found the excavations to have been backfilled and no on-going issues or violation were noted. Once the state gives approval that the site has been cleaned to regulatory standards and local stormwater and other permits are obtained, final grading and seeding to restore the site to a natural condition will commence (currently estimated dates of completed remediation is provided as July 30, 2024 and final site reclamation by Nov. 17, 2025 by Crestone Peak). Additional reports are to be submitted to Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) quarterly.

Since the spill was a release at some point in the past and discovered during decommissioning of the well, it cannot be known precisely what was spilled or when. The filed documents on the spill indicate that it was some combination of exploration/production waste, produced water, crude oil, and/or condensate. Soil sampling results indicate the presence of the following compounds in excess of state regulatory concentrations for soils in residential neighborhoods: benzene, ethylbenzene, xylene, naphthalene, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene, & total volatile petroleum hydrocarbons (of gasoline, diesel, and organic ranges of composition).
A full report, including analytical results, maps of sample locations, and field photos is available via this link.

March 3, 2024 Town Council Meeting: Erie 1-24 Well Update

From the February Environmental Services monthly report to the Town Council: Civitas should never have been allowed to proceed with the P&A (well plugging) without the stormwater permit from the town: "The workover rig and other equipment had been mobilized under an ECMC Form 4 Sundry Notice (which requires a 48 hour notice) without requiring the necessary Stormwater Permit. The oversight was brought to their attention, and after internal deliberation, Erie staff decided to allow them to proceed with the critical elements of the work (plugging the well and removal of equipment) without the necessary permits to avoid lengthy delays."

Previous Update Jan. 30, 2024:

The Town of Erie received an update regarding plugging and abandonment operations by Crestone Peak/Civitas Resources of the Erie 1-24 well, located within Erie limits, west of Weld Meller St. and north of Erie Parkway in the Canyon Creek neighborhood. 

Temporary sound/light walls and access road preparation is anticipated this week, prior to workover rig mobilization the week of Feb. 5. The operator will be re-entering the well to perform additional PA operations as required by ECMC, and are hopeful that re-entry operations will be complete in approximately 10-14 days.

Normal operating hours for work on location will be restricted to daylight hours on weekdays, except in occurrences of safety concern. Deliveries and any heavy traffic will be scheduled between 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.. Final reclamation and seeding are now expected to be completed approximately mid-February through the end of March.

 Additional information is available by contacting Civitas’ Stakeholder Relations Team at 720-279-9842 or communityrelations@civiresources.com.

More:
Visit the Town of Erie interactive Oil and Gas Sites map (most compatible on a desktop)
Questions and comments can be sent to erieoilandgas@erieco.gov
View archive of Oil and Gas notifications

Spill Notification on/or about November 27, 2023

Spill & Release: Erie 1-24 Well Location

The Town of Erie was notified of a historic spill/release at the Erie 1-24 well location, located within Erie limits west of Meller Street and north of Erie Parkway in the Canyon Creek neighborhood, discovered during decommissioning of the location. Confirmation samples were collected and submitted for analysis; lab results are pending.

The size and nature of the release are not currently known with excavation and assessment activities ongoing.

Additional information is available by contacting Civitas’ Stakeholder Relations Team at 303-293-9100 or communityrelations@civiresources.com.

More:
Visit the Town of Erie interactive Oil and Gas Sites map (most compatible on a desktop)
Questions and comments can be sent to erieoilandgas@erieco.gov
View archive of Oil and Gas notifications

First Update on September 29, 2023:

The Town of Erie received an update regarding plugging and abandonment operations currently underway by Crestone Peak/Civitas Resources of the Erie 1-24 Well, located within Erie limits, west of Meller Street and north of Erie Parkway in the Canyon Creek neighborhood. 

Normal operating hours for work on location will be 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. weekdays. Deliveries and any heavy traffic will be scheduled between 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (to avoid any pre- or post-school traffic) whenever possible. The rig is planned to be demobilized Monday, Oct. 2. 

Additional operations and flowline removal are expected to end in mid-October with final reclamation and seeding expected to be complete by mid-December.

Additional information is available by contacting Civitas’ Stakeholder Relations Team at 303-293-9100 or communityrelations@civiresources.com.

Original Notification P&A and indication of Spill on September 20, 2023

Plug & Abandon Operations: Erie 1-24 Well

The Town of Erie received notice from the Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) regarding planned plugging and abandonment operations by Crestone Peak/Civitas Resources involving a workover rig of the Erie 1-24 well. The well is located within Erie limits, west of Meller Street and north of Erie Parkway in the Canyon Creek neighborhood. 

Work will include deploying sound/light barriers and temporary fencing, earthwork to level the area, and access road preparation followed by plugging/abandonment operations for the well and removal of flowlines and associated equipment. Operations are scheduled to occur from 9:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. on weekdays only to minimize disturbance to Canyon Creek residents.

Operations are scheduled to begin Sept. 21 and are expected to end in mid-October with final reclamation and seeding expected to be complete by mid-December.

Additional information is available by contacting Civitas’ Stakeholder Relations Team at 303-293-9100 or communityrelations@civiresources.com.