By Dennis Webb/Original Source 

At a time of general contraction in energy developers’ drilling operations in western Colorado’s Piceance Basin, one company working fairly quietly in Rio Blanco County has been proving to be the exception to the rule.

That company is none other than energy giant ExxonMobil, which this week became more vocal about its ambitious natural gas development project in the county.

The company this week announced completion of new gas processing facilities with the ability to handle up to 200 million cubic feet per day. On Tuesday, it invited area government officials and others to see its Piceance Basin operations off County Road 5 southwest of Meeker and hear about a drilling program that currently involves six rigs. That makes it one of the most active current energy developers in the basin.

Besides producing gas and generating jobs, that activity is resulting in other benefits that include a newly announced contribution of $590,000 to the Meeker School District to improve math and science education.

Of that, $350,000 will fund a lab at the new elementary school and an interactive whiteboard system for various schools, and help pay for a district math and science coach and coordinator. The rest will provide funding for a collaboration between the district and Colorado School of Mines to improve math and science education at the elementary school.

“We really hope it will be a shining star for Colorado, this new program,” said Jim Branch, ExxonMobil’s Piceance Project executive, in announcing the funding Tuesday.

READ THE COMPLETE STORY HERE.