Drilling Activity to Remain Flat in Garfield County for 2010

January 11th, 2010
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Reported by Staff
 
RIFLE — The level of natural gas well-drilling activity in Garfield County should remain essentially flat for the year, according to industry representatives who spoke at a meeting of the Garfield County Energy Advisory Board last week.
 
Sher Long of EnCana said, “most of us are status quo.” Long is one of several industry representatives serving on the GCEA, which serves as a liaison between the industry, the Garfield County government and the public. One member at the January 7th gathering asked if the industry is set for a “revitalization” in 2010. John Colson of the Free Press reported that Jon Black of Antero Resources, responded, “It’s more of a proceeding with caution. Ultimately, it’s a matter of economics.”

While there are a few new rigs, the industry representatives collectively agreed that they expect to maintain a study course in 2010. If there is a rise this year, it will be a much flatter rise than in previous years. Another industry representative, Mike Suek of Marathon Oil, said the industry is wary of stepping up its activities too quickly, and was quoted by Colson of saying, “As an industry, we’re pretty horrible at predicting oil and gas prices.”

Despite stagnant drilling acticvity on the West Slope, natural gas production remains at relatively high volume, and the number of drilling permits sought by energy companies is also larger.

According to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the state agency responsible for regulating oil and gas activity in our state, Garfield County produced more than 390 billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas through the month of October, 2009, compared to more than 520 bcf for all of 2008.

Well permits in Garfield County dropped from 2,888 in 2008 to 1,981 last year.


Filed Under: ARCHIVES • Western Slope

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