Wyo. Gas and Oil Drilling to increase

[Nemont]

April 4, 2005


Drilling for oil, gas sought in wildlife area
Associated Press

RAWLINS, Wyo. - BP American Production Inc. has asked to develop its mineral leases on 8,960 acres within the 62,566-acre Chain Lakes Wildlife Habitat Management Area.

If approved, it would be the first drilling on a wildlife habitat management unit overseen by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

The Chain Lakes area of high-elevation, sagebrush desert is 32 miles northwest of Rawlins.

"It's one of those split-estate things, and we don't control what happens with the mineral rights," said Vern Stelter, coordinator of the Game and Fish Habitat Program.

Stelter said little harm is expected for wildlife, such as antelope.

"We do have a surface use agreement and surface damage agreement that would help mitigate some of the impacts on the surface, and they've been good to work with that," he said. "There's going to be some impacts there, but we don't look for that to be a real significant thing."

Under the proposal, BP would drill - both for testing and production - for oil and gas on 14 sections within the habitat areas. The location and spacing of well pads would be governed by rules set by the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

Up to 56 well pads, or four per section, would be established.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission purchased the Chain Lakes management area in 1970 to provide winter habitat for antelope. About 30,000 acres is owned by the Game and Fish Commission while the rest is overseen by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

Anadarko Petroleum owns the subsurface mineral rights, which it has leased to BP American Production Co.

An estimated 22 miles of new pipeline would be built. Existing roads would be used where feasible and new roads built where necessary.

I am not sure a high elevation desert that is currently managed as a wildlife habitat management area is the proper place for increased gas and oil drilling. I understand the split estate deal but there should be some other alternative to this. This seems to be a very important area for wildlife.

Nemont

 

[1_pointer]

Split estate sucks! I understand the process, but it can and does make management VERY difficult. Management needs above the ground may not be amenable to the actions required to manage those below the ground.