BEFORE THE OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION

                                                                OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

 

IN THE MATTER OF ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF THE RULES              )                    CAUSE NO. 1V

AND REGULATIONS OF THE COLORADO OIL AND GAS                     )

CONSERVATION COMMISSION BY PETROGULF CORPORATION,     )                    DOCKET NO. 0403-OV-18

LAS ANIMAS COUNTY, COLORADO                                                      )

                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER BY CONSENT

 

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES AND TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

 

            A drilling permit was issued to Petrogulf Corporation (“Petrogulf”) on July 19, 2003 to drill the Hand 8-44V Well located in Section 8, Township 33 South, Range 67 West, 6th P.M.  On or about November 25, 2003, Petrogulf began building the access road and location for the Hand 8-44V Well.  On December 3, 2003, a complaint was filed by Mr. William Ruane, an adjacent land owner, alleging Petrogulf built a portion of the access road across his land without consulting him.

 

            A Notice of Alleged Violation (“NOAV”) was issued to Petrogulf on December 17, 2003.  The NOAV alleged Petrogulf failed to provide thirty (30) days notice, as required by Rule 305.b.1., failed to consult with the affected surface owner as required by Rule 306., and failed to provide information to the landowner and local governmental designee as required by Rule 306.a.  The NOAV required Petrogulf to provide documentation to show that proper notice and consultation took place prior to building the access road.  The abatement action was to be completed by January 15, 2004.

 

            Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (“COGCC”) staff received Petrogulf’s reply on January 9, 2004.  Petrogulf stated that they sent Mr. Ruane an easement agreement and a survey showing the location of facilities.  Mr. Ruane received this information on November 19, 2003.  Mr. Ruane did not reply.  Petrogulf contacted Mr. Ruane on December 7 or 8, 2003 and sent him additional information on December 9, 2003.  Petrogulf is continuing to correspond with Mr. Ruane concerning a damage settlement.

 

            On January 15, 2004, COGCC staff issued an Administrative Order by Consent (“AOC”) to Petrogulf Corporation for the violation of COGCC Rules 305.b.1., 306., and 306.a., for failure to provide thirty (30) days notice to surface owner, to consult with the affected surface owner and to provide information to the landowner and local governmental designee for the Hand 8-44V Well.  On January 27, 2004, Petrogulf Corporation agreed to and accepted the AOC, including the fine of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000).

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission of the State of Colorado, pursuant to the above, has scheduled the above-entitled matter for hearing on:

                 

Date:                            Monday, March 15, 2004

 

Time:                           10:00 a.m.

 

Place:                          Suite 801, The Chancery Building

                                    1120 Lincoln Street

                                    Denver, CO 80203

                       

            In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if any party requires special accommodations for this hearing as a result of a disability, please contact Audra Serlet at (303) 894-2100, extension 114, prior to the hearing and arrangements will be made.

 

Pursuant to said hearing in the above-entitled matter at the time and place aforesaid, or at any adjourned meeting, the Commission will enter such orders as it deems appropriate and necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare and to prevent the waste of oil and gas, either or both, in the operations of said field, and carry out the purposes of the statute.

 

In accordance with Rule 509., any interested party desiring to protest or to intervene should file with the Commission a written protest or a notice to intervene no later than March 1, 2004 briefly stating the basis of the protest or intervention.  Such interested party shall, at the same time, serve a copy of the protest or notice to intervene to the person filing the application.  An original and nine (9) copies shall be filed with the Commission.

 

      IN THE NAME OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

 

                                                                  OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION

                               OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

 

 

 

                        By_________________________________

Dated at Suite 801                                                              Patricia C. Beaver, Secretary

1120 Lincoln Street

Denver, Colorado, 80203

February 12, 2004