| Planning | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | Noble shall consolidate wells to create multi-well pads. Multi-well production facilities shall be located as far as possible from Building Units.
• The pad shall be constructed in such a manner that noise mitigation may be installed and removed without disturbing the site or landscaping.
• Pads shall have all weather access roads to allow for operator and emergency response.
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| Planning | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | Noble shall identify the location of the wellbore with a permanent monument as specified in Rule 603.n. The operator shall also inscribe or imbed the well number and date of plugging upon the permanent monument. |
| General Housekeeping | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | All surface trash, debris, scrap or discarded material connected with the operations of the property shall be removed from the premises or disposed of in a legal manner. |
| General Housekeeping | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | Within ninety (90) days after a well is plugged and abandoned, the well site shall be cleared of all non-essential equipment, trash, and debris. |
| General Housekeeping | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | Housekeeping will consist of neat and orderly storage of materials and fluids. Wastes will be temporarily stored in sealed containers and regularly collected and disposed of at offsite, suitable facilities. If spills occur prompt cleanup is required to minimize any commingling of waste materials with stormwater runoff. Routine maintenance will be limited to fueling and lubrication of equipment. Drip pans will be used during routine fueling and maintenance to contain spills or leaks. Any waste product from maintenance will be containerized and transported offsite for disposal or recycling. There will be no major equipment overhauls conducted onsite. Equipment will be transported offsite for major overhauls. Cleanup of trash and discarded materials will be conducted at the end of each work day. Cleanup will consist of patrolling the roadway, access areas, and other work areas to pick up trash, scrap debris, other discarded materials, and any contaminated soil. These materials will be disposed of properly. |
| General Housekeeping | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | WASTE: Water-based Bentonitic Drilling: Water-based bentonitic drilling fluids returning up the annulus will be filtered to remove solids through the closed loop system, cuttings shaken out into impervious bins above a mat and hauled off for off-site disposal while fluids will be routed through a suction tank and mud pump, remixed and recirculated. Waste Management is contracted to transport this waste stream to one of the permitted commercial waste disposal facilities
Oil-Based Drilling Fluids: Oil-based drilling fluids returning up the annulus will be filtered to remove solids through the closed loop system, cuttings shaken out into impervious bins above a mat and hauled off for off-site disposal while fluids will be routed through a suction tank and mud pump, remixed and recirculated. All oil and water loadouts that are commonly used have a load bucket and isolation valve. Since they are used often, there is not a bull plug installed. Any loadouts (water on back of tanks for example) that are rarely used, are bull plugged without a load bucket. Waste Management is contracted to transport this waste stream to one of the permitted commercial waste disposal facilities
Frac sand will be periodically drained via vacuum truck and will be transported by licensed third-party trucks
There will be no produced water storage at the Location
Oily waste and tank bottoms will be periodically drained via vacuum truck.
Impacted or Contaminated Soil will be containerized as needed either in storage bins or directly into dump trucks, depending on the volume needed.
A trash bin will be located on site to accumulate waste by the personnel drilling the wells. Site will have
unused equipment, trash and junk removed immediately as the bin is filled
Operator will not bury or burn trash or other waste materials at an oil and gas location.
Trash receptacles will be designed, maintained, and operated to exclude wildlife, and to protect public
safety, the environment, and wildlife from exposure to overflowing, leak prone, or insecure trash
receptacles.
General trash and other non-hazardous waste will be hauled off site Waste Management, a licensed
third-party transporter. Waste is transported to one of the permitted Waste Management disposal
facilities.
|
| Wildlife | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | Per Rule 603.e, Noble shall provide for the development of multiple reservoirs by drilling on existing pads or by multiple completions or commingling in existing wellbores. Nobles Wells Ranch CDP development is confined to a specific disturbance corridor, per landowner requirements. Noble does not plan to drill any development areas from an existing disturbance. |
| Wildlife | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | Noble initiates multiple levels of Environmental Site Screening efforts for the protection of sensitive wildlife, vegetation, groundwater and surface water resources at every Wells Ranch CDP project area. Prior to construction, a comprehensive desktop survey and field-based wildlife clearance survey will be performed to determine the presence of seasonally protected raptor and migratory bird species.
• In-season, raptor nesting clearance surveys will be performed by a certified biologist no more than one-week prior to construction.
• In-season, migratory bird nesting (MBTA Compliance) will be cleared within 50-feet of the proposed disturbance 2-3 days prior to ground clearing activities.
• Although Bald and Golden Eagle are included in the raptor nesting survey-suite, eagle habitat is not delineated within the Wells Ranch CDP.
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| Storm Water/Erosion Control | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | BMP’s will be constructed around the perimeter of the site prior to, or at the beginning of construction. Specific BMP’s used will include stockpile stabilization, grading, sediment traps, and perimeter barriers based on final construction design and will remain in place until the pad reaches final reclamation. |
| Storm Water/Erosion Control | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | A sediment trap will be constructed to capture any sediment prior to leaving the location. The sediment trap
has been sized in accordance with good engineering practices. A temporary diversion, consisting of a cut
swale and compacted earthen berm, will be constructed along the pad edge and routed to the sediment
trap to prevent offsite migration of sediment/contaminant into the nearby surface water features. If
necessary, check dams will be constructed within the swale. |
| Material Handling and Spill Prevention | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | Due to using a closed loop system, pits will not be used. |
| Material Handling and Spill Prevention | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | Any material not in use that might constitute a fire hazard shall be removed a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from the wellhead, tanks and separator. Any electrical equipment installations inside the bermed area shall comply with API RP 500 classifications and comply with the current national electrical code as adopted by the State of Colorado.
• Flammable liquids shall not be stored within fifty (50) feet of the wellbore, except for the fuel in the tanks of operating equipment or supply for injection pumps. Where terrain and location configuration do not permit maintaining this distance, additional equivalent safety measures will be taken.
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| Material Handling and Spill Prevention | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | Noble Energy Inc. designs well heads and supporting infrastructure on the well pad to avoid releases and to be compliant with all regulations specific to leak detection and control (i.e. SPCC 40CFR112). Daily, monthly and annual inspections are performed at each well pad to confirm operational integrity and regulatory compliance. Noble will perform maintenance if it is deemed necessary through any of the scheduled inspections. Automation technology is utilized to monitor any variations in pressures and fluid gauges which could indicate a leak at the well head or flow lines to the production facility. In addition, automation provides remote shut-in capabilities in the event of an emergency. |
| Material Handling and Spill Prevention | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | No potential ignition sources shall be installed inside the secondary containment area unless the containment area encloses a fired vessel. Tertiary containment, such as an earthen berm, will be installed as required for production facilities within 500 feet of the SEASONAL STREAMBED WETLAND within the disturbance. |
| Material Handling and Spill Prevention | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | Per natural gas produced from the well pad; Noble Energy intends to connect to a gas sales line at the first indication of salable quality gas. The sales line is in-place and during any emergency where the sales line is not operational, Noble would shut-in production. |
| Material Handling and Spill Prevention | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | There will be no tanks or separators at the AB32-01 Pad. Facilities will be located on AB28-13 Multi.
• A closed–loop system will be used for drilling operations as required by Rule 408.a.
• Operator will use SCADA during drilling and completions to continuously monitor line pressures, flow rates,
temperature, and whether valves are open or closed. Any fluctuations will be closely monitored and will
trigger immediate action including shutting in and scheduling repair or replacement as necessary
All facilities onsite shall be subjected to an instrument-based leak detection and repair (LDAR) inspection at
least monthly during drilling and completion and quarterly during production.
All flowlines are designed/constructed/tested to ASME B31.4 and API 1104 standards. Only materials with
Material Test Reports (MTRs) provided by the pipeline supplier are used in the construction of the flowlines.
• Audible, Visual, and Olfactory (AVO) inspections are of the facility are conduced daily by the Operator. Any
valve or fitting that is found to be ineffective is either repaired immediately or well shut-in procedures are
implemented.
• Location will be equipped with remote monitoring capability. |
| Material Handling and Spill Prevention | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | Pad construction – The surface of the location will be plated with 3-5 inches of road base aggregate compacted to deter releases from easily seeping into the soil. A perimeter ditch system will be constructed to prevent releases from moving out onto un-plated soil.
Liners - A minimum 30-mil poly liner will be utilized under the drilling rig, mud tanks, shakers and drill cuttings bins. During completions, most equipment associated with hydraulic fracturing will be underlain by a minimum 30-mil poly liner with drive-over foam berms. Bulk liquids used during D&C activities, including chemical injection skids, acid and chlorine tanks, and fuel tanks will be containerized in appropriate sealed vessels and underlain by an impervious liner and/or secondary containment system capable of containing any spill or leak from that vessel. |
| Dust control | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | To suppress dust, its selected vendor will be reminded of the following:
o Use only fresh water sources (non-potable) when watering areas within 300 feet of the ordinary highwater mark of any water body.
o Maintain a current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) in their company vehicle when using a dust suppressor
containing chemicals, in accordance with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200 (Hazard Communication) as
well as local and State requirements.
o Ensure watering practices are not creating additional hazards on access roads (slick roads, muddy
conditions, etc.)
• All soil piles created by construction activities will be managed utilizing Hydro-mulch, straw crimping, and/or
tracking methods to prevent dust from exiting location and creating a hazard during pre-production activities.
Soil piles will be graded and/or seeded to prevent erosion and the generation of dust post-production.
• Noble Energy will minimize the amount of fugitive dust using speed restrictions. All vehicles will be subject to a
speed limit of 20 MPH on all lease roads to minimize dust.
• Noble Energy will mitigate the creation of fugitive dust through regular road maintenance as coordinated
through agreements with Relevant Local Governments or Agencies with road jurisdiction.
• Noble Energy will use methods including wind breaks and barriers, road or facility surfacing, and soil stockpile
stabilization measures to suppress fugitive dust caused solely by wind.
• Noble Energy will avoid the creation of fugitive dust by restricting or limiting construction activity during high
wind days.
• Noble Energy will minimize fugitive dust caused by their operations, or dust originating from areas disturbed by
their Oil and Gas Operations that becomes windborne by ceasing all ongoing truck traffic and ensure all
previously listed BMP are implemented.
• Noble Energy will not use any of the following fluids for dust suppression:
o Produced water
o E&P waste or hazardous waste
o Crude oil or any oil specifically designed for road maintenance
o Chemical solvents
o Process fluids
• Access road(s) will be watered or treated with one of the following commercial dust suppressants, as needed:
o Roadsaver
o Roadsaver Compaction Aid
o DuraBlend
• Prior to the application of dust suppressant to any county or public roads, coordination will be conducted with
Weld County Department of Public Works by Noble Energy and any relevant vendors.
• Noble Energy will maintain safety data sheets (“SDS”) for any chemical-based dust suppressant and make the
SDS immediately available upon request to the COGCC Director and to the Local Government. Safety Data
Sheet(s) for any chemical-based dust suppressant will be archived and maintained until the site passes final site
Reclamation and transfer the records upon transfer of property ownership.
• All secondary roads created for this project (non-public roadways) will be finished with ½” – ¾” crushed stone
road base.
|
| Construction | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | Unless otherwise requested by the Surface Owner, well sites constructed within the Designated Setback location will be fenced to restrict access by unauthorized persons. |
| Construction | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | At the time of construction, all leasehold roads shall be constructed to accommodate local emergency vehicle access requirements and shall be maintained in a reasonable condition. Operator plans on building the access road 20-30 feet wide off Weld County Road 76 for Drilling and Completion activities. Local government will not require coordination of a traffic plan with the local jurisdiction for this location. |
| Construction | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | Berms or other secondary containment devices shall be constructed around crude oil, condensate, and produced water storage tanks and shall enclose an area sufficient to contain and provide secondary containment for one-hundred fifty percent (150%) of the largest single tank. Standard secondary-containment construction includes the installation of a contiguous spray liner installed and underlaying the entire tank battery, then anchored into the steel-walled containment berms. Berms, liner or other secondary containment devices shall be sufficiently impervious to contain any spilled or released material. All berms and containment devices shall be inspected at regular intervals and maintained in good condition. No potential ignition sources shall be installed inside the secondary containment area unless the containment area encloses a fired vessel. Tertiary containment, such as an earthen berm, will be installed as required for production facilities within 500 feet of a down-gradient surface water feature. All berms will be visually checked periodically to ensure proper working conditions. |
| Construction | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | All newly installed or replaced crude oil and condensate storage tanks shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with applicable regulations. Noble shall maintain written records verifying proper design, construction, and maintenance, and shall make these records available for inspection by the Director. |
| Construction | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | Grading and drainage of the pad will be designed with structural controls to ensure flow away from sensitive surface water resources to ensure surficial flow runs to the pad’s perimeter diversion channel and then directly into the sediment-trap structure. |
| Construction | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | Noble Energy will direct site lighting downward and inward, such that no light shines above
a horizontal plane passing through the center point light source.
• Noble Energy will use dampening and focusing technology within fixtures that obscures,
blocks, or diffuses the light to reduce light intensity outside the boundaries of the Oil and
Gas Location.
• When installed, Noble Energy will locate lighting inside and beneath the 32’ noise barrier
and take precautions to ensure that lights do not shine outside of openings in the barrier.
DRILLING AND COMPLETIONS
Noble Energy will conduct construction, flowback, and interim reclamation activities only
during daylight hours to maximize the use of natural lighting
Noble Energy will minimize lighting when not needed using timers or motion sensors.
• Noble Energy will use full cut-off lighting to minimize light pollution and obtrusive lighting.
• Noble Energy will use lighting colors that reduce light intensity, including using neutral white
lights.
• Noble Energy will use low-glare or no-glare lighting that utilizes high-mount/narrow-beam
angle settings.
There will be no permanent lighting installed on the location during the production phase.
Noble Energy will utilize ad hoc temporary portable lighting when necessary for safety and
site security reasons during pre-production and production phases of activities.
|
| Construction | Form: (02A )
402125101
12/29/2022 | Pursuant to the COGCC Policy on the Use of Modular Large Volume Tanks (MLVT), Noble will provide certification to the COGCC that the installation and operations of MLVTs will comply with the Design Criteria, Site Preparation & Installation, and MLVT Operations and Contingency Planning outlined in the Policy. The MLVT design package, contractor installation records, records of inspections and associated action items and records of any repairs will be maintained and be available upon request. Daily visual inspections will be conducted per the Policy. Noble’s contingency/emergency response plan has been developed and is available upon request. |