| Planning | Form: (02A )
402122648
12/29/2022 | Noble shall consolidate wells to create multi-well pads, including shared locations with other operators. 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 )
402122648
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. |
| Planning | Form: (02A )
402122648
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. |
| Planning | Form: (02A )
402122648
12/29/2022 | Lighting on well pad locations is considered temporary and will be used during drilling, completion and construction activities. Temporary lighting will be directed downward, inward, and shielded towards location to avoid glare on public roads and building units within 1,500 feet. Lighting will be turned off when practical, i.e., no operations being conducted. |
| Traffic control | Form: (02A )
402122648
12/29/2022 | Speed limits will be enforced. The traffic plan and route will include mitigation of impacts from temporary operations by applying water or magnesium chloride as dust suppression within 1000’ of occupied residences on Weld County Road 76, and on lease roads as necessary in cooperation with the county. |
| General Housekeeping | Form: (02A )
402122648
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 )
402122648
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 )
402122648
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 )
402122648
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.
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.
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| General Housekeeping | Form: (02A )
402122648
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.
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| Wildlife | Form: (02A )
402122648
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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| Wildlife | Form: (02A )
402122648
12/29/2022 | o Noble will pre-clear all proposed disturbances according to CPW guidance
meeting Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
(BGEPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) laws in protection of active nesting
activities, observe CPW/USFWS requested protected buffers for active nesting
species, and consult with CPW/USFWS as warranted.
o Noble will install and maintain bird-deterrent devices on all open-vent exhaust
stacks on production equipment to discourage perching, roosting and nesting
activities.
Bird exclusion devices will be installed on the vent stacks for all separation and
combustion devices to discourage perching, roosting and nesting activities |
| Storm Water/Erosion Control | Form: (02A )
402122648
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 )
402122648
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. |
| Storm Water/Erosion Control | Form: (02A )
402122648
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. |
| Storm Water/Erosion Control | Form: (02A )
402122648
12/29/2022 | Structural Control Measure practices specific to the AB28-13 Multi located within the Wells Ranch proper area will include the following:
• Compost filter socks (Filtrexx or similar) sediment control logs (CFS);
• Culvert (C);
• Hydro-mulch (HM);
• Rock socks (RS);
• Seeding (S);
• Soil roughening (SR); and
• Vehicle tracking control (VTC).
Inspections during construction include:
At least one inspection every 7 calendar days; OR
2. At least one inspection every 14 calendar days, if post-storm event inspections are conducted within 24 hours following precipitation which causes surface erosion.
Once the Pad enters the Completed Stage, it will be inspected a minimum of once every 30 days. Post-precipitation inspections are not required once the Pad is in the Completed Stage. However, more frequent inspections may be directed by Noble to confirm adequate maintenance or repairs.
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| Material Handling and Spill Prevention | Form: (02A )
402122648
12/29/2022 | Due to using a closed loop system, pits will not be used. |
| Material Handling and Spill Prevention | Form: (02A )
402122648
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 )
402122648
12/29/2022 | Noble will monitor production facilities on a regular schedule to identify fluid leaks, including, but not limited to, visually inspecting all wellheads, tanks, and fittings. Annual SPCC inspections will be conducted and documented. Flowline integrity will be maintained through implementation of Rule 1104 management practices. Full site FLIR camera will be used at initial start-up and during regularly scheduled leak testing. 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 )
402122648
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 )
402122648
12/29/2022 | Operator will implement a comprehensive Leak Detection Plan, utilizing the company-approved Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) program. This plan will utilize a visual inspection program as well as utilizing an Infrared (IR) camera, aka Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) camera, to inspect all connection points including loading lines. Using the Periodic Inspection and Monitoring (PIM) and LDAR programs, the goal of the program will be to, "contain, convey, and control" vapors and leaks emitting from a connection, tank system, separator, etc. While the LDAR program will cover all facilities, the PIM program will focus on Tank Systems. The inspection schedule will be based on potential tank emissions:
• (Monthly) Greater than 50 tons
• (Quarterly) Between 12 & 50 tons
• (Annually) Between 6&12 tons
• (One time) Less than 6 tons.
Additionally, automated technology will be utilized to monitor pressure and fluid levels. When levels fluctuate greater or lesser than preset parameters, facilities will be capable of automatically shut-in facility and investigate anomaly(s). |
| Material Handling and Spill Prevention | Form: (02A )
402122648
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 ditch 75' S of the working pad surface. |
| Material Handling and Spill Prevention | Form: (02A )
402122648
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 )
402122648
12/29/2022 | Pad construction – Noble will construct the location with 4-6” of clay and 3-5” of road-based cuttings. The well pad will be engineered with a raised earthen berm along the appropriate edges of the pad to protect the applicable surface waters from any fluid-upset condition. Structural controls within the remainder of the perimeter will ensure flow off the pad to the perimeter channel and into a detention-pond structure, further protecting downgradient surface water features.
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. |
| Material Handling and Spill Prevention | Form: (02A )
402122648
12/29/2022 | 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 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.
Inspection
• 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.
Testing
• Volumetric Testing Involves measurement of liquid volume which must be added or removed from
system to maintain constant pressure; volume changes indicate either leaks or thermal
expansion/contraction of liquid.
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