Broomfield files Notice of Breach against Extraction Oil and Gas for failing to use the most current equipment to minimize noise impacts, as required in the Operator Agreement
On March 6, 2020, the City and County of Broomfield gave notice that Extraction was in breach of the terms of the Operator Agreement between Extraction Oil and Gas and the City and County of Broomfield.
The breach occurred beginning on Saturday, February 22, 2020, and continued to Friday, February 28, 2020. The breach was the failure of Extraction to comply with Best Management Practice No. 31 of the Operator Agreement: "The noise mitigation measures shall use the most current equipment to minimize noise impact during the Drilling and Completion phases ... "
Broomfield’s City and County Attorney Shaun Sullivan informed Extraction Oil and Gas on Monday, February 24, 2020, that the failure to use the most current equipment to minimize noise caused many residents of Broomfield to be disturbed and to file complaints with the City and County.
Extraction cured the breach when the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) interceded with Extraction to install a Tier 4 quiet engine to operate the coiling and tubing rigs Extraction was using.
“Broomfield demands that Extraction use and continue to use the most current equipment to minimize noise impact from its operations in Broomfield,” Sullivan said in this letter to Extraction. Broomfield also expects Extraction to use the best available technology to limit air emissions from its operations.
This will be another topic that Broomfield will present to the mediator in an upcoming mediation scheduled for April 14, 2020.
As this is an ongoing effort, the City and County of Broomfield encourages residents to continue to report noise and other oil and gas related concerns to the Immediate Concern line at Broomfield.org/ImmediateConcern or 720.887.3130.