BLM begins scoping period for EOG Uinta basin gas project

Sept. 9, 2009
A 30-day public scoping period for a large natural gas infill project proposed by EOG Resources Inc. in eastern Utah will begin on Sept. 9, the US Bureau of Land Management’s Vernal, Utah, field office announced.

Nick Snow
OGJ Washington Editor

WASHINGTON, DC, Sept. 9 -- A 30-day public scoping period for a large natural gas infill project proposed by EOG Resources Inc. in eastern Utah will begin on Sept. 9, the US Bureau of Land Management’s Vernal, Utah, field office announced. It previously postponed the scoping period and an associated public meeting temporarily on Jan. 28.

BLM said the Greater Chapita Wells Natural Gas Infill Project would involve 40,027 acres about 30 miles southeast of Vernal and 12 miles east of Ouray. It said EOG has proposed drilling 7,028 wells from 700 new well pads and 979 existing well pads, which would be expanded to accommodate the new wells.

“The number of new wells represents a conceptual maximum development scenario as determined by EOG’s evaluation of producible reserves from known reservoirs,” BLM said in its scoping notice.

It said it has determined that giving permits to the proposed project would constitute a major federal action potentially affecting the environment. The US Department of the Interior agency said it plans to prepare an environmental impact statement as a result.

It is seeking public involvement during the 30-day scoping period to identify issues of concern, determine how much analysis is necessary to address issues in the EIS, identify possible mitigation measures, and identify reasonable alternatives.

BLM said it would accept comments on the proposed project through Oct. 9. It said that its Vernal field office will also host a public meeting Sept. 29 at the Utah Field House Museum of Natural History in the eastern Utah community.

Contact Nick Snow at [email protected].