Despite numerous previous resident complaints and pressure from both the City and County of Broomfield (CCOB) and the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), Extraction has informed CCOB that they are considering changing drilling mud in the next three weeks. This could impact drilling on both the Livingston Pad and the Northwest A Pad, which would be going on simultaneously. No reason for the possible change was given in the announcement, but it may involve cost reduction steps as it was known that the new Neoflo 4633 was much more expensive than the previously used Gibson D822.
Here is the 8/29 announcement from CCOB:
“Extraction has informed Broomfield that they are considering changing to another synthetic drilling mud called EDC 170, in the next 3 weeks. Broomfield has been very clear with Extraction, that changing the drilling mud to any type of mud that is not proven to produce the same outcomes – as safe or safer (the composition of ingredients), similar or better odor release, is not acceptable.”
“We have formally requested that COGCC review Broomfield’s concerns. The staff has reviewed the Total products website and it claims that the product is odorless. COGCC suggests that we request a sample to determine if there is odor and to request that we request additional information from the company that produces the drilling mud, which we have done. Staff is also reviewing the Safety Data Sheet for this proposed drilling mud and will follow-up on questions with Extraction and the company that makes the drilling mud.”
“Staff will continue to pursue answers to our concerns and push Extraction not to implement any changes unless they do not increase odors or adversely impact health and safety. Additionally, the Operator Agreement is silent to any notification regarding operational changes (drilling mud and/or usage of Tier 4 quiet fleet) – the recent heads-up was a ‘courtesy’. Staff will provide updates frequently as this communication continues.”
Here is the SDS for EDC 170 (Safety Data Sheet) http://broomfieldconcerned.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SDS-EDC-170-SE-proposed-drilling-mud-Aug-2019.pdf
Neoflo 4633 drilling mud replaced Extraction’s usage of Gibson D822 drilling mud at the end of July. Extraction had used Gibson D822 drilling mud while drilling 13 wells on the Interchange B Pad, which resulted in many health impacts that were filed by residents living near that site. After Extraction started to use Gibson D822 at the Livingston site on July 5, a large number of residents complained about health impacts at City Council on July 9. Before the Council meeting, local community leaders had contacted COGCC Director Jeff Robbins who then reached out to Extraction and sent COGCC inspectors to the site. Extraction confirmed to them that Gibson D822 was the source of the odorous chemical release. Extraction then agreed to cease drilling until they could secure Neoflo 4633 to drill the second well.
There was evidence of the importance of the drilling mud change at the August 27 Council Meeting. The Second Quarter Air Quality Monitoring Report showed that the change in drilling mud to Neoflo 4633 reduced VOCs that would have otherwise impacted sensitive populations.
You can write City Council about your concerns about drilling mud at council@broomfieldcitycouncil.org