Some drilling effects predate Evergreen

Spectrum, by Corri Feige

In his Dec. 9 Spectrum piece, Mr. Jarel Vinduska reported on his recent fact-finding trip to southern Colorado. I commend his efforts to educate himself, first-hand, about coal-bed methane development in this area. Mr. Vinduska stated that his trip turned up a "list of concerns" which I would like to address.

First, Mr. Vinduska noted what seemed to be "thousands of wells and many thousands of miles of roads." Since I was aware of his visit to the Trinidad, Colo., area after being called by local landowners, I must assume that he focused his fact-finding trip on the Raton Basin and Evergreen Resources' operations there. In the Trinidad area, Evergreen Resources has 1,016 active CBM wells that, on average, are spaced 80 acres apart or four per section. According to Evergreen's Trinidad office, roughly 95 percent of the roads used to access wells and pipelines were in existence prior to Evergreen's operations. These roads were constructed to access the large ranchette-style properties and ranches in the area.

Mr. Vinduska's observation of the arid nature of the region is correct. Ranchers in the Raton Basin have battled the dry climate for more than 100 years, constantly seeking sources of water to support livestock and crops. The water Mr. Vinduska saw in evaporation and livestock ponds does, in part, come from Evergreen's operations. Local ranchers, seeking precious water sources for their livestock, take a portion for their operations. The evaporation ponds, and the water they hold, are safe, regulated and approved by the Colorado Department of Health and the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Roughly 20 percent of Evergreen's produced water contains enough dissolved solids to require that it be re-injected at depth through an approved injection well. All of Evergreen's water handling is permitted and approved by the state of Colorado.

During his tour of the Trinidad area, Mr. Vinduska noted an "increased population." Again, he is correct. The Trinidad area is experiencing an economic boom as a result of CBM development. A look at property resale values in the Trinidad area from 1993 through 2002 shows that property values have increased by 15 percent. CBM development has revitalized the community, which now supports a community college, regional shopping opportunities, and cultural preservation efforts previously not seen in the area. In Trinidad, Evergreen directly employs 222 people and contract employs roughly 250 more. This year, Evergreen's payroll in the region will be in excess of 10.7 million dollars. Local Chamber of Commerce figures estimate that this payroll results in more than $20 million circulating in the local economy.

The next concern raised was that of "noise." Activity of any kind generates "noise." Wind and highway traffic (I-25) contribute to background noise levels in the Trinidad area. To say that CBM development makes the area "noisy" is incorrect. Compressor stations and some non-electrified well pumps can generate noise. The gas-motor-driven well pumps generate about the same amount of noise as a common household snow blower used here in Alaska. Evergreen builds sound walls and buildings around pumps and compressors to reduce noise disturbance, and makes every effort to be sensitive to the quality of life of surrounding neighbors.

Mr. Vinduska mentioned that some landowners complained that their water wells had been contaminated or "dried-up" as a result of CBM drilling. Evergreen Resources has drilled more than 1,000 wells in the Raton Basin, and not one claim has been made about disturbed water wells. One thing must be understood about this issue of water wells and CBM development: Any company that drills a gas well that results in the loss of a water well pays two-fold. First, the company must, by law, replace the domestic water well. Second, the company must shut-in and abandon the gas well that resulted in the loss of the water well. These laws apply right here in Alaska! Given that each gas well costs somewhere between $300,000 and $500,000, the financial loss incurred by damaging a domestic well would be extreme. Evergreen takes great care to protect water wells, and our record proves it.

While talking about water, Mr. Vinduska also mentioned that the water "smelled bad like hydrogen sulfide." The sour smell to which he is referring would be the sulfur fraction coming from the coals that source these waters. People here in the Mat-Su experience the same thing. Hydrogen sulfide gas is found in deeper, conventional type gas wells like those on the North Slope or in Cook Inlet, not in shallow CBM wells.

Mr. Vinduska next mentioned methane seeps and this warrants examination. Methane seeps at the surface are a natural part of coal bearing geology. In fact, old-time coal miners used to hunt for these seeps as a way to locate coals under the soil. To say that methane seeps are a result of CBM drilling is again, incorrect. Gas travels by the path of least resistance, and because of the draw established by the pump on a gas well, all gas from the producing coal interval goes up the well. Methane seep studies are used to locate shallow coals that are good gas producers, because they can give an indication of the gas producing qualities of the coals at greater depth.

All of the concerns raised by Mr. Vinduska are valid. But, only through education, using factual, credible information can people come to understand the science of CBM development. Emotional arguments and panic-driven "what if" scenarios have no place in this conversation, because they do nothing to address people's legitimate concerns. When we learn about new things, it is important to erase preconceived notions and emotional biases from our minds. Only when we have all the facts can we make sound, informed decisions for our families and ourselves. I, again, commend Mr. Vinduska for his fact-finding mission, but I now challenge him to look again at his trip with all biases and preconceived notions removed.

Can it be said that every person who lives in Trinidad is pleased with CBM development? No. But I think that the majority of people would say they are pleased with the positive impacts CBM development has had on their lives and their community. Prosperity and change can be frightening, but I have never known a true Alaskan to be fearful of much, and we should not be fearful of CBM.

Corri Feige is the manager of Government Affairs and Public Relations for Evergreen Resources Inc.