COALBED METHANE DEVELOPMENT IN UTAH: WHO'S IN CHARGE? A PANEL DISCUSSION

• Jurisdiction: United States

REGULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF COALBED METHANE
(Nov 2002)
CHAPTER 10E
COALBED METHANE DEVELOPMENT IN UTAH: WHO'S IN CHARGE? A PANEL DISCUSSION
Dianne R. Nielson, Ph.D.
Utah Department of Environmental Quality
Salt Lake City, Utah
Presented By: John Baza
Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining
Salt Lake City, Utah

Exploration and production of methane from coalbeds (CBM) in Utah occurs in five fields in central Utah, the Ferron, Buzzard Bench, Drunkard's Wash, Helper and Castlegate Fields of the Uinta Basin, on the northern and western flanks of Utah's underground coal mining district. CBM production began in 1987. Historically, methane seeping from underground coal working, prior to and during coal production, was seen as a hindrance and safety hazard, not a resource. Coal mining was precluded where methane concentrations were excessive. In 1997, coalbed methane production totaled 22,883,343 MCF (thousand dubic feet), accounting for less than 10 percent of total natural gas production in Utah. In 1 he next four years, CBM production more than quadrupled, to 93,056,539 MCF. While differences in geology, hydrology, and production engineering vary in fields throughout the West, there are a distinct set of environmental and land use issues which should be addressed early in the exploration/development of a CBM field,

• Initiate NEPA review as early as practicable

Timing of an environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a balance between 1) early notice and involvement of stakeholders and agencies and 2) development of sufficient information to adequately identify and evaluate the potential for and extent of development, as well as the impacts of development.¹ CBM development is no exception. Initiate planning as well as identification and resolution of impacts sooner rather than later.

• Reach out to stakeholders

Identify stakeholder, contact them early, meet with them often, share information, and listen to what they say.

• Coordination between local, state and federal agencies on technical/regulatory issues is essential

State and federal oil and gas agencies have an extensive history regulating exploration and development. However, in some cases, CBM exploration/development if on the margins of producing oil and gas fields or...