Chairman Lindsay meets with Colorado governor

2008 IADC chairman John Lindsay of Helmerich & Payne joined a group of producer representatives in a Denver meeting with Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter in late May to express grave concerns about proposals of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) to limit E&P activity in the state.

Specifically, Mr Lindsay took issue with draft regulations that would suspend drilling operations for three months each year, allegedly in the interest of wildlife protection. On behalf of the drilling industry, he argued that not only would that discourage contractors from working in the state, but the drilling suspension could actually be as long as five months, considering the time needed for rig mobilization and de-mobilization.

IADC submitted a formal comment to the COGCC docket reinforcing these arguments, noting that a three-month suspension isn’t supported by science or by the long-established history of oil and gas E&P in Colorado, which reflects a careful balance between the economic and wildlife conservation interests of the state. With approximately 122 rigs operating in Colorado, mostly in the western slope Piceance Basin, IADC argues that the draft regulations could have a catastrophic impact on production and, thus, to revenue for Colorado.

IADC is working closely with the Colorado Oil and Gas Association in challenging the COGCC proposals.

For more information, contact Brian Petty at 1/202-293-0670 (brian.petty@iadc.org).