SUBLETTE COUNTY – The Pinedale Anticline Project Office’s annual reports and planning won’t be discussed at a public meeting as in the past.

Those interested need to find the current relevant documents online and submit comments by June 30, a new deadline after an administrative error prevented them from being posted on May 18.

“To correct this error and ensure the public has a chance to review the documents and submit their comments, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale Field Office is extending the comment period,” said Molly Pittman of the High Desert District. “Comments and questions will now be accepted through June 30.”

The Anticline’s private operators – PureWest and Jonah Energy – both forecast continued drilling and reclamation activities for 2023 and for the next several years. Their updates and other annual wildlife reports are available in the National NEPA Register at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/77515/510.

Under Documents, scroll through Other Documents and Reports to find ones marked for 2023 annual planning.

Jonah Energy

Jonah Energy has operated in the Pinedale Anticline since June 2017 in Development Area 5 and Planned DA 5. This year, Jonah Energy counts about 104 employees based in Pinedale and about 55 at its Denver corporate office.

In Jonah’s 2022’s forecast for 2023, four new wells were planned and from 2024 through 2031, the operator estimated it would to drill seven or eight wells a year from existing pads and four new pads.

This year’s May 2023 summary, though, is scaled back to show “nothing planned for drilling and completions” this year. In 2024, Jonah might drill one new horizontal well. Jonah’s “future” forecast for 2025 to 2032 is to drill four new wells each year from existing pads and two new ones.

As for employment potential, Jonah said, “Future staffing needs will be assessed based on well count, consolidation/construction projects, etc.”

Jonah Energy’s reclamation update shows six existing pads with “all locations qualitatively monitored annually. Future reclamation actions recommended based on monitoring results.”

The current surface disturbance is 48.86 acres, with 15.01 acres reclaimed and the rest unreclaimed.

The company reported that “spatial and vegetation data are updated as needed and downloaded every year into the Pinedale Anticline Data Management System (PADMS),” which Pinedale Anticline Project Office directors heard on May 31 will be replaced with development of a newly announced federal reclamation data system called SDARTTS.

PureWest

PureWest Energy operates as Ultra Resources with more than 3,400 natural gas wells throughout 115,500 net acres on the Pinedale Anticline and also the Jonah Field.

There are about 60 employees in its Denver corporate offices and about 100 in Pinedale as well as contractors.

This year, PureWest has 1.25 drilling rig for 10 new wells in Development Area 1, four wells in DA2, four wells in DA3, 12 wells in DA4 and 14 wells in DA5. That is a combined total of 44 new wells, with two new pads built.

As of May 1, PureWest reported this year’s production was about 650 Mmcfe/d – MMcfe/d means 1 million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent per day, according to sources.

PureWest’s “vision” is “to be the most responsible and profitable Rockies-focused natural gas company” while “producing natural gas in a safe, environmentally responsible and cost-conscious manner.”

Its 2022 production was 100-percent certified as responsibly sourced gas, with 99 percent achieving top emission control ratings. PureWest drilled 17 wells in 2022 with no new surface disturbance. It paid $495,000 into the Pinedale Anticline ROD’s mitigation fund for those.

To comment

More annual documents reviewing wildlife, air, water, operator and agency updates and those reviewed at the May 31 PAPO directors’ meeting are available at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/77515/510.

Submit comments and questions to Tracy Hoover at thoover@blm.gov or 307-367-5342, or to Brandon Teppo at bteppo@blm.gov or 307-367-5309.