Barrett, BLM reach landmark compromise on Utah drilling

Colorado-based energy developer Bill Barrett Corp. is earning praise for a landmark natural-gas-development proposal approved Thursday by the Bureau of Land Management. The company agreed to reduce its development plan for the West Tavaputs Plateau, 30 miles east/northeast of Price, Utah, a compromise that the BLM approved with only minor modifications. Barrett also agreed not to drill within the Desolation Canyon and Jack Canyon wilderness study areas, and to minimize surface disturbance in other areas with wilderness characteristics through more use of directional drilling, rather than straight down from the top. Citing technological advances and increased geological knowledge, Barrett agreed to limit pads to one per 160 acres overall, and one per 320 acres in areas with wilderness characteristics. The drilling plan is the result of a compromise reached between Denver-based Barrett and the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. Under the compromise, Barrett and other operators plan to drill 626 wells from 120 pads, a reduction of 181 wells and 418 pads from previous plans. Environmental groups say the agreement will result in fewer than six surface locations in proposed wilderness areas, down from an initial proposal of 225 locations...more