Public Comment wanted on proposed Dietz Coal Bed Natural Gas (CBNG) Project

From the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation press release:

The Montana Department of Natural Resources (DNRC), Trust Land Management Division, has completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Dietz Coal Bed Natural Gas (CBNG) Project currently proposed by Pinnacle Gas Resources, Inc. A portion of the proposed plan of development would occur on a tract of state school trust land. The state tract is comprised of lands in Section 36 (All), Township 8 South, Range 41 East in Bighorn County. The proposed activity is located northeast of the existing CX Field, which produces coal bed methane (CBM) gas from the Fort Union formation.

According to Bobbi Coughlin, DNRC Mineral Management Petroleum Engineer, the proposed action on the state school trust section would consist of drilling, completion, operation and eventual reclamation of 24 CBNG wells, including associated evaporation pits, storage ponds, flow lines and power lines. Pinnacleís plan of development also includes 137 wells on private land within Township 8 South, Ranges 41 and 42 East and Township 9 South, Range 42 East. The DNRCís trust land management authority covers activities on state school trust land. Each of the proposed wells seeks to produce CBNG from specific zones within the Fort Union formation, which range in depth from approximately 200 feet to 900 feet.

It is estimated that the project will commence this year with completion within two years. The production lifetime of the wells will be approximately ten to fifteen years. Individual wells and related facilities will be reclaimed at the end of their useful life.

DNRC is asking for public comment regarding the project proposal, which will be presented to the State Board of Land Commissioners at their October 17, 2005 meeting.
Correspondence can be submitted either electronically or hard copy to the following:
Bobbi Jo Coughlin
Petroleum Engineer
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
Trust Land Management Division
P.O. Box 201601
Helena, MT 59620-1601
bjcoughlin@mt.gov

For more information on coalbed methane in Montana see the resources listed below:
Coalbed Methane - DNRC
Coalbed methane and water policy in Montana - Environmental Quality Council
Coal bed methane - Department of Environmental Quality