Oil & Gas

Refracking, or refracturing, is the process of re-stimulating an existing oil or gas well to increase production using updated hydraulic fracturing techniques. It allows operators to improve recovery from wells that have declined in output without drilling new ones. This method is often more cost-effective and creates less disturbance than a new well. Advances in technology have made refracking more efficient and targeted, helping to maximize resource extraction and minimize environmental impact. 

Two websites that provide further information about fracking are the ECMC & Frac Focus. Frac Focus is the hydraulic fracturing chemical registry. It is a joint project of the Groundwater Protection Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Company Commission.

The town of Frederick, located in Colorado, sites within the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin, one of the most prolific oil and gas regions in the United States. This sedimentary basin spans several counties and contains rich deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and other minerals. Frederick is situated within the Wattenberg Field, the DJ Basin's most productive area, which spans parts of Weld, Adams, Boulder, Broomfield, and Larimer counties. 

Oil and gas development has been a part of Frederick's local economy for decades. Historically, early energy extraction focused on underground coal and conventional vertical wells. However, since the early 2000's, advances in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have dramatically increased production. That increase in production is particularly significant for the Niobrara and Codell formations.

The Wattenberg Field is among Colorado's larges oil and natural gas production zones. It contributes significantly to the state's energy output and economy, generating jobs, tax revenues, and royalties for mineral rights owners. Revenues from oil and gas development also support public infrastructure, schools, and community services in some areas.

The state governing body for oil & gas development and production is the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC), formerly known as the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC).

Oil and gas development in the greater Wattenberg area, including within the Town of Frederick, is regulated at the state, county, and local levels.

At the state level, the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC), formerly known as the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), is the primary agency responsible for regulating oil and gas operations on non-federal lands in Colorado. The ECMC oversees well permitting, environmental protection, operator compliance, health and safety standards.

In addition to state oversight, municipal and county governments, including the Town of Frederick, have authority over land use and surface impacts of oil and gas development.

To learn more about the ECMC please visit their website or call (303) 894-2100.

To learn more about Town of Frederick Regulations please see Article 9 of the Town's Land Use Code or contact the Town's Oil and Gas Liaison.

The Town of Frederick is located within the Wattenberg Field, part of the larger Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin, one of Colorado's most active oil and gas regions. Please see the map of existing oil and gas wells. This area is geologically complex, containing multiple subsurface resources including oil, gas, coal, gravel, sand, groundwater, aggregate, etc. Some resources are near the surface, while others lie thousands of feet below the ground, requiring drilling for extraction.

How Well Locations Are Regulated:

Oil and gas drilling locations are governed by state law, local regulations, and the terms of private mineral leases. The primary state agency overseeing site approvals is the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC), formerly the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC).

Operators must submit a Form 2A - Location Assessment to the ECMC for all proposed locations, which must include:

• Environmental and wildlife impact evaluations
• Noise, light, and emissions control plans
• Health and safety compliance
• Public comment periods and notice to affected local governments

At the local level, the Town of Frederick requires a conditional use permit for any new wells drilled within the Town. The Town reviews proposed locations for compatibility with local land use, oil and gas standards, and zoning requirements. Town approval is required through the conditional use permit for all new surface locations within municipal boundaries, which is a quasi-judicial application process, including a neighborhood meeting and multiple public hearings.

Key Factors in Drill Site Selection:

Selection of drill sites is based on a combination of technical, regulatory, and surface use considerations, including:

Subsurface geology and reservoir characteristics

• Surface topography and access considerations
• Proximity to existing infrastructure (roads, utilities, pipelines, refineries, etc.)
• Minimizing impact to existing and planned surface uses (homes, schools, parks, etc.)
• Noise, visual, and air quality mitigation

Operators use advanced geophysical and geologic modeling tools to identify optimal well placements that balance resource recovery with environmental and surface-use sensitivity.

Surface Use Agreements and Landowner Rights:

Under Colorado law, oil and gas companies are required to engage in good faith negotiations with surface owners before using private property for drilling. Often times a landowner owns the rights to the surface and an oil and gas operator owns the rights to the minerals below the ground surface. These negotiations typically results in a Surface Use Agreement (SUA), which:

• Identifies the location of the well pad, roads, flow lines, and facilities
• Establishes landowner compensation, access routes, etc.
• Addresses operational timing, fencing, landscaping, etc.

If a Surface Use Agreement is in place, it may be reflected in the property's title records and recorded with the county.

Please Note: The Town of Frederick encourages operators and landowners to work collaboratively to site oil and gas development in a manner that minimizes community impacts while allowing for the responsible development of subsurface resources. For more information please contact the Town's Oil and Gas Liaison, the Town's Planning Department, or review Article 9 of the Town's Land Use Code

Modern oil and gas development is a phased industrial process that includes site preparation, drilling, well completion, and production facility installation. In recent years, technology and environmental standards have significantly evolved to reduce surface impacts, lower emissions, and minimize disruption to surrounding communities.

Key Phases of Drilling and Development

1. Initial Site Assessment and Design:

• Operator evaluates surface and subsurface conditions.
• Location design includes environmental, topographic, and land use constraints.
• Site plans are submitted to the Town and the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) for review and approval.

  2. Site Preparation

• Grading of a small pad area (typically 2–3 acres or less, depending on design).
• Access road upgrades or construction (if needed).
• Erosion control measures installed (e.g., silt fences, stormwater BMPs).
• Construction fencing and security measures installed.

  3. Rig Mobilization and Drilling

• Electrified drill rigs are now commonly used in the DJ Basin to reduce noise and air emissions (powered from the grid or portable gas generators with emissions control).
• Drilling typically occurs 24 hours/day and lasts 2–10 days per well, depending on depth and formation complexity.
• Surface casing is set and cemented to protect groundwater and aquifer zones.

  4. Well Completion

• After drilling, the rig is removed and completion operations begin, which may include hydraulic fracturing (fracking) using a separate completion crew and equipment.
• Frac activities typically last 1–3 days per well, depending on stage count and design.
• Temporary water tanks, sand containers, and pressure pumps are staged at the pad during this time.

   5. Production Facility Installation

• Once a well is producing, it flows through a wellhead to a buried flowline that transports oil, gas, and produced water to centralized facilities.
• Many new sites use "tankless" production setups, eliminating on-site storage by piping oil, gas, and water directly off-site.
• Where tank batteries are installed, they often include:

Vapor recovery systems
Low-emission separators and heaters
Automated leak detection and remote monitoring
All new sites are fenced and include secondary containment berms) 

    6. Site Restoration

• Interim reclamation is performed shortly after drilling and completion, including regrading and revegetation.
• Final reclamation occurs after well abandonment or pad decommissioning, restoring the area to its pre-disturbance condition.

Noise, Dust, and Air Quality Mitigation 

Drilling and completion activities can produce temporary noise, dust, and emissions, particularly during high-activity phases. However, strict regulations require operators to minimize and control impacts:

• Electrified rigs and sound walls are used to reduce noise.
• Dust suppression methods include water trucks and stabilized road surfaces.
• Emissions from equipment and tanks are regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and operators must obtain and comply with air permits.
• Flaring and venting are restricted and monitored.

If you are concerned about noise, odors, or emissions from a drilling or production site:

• Contact the Colorado ECMC Complaint Line at 1-888-235-1101 or submit a report with the Town of Frederick.
• Reach out to the rig or well operator, whose contact information is posted on-site.
• You may also contact the Town of Frederick’s Oil & Gas Liaison for local support.