HB 18-1157

House Bill 18-1157, which has been signed into law, requires oil and gas companies operating in Colorado to report any significant incidents, such as leaks or fires, to the state’s conservation commission. Major events like large-scale spills or fires must be reported immediately, while smaller but still concerning incidents are classified as minor and also need reporting. The bill ensures that these reports are made public on a searchable database maintained by the commission, allowing anyone to track safety issues related to oil and gas operations in their area. This law affects all companies involved in oil and gas extraction and transportation within Colorado, enhancing transparency and accountability for environmental and safety incidents.

Official Summary

Section 1 of the bill requires oil and gas operators to file written reports with the Colorado oil and gas conservation commission and other affected stakeholders for each major and minor 'reportable event'. Operators must also give oral notice of major reportable events. A 'major reportable event' includes an incident involving: The unauthorized release of more than 25 barrels of oil, produced water, oilfield chemicals, or exploration and production waste; and The unauthorized flaring, venting, or wasting of: More than 500,000 cubic feet of gas at any drilling or producing well site or at any injection or disposal facility; or More than 1,500,000 cubic feet of gas at any transportation, gathering, or processing facility; A fire that consumes at least these volumes of liquid or gas; A spill, venting, or fire, regardless of the volume involved, that occurs within 500 feet of: A sensitive area, as that term is defined by rule; or A park, recreation site, wildlife refuge, lake, reservoir, stream, or urban or suburban area; An accident that involves a fatal injury; A blowout or loss of control of a well; and An uncontrolled release of gas containing 100 or more parts per million of hydrogen sulfide. A 'minor reportable event' includes an incident involving: The unauthorized release of more than 5 barrels and up to 25 barrels of oil, produced water, oilfield chemicals, or exploration and production waste; The unauthorized flaring, venting, or wasting of more than 50,000 cubic feet and up to 500,000 cubic feet of gas at a drilling or producing well site or at an injection or disposal facility; The unauthorized venting or wasting of more than 50,000 cubic feet and up to 1,500,000 cubic feet of gas at a transportation, gathering, or processing facility; Any uncontrolled fire or explosion; and An accident involving serious bodily injury. The commission will post the reports, notifications, and an annual summary on its website in a database that is searchable by operator, location, type of event, date, and other criteria established by the commission. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) Read More

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