I recently attended the Greeley Planning Commission meeting regarding Extraction Oil and Gas plans to drill the Triple Creek prospect.
In my opinion, Extraction Oil and Gas put forth a very weak presentation. Although Mr. Thingelstad spoke about noise abatement, berms and sound barriers, he neglected to inform the commission about the continual squealing of the brake on the drilling rig while drilling. While living in St. Michaels, we experienced this continual noise from a well that was drilled on the north side of St. Michaels’ and also a well that was drilled to the west of us. Secondly, Extraction Oil & Gas failed to point out that when doing the fracking operation, a number of pump trucks and ancillary equipment will be on their location, the noise from this equipment will impact residents during the whole fracking operation. Mr. Thingelstad also commented that the Triple Creek project was a secondary choice because their primary choice did not work out? I wonder why.
In my 45 years working in the oil and gas industry (primarily drilling operations), I have seen firsthand how projects have to be moved due to any number of reasons whether it is state, federal, or landowner opposition. Generally oil companies pick locations based solely upon their economics. I personally believe that Extraction Oil & Gas has “cherry picked” certain leases that large companies such as Noble and Anadarko were not interested in. Noble and Anadarko likely don’t care to have the negative public relations associated with such projects.
I encourage the planning commission to reject Extraction’s proposal for the Triple Creek project.
We all have a job to do and reporting local news is important to the citizens of Greeley and Weld County.
I’m not sure the reporter understood how devastating and hurtful those comments were to Ben’s friends and family. Of course the Helzer’s were not available for comment on Monday; they were at the hospital with their son who was fighting to stay alive. There is a time for speculation and discussion regarding “what went wrong” but I suggest this is not the time. Now is the time to gather together in support of the Helzer family, which is just what the community has done. I would urge those who report the news to consider the affect their words have on the families of individuals involved in a tragedy. And just for the record, Ben’s loving and devoted father is Rich Helzer.