CAERUS PICEANCE - PL28 PAD Gas Extraction Facility, Debeque, Colorado

CAERUS PICEANCE - PL28 PAD is a gas extraction facility located in Mesa County, Colorado, approximately 5.2 miles southeast of Debeque. The facility operates within the Piceance Basin, one of the largest natural gas fields in the United States, known for its tight gas sandstone formations. The plant is classified under NAICS code 211130 for natural gas extraction and is currently operational. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC). As a gas extraction site in the Piceance Basin, it likely employs hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling techniques to access natural gas from tight sandstone reservoirs. The region's gas infrastructure is characterized by extensive gathering pipelines and processing plants that support production from thousands of wells. The Piceance Basin plays a significant role in meeting U.S. natural gas demand, with production feeding into interstate pipeline systems. The facility's location in a sparsely populated area of western Colorado reduces proximity-related risks, though operations must comply with state regulations on water use, air emissions, and well integrity. The plant contributes to local economic activity through employment and royalty payments.

The facility is located in a semi-arid region of western Colorado, characterized by sagebrush steppe and pinyon-juniper woodlands. The area experiences cold winters and hot summers, with low annual precipitation. Gas extraction activities in the Piceance Basin have raised concerns about water consumption for hydraulic fracturing, potential groundwater contamination, and air emissions from drilling and production. The facility's proximity to the Colorado River watershed necessitates careful management of surface water and groundwater resources to protect downstream ecosystems and water supplies.