KERR-MCGEE - 70137 Gas Extraction Facility, Gilcrest, Colorado

KERR-MCGEE - 70137 is a gas extraction facility located in Gilcrest, Colorado, approximately 3.3 miles southeast of the town center. The facility is situated in Weld County, which is part of the Denver-Julesburg Basin, a major oil and gas producing region in the United States. The plant is currently operational and classified under NAICS codes 211112 (Natural Gas Liquid Extraction) and 211130 (Natural Gas Extraction), indicating its role in both natural gas and natural gas liquids production. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Department of Transportation's 49 CFR Part 192, which governs pipeline safety for natural gas. Additionally, Colorado has its own stringent regulations for oil and gas operations, including the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) rules. The plant's location in a rural area with low population density reduces some risk factors, but the high pressure and vintage of gas extraction infrastructure in the region require robust safety measures. As part of the Denver-Julesburg Basin, this facility contributes to the region's significant natural gas output, which supports local energy needs and interstate supply. The environmental context includes proximity to agricultural land and the South Platte River watershed, necessitating careful management of emissions and water usage. The facility's role in the gas supply chain underscores its importance for energy security and economic activity in northern Colorado.

The facility is located in a semi-arid region with agricultural land use, near the South Platte River. Gas extraction operations in this area must manage potential impacts on air quality, water resources, and soil. Colorado's regulatory framework requires monitoring of methane emissions and groundwater protection. The plant's rural setting reduces population exposure, but seismic activity in the region is low, while climate hazards include occasional severe weather events.