Laramie Energy - HDU 7-23 Pad: Natural Gas Extraction Facility near De Beque, Colorado

Laramie Energy - HDU 7-23 Pad is a natural gas extraction facility located approximately 8.3 miles north of De Beque, Colorado, in Garfield County. The facility is situated in the Piceance Basin, one of the largest natural gas fields in the United States, and is classified under NAICS code 211130 for natural gas extraction. The plant is currently operational and plays a role in the region's gas production infrastructure. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and complies with 49 CFR Part 192 for gas pipeline safety. As a gas extraction pad, it likely includes wellheads, separators, and gathering lines to process raw natural gas before it enters transmission pipelines. The scale of operations is typical for a multi-well pad in the Piceance Basin, which has seen extensive development due to its tight gas formations. The environmental context includes the facility's location in a semi-arid region with sensitive wildlife habitats. Proximity to populated areas and potential impacts on air quality and water resources are key considerations. The facility's operations are subject to state and federal regulations aimed at minimizing environmental footprint, including emissions controls and water management practices.

The facility is located in a semi-arid region of western Colorado, characterized by sagebrush steppe and pinyon-juniper woodlands. The area supports wildlife such as mule deer and greater sage-grouse. Natural gas extraction activities can affect air quality through emissions of volatile organic compounds and methane, and water resources through hydraulic fracturing and produced water management. Regulatory requirements under Colorado's air quality and water quality rules aim to mitigate these impacts.