Pioneer Nat Res - Montoya 1-21 V Gas Extraction Facility, Cokedale, Colorado

Pioneer Nat Res - Montoya 1-21 V is a gas extraction facility situated in Las Animas County, Colorado, approximately 18.3 miles west of Cokedale. The facility is operational and classified under NAICS codes 211111 (Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas Extraction) and 211130 (Natural Gas Liquid Extraction). It is part of the broader gas infrastructure network in the United States, contributing to domestic energy 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. As a gas extraction site, it likely employs standard drilling and extraction technologies typical for the region, including horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, given the geological characteristics of the Raton Basin where it is located. Environmentally, the facility is situated in a rural area with low population density, reducing immediate community exposure risks. However, gas extraction activities can impact local air quality and water resources. The site's proximity to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area underscores the importance of adherence to environmental regulations to minimize ecological disruption.

The facility is located in a semi-arid region of southern Colorado, characterized by grasslands and piñon-juniper woodlands. Gas extraction operations may affect local air quality through emissions of volatile organic compounds and methane. Water usage for hydraulic fracturing could strain local water resources, while produced water management requires careful handling to prevent contamination. The area's seismic activity is low, but induced seismicity from injection wells is a potential risk.