Pioneer Nat Res - Montoya 12-41 R Gas Extraction Facility, Las Animas County, Colorado

Pioneer Nat Res - Montoya 12-41 R is a gas extraction facility situated in Las Animas County, Colorado, approximately 17.6 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), indicating its role in upstream gas production. The facility operates within the regulatory framework of the United States, governed by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and DOT 49 CFR Part 192 for gas pipeline safety. In Colorado, gas extraction activities are also subject to state-level regulations from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), which oversees well permitting, environmental protections, and operational standards. As a gas extraction site in the Raton Basin, this facility contributes to regional natural gas supply. The area's geology supports coalbed methane and conventional gas production. The facility's location in a rural area with low population density reduces certain community-related risks, though seismic and climate hazards typical of the Rocky Mountain region are relevant considerations.

The facility is located in a semi-arid region of southern Colorado, characterized by grasslands and piñon-juniper woodlands. Proximity to populated areas is low, with the nearest town being Cokedale over 17 miles away. The area experiences moderate seismic activity and is subject to drought and wildfire risks. Gas extraction operations must manage water usage and potential groundwater impacts, as well as methane emissions, under state and federal environmental regulations.