PIONEER NAT RES - NORTON 9-14 R Gas Extraction Facility, Cokedale, Colorado

PIONEER NAT RES - NORTON 9-14 R is a gas extraction facility operating in Las Animas County, Colorado, approximately 15.2 miles west of Cokedale. The facility is part of the Pioneer Natural Resources operations and is classified under NAICS codes 211111 (Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas Extraction) and 211130 (Natural Gas Liquid Extraction). It is situated in the Raton Basin, a region known for coalbed methane and conventional natural gas production. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC). Colorado has implemented stringent methane emission regulations, including leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs, which apply to this facility. The extraction process typically involves drilling and completion techniques suited to the basin's geology, with gas processed and transported via local gathering lines to larger transmission pipelines. This facility contributes to the regional natural gas supply, supporting local energy needs and industrial activity in southeastern Colorado. Its location in a rural area with low population density reduces certain community exposure risks, but the facility must manage operational hazards such as well integrity and fugitive emissions. The site's proximity to the Spanish Peaks and the Purgatoire River watershed necessitates careful environmental management to protect local ecosystems.

The facility is located in a semi-arid region of southeastern Colorado, characterized by grasslands and piñon-juniper woodlands. The area is part of the Raton Basin, which has a history of coal mining and gas extraction. Environmental considerations include potential impacts on air quality from methane and volatile organic compound emissions, as well as water usage and disposal associated with hydraulic fracturing. The facility must comply with Colorado's air quality regulations and the Clean Water Act to minimize its footprint on local ecosystems.