Pioneer Nat Res - Smith Canyon 21-36 Gas Extraction Facility, Cokedale, Colorado

Pioneer Nat Res - Smith Canyon 21-36 is a gas extraction facility located approximately 6 miles west of Cokedale, Colorado, in Las Animas County. The facility operates in the Raton Basin, a geological region known for coalbed methane and conventional natural gas production. Its operational status is active, contributing to the local energy supply chain. The facility falls under the NAICS codes 211111 (Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas Extraction) and 211130 (Natural Gas Liquid Extraction), indicating its role in both gas extraction and processing. In the United States, gas extraction facilities like this one are regulated by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) for pipeline safety and by state-level agencies such as the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC). The facility's location in a rural area with low population density reduces certain operational risks. Environmentally, the facility's operations in the Raton Basin may involve hydraulic fracturing and water management practices typical of unconventional gas extraction. The region's semi-arid climate and proximity to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains influence local water resources and ecosystem considerations. The facility's role in natural gas production supports regional energy needs and contributes to the broader U.S. gas infrastructure network.

The facility is situated in a semi-arid region of southern Colorado, characterized by grasslands and piñon-juniper woodlands. Gas extraction activities in the Raton Basin can impact local water resources through water withdrawal and produced water management. The area's seismic stability and low population density reduce some environmental risks, but methane leakage and air quality concerns remain relevant. Regulatory oversight by the COGCC ensures compliance with environmental standards for well construction and emissions control.