Overview
Western Operating - Xenia West Unit is a gas extraction facility located in Washington County, Colorado, approximately 7.2 miles west of Akron. The facility is operational and serves the region's natural gas production.
Western Operating - Xenia West Unit is a gas extraction facility situated in Washington County, Colorado, about 7.2 miles west of Akron. The facility operates within the Denver-Julesburg Basin, a prolific oil and gas region. As a gas extraction site, it contributes to the United States' natural gas supply, supporting both domestic energy needs and industrial consumption. 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. The Denver-Julesburg Basin is known for its tight gas formations, and extraction typically involves hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. The facility's NAICS codes (211112 and 211130) indicate it is involved in natural gas liquid extraction and natural gas extraction, respectively. Environmentally, the facility is located in a semi-arid region with low population density, reducing immediate community exposure. However, gas extraction activities can impact local air quality and water resources. The facility's proximity to agricultural land in Washington County necessitates careful management of emissions and water usage to minimize ecological disruption.
Environmental context
The facility is situated in a semi-arid region of Colorado with low population density, which reduces direct human exposure to operational risks. However, gas extraction in the Denver-Julesburg Basin can affect local air quality through methane emissions and volatile organic compounds. Water usage for hydraulic fracturing and produced water management are key environmental considerations, given the region's agricultural water demands.
Frequently asked questions
The facility is located in Washington County, Colorado, approximately 7.2 miles west of Akron, at coordinates 40.156021 N, -103.385330 W.
It is a gas extraction facility that produces natural gas from the Denver-Julesburg Basin. The extracted gas is processed and transported via pipelines to end users.
Gas extraction in Colorado is regulated by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) and federal agencies like PHMSA. Operators must comply with rules on well construction, water management, and emissions.
Potential impacts include air emissions (methane, VOCs), water usage for hydraulic fracturing, and land disturbance. Operators are required to implement mitigation measures such as emission controls and water recycling.
The Denver-Julesburg Basin is a major source of natural gas, producing from tight sandstone and shale formations. It supports regional energy needs and feeds into interstate pipelines serving the Midwest and beyond.
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