MERIT ENERGY - BIDWELL 1-13 WELL SITE: Oil Extraction Facility in Garden City, Kansas

MERIT ENERGY - BIDWELL 1-13 WELL SITE is an operational oil extraction facility located in Garden City, Finney County, Kansas, United States. The facility is situated in the Hugoton Embayment, a prolific oil and gas region, and is part of the broader Mid-Continent oil province. As a well site, it contributes to the domestic crude petroleum and natural gas extraction sector, classified under NAICS codes 211111 and 211120. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state-level Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) rules. Oil extraction in Kansas typically involves conventional vertical wells and, increasingly, horizontal drilling with hydraulic fracturing. The site likely employs standard production equipment such as pumpjacks, separators, and storage tanks. Regulatory compliance includes spill prevention, control, and countermeasure (SPCC) plans and air emission permits under the Clean Air Act. Environmental considerations for oil extraction in this region include groundwater protection in the Ogallala Aquifer, which underlies much of western Kansas. The facility's operational status indicates ongoing production, contributing to local energy supply and economic activity in Garden City. The site's location in a rural agricultural area necessitates careful management of surface impacts and brine disposal to protect soil and water resources.

The facility is located in the High Plains region, underlain by the Ogallala Aquifer, a critical groundwater source for irrigation and drinking water. Oil extraction activities pose risks of groundwater contamination from brine spills or improper well casing. The semi-arid climate and agricultural land use require careful management of produced water and drilling fluids to prevent soil salinization and surface water pollution. Regulatory oversight by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and EPA ensures compliance with environmental standards.