MERIT ENERGY - BIEHN 3-16 WELL SITE - Oil Extraction in Garden City, Kansas

MERIT ENERGY - BIEHN 3-16 WELL SITE is an oil extraction facility located in Garden City, Finney County, Kansas, United States. The site is operational and contributes to the region's oil production, which is part of the broader Mid-Continent oil province. Kansas has a long history of oil extraction, with wells typically producing from formations such as the Mississippian and Arbuckle. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). Oil extraction in Kansas is subject to EPA's Clean Air Act regulations, including New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for oil and gas production, as well as state-level rules for well construction, operation, and waste management. The site's NAICS codes (211111 and 211120) indicate crude petroleum and natural gas extraction. As an oil extraction site, the facility plays a role in supplying crude oil to refineries and downstream markets. Environmental considerations include potential impacts on local air quality from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and methane, as well as groundwater protection through proper well casing and waste disposal. The site's location in a rural area of Kansas reduces some risks associated with population density.

The facility is situated in the High Plains region of Kansas, an area with semi-arid climate and agriculture as the primary land use. Oil extraction activities can affect local air quality through emissions of VOCs and methane, and groundwater resources through potential spills or leaks. The site is not near major water bodies, reducing spill risk to surface waters, but groundwater protection is critical given the region's reliance on the Ogallala Aquifer for irrigation.