Opal Coalbank Production Facility - Oil Extraction in Denver, Colorado

The Opal Coalbank Production Facility is an oil extraction site located in Denver, Colorado, United States. It operates within the Denver-Julesburg Basin, a major oil-producing region. The facility is classified under NAICS code 211120 for oil and gas extraction, indicating its role in upstream petroleum production. As an oil extraction facility in Colorado, it operates under state and federal regulations, including the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) oversees drilling and production activities, ensuring compliance with environmental standards. Typical extraction methods in this region include hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling to access tight oil formations. The facility contributes to the local economy and energy supply, with production feeding into regional pipelines and refineries. Its location in Weld County places it in one of the most active oil-producing counties in the United States, with significant infrastructure for gathering and processing crude oil.

Oil extraction in the Denver-Julesburg Basin involves risks such as groundwater contamination from hydraulic fracturing, air emissions from flaring and equipment, and surface spills. The facility's proximity to urban areas like Denver increases the potential for community exposure to pollutants. Regulatory frameworks like the EPA's New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for oil and gas aim to reduce volatile organic compound emissions.