Overview
Pinyon Ridge SWD is an operational oil extraction facility in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, United States. It supports regional crude oil production through saltwater disposal operations.
Pinyon Ridge SWD is a saltwater disposal facility located in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, within the United States. The facility is part of the oil extraction sector, handling produced water from nearby oil and gas operations. Its operational status indicates active management of wastewater generated during hydrocarbon production. As a saltwater disposal well, the facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC). These regulations govern underground injection control (UIC) to protect groundwater resources. The facility's NAICS code 211120 corresponds to crude petroleum extraction, reflecting its role in the upstream oil industry. The facility's location in Rio Blanco County places it within the Piceance Basin, a region known for natural gas and oil production. By managing produced water, Pinyon Ridge SWD helps mitigate environmental impacts associated with oil extraction, supporting sustainable resource development in the area.
Environmental context
The facility is situated in the Piceance Basin, a semi-arid region with sensitive groundwater resources. Saltwater disposal operations must comply with UIC regulations to prevent contamination of freshwater aquifers. The area's oil and gas activities also pose risks of surface spills and induced seismicity, though modern well design and monitoring reduce these hazards.
Frequently asked questions
Pinyon Ridge SWD is located in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, United States, in the Piceance Basin region.
Pinyon Ridge SWD is a saltwater disposal facility that manages produced water from oil and gas extraction operations, injecting it into deep underground formations.
Saltwater disposal facilities in Colorado are regulated by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Safe Drinking Water Act's Underground Injection Control (UIC) program.
Properly managed saltwater disposal protects groundwater resources and reduces surface water contamination risks. However, it requires careful monitoring to prevent induced seismicity and aquifer contamination.
Pinyon Ridge SWD supports oil production in the Piceance Basin by safely disposing of produced water, enabling continued extraction while minimizing environmental harm.
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