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BLM Approves 95-Mile Pipeline in Western Colo., Eastern Utah

by KREX News Room
by Amanda Brandeis

Story Created: Sep 16, 2012 at 6:21 PM MDT

Story Updated: Sep 17, 2012 at 7:38 AM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- The Bureau of Land Management recently approved a 95-mile pipeline in Western Colorado and eastern Utah. The natural gas pipeline will help move more natural gas liquids out of the Piceance Basin.

Natural gas liquids are used to make products that are used day in and day out, and a new pipeline will significantly increase one company's ability to transport it.

David Ludlam, executive director for the West Slope Colorado Oil and Gas Association, said, "The things that go into making plastics and Tupperware, clothing, textiles, medicines, pharmaceuticals, all of those important things that natural gas liquids make, and that's what this pipeline will be carrying."

Officials with the Western Expansion Project II expect positive short and long-term impacts with the approved 95-mile pipeline.

By adding the new pipeline, the Enterprise Mid-America Pipeline company will increase its capacity for transporting natural gas liquids from Wyoming and Colorado to Hobbs, N.M. The pipeline will increase current capacity by 15,000 barrels per day.

Christopher B. Joyner, the public affairs specialist for the northwest district Colorado BLM, said, "According to the company, approximately 400 jobs will be created during the construction of the pipeline."

"The type of large scale investment with this project demonstrates there's a long-term potential for our area's energy sector. This type of investment means there is going to be development here for the long term," said Ludlam.

The new pipeline will follow an existing pipeline corridor across Rio Blanco, Garfield, and Mesa counties in Colorado and in Uintah and Grand counties in Utah.

Ludlam said, "Whenever you’re laying a pipeline, you try to do it where there is an existing utility corridor so that you can go back and lay that pipe where there's other utilities and minimize additional surface disturbance, and that's a good thing."

"It's very much a win-win situation for the local people. We've got increased jobs, low-surface disruption and we've got the additional revenue from the rent of the lease area," said Joyner.

Project officials are pleased with the outcome of the proposal and are eager to begin construction immediately.

Officials say construction will last about six months.


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Anonymous said on Monday, Sep 17 at 2:22 PM

The source is a good one....

Anonymous said on Monday, Sep 17 at 11:11 AM

Pipeliner, Do you have a source for your rumor? Or is it just that, a rumor? Lots of us depend on oil/gas jobs not only for income, but to heat our homes and fuel trucks that carry necessary goods which are made with products related to the pipeline.

Colorado Pipeliner said on Monday, Sep 17 at 7:03 AM

Rumor has it Enterprise will not start the pipeline this year because they do not want to pay the extra cost of winter rates. A lot of people will be out of work over the winter and the unemployment lines will be long.

tater said on Monday, Sep 17 at 6:57 AM

Excellent. Somebody seeing the writing on the wall? Bye bye Obama.

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