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CBNG companies recognized as environmentally sensitive and
community-oriented
June 28, 2004
As part of on-going efforts to be stewards of the environment and good neighbors, several members of the Coalbed Natural Gas Alliance have been recognized as going above and beyond existing environmental regulations in their extraction of coalbed natural gas. Huber Energy, Marathon Oil Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary Pennaco Energy and Devon Energy have all received the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Industry Reclamation and Wildlife Stewardship awards. These were given at the Wyoming Hunting and Fishing Heritage Expo held annually in September in Casper, Wyoming. Fidelity Exploration and Production Company received a Fluid Mineral Award for their community education and outreach efforts from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) during their National Fluid Minerals Conference held in Cheyenne, Wyoming on June 22, 2004.

The BLM recognized Fidelity Exploration and Production Company, the only CBNG producer in Montana, for their community education and outreach efforts. In making the announcement, the BLM stated that Fidelity “makes working with landowners a priority” and that the company “has been an exemplary operator in Montana and Wyoming’s Powder River Basin for many years.” The BLM specifically referred to Fidelity’s three-year soil monitoring program, the Agronomic Monitoring and Protection Program (AMPP), as an example of the company’s community information efforts. The AMPP is studying the possible effects of CBNG water on the soils and crops of Southeastern Montana near the Tongue River drainage area. With the involvement of local ranchers and landowners, the AMPP will conduct tests to measure baseline soil characteristics and provide accurate, scientifically-based information about potential CBNG impacts.

According to the nomination application, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Industry Reclamation and Wildlife Stewardship award honors companies and agencies who have significantly contributed to the maintenance, restoration or enhancement of wildlife, their habitat or recreation. Named as a responsible corporate citizen committed to conducting CBNG activities as well as protecting the environment, Huber Energy was the recipient of the Wildlife Stewardship award in 2003. Huber Energy’s Lower Prairie Dog Creek Field, located in Sheridan County, Wyoming, is using both reservoirs and full-containment ponds to hold the water produced by CBNG. These ponds have attracted deer, partridges, turkeys, foxes and even a mountain lion which congregate around the water sources. Since water discharged on the surface increases plant growth, improved refuge and food have also been provided for antelope, sage grouse, doves, hawks and eagles. The North American Moose Foundation has even approached Huber Energy to work on improving moose habitat.
Devon Energy was awarded the Industry Reclamation and Wildlife Stewardship award in 2002. Thanks to their attempts to leave the smallest footprint possible while developing coalbed natural gas, their exemplary work was recognized by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The department noted that Devon Energy minimized habitat disturbance, utilized water from CBNG production for wildlife benefit, replanted disturbed sites and controlled weeds.
Marathon Oil Company’s subsidiary Pennaco Energy was given the award in 2001 for the creation of reservoirs in their North Gillette Field in Campbell County, Wyoming, to provide water storage as well as excellent wildlife habitat. Thanks to the year-round supply of water, deer, antelope, small mammals, birds and waterfowl congregate at the reservoirs. Raptors, bobcats and foxes are thriving as well. Additionally, the water availability has improved the quality and quantity of the grasses in the area, providing excellent wildlife forage opportunities.

Marathon Oil Company, Devon Energy, Huber Energy and Fidelity Exploration and Production Company are some of the members of the Coalbed Natural Gas Alliance. The Coalbed Natural Gas Alliance’s mission is to inform, educate and communicate accurate information about coalbed natural gas development within the Powder River CBNG play in Montana and Wyoming. The Alliance provides examples showing CBNG development naturally coexists with a healthy environment, including farming, ranching and wildlife habitat.