2021 BOARD OF OIL, GAS AND MINING ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Each year, the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining presents Environmental Excellence Awards to companies, organizations or individuals who go above and beyond what is required by regulation to protect the environment, while developing Utah’s natural resources.

Awards are presented in the areas of oil and gas, minerals mining and coal mining. Specific award categories are environmental improvement to an active mine site, exploration site, or producing field; outstanding results following applications of innovative environmental technology; and outstanding final reclamation or site restoration.

The following companies received Environmental Excellence Awards for 2021:

American Gilsonite Company (AGC)– Outstanding reclamation in the Bonanza area of Uintah County: AGC reclaimed 14 total locations, including nine full mine sites, amounting to over 20% of their total reclamation obligations. They went beyond regulations by capping shafts using methods that ensure long term stability, separated materials for recycling, and are promoting successful regrowth of vegetation through researched seed selection, moisture retainment, and additional water for improved germination. Although Uintah County was among the Utah counties hardest hit by unemployment due to Covid, AGS was able to keep vital employees working through one of the most difficult times in the company’s history.

Caerus Uinta, LLC: Outstanding final reclamation at the Greater Natural Buttes site in Uintah County: From October 2020 to February 2021, Caerus staff reclaimed, contoured, and seeded approximately 108 acres. They focused on soil amendments, native soil nutrient needs, and native custom seed mixes. Soil samples taken throughout the area indicated the native desert soil was deficient in important plant nutrients including nitrogen, phosphate, and zinc. By amending the compost with crucial nutrients and tailoring the amount of compost used, the reclaimed sites were designed for peak native seed germination and vegetation establishment. Caerus Uinta’s goal is to implement more science-based advanced seeding methods into their reclamation projects.

Canyon Fuels Company, LLC- Skyline Mine- Public/private partnership yielding environmental improvement- The Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining’s Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program nominated Canyon Fuel Company’s Skyline Mine for its material support to the program’s Clear Creek Refuse Piles reclamation project. The mine’s donation of waste storage capacity at its refuse disposal site resulted in substantial cost saving to the program and facilitated the overall planning and execution of the reclamation.

Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline, LLC- Methane Emissions Reduction Program:
Since 2019 Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline, LLC has implemented a methane reduction program across its operating footprint. Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline has prevented over 267 million cubic feet of natural gas from being emitted into the atmosphere. This volume equates to removing 3,165 passenger vehicles from the road or heating 1,690 homes for one year.

The program consists of modifying infrastructure, improving systems, and several voluntary initiatives such as sending methane to adjacent low pressure pipeline systems instead of venting during maintenance.

Through this program, Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline has reduced the percentage of methane gas saved during maintenance events along pipelines and at stations by 86% in 2019 and 90% in 2020.

Manti- La Sal National Forest- Compliance Enforcement and Outreach:
The Manti-La Sal National Forest Service Minerals Team went above and beyond regulatory requirements to keep the public safe when an operator reopened an abandoned mine without authorization, sending sediment into a perennial creek approximately ½ mile upstream from Blanding’s water supply intake.

They quickly responded, coordinating with several outside agencies and stakeholders to protect public health and properly close the mine. 

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPLX)- Environmental improvement to an active drilling site: MPLX developed a quarterly oil and gas industry best management practice program at its Ironhorse gas processing facility and compressors station, which is not subject to federal regulation. The program includes inspections to quickly identify large leaks and minimize emissions into the Uintah Basin, working to preserve Utah’s vital oil and gas supply while protecting the environment.

In 2020, repairs of leaks found during quarterly monitoring reduced emissions from 249,672 pounds of volatile organic compound to 62,615 pounds, the energy saving equivalent to the CO2 output of supplying 254 homes with power for a year.

2021 ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining is accepting nominations for the 2021 Environmental Excellence Awards now through Wednesday, February 19. Environmental Excellence Awards recognize operators who go above and beyond what is required by regulation. Innovations in environmental technology, environmental improvement to active mine sites, outstanding final reclamation projects, and community outreach are eligible for consideration. Nomination form and more information is available at https://www.ogm.utah.gov/includes/2021CallForNominations.pdf

NEW MEMBER APPOINTED TO THE UTAH BOARD OF OIL, GAS AND MINING

La Vonne J. Garrison, Board of Oil, Gas and Mining

La Vonne J. Garrison has been appointed to the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining. She represents oil and gas interests.

Ms. Garrison recently retired as Assistant Director for Oil and Gas at the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) where she had been employed since 2000. For 20 years prior to that position, she was the Regional Land Manager for a Rocky Mountain oil and gas company headquartered in Salt Lake City.

Her past oil and gas experience also includes work as an independent landman, a geologic transcriber and work with a petroleum engineer. Ms. Garrison has a B.A. from the University of Montana at Missoula. She is a member of the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL), a past officer of the local chapter of AAPL, and a retired member of the Public Lands Committee for the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC).

2018 Environmental Excellence Award Winners

The Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining announced the recipients’ of the 2018 Environmental Excellence Awards at an open house in Salt Lake. Awards were presented by Utah Speaker of the House Greg Hughes, Board Chair Ruland Gill, Jr., Board members Susan Davis, Rich Boren, Carl Kendell, Mike Brown, and Chris Hansen.

Previously known as Earth Day Awards, Environmental Excellence Awards are presented to companies, organizations or individuals in the oil and gas, minerals and coal mining industries that go beyond what is required by regulation to protect the environment, while responsibly developing Utah’s natural resources 

The following companies received Environmental Excellence Awards for 2018;

Dugout Canyon Mine for their environmental improvements to an active mine site and outstanding results from implementing innovative environmental technology during contemporaneous reclamation on a portion of the waste rock pile.

Skyline Mine for their outstanding results following applications of innovated environmental technology on creation of a ventilation shaft for the Flat Canyon lease.

Sufco Mine for environmental improvement to an active mine site. They provided funds, equipment, and man power to make improvements to facilities at Skutumpah Reservoir and trail improvements along Quitchupah Creek.

Conoco Phillips received an award for their environmental improvements to an active drilling field within the Drunkards Wash field in Carbon County.

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation received an award for their spill mitigation efforts in the greater natural buttes area in the Uinta Basin.

Dominion Energy/Questar Pipeline received an award for their storage integrity management program in their Clay Basin, Coalville, and Chalk Creek storage fields.

Rio Tinto Kennecott received an award for their ongoing East Waste Rock/South Waste Rock reclamation project.

For full project descriptions, visit http://ogm.utah.gov/amr/boardtemp/redesign/2018/03_Mar/Briefing/een.php

Exploration and Production Waste Disposal Facilities Five-Year Plan Renewal

Oil and gas exploration and production waste disposal facilities in Utah are required by state rule R649-9-8.5.1 Bonding of Disposal Facilities to post full cost bonds for their operations by July 1, 2018. Operators must submit a completed application and estimated bond by July 1, subject to review by Division staff.

This rule was modified and approved by the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining in 2013 requiring an independent, third party review of reclamation and closure cost estimates to ensure coverage. Adequate bonding protects the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining and the state of Utah against expensive reclamation costs requiring state funds. Requiring full cost bonds ensures each step of remediation is covered including waste and equipment management, re-contouring sites, and reseeding.

The majority of exploration and production waste is handled through use of three types of waste disposal facilities permitted in the state: injection wells, evaporative ponds, and land farms. Injection wells take produced water and inject it deep into underground rock formations. Evaporative ponds are filled with produced water and then use evaporation to vaporize the water. Land farms use microorganisms in the soil to naturally biodegrade hydrocarbon contaminated soils.

Currently there are 30 permitted facilities in Utah- one in Sevier, two in San Juan, two in Grand, seven in Duchesne and 18 in Uintah counties.

Oil and gas program staff has worked to notify and remind operators of the upcoming deadline to ensure compliance by July 1 through letters and information on the Division website. Staff will follow-up with non-responsive operators in May to make certain everyone has been notified. Operators who do not post a full cost bond will have their permits revoked until the bond requirements are met.

For more information on the five-year permit renewal process, visit https://oilgas.ogm.utah.gov/oilgasweb/publications/publications-main.xhtml

Call for Environmental Excellence Award Nominations

The Board of Oil, Gas and Mining is accepting nominations for 2018 Environmental Excellence Awards now through Wednesday, February 28. 
Previously known as Earth Day Awards, Environmental Excellence Awards recognize reclamation projects and innovations in environmental technology going above and beyond what is required by regulation. It is an opportunity for companies to demonstrate technical expertise, pride in their industry, and concern not only for the economics of their industry, but also for our environment. 

Awards may be presented in each of three operation types:

  • Oil and gas
  • Minerals mining
  • Coal mining

Award categories:

  • Environmental improvement to an active mine site, exploration site or producing field.
  • Outstanding results following applications of innovative environmental technology.
  • Outstanding final reclamation or site restoration. 

Criteria may include but are not limited to:

  • Stabilization and grading
  • Revegetation
  • Water quality improvement
  • Wildlife habitat improvement
  • Exceptional reclamation/restoration without obligation
  • Outstanding results from implementing environmental technologies

For nomination forms and instructions, visit https://www.ogm.utah.gov/Callfornominationsletter.pdf. Submit nominations to holliebrown@utah.gov.

2017 Earth Day Award Winners

Each year, the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining presents Earth Day Awards to companies, organizations or individuals who go above and beyond what is required by regulation to protect the environment, while developing Utah’s natural resources.

Awards are presented in the areas of oil and gas, minerals mining and coal mining. Specific award categories are environmental improvement to an active mine site, exploration site, or producing field; outstanding results following applications of innovative environmental technology; and outstanding final reclamation or site restoration.

The following companies received Earth Day Awards for 2017:

Alpine Gems, LLC- Butler Valley Quarries reclamation project in Kane County

Canyon Fuel Company, LLC- Sufco Mine wildlife habitat improvement projects in Sevier County

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation- Greater Natural Buttes reclamation and seeding project in Uintah County

Rio Tinto- Kennecott Utah Copper, LLC- East Waste Rock Extension project in Salt Lake County

2016 Earth Day Awards

Compass Minerals
Photo Credit: Compass Minerals

Each year, the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining presents Earth Day Awards to companies, organizations or individuals who go beyond what is required by regulation to protect the environment, while developing Utah’s natural resources.

Awards are presented in the areas of oil and gas, minerals mining and coal mining. Specific award categories environmental improvement to an active mine site, exploration site, or producing field; outstanding results following applications of innovative environmental technology and outstanding final reclamation or site restoration.

The following companies received Earth Day Awards for 2016:

Compass Minerals Ogden, Inc. – Pond expansion project on the Great Salt Lake Mine

Compass Minerals Ogden, Inc.
Compass Minerals Ogden, Inc.

Compass Minerals Ogden, Inc. was also awarded the first-ever 2016 Best of the Best Earth Day Award by the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining due to their exceptional environmental improvement work on their Great Salt Lake Mine Project.

Ultradent Products – Innovative reclamation of a site in Tooele County

Ultradent Products

Questar Pipeline Company – Reduced environmental impacts during the Mainline 3 Replacement Project in Morgan and Davis counties.

Questar Pipeline Company

North American Mine Services, Inc. – Sage grouse mitigation on the Green Diamond project in Uintah County

North American Mine Sercices, Inc.

Canyon Fuel Company, LLC – Sufco Mine – Habitat improvement project in the Manti La Sal National Forest

Canyon Fuel LLC – Sufco Mine

Conoco Phillips – Habitat improvement project with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to remove pinyon/juniper in Hiawatha, Utah.

Conoco Phillips