County approves natural gas exploration
Company may start work this week
GRANT COUNTY — Drilling could start as soon as this week, in the hopes of meeting what one oil and gas company calls an insatiable need for natural gas in the United States.
Grant County approved a permit last week, giving Colorado-based EnCana the go ahead to drill a 14,000 foot exploratory well near Mattawa.
"We're really excited about getting started out there," said Walter Lowry, director of community and industry relations for EnCana. He said the company might have crews turning dirt at the site sometime this week.
The exploratory well project is located seven miles east of Mattawa, near the intersection of Road 24 SW and Road L SW on Anderville Farms.
Lowry said that EnCana will utilize state-of-the-art technology in its search for natural gas. Lowry has previously stated that about 11 percent of natural gas is presently imported, saying that this county's demand for natural gas is not currently being met.
"We're pretty excited about employing new technology," Lowry said of the project.
The project will start with a three to four man crew, which will head on-site to help with the excavation. Grant County Hearing Examiner Pro Tem Andrew Kottkamp gave EnCana an 18-month window to explore the area
for natural gas. EnCana officials said during a public hearing earlier this month that the drilling and testing of the well should take about 12 months.
The purpose of the well is to test for a viable natural gas source, but how much natural gas would have to be found for continued drilling? Lowry didn't have a specific number in mind, but said that the company would have to evaluate its findings before deciding whether or not to pursue continued drilling in the future.
Lowry also stated that the company wants to use drilling techniques on the project to make sure the site is continually viable in the future.
Lowry mentioned the company will also try to minimize its "environmental footprint," on the project. He said the company is working on efforts to protect topsoil and EnCana is also bringing in gravel to help support the
base of some of its drilling machinery.
The Washington Department of Natural Resources has also approved a permit for the project. As part of Grant County's permit, EnCana not only has to abide by conditions of the Department of Natural Resources permit, but the conditions of Grant County's permit as well.
One of those conditions is to completely restore the property following completion of drilling. Grant County has given EnCana one year to reclaim the property once they have completed the project.
Grant County Commissioner Tim Snead said that the county could perhaps find a source of revenue from natural gas reserves, if any are found.
"We're happy that they're going to be getting started," Snead said Monday, "hoping they find what they're hoping to find."
Lowry added that EnCana is anxious to get started on the project, "hopefully meet the insatiable need this country has for natural gas."