Energy Commission sets oil well standards

• Dickinson Energy Commission meeting

Dickinson Energy Commission meeting

Talk about it

Dickinson Energy Committee members are setting standards for gas and oil wells in and near the city, they decided at a meeting at City Hall Tuesday.

They also unanimously approved an oil company’s application to drill a well.

Members decided companies must put fences around oil and gas producing wells located within one mile of city limits.

“We need to set a standard and that’s where we need to be at,” Committee member Eugene Dowhaniuk said. “We can’t change from permit to permit.”

The city has jurisdiction over drilling within two miles of limits. Sites that fall outside of one mile will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, members decided.

“I think it’s more important when you’ve got a well right next to town,” Committee member Gene Buresh said. “It’s more visible.”

Gordon Pirkl attended the meeting on behalf of Armstrong Operating, and the members approved the application for a well southwest of Dickinson.

The well-bore is three-quarters of a mile south of the most southern edge of the golf course, Pirkl said, adding the company has two wells in that area. He expects the company to pipe oil and gas from the well if it’s productive.

Pirkl said fencing can become a garbage trap.

Shawn Soehren, city engineer, said oil companies could also use trees as a buffer.

Dowhaniuk added city growth has to be taken into consideration.

“I think we want to catch it before we do start having eyesores,” he said.

Dowhaniuk also said it will be safer to have fences around producing wells.

“The safety issue is a big part of it,” he said. “These kids will go any place to have a party or whatever.”

Soehren expects the committee’s recommendation to come before the City Commission Dec. 20.

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