BLM approves oil development plan near Grand Junction
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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Today, the Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office approved Fram Operating, LLC’s Whitewater Unit Master Development Plan, an oil development project 15 miles southeast of Grand Junction that supports the Administration’s America First Energy Plan.
“Facilitating energy development in the area is a win for the local economy,” said Katie Stevens, BLM Grand Junction Field Manager. “Fram’s project includes many protections for area resources, allowing them access leased federal mineral estate while protecting wildlife, air, water and other resources that people said they cared about during public comment.”
The project includes 108 oil wells on 12 well pads. Eleven well pads will be on BLM-administered lands. One well pad will be on private surface drilling into federal minerals (split estate). The BLM estimates the project will produce up to 8.7 million barrels of oil over 20 years. Construction and year-round production will provide about 70 jobs.
The State of Colorado receives 49 percent of revenues from leases issued on public lands in Colorado, which could result in up to $27 million in payments over the life of the project.
The amended environmental assessment and associated maps are available online at https://go.usa.gov/xQxfR.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.