Standards
Due to Colorado's long history with oil and natural gas drilling, the state already has strict regulations in place. Additionally, companies follow the federal regulations that oversee oil and natural gas development, and follow stringent standards and operating procedures to conduct all operations, including hydraulic fracturing, to protect Colorado's citizens and the environment.
Stringent standards, operating procedures and regaulations for oil and natural gas drilling are based upon decades of experience; they protect citizens and the environment because they are enforced by the drilling companies and the government through strict regulations and oversight.
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is a trade association that represents 400 member companies across the oil and natural gas industry. For more than 85 years, API, in conjunction with its member companies, has developed and refined engineering standards and practices for all aspects of oil and natural gas production. Many of these standards have been adopted as references for industry performance, and incorporated into state and federal regulations. These standards, considered industry practice, cover all aspects of Bakken Shale production, including site preparation, drilling, well construction, well integrity, water use management and surface environmental considerations.
Companies producing natural gas from the shale formations adhere to these strict standards when planning for and operating their wells. Many of these companies are also the ones who developed the standards, and have been using them in production for years, if not decades. The companies that continue to follow these strict standards and regulations will protect the safety and health of all citizens and the environment. API and its member companies also continually monitor and update these standards to ensure operational safety and efficiency.
