Regulations

The primary objective of the study is to assess the possible implications to GHG emissions associated with this proposed ban and to do so, estimate the drilling and production losses from policies to restrict oil and gas development on federal lands. From that estimate, the emissions impacts are assessed by examining the difference in emissions associated with possible makeup production, compared to the production loss resulting from the ban, or from higher natural gas drilling levels that may be required to make up for lost supplies.

The Institute predicts unconventional drilling will become less important while improved and enhanced recovery methods in conventional reservoirs will be of critical importance to Wyoming’s oil and gas sector due to expected oil prices. The Institute offers immediate changes be considered to the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (WOGCC) policies regarding the approval of idle well bonds to initiate construction.

EORI Offers Imperative and Immediate changes to WOGCC Policies that May Improve Production in Wyoming:

The Institute predicts unconventional drilling will become less important while improved and enhanced recovery methods in conventional reservoirs will be of critical importance to Wyoming’s oil and gas sector due to expected oil prices. The Institute offers immediate changes be considered to the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (WOGCC) policies regarding the approval of idle well bonds to initiate construction.

EORI Offers Imperative and Immediate changes to WOGCC Policies that May Improve Production in Wyoming:

• Eliminate the Idle Well Bond Policy
• Consider establishing a tiered Blanket Bond
• Incentivize EOR activity
• Establish a maximum 60-day time limit for reviewing and actioning water flood and disposal well applications
• Extend the time period of inactivity before a well is considered “Idle” to consecutive 24 months.
• Before the state demands that a well should be plugged, it should be evaluated to determine if it has any remaining recoverable reserves.

Is CCUS Feasible in WY? Wyoming’s Unique Position in the World’s CCUS Arena - The Cowboy Unicorn.

The 2019 Presentation to the Joint Minerals Commitee by Bryan Hassler Executive Director of the Wyoming Pipeline Authority. Topics covered include a functional approach to Wyoming's energy resources, observations, impediments to development, and planning for future success.

• We think of CO2 as the greenhouse gas (GHG) causing global warming.
• The Stern Report and the several IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) reports are gaining acceptance.
• In its most recent report (AR4 Synthesis Report November 17, 2007) the IPCC has written: Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea level.
• The report goes further to say: Most of the observed increase in globallyaveraged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic GHG concentrations.
• The Supreme Court on April 2, 2007 in a 5 to 4 decision decided that CO2 was a pollutant and the EPA could regulate auto emissions of the GHG (Chemical & Engineering News, April 3, 2007).