BP in clash over coalbed methane well

BP is locking horns with residents of southeastern British Columbia over its plans to drill a coalbed methane well, despite what it says have been three years of open houses and meetings with various groups.

But residents of the East Kootenay region claim they have been caught off guard by the start of preparation work for the first test well in BP Canada Energy’s Mist Mountain Coalbed Gas Project that could lead to major investment in an area covering about 123 square miles.

However, BP spokeswoman Hejdi Feick told the Vancouver Sun that a date has yet to be set to start drilling because of rainy weather.

She said a detailed media advisory will be released once a decision has been made.

Feick said the company has been “very forthcoming and open with our plans and … that’s how we will be in the future.”

Ryland Nelson, program coordinator with an environmental group known as Wildsight, said site preparation has been under way for two weeks in advance of what his organization said will be summer drilling.

He said BP has gained regulatory approval to drill the single well and the well’s coordinates have been obtained from the British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission.

Nelson said there was no announcement in the local newspaper at Fernie and the Fernie city council had not been notified.

He said environmentalists are opposed to BP’s plans within an area known as Crowsnest Coalfield.

Nelson said that is the narrowest portion of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and could disrupt the travel patterns of animals entering national parks.

There is also concern over the volumes of contaminated water that might be pumped from coalbed methane wells and which must be re-injected below ground.

—Gary Park