U.S. regulator approves 51,000 new CBM wells

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has cleared the way for 51,000 additional coalbed methane wells to be drilled over 10 years in the Power River Basin of Wyoming and Montana, but environmentalists, ranchers and landowners are already girding for a legal battle. A suit was filed in Montana alleging inadequate habitat protection. So far 12,250 wells have been drilled or approved for the 8 million acre basin, which has estimated recoverable reserves of 25 trillion cubic feet. The permit-holders are Devon Energy, Barrett Resources, CMS Oil and Gas, Western Gas’ Lance Oil and Gas, Yates Petroleum and Pennaco Energy.