Questar gets OK to drill in Wyoming

Allan Baker

Petroleum News Contributing Writer

Questar Exploration and Production Co. has received the go-ahead for winter drilling of four wells from a single location in western Wyoming near Pinedale.

The Bureau of Land Management granted a request for the drilling Nov. 21, despite the location in designated winter range for the mule deer. The company agreed to drill eight directional wells from the pad, with four of them to be completed this winter.

Each well will take about two months to drill.

BLM rejected a request from the company for two rigs to drill concurrently at the site six miles southwest of Pinedale.

Wyoming’s Game and Fish Department endorsed the company’s proposal, saying it will help determine the feasibility of drilling techniques that could reduce disturbance to wildlife and protect habitat.

A study of mule deer in the region is ongoing, and so far there’s been no evaluation of whether drilling-related activities affect the animals.