It may be brackish and thousands of feet underground, but in Colorado, every drop of water counts.
That's why gas companies are filing applications for rights to water that comes out of their wells during the process of producing natural gas.
“The oil and gas industry is only seeking the water rights associated with oil and gas production," said Bruce Gantner, a ConocoPhillips environmental consultant who is handling comments about the company's application.
Others filing applications in the area include BP, the Southern Ute Tribe and Chevron.
But some observers of the process called it a “water grab" and question the legal framework for the gas companies' claims.
“I think that the applications are overreaching, and they're very broad, and they're probably speculative, as well," said Amy Huff, a water attorney who recently presented at a public meeting about the subject.
As always, nothing related to water is simple.....continue......
