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Storage tank fails at oil and gas exploration site

Two above-ground fresh water storage tanks containing a total of almost three million gallons of water failed at the Myers well site on Dec. 20, 2012. The site is run by Hilcorp Energy Co. and is located off Peyton Highway, north of Highway 94.The El Paso County local government designee, Diana May, said the water was purchased for fracking purposes but the oil rig and fracking operations, including fracking chemicals, were not on site when the spill occurred.May, whose job as LGD is to serve as a liaison between the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the oil and gas companies and the community, said, ìThe only damage was to the soil, which was erosion due to water runoff.ìThe cause of the spill is still under investigation. The COGCC has ordered Hilcorp to complete an internal investigation. Iím assuming it will be joint between the manufacturer of the muscle wall (the part that failed) and the subcontractor who put up the wall.”May said that Hilcorp has been issued a notice of violation by the COGCC, but said itís unclear if there was a fine involved.After an initial phone conversation, Hilcorp officials did not return follow-up calls from the NFH.

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