La Plata County residents near areas of oil and gas development may be visited from above in the following weeks as BP American Production Co. conducts an aerial safety survey.
The project started this week, and involves a helicopter flying 100 to 300 feet off the ground so BP officials can check for gas leaks, washouts or any other abnormal conditions.
“Anything that doesn’t look right,” said pipeline specialist Ritchie Hart. “It’s just to keep the public safe and make sure everything looks right.”
BP will survey in partnership with Red Cedar Gathering Co. to cover areas in Bayfield, Tiffany, Allison, Arboles and Southern Ute land, among others.
“They fly basically the entire county in one form or another,” said Butch Knowlton, director of the La Plata County Office of Emergency Management. “Anywhere inside production areas of La Plata County.”
Though the fly-over is in its 10th year, crews this year are using a new sensor system that can detect minuscule volumes of gas that may be coming from pipes or valve equipment.
“It’s so much more accurate and thorough,” Knowlton said. “And it beats having to ride a 4-wheeler and follow the pipeline area to try and detect leaks.”
Crews prefer to fly in the morning when temperatures are cool and winds are calm, but helicopters could pass by at any time during the day. The project could take 10 to 14 days to complete.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
