The vast Niobrara shale formation, which covers much of northeastern Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska, is now estimated to be a third bigger than first thought. Two of the largest companies drilling the field, Noble Energy and Anadarko, say the area may be capable of producing as much as 3.6 billion barrels of oil over the next several years. Tisha Schuller is with the Colorado Oil and Gas Association.
“We anticipate that this area will continue to reinvent itself, with new plays developing as technology advances. And now is no exception, this is a field that has been there but technology is allowing it to accessible. It’s an extraordinary world class resource.”
For every one job created in the oil and gas industry, Schueller says 3 more are created in support of the industry overall, such as construction and contracting. Both Anadarko and Noble Energy say they will continue to create jobs in the area as the play develops.
From Rocky Mountain Community Radio sister station, KUNC.
