Response

What steps are being taken now that the well is secured? (new 4/13/25)

  • Continue to identify potentially impacted areas
  • Clean-up of Galeton Elementary School, homes, roads, and other structures
  • Continued air and water monitoring
  • Soil sampling
  • Continued dust mitigation on nearby roads as a result of increased vehicle traffic
  • Providing updates and support to impacted residents

 

What immediate steps did agencies take in response to the incident?

Immediate action was taken to assess the safety of employees, contractors, and the public. Unfortunately, one contractor employee was injured and treated at a local medical facility. All other personnel are accounted for. Chevron immediately notified the Weld County Office of Emergency Management, local responders, and all appropriate regulatory agencies.

 

Are there still active wells at the pad? If so, does that pose a safety risk?

None of the other Chevron wells on location are currently producing, and all are in a safe state. Responding agencies do not believe they pose a safety risk at this time.

Which organizations are included in the response efforts? (updated 4/13/25)

  • A Unified Command is managing the response, comprised of the Weld County Office of Emergency Management, Chevron, the Galeton Fire Protection District, and the Environmental Protection Agency. 

  • Participating agencies include Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment, Weld County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Fire Prevention and Control, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Colorado Department of Agriculture, Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, AMR Ambulance, and Banner Ambulance. 

  • Chevron has also brought in a professional well control team – WildWell – to support efforts at the well head.

Who is in charge of the response effort?

The members of the Unified Command are working together to coordinate response efforts and share information.

What actions were taken to close off the well?

  • On April 11, 2025, the Bishop Well was safely sealed, which fully secured the well. The well was initially contained at approximately 3:30 p.m. MST on April 10, 2025. Containment was the first step, which included stopping the release.
     

  • The response to this incident began almost immediately, and has involved extensive planning and preparation to safely manage and resolve these types of situations.  

  • One of the first actions was to turn off all potential ignition sources. 

  • Air monitoring is being conducted on and around the well site and in the evacuation zone. The results are below levels of concern for public health. 

  • The water at the site has been channeled to a collection area and pumped into trucks for safe disposal off-site.  

What is the composition of the material that was released from the well?

Unified Command believes the liquid is approximately 80% water and 20% gas and oil. Chevron is working on a sample of the liquid to confirm the composition.

 

 

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