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The oil and gas sector of the economy has increased greatly over the last <br /> few years due to coalbed methane production. Over 1,000 new wells have been <br /> drilled since 1985. Drilling peaked in 1990 with 350 wells. The recent down <br /> spacing will allow the construction of 636 more infill wells. <br /> In addition, Amoco Production Company has built two new compression and <br /> treatment facilities in the county with a capacity to handle 180,000,000 cubic feet of <br /> gas per day. The tax credits for coalbed methane expired December 1992. <br /> Despite the sharp decline in drilling, coalbed methane production should increase. <br /> Experts believe that coalbed methane wells start out slowly and pick up speed. <br /> The production of natural gas and coalbed methane have a significant contribution <br /> to the economic base of the community. For example, the oil and gas industry <br /> accounted for 59% of the county's assessed value in 2001 . <br /> The overall economic trends in the community are indicated in the following <br /> statistics. <br /> POPULATION <br /> The 2000 census shows La Plata County with a population of 43,941 <br /> residents, up 36% from the count of 32,284 in 1980. The 2000 census shows the <br /> City of Durango with 13,922 residents, up 12% from the 1990 count of 12,430. <br /> Population growth within the City of Durango is constrained by geographic <br /> features. <br /> 37 <br />