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`4, <br />the wellbore from the L4 formation, thereby lifting groundwater out of the wellbore and onto the <br />surface of the drill pad for about 20 minutes until a diverter could be re-installed on the wellhead <br />and groundwater again routed to surface tankage. The groundwater contained an elevated <br />concentration of naturally-occurring total dissolved solids (TDS) estimated at 32,000 mg/L. <br />Action Taken <br />It is estimated that 100 bbls of formation water was released to the drilling location, most of <br />which was contained in equipment secondary containment and in an earthen pit located on the <br />drill pad. Approximately 80 bbls of water was promptly recovered with a vacuum truck and <br />taken to appropriate offsite commercial disposal. The resulting estimated volume of <br />groundwater that was released to the drill pad and not recovered is 20 bbls. <br />Description of Damage <br />All released groundwater was contained on the drill pad. There was no offsite discharge or <br />impacts to surface water. No surface vegetation was impacted. Also, previous infiltration <br />studies have determined that a release of this magnitude at this location will only migrate a very <br />short depth into the ground and will have no water quality impacts to the shallowest <br />groundwater that lies approximately 250 feet below ground surface. Therefore, we believe that <br />there will be no residual environmental impacts as a result of the release. <br />Actions to Prevent Recurrence <br />When drilling subsequent L4 hydrology wells using air/water mist, the well pressure will be <br />monitored and sufficiently depleted before the drill bit is brought to surface and the diverter <br />removed from the wellhead. <br />If you have any questions or need additional information regarding this event, please contact <br />me at (713) 245-7732. <br />Sincerely, <br />Gregory S. Monson <br />Staff Environmental Engineer <br />cc: Mr. Greg Stasinos, EPRD-C2 (Ref: Case No. 2011-0246) <br />Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment <br />4300 Cherry Creek Drive South <br />Denver, CO 80246-1530 <br />East RD&D Appraisal-Spill Report-05121 1.doc 2 <br />