We went beyond the requirements of the NTO.

• 

  More than 90 percent of our operations are focused in rural areas, away from residences and urban development, with large connected acreage ideal for integrated development.

• Accelerated annual integrity tests on more than 7,500 active flowlines within 1,500 feet of buildings.

• Inspected, mapped and submitted data to the COGCC for flowlines within 1,500 feet of building structures, 500 feet further than what was required.

• Accelerated abandonment of 4,000 flowlines that were not in sure across our operations. Note: flowline abandonment includes placing a cement plug, capping and sealing at each end.

• Utilizing the latest in drone technology and laser imaging to create three-dimensional maps of flowlines on new wells and facilities.

• As part of our ongoing plug and removal program, we prioritize wells and equipment near communities. In 2017, we plugged more than 500 wells and removed associated facilities, and we are on track to remove an additional 600 in 2018.

We operate a state-of-the-art Operations and Safety Center to train staff, first responders, regulators and others on our operations. This facility provides a simulated, safe place to learn and improve skills like flight simulators do for pilots.
 

In February 2018, the COGCC approved new regulations to increase transparency and enhance reporting and infrastructure mapping requirements.

• The new rules call for increased flowline integrity testing and require oil and gas companies to become Tier 1 participants in the 811 Call-Before-You-Dig system.
• The industry is now required to implement mapping procedures for underground flowlines and report that information directly to the state. Noble Energy is utilizing the latest in drone technology and laser imaging to create three-dimensional maps of flowlines on new wells and facilities.
• COGCC will assemble a stakeholder group to study existing, or emerging, technologies that could be used to detect leaks from flowlines and will, within a year, report its findings and make recommendations.