On April 15, 2009, API and Williams hosted 11 members of the media, including five reporters, one photographer and five bloggers, for a tour of Williams’ natural gas operations in the Piceance Basin. Attendees had a first-hand opportunity to view the advanced technologies that Williams uses to drill for natural gas efficiently and with environmental sensitivity.
The tour included on-site visits to a high-efficiency flex rig, centralized fracing facility, compressor facility and natural gas processing plant. Williams hosts gave attendees an overview of the technologies used in the Basin, particularly the advanced drilling rigs that can drill up to 22 wells from one location and greatly reduce the impact on the environment. Throughout the tour, attendees were able to observe employees perform day-to-day activities and learn about the history of the facilities and surrounding area.
Reporters and bloggers who attended the tour are as follows:
Andrew Kear, The Oil Drum
Bob McCarty, Bob McCarty Writes
Brad Jones, Face the State
Maria Surma Manka, Maria Energia
Tim Hurst, Red, Green and Blue
Judith Kohler and David Zalubowski, Associated Press, Denver bureau
Dennis Webb, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Josh Nichols, Grand Junction Free Press
Guntis Moritis, Oil and Gas Journal
Susan Klann, Oil and Gas Investor
Photos from the tour are featured in the slideshow below, and can be found in this Flickr album.
In addition, below you can view a video featuring an attendee's thoughts on the tour experience and key learnings:
Click here to learn more about the tour and Williams’ operations in the Piceance Basin.