The waste of oil and gas in the state of Colorado is prohibited by this article.
Source: L. 51: p. 651, § 1. CSA: C. 118, § 68(1). CRS 53: § 100-6-1. C.R.S. 1963: § 100-6-1.
ANNOTATION
Law reviews. For article, "Conservation of Oil Resources — Colorado's Position Today", see 22 Rocky Mt. L. Rev. 489 (1950). For article, "Utilization Statutes: Voluntary Action or Compulsion", see 24 Rocky Mt. L. Rev. 29 (1951). For note, "The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Act and Amendments", see 24 Rocky Mt. L. Rev. 348 (1952). For article, "Breach of the Implied Covenant in an Oil and Gas Lease", see 31 Dicta 215 (1954). For article, "The Application of State Conservation Laws to Oil and Gas Operations on the Public Domain", see 32 Rocky Mt. L. Rev. 109 (1960). For article, "Prorationing of Natural Gas Production: An Economic Analysis", see 57 U. Colo. L. Rev. 153 (1986).
This section does not prohibit all waste, but only waste as defined in section 34-60-103. Union P. R. R. v. Oil & Gas Conservation Comm'n, 131 Colo. 528, 284 P.2d 242 (1955).
So some gas escape or release is permitted; only excessive or unreasonable amounts are prohibited. Union P. R. R. v. Oil & Gas Conservation Comm'n, 131 Colo. 528, 284 P.2d 242 (1955).
And flaring of gas not entirely forbidden. The flaring of such amounts of gas as will not unreasonably diminish the amount of oil or gas that might be produced is expressly allowed under § 34-60-103. Union P. R. R. v. Oil & Gas Conservation Comm'n, 131 Colo. 528, 284 P.2d 242 (1955).