Boulder County to consider Extraction lease offer, forced pooling threat in November

BOULDER — Boulder County officials will begin hearings on Nov. 1 regarding Extraction Oil & Gas Inc.’s attempt to lease mineral rights on county-owned land, as well as the potential for the oil company to compel the county to participate in “forced pooling,” which would essentially make Boulder County a partner in the drilling operation, responsible for costs associated with the well located just over the border in Weld County and eligible to share in its eventual proceeds.

Extraction issued the lease-or-forced-pooling ultimatum to Boulder County — which has historically resisted attempts by oil companies to drill within its boundaries…