The Bureau of Land Management signed a decision approving the proposed Mikaela Fed Well Pad on October 27, 2026. The project, proposed by Anschutz Exploration Corporation, involves drilling up to 10 gas wells from a new well pad with associated pipelines and an access road to produce from existing federal mineral leases.
The proposed project is located on BLM-administered lands in Uintah County, Utah. The site is situated approximately 30 linear miles southeast of Vernal, Utah, specifically in Section 33 Township 7 South, Range 25 East, S.L.B.&M. The project is located within an existing gas development field, with the nearest producing well located approximately 1.8 miles southwest and the nearest community located 18 miles northwest.
The Environmental Assessment for the project was prepared by the Bureau of Land Management to analyze potential environmental effects. The applicant, Anschutz Exploration Corporation, submitted two Applications for Permits to Drill to the BLM. The project falls under the Fluid Minerals program, specifically the Oil & Gas sub-program.
The BLM utilizes the NEPA public participation process to meet public involvement requirements under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The information regarding cultural resources within the area of potential effect assists the BLM in identifying and evaluating potential impacts to such resources in the context of both NEPA and Section 106 of the NHPA.
The project is currently in the decision and appeal period. The final Environmental Assessment, Decision Record, and Finding of No Significant Impact were uploaded to the project site on October 27, 2026.
