Mineral Resources, Inc., Mineral Trespass, Colorado 2023
Greeley Company Settles Mineral Trespass Charges for $214,706
Mineral Resources, Inc., an oil and gas company located in Greeley, Colorado, has agreed to pay $214,706 to settle allegations that it drilled an oil and gas well to extract federal minerals without seeking and obtaining the required federal leases and permits.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced today that Mineral Resources, Inc. has agreed to the payment to resolve allegations that it drilled an oil and gas well in Weld County, Colorado, to extract federal minerals without seeking and obtaining the required federal leases and permits.
According to the settlement, before a company may drill for oil, gas, or other minerals owned by the United States and managed by the United States Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”), a company must obtain a lease from BLM to pay for the minerals. It must also obtain a BLM-issued permit to drill an oil and gas well.
The United States contends that in 2012, Mineral Resources, Inc. (“MRI”) drilled an oil and gas well into railroad right-of-way C668, which is located north of Greeley, Colorado. The minerals beneath the railroad right-of-way belonged to the United States.
Ron Gonzales, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Inspector General's Energy Investigations Unit, stated, “This settlement is the direct result of multiple federal agencies working collaboratively and diligently to ensure that mineral resources removed from public ownership are properly accounted for on behalf of the American taxpayers.”
This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Wang.
Defendant: Mineral Resources, Inc.
Criminal Charges: Allegations that it drilled an oil and gas well to extract federal minerals without seeking and obtaining the required federal leases and permits.
City and State: Greeley, Colorado
Exact Date: 2023
Sentence or Outcome: Mineral Resources, Inc. agreed to pay $214,706 to settle allegations of mineral trespass.
Dollar Amount: $214,706
Key Facts
- State: Colorado
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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