bishop well incident
We have transitioned from an Incident Management Team (IMT) system to a Chevron Project Management Team approach.
Background: At approximately 5:50 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, 2025, Chevron notified the Galeton Fire Protection Disctrict (GFPD) of an incident at an oil and gas facility south of Weld County Road 74. The Weld County Office of Emergency Management in support of Chevron, assisted the GFPD in the response and recovery efforts of the Bishop Well Incident. Multiple agencies and hundreds of people are actively working on the response and recovery of this event.
This page serves as a repository of information for those impacted by the event and the general public. A list of all news updates can be viewed here.
what happened
The incident happened during the completions process when transitioning from installing a tubing hanger to installing an adapter flange lower master valve.
Our preliminary assessment indicates that the incident was caused by a failure of wellhead equipment at the surface and was not related to fracking or downhole operations. While our thorough root cause analysis is ongoing, Chevron has installed a secondary barrier downhole during new tubing installations to mitigate against reoccurrence.
A root cause analysis into the precise causes of the incident is nearing completion. We will share the findings in accordance with regulatory agencies’ requirements.

The schematic is an approximation and not a detailed machine/manufacturing drawing.
ongoing efforts
We have been conducting assessments of both homes and properties and have multiple home cleanings in progress. Out of the 14 residents within a half mile of the incident, 12 are awaiting completion of the cleaning process. While the work is in progress, residents will not be in their homes.
While the timing of home cleanings varies depending on the scope of work, most residents will be able to return to their home within a matter of weeks once the process is complete.
Chevron has been working individually with all impacted property owners and tenants, providing specialized teams that are available in person throughout the week to help answer questions and concerns.
Recognizing that each property will require a separate plan, we have assigned case managers to residents to help personalize and customize our approach.
Our focus remains on getting impacted residents back in their homes and addressing agricultural property concerns.
The work at Greeley Canal #2 has been returned to service. Work included the shaping and grading of the canal. Out of an abundance of caution a liner was installed as an additional safety measure. ECMC has conducted a walk through with NCLP and Chevron will support start-up as directed.
We have supported EPA and ECMC assessments and worked with Corp of Engineers to help validate flow allowance into Willow Creek and our project team will continue to provide on-going support. With incoming weather forecasts, observations will continue along Willow Creek as well as having precautionary boom in place.
community response
additional resources
If you have any questions, please contact coloradoinfo@chevron.com or call 303-318-6100.
For additional resources and updates, please visit our partner agencies: Weld County, EPA, and ECMC.
FAQ
overview
- On April 6, 2025, at approximately 6 p.m. MST, a well control incident occurred at a Chevron well location near Galeton, CO.
- On April 10, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m. MST, the well was contained and fluids were no longer being released from the well.
- On April 11, 2025, the well was secured, meaning that it was successfully sealed.
- On April 12, 2025, recovery efforts began and continue.
- On April 28, we transitioned from a Chevron Incident Management Team (IMT) to a Chevron Project Management Team (PMT).
- The incident happened during the completions process when transitioning from installing a tubing hanger to installing an adapter flange lower master valve.
- Our preliminary assessment indicates that the incident was caused by a failure of wellhead equipment at the surface and was not related to fracking or downhole operations. While our thorough root cause analysis is ongoing, Chevron has installed a secondary barrier downhole during new tubing installations to mitigate against reoccurrence.
- A root cause analysis into the precise causes of the incident is nearing completion. We will share the findings in accordance with regulatory agencies’ requirements.
This took place during completions, and not during fracking. There was no pipeline failure. Chevron will communicate its findings to relevant agencies upon completion of its investigation.
- Our preliminary assessment indicates that the incident was caused by a failure of wellhead equipment at the surface and was not related to fracking or downhole operations. While our thorough root cause analysis is ongoing, Chevron has installed a secondary barrier downhole during new tubing installations to mitigate against reoccurrence.
- A root cause analysis into the precise causes of the incident is nearing completion. We will share the findings in accordance with regulatory agencies’ requirements.
response
- Immediate action was taken to assess the safety of employees, contractors, and the public. Unfortunately, one contractor employee was injured and treated at a local medical facility.
- Chevron immediately notified the Weld County Office of Emergency Management, local responders, and all appropriate regulatory agencies.
- None of the other wells on location are currently producing, and all are in a safe state. They do not pose a safety risk at this time.
- A Unified Command managed the initial response, comprised of the Weld County Office of Emergency Management, Chevron, the Galeton Fire Protection District, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Unified Command was stood down on Tuesday, April 15. Chevron is now leading recovery efforts with oversight from ECMC.
- Participating agencies include Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment, Weld County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Fire Prevention and Control, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Colorado Department of Agriculture, and the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
- The members of the Unified Command worked together to coordinate response efforts and share information. Chevron is currently managing the recovery phase.
- On April 11, 2025, the Bishop Well was safely sealed, which fully secured the well. The well was initially contained at approximately 3:30 p.m. MST on April 10, 2025.
- The response to this incident began almost immediately and involved extensive planning and preparation to safely manage and resolve the incident.
- Air monitoring was conducted on and around the well site and in the voluntary exclusion zone. To date, all results remain below levels of concern.
- The incident site has been cleared and equipment demobilized, and reclamation activities continue.
- The discharge was approximately 80% water and 20% gas and oil.
community outreach
- Shortly after the incident started, local authorities initiated protocols to create a half-mile voluntary exclusion zone, reaching out to any residents in the area to alert them of the situation.
- Our focus remains on getting impacted residents back in their homes and addressing agricultural property concerns.
- On Tuesday, April 22, Chevron began home assessments and started cleaning properties.
- We are currently conducting assessments of both homes and property and have initiated multiple home cleanings.
- We anticipate that home cleanings could take several weeks depending on the scope of work approved by each property owner and tenant.
- Recognizing that each property will require a separate plan, we have assigned case managers to residents to help personalize and customize our approach.
- Chevron has been working individually with all impacted property owners and tenants, providing specialized teams that are available in person to help answer questions and concerns.
- There are currently multiple air monitors around the impacted areas for continued air quality monitoring and the results have been below levels of concern.
galeton school
- On Tuesday, April 22, students and staff returned to the classroom at Galeton Elementary.
impacted homeowners
- Call Chevron claims line at 877-359-1285.
- We don’t expect there to be ongoing risks to your animals from any remaining residue. When the team assesses your residence, point out areas your pet accesses to determine the next steps, which can be addressed during the exterior cleaning phase.
- Should have any additional questions, please call Chevron claims line at 877-359-1285.
claims process
- Chevron has established a claims line for potentially affected residents. If you have been impacted, please contact the Bishop Well Incident Claims Line at 877-359-1285.
- Once the claim has been filed, a claims adjuster will be in contact with you within 24 hours.
- Once your call is returned, a claims adjuster will advise you on how to proceed and the next steps.
health and safety
- All roads are open, including Country road 51.
- Road maintenance and dust mitigation efforts are on-going.
- There are currently multiple air monitors around the impacted areas for continued air quality monitoring and the results have been below levels of concern.
- If you have health-related questions, you should contact your medical provider.
- Air monitoring results have been below levels of concern.
- If you have questions about your specific situation or condition, you can call your medical provider.
livestock
- Air quality monitoring has been ongoing and the results have been below levels of concern.
- If you have concerns about your livestock, contact your veterinarian. If you have been impacted, please contact the Bishop Well Incident Claims Line at 877-359-1285.
- Contamination of drinking water wells from this incident is unlikely.
- If you have concerns about your livestock, contact your veterinarian. If you have been impacted, please contact the Bishop Well Incident Claims Line at 877-359-1285.
- If you have concerns about your livestock, contact your veterinarian. If you have been impacted, please contact the Bishop Well Incident Claims Line at 877-359-1285.
environment
- We are following the state’s regulatory requirements for soil and water sampling.
- Surface water samples are being collected upstream and downstream of the site. Ambient air samples continue to be collected.
- Chevron is not aware that any sources of drinking water have been affected.
- Reclamation efforts along Willow Creek continue with agency support from EPA.
- It is unlikely that well water would be affected by this incident. If you have concerns about your well, Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment has a free testing program. You can learn more about this service on the Weld County website. However, the presence of any contaminants in your well water does not necessarily mean that your well was affected by this incident. A proper evaluation of the source of any contaminants would still have to be done.
- There are currently multiple air monitors around the impacted areas for continued air quality monitoring and the results have been below actionable levels.
- Numerous governmental agencies are monitoring this incident and wildlife in the area. This includes state veterinary services, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Colorado Department of Agriculture.
- The well was secured on April 10, and we have moved into reclamation efforts that include soil and property.
- Our focus remains on getting impacted residents back in their homes and addressing agricultural property concerns.
- On Tuesday, April 22, Chevron began home assessments and started cleaning properties.
- We are currently conducting assessments of both homes and property and have initiated multiple home cleanings.
- We anticipate that home cleanings could take several weeks depending on the scope of work approved by each property owner and tenant.
- Recognizing that each property will require a separate plan, we have assigned case managers to residents to help personalize and customize our approach.
- Reclamation efforts along Willow Creek continue with agency support from EPA.
- We remain committed to keeping the public informed and plan to share information as it is available.
Updated: May 5, 2025