Project Rulison

Project Rulison. It was an underground nuclear weapon test conducted as part of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission's (AEC) Project Plowshare, a program investigating peaceful uses for nuclear explosions. The detonation, executed on September 10, 1969, aimed to fracture deep natural gas-bearing rock formations to stimulate production. The experiment was conducted in partnership with the Austral Oil Company and the CER Geonuclear Corporation.

Background and purpose

The primary objective was to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of using a nuclear explosive to liberate natural gas from the low-permeability Williams Fork Formation, part of the Mesaverde Group. This initiative followed the earlier Project Gasbuggy test in New Mexico and was driven by industry interest in enhancing energy resources. The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory played a key role in the device design and predictive modeling, while the Austral Oil Company provided the site and funding. The selection of the location near the community of Rulison in the Piceance Basin was based on its geological characteristics and potential gas reserves.

Test execution

On September 10, 1969, a 40-kiloton thermonuclear device was detonated at a depth of 8,426 feet below the surface in wellbore Rulison No. 1-B. The detonation created a large underground chimney of fractured rock and melted material, encapsulating significant radioactive byproducts. Instrumentation was managed by teams from the AEC and its contractors to measure seismic signals, radiation release, and the extent of the fracturing. The event was detected by seismic stations globally, including those operated by the United States Geological Survey and international monitoring networks.

Aftermath and environmental impact

Initial post-detonation testing confirmed the creation of a substantial fracture network, and gas flaring operations began weeks later to assess the quantity and quality of the resource. However, the recovered gas was contaminated with radioactive tritium and krypton-85, rendering it commercially unusable without expensive and unproven cleanup. Public concern escalated, particularly among residents of nearby Glenwood Springs and Rifle, regarding potential groundwater contamination and atmospheric releases. These fears were amplified by the emerging environmental movement and contemporaneous controversies surrounding the Rocky Flats Plant.

Legacy and legal proceedings

The experiment is widely considered a technical success but an economic and environmental failure, contributing to the decline of the Project Plowshare program. It spurred significant legal and regulatory actions, including lawsuits filed by the state of Colorado and local landowners against the AEC and its corporate partners. These proceedings helped establish stricter protocols for federal liability and environmental review, influencing later legislation like the National Environmental Policy Act. The site itself became a focal point for anti-nuclear movement activism in the American West.

Site status and monitoring

The Rulison site remains under permanent restrictions administered by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. A prohibited drilling area, known as the "DOE Administrative Boundary," is enforced to prevent accidental intrusion into the residual radioactivity zone. Ongoing monitoring of groundwater, soil, and atmospheric conditions is conducted regularly, with data reviewed by the Environmental Protection Agency. The site serves as a long-term case study in the environmental stewardship of former nuclear test locations.

Category:Project Plowshare Category:1969 in Colorado Category:Underground nuclear weapons testing of the United States Category:Garfield County, Colorado Category:1969 in the environment