Project Rulison Nuclear Explosion Site Information
Location
Grand Valley, Colorado
The Project Rulison site was the location of one of the nuclear test explosions conducted as part of the AEC’s Plowshare program, which was initiated in 1957 to develop peaceful (industrial and scientific) applications for nuclear explosives. Drilling began in May 1968. On September 10, 1969, a forty kiloton yield nuclear device was detonated deep underground in a sandstone formation. The test was designed to increase natural gas production from low-permeability sandstone. Drillback operations began in April 1970 and the rubble chimney was reached on July 28, 1970. Preparation for production flaring continued through August 1970 and included several short flaring tests during August. The production flaring operation began on October 4, 1970. It included for different flaring periods and ended on April 23, 1971. The Rulison site was placed on standby status in May 1971 until June 1972 when cleanup operations were initiated. The site was returned to its owner in March 1978.
Type of Facility
- Department of Energy
Covered by EEOICPA
- Part B
- Part E
EEOICPA Covered Years
- 1969-1971
- 1972-1978 (remediation)
DOE
DOL
- Tracking your DOL Claim Status
- Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health
- Ombudsman’s Office
- Resource Center
- DOL Case and Claim Statistics
- Site Exposure Matrix
NIOSH
Other Resources
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