BLM OKs hundreds of oil and gas wells in eastern Wyo.

The Bureau of Land Management Casper Field Office has approved three drilling projects that could bring as many as 444 new oil and natural gas wells to eastern Wyoming.

The federal agency on Wednesday released decision records and findings of no significant impact for three projects — the East Converse, Highland Loop Road and Spearhead Ranch exploratory areas — which cover parts of Converse and Niobrara Counties.

The agency conducted environmental assessments in the three project areas in response to staking notices and drilling applications in those areas. Companies left unnamed in the BLM’s decision have proposed 111 total well pads in the three projects, which could accommodate between 100 and 450 wells on 1,000 predominantly private square miles.