Environmental surveillance summary report, January 1971--June 1973. Part I

The main purpose of the RIO BLANCO experiment of May 17, 1973, as well as that of the other two Plowshare detonations, was to investigate the feasibility of using nuclear detonations to release gas in commercially feasible quantities from deep underground formations where the gas was too tightly held to be released under other known techniques. The regular monitoring and sampling networks maintained by the Colorado Department of Health were augmented by additional sampling sites in the vicinity of the Piceance Basin for surveillance of Project RIO BLANCO. In addition some sampling activities were oriented toward the continuing surveillance of Project Rulison. The data accumulated during the period covered by this report indicate no radioactive release from the RIO BLANCO emplacement well. Surveillance of the project is continuing, and the results of observations during the period of re-entry and production flaring of the well will be reported at a later date