Project Gasbuggy
Overview
This was the site of the first U.S. underground nuclear experiment for the stimulation of low productivity gas resources. On December 10, 1967 a 29 kiloton nuclear explosive was detonated at a depth of 4,222 feet. The GASBUGGY shot was part of the overall Operation PLOWSHARE (Atoms for Peace) program.
What You'll See
PROJECT GASBUGGY
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVE EMPLACEMENT/REENTRY WELL (GB-ER)
SITE OF THE FIRST UNITED STATES UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR EXPERIMENT FOR THE STIMULATION OF LOW-PRODUCTIVITY GAS RESERVOIRS. A 29 KILOTON NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVE WAS DETONATED AT A DEPTH OF 4227 FEET BELOW THIS SURFACE LOCATION ON DECEMBER 10, 1967.
NO EXCAVATION, DRILLING, AND/OR REMOVAL OF MATERIALS TO A TRUE VERTICAL DEPTH OF 1500 FEET IS PERMITTED WITHIN A RADIUS OF 100 FEET OF THIS SURFACE LOCATION. NOR ANY SIMILAR EXCAVATION, DRILLING, AND/OR REMOVAL OF SUBSURFACE MATERIALS BETWEEN THE TRUE VERTICAL DEPTH OF 1500 FEET TO 4500 FEET IS PERMITTED WITHIN A 600 FOOT RADIUS OF T 29 N. R 4 W. NEW MEXICO PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, RIO ARRIBA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO WITHOUT U.S. GOVERNMENT PERMISSION.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
NOVEMBER 1978.
A second plaque reads:
PARTICIPANTS
U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
U.S. DEPT. OF THE INTERIOR (BUREAU OF MINES)
EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
Public Tours Dates and Times
The plaque can be seen at anytime, no tours are offered.
How to Get There
From State Highway 64 go south on F.S. 357 for seven and a quarter miles. There will be a fork in the road, and go right, proceeding on F.S. 357. Make sure that you stay on this road, and enter the Carson National Forest. Go another six tenths of a mile to the plaque.
If you have access to a portable GPS system, the location is 36.678N, 107.208W.