Massive deposits of "tight sands" natural gas has drawn BP Exploration and Production Co. to the desert country in south-central Wyoming, committing $2.2 billion to drill some 2,000 new wells over the next 15 years.

But in order to settle in, BP must first build itself a town.

BP has focused its efforts on Wamsutter - a remnant of Wyoming's past boom-and-busts that still retains the form of a town, but lacks a grocery store or hospital and has limited public services and housing.

Wamsutter die-hards such as Mayor Bill Hippe say BP is giving their town the momentum it needs to finally emerge as a stable town.

"We're going to be here a long time, and we have a pretty promising future ahead of us," Hippe said. "With that kind of money being committed to our area, people aren't going to lock up and leave tomorrow."

Since it began exploring the area's potential for natural gas development several years ago, BP has donated tens of thousands of dollars to provide emergency services to the area. The company has also given the town money to hire a police officer and a double-wide trailer for him to live in.

Sweetwater County recently approved BP's plans to build a $12 million "base camp" in Wamsutter, which will include the company's business offices, an employee training center and dormitory-style housing for workers - a long-term housing facility as opposed to traditional "man camps" of the past, according to the company.

The 400-person housing facility will begin taking shape this winter. Yet Hippe and other local leaders are hard at work trying to land permanent single-family and multiple-family homes.

"We're in the process of trying to attract some development here," Hippe said. "I think you'll see more people interested in making their home in Wamsutter."

Sweetwater County is involved in a draft proposal that would direct some $100 million in "impact assistance" to communities playing host to the thriving natural gas industry. Hippe said Wamsutter needs more water, sewer, roads, and just about everything that makes a town a town.

"It really would be nice to see a grocery store here in town," Hippe said. "But we have a perfect opportunity because there are way more jobs here than there are people to fill them."

Hippe and others are also drawing up an optional "specific-use" tax as a ballot measure. Money generated from the tax would go to incorporated cities and towns in Sweetwater County to help build up basic infrastructure. It could also go toward building a methamphetamine treatment center and an expansion of the hospital in Rock Springs.

"With people comes the need for basic public services, emergency services," Sweetwater County Planner Mark Kot said.

Kot said the steady pace of development and long-term period that BP is focused on justifies those types of investments.

"Certainly, housing is in tight supply right now, but many subdivisions are being platted in our communities," Kot said.

As for BP's role in Wamsutter's future and the future of Sweetwater County, Kot said, "I believe they're doing their part."

NewsTracker

* Last we knew: The Bureau of Land Management's Rawlins Field Office was revising its resource management plan, with oil and gas development scenarios of up to 8,822 wells.

* The latest: Already with about 950 wells in the area, BP Exploration and Production Co. announced Thursday it plans to drill an additional 2,000 wells over the next 15 years, spending about $2.2 billion.

* What's next: Local government officials will work with BP to address housing, road and other impact issues.

Energy reporter Dustin Bleizeffer can be reached at (307) 682-3388 or dustin.bleizeffer@casperstartribune.net.