Soil Bulk Density Impacts of an Oak Mat Natural Gas Drill Pad Construction Technique

McWilliams, Colin Shamus.; Dollhopf, D.J.; Harvey, K. C.; Dale, D. J.

doi:10.21000/jasmr07010439

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…During well pad construction, the organic topsoil layer is removed using heavy construction equipment (e.g., bulldozers and graders), and topsoil is replaced only after installation of the gas well is completed and only in areas adjacent to the functional well pad (McWilliams et al. , Norton and Strom ). Pygmy rabbits fleeing down burrows to escape construction equipment in these areas would have little chance of surviving.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationships between gas field development and the presence and abundance of pygmy rabbits in southwestern Wyoming

et al. 2017

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Abstract. More than 5957 km 2 in southwestern Wyoming is currently covered by operational gas fields, and further development is projected through 2030. Gas fields fragment landscapes through conversion of native vegetation to roads, well pads, pipeline corridors, and other infrastructure elements. The sagebrush steppe landscape where most of this development is occurring harbors 24 sagebrush-associated species of greatest conservation need, but the effects of gas energy development on most of these species are unknown. Pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) are one such species. In 2011, we began collecting three years of survey data to examine the relationship between gas field development density and pygmy rabbit site occupancy patterns on four major Wyoming gas fields (Continental Divide-Creston-Blue Gap, Jonah, Moxa Arch, Pinedale Anticline Project Area). We surveyed 120 plots across four gas fields, with plots distributed across the density gradient of gas well pads on each field. In a 1 km radius around the center of each plot, we measured the area covered by each of 10 gas field infrastructure elements and by shrub cover using 2012 National Agriculture Imagery Program imagery. We then modeled the relationship between gas field elements, pygmy rabbit presence, and two indices of pygmy rabbit abundance. Gas field infrastructure elements-specifically buried utility corridors and a complex of gas well pads, adjacent disturbed areas, and well pad access roads-were negatively correlated with pygmy rabbit presence and abundance indices, with sharp declines apparent after approximately 2% of the area consisted of gas field infrastructure. We conclude that pygmy rabbits in southwestern Wyoming may be sensitive to gas field development at levels similar to those observed for greater sage-grouse, and may suffer local population declines at lower levels of development than are allowed in existing plans and policies designed to conserve greater sage-grouse by limiting the surface footprint of energy development. Buried utilities, gas well pads, areas adjacent to well pads, and well pad access roads had the strongest negative correlation with pygmy rabbit presence and abundance. Minimizing the surface footprint of these elements may reduce negative impacts of gas energy development on pygmy rabbits.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationships between gas field development and the presence and abundance of pygmy rabbits in southwestern Wyoming

et al. 2017

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“…Drill pad construction in the Jonah Field typically uses a cut-and-fill technique to produce a level drilling surface (McWilliams et al 2007). During cut-and-fill, native soil and plant communities are removed, requiring costly post-drilling soil reclamation and vegetation reestablishment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recovery is particularly challenging during extended seasonal drought in low precipitation zones. Furthermore, previously evaluated site and seedbed preparation techniques for cut-and-fill drill pad reclamation suggest that this technique may produce elevated soil bulk densities that limit plant growth and impede reclamation efforts (McWilliams et al 2007). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reduced-Impact Land Disturbance Techniques for Natural Gas Production

Mitchem¹,

Dollhopf²,

Harvey³

2009

JASMR

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Traditional drill pad construction techniques for natural gas production involve a cut-and-fill procedure that displaces existing plant communities and results in costly soil remediation and revegetation procedures. At the Jonah natural gas field, Sublette County, Wyoming, EnCana Oil and Gas (USA), Inc. is evaluating use of oak mats during drilling and completion activities to minimize disturbances to soil and plant resources. In this study, changes in vegetation and soil attributes were evaluated as a result of oak mat use. Overall, oak mats tended to protect plant resources, minimize weedy forb establishment and maintain the plant community in a condition similar to adjacent rangeland. On average when compared to native range, grass growth improved, forbs remained similar, and shrubs were negatively impacted in oak matted areas. Vegetative results suggest that the success and timeliness of reclamation following the use of oak mat drill pads is superior to that obtained at reclaimed cut and fill locations. Following mat removal, mean soil bulk density values changed -2.9, 2.2 and 3.7 percent for the 0 to 5.1, 0 to 15.3, and 0 to 30.5 cm depth increments. All soil bulk density values remained below recommended thresholds for rangeland environments. A costbenefit discussion indicates that in this setting, construction costs associated with oak mats are similar to those incurred by traditional cut-and-fill techniques. Drilling procedures using oak mats are more costly due to the need for a closed system for treatment of drill cuttings. However, this expense may be offset by lower reclamation costs associated with oak mat use.

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“…Mats extend the timeframe available for construction past the dormant season, protect the environment (AEP, 2016a(AEP, , 2016bHoward et al, 2008;Najafi et al, 2019;Rushing & Howard, 2011;Thompson et al, 2022), provide a safe (i.e., firm and stable) work area (Howard et al, 2008), and allow for increased traffic passes (Rushing & Howard, 2011;Rushing & Tingle, 2009). Previous studies on mat use in grassland have focused on mat performance and durability (Anderton & Gartrell, 2005;Doyle et al, 2014;Gartrell et al, 2009), or their ability to protect soils (Najafi et al, 2019;Thompson et al, 2022), with select studies examining vegetation responses (see Dollhopf et al, 2007;McWilliams et al, 2007;Mitchem et al, 2009;Najafi et al, 2019).…”

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confidence: 99%

Mixedgrass vegetation is tolerant to a short‐term but not season‐long access mat use during mitigation of industrial traffic

et al. 2022

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Grasslands are impacted by many disturbances, including energy development. While temporary working platforms using access mats to support large equipment can minimize soil disturbance, less is known about matting impacts on grassland vegetation.We assessed heavy traffic effects on sandy and loamy Mixedgrass Prairie in southeast Alberta, Canada, where traffic occurred in 2015 either directly on grassland or on temporary matting. Vegetation was assessed in 2016 and 2017. Treatments varied in type (with/without matting), timing (spring vs. fall vs. season-long) and duration (6 vs. 12 weeks, and 24 weeks for season-long) of occurrence. While grass biomass was unaffected by direct wheeled traffic, native forb biomass declined, particularly during the first growing season; 1 year later, plots with prior long-term matting had more native forbs. Where traffic occurred on mats, grass biomass decreased when mats were placed for 6 or 12 weeks in spring, or for the entire growing season. Longer mat use also increased introduced forbs, which were positively associated with soil nitrogen supply rates. Plant biomass changes from matting (less grass, more introduced forbs) were more apparent in loamy-sand than loam soils. Overall, while direct traffic had limited impacts on vegetation, matting was more likely to alter vegetation, particularly when placed in spring or for longer periods, and further varied with ecosite type and the timing of traffic disturbance. We recommend that access mats be limited to placement for short periods (≤12 weeks), preferably in falling, to conserve mixedgrass prairie, while longer placement intervals be avoided.

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Soil Bulk Density Impacts of an Oak Mat Natural Gas Drill Pad Construction Technique

Cited by 3 publications

References 6 publications

Relationships between gas field development and the presence and abundance of pygmy rabbits in southwestern Wyoming

Relationships between gas field development and the presence and abundance of pygmy rabbits in southwestern Wyoming

Reduced-Impact Land Disturbance Techniques for Natural Gas Production

Mixedgrass vegetation is tolerant to a short‐term but not season‐long access mat use during mitigation of industrial traffic

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