### Surface Operating 

### Standards and Guidelines 

### for

### Oil and Gas 

### Exploration and Development

### 

### Gold Book

> **Fourth Edition**
>
> **2006**

**United States Department of the Interior United States Department of
Agriculture**

**Bureau of Land Management Forest Service**

We wish to thank the numerous groups, agencies, and individuals

for their contributions to this publication.

### 

### 

### 

### 

### 

### 

### 

### 

### BLM/WO/ST-06/021+3071

### 

### Production services were provided by the BLM National Science and Technology Center

### Branch of Publishing Services

### 

### 

### This document is available online at [www.blm.gov](http://www.blm.gov/) 

### 

### 

### Surface Operating 

### Standards and Guidelines 

### for

### Oil and Gas 

### Exploration and Development

### 

### Gold Book

> **Prepared By:**
>
> **United States Department of the Interior**
>
> **Bureau of Land Management**
>
> **United States Department of Agriculture**
>
> **Forest Service**
>
> **Fourth Edition**
>
> **2006**

**United States Department of the Interior United States Department of
Agriculture**

**Bureau of Land Management Forest Service**

Suggested Citation

United States Department of the Interior and United States Department of
Agriculture. 2006. Surface Operating Standards and Guidelines for Oil
and Gas Exploration and Development. BLM/WO/ST-06/021+3071. Bureau of
Land Management. Denver, Colorado. XX pp.

Table of Contents

**Chapter 1 -- Introduction
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--1**

Surface Management Agency
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Filing Plans
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Environmental Analysis
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Onsite Inspection
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Interim and Final Reclamation
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Best Management Practices
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Stipulations and Conditions of Approval
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Other Federal, State, Tribal, or Local Permits or Authori­zations
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

**Chapter 2 -- Geophysical Operations
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--4**

BLM and FS Requirements
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Split Estate Minerals Administered by the BLM
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

**Chapter 3 -- Permitting and Approval of Lease Operations
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--6**

Initiating the Process
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Drilling Application Options
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Surveying and Staking
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Onsite Inspection, Environmental Review, and Permit Approval
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Lease Stipulation Exceptions, Waivers, and Modifications
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

BLM Rights-of-Way and FS Special Use Authorizations
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Other Authorizations
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Exploration and Development on Split Estates
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Indian Lands
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Bonding
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

**Chapter 4 -- Construction and Maintenance
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--12**

Well Sites
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Roads and Access Ways
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Transportation Planning
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Road Design and Construction
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

General Design Specifications for Different Types of Roads
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Road Maintenance
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Drainage and Drainage Structures
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Pipelines and Flowlines
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

**Chapter 5 -- Drilling and Production Operations
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
34**

> General Operating Standards and Objectives
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Well Completion Report
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Subsequent Well Operations
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Approval Procedures
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Production Startup Notification
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Measurement of Production
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Disposal of Produced Water
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

####### Pollution Control/Hazardous Waste \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

###### Noise Control \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

> Visual/Scenic Resources
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Painting of Facilities
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Placement of Production Facilities
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Inspection and Enforcement
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

**Chapter 6 -- Reclamation and Abandonment
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--39**

> Reclamation Objective
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Reclamation Plan
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Pipeline and Flowline Reclamation
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Well Site Reclamation
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Road Reclamation
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Reclamation of Other Associated Facilities
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Water Well Conversion
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Inspection and Final Abandonment Approval
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
>
> Release of Bonds
> \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

**Chapter 7 -- Appeals
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--45**

Bureau of Land Management Administrative Relief
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Forest Service Appeals
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Bureau of Indian Affairs Appeals
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

**List of Commonly Used Abbreviations and Acronyms
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--46**

# 

# Appendix 1 -- BLM/FS Office Locations \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--47

**Appendix 2 -- Forms and Formats for Required Information
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--48**

Application for Permit to Drill or Reenter (APD)
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--Form 3160-3 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Notice of Staking (NOS)
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
Sample Format \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Sundry Notices and Reports on Wells
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-- Form 3160-5
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Spill Report
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--
Sample Format \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Well Completion or Recompletion Report and Log \-\-\-\-\-\-\-- Form
3160-4 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Notice of Intent and Authorization to Conduct BLM Form 3150-4/

Oil and Gas Geophysical Exploration Operations \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-- FS
Form 2800-16 \-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Notice of Completion of Oil and Gas BLM Form 3150-5/

Geophysical Exploration Operations
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--FS Form 2800-16a
\-\-\-\-\--

**List of Figures**

Figure 1-- Recommended construction standards for exclosure fences in
livestock areas \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--xx

Figure 2 -- Illustration of commonly used terms in road design
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--xx

Figure 3 -- Cross-sections and plans for typical road sections
representative of BLM resource or

FS local and higher-class roads
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--xx

Figure 4 -- Typical road plan and profile drawing for an oil and gas
road
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--xx

Figure 5 -- Typical drainage dip and construction specifications
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--xx

Figure 6 -- Culvert spacing
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--xx

Figure 7 -- Diagrams for proper culvert installation
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--xx

**Chapter 1** - **Introduction**

The *Surface Operating Standards and Guidelines for Oil and Gas
Exploration and Development* (commonly referred to as the Gold Book) was
developed to assist operators by providing information on the
requirements for obtaining permit approval and conducting
environmentally responsible oil and gas operations on Federal lands.
Operations include exploration, production, reclamation, associated
rights-of-way (ROWs), and Special Use Authorizations (SUAs).

The Gold Book provides operators with a combination of guidance and
standards for ensuring compliance with agency policies and operating
requirements, such as those found in the Code of Federal Regulations at
43 CFR 3000 and 36 CFR 228 Subpart E; Onshore Oil and Gas Orders
(Onshore Orders); and Notices to Lessees (NTLs). Agency field offices
and websites can provide more detailed discussions of specific
procedures and requirements and copies of regulations, Onshore Orders,
Notices to Lessees, and other agency policies currently in effect.

Every operation authorized under a Federal oil and gas lease should
conform to USDI Bureau of Land Management (BLM), USDA Forest Service
(FS), or other agency standards and reflect relevant, site-specific
conditions. Knowledge of BLM resource management plans (RMPs) and FS
land and resource management plans, as well as agency operational
standards, procedures, and environmental protection requirements will
help operators meet those standards.

**Surface Management Agency**

Federal oil and gas lease surface operations are managed by the BLM in
cooperation with the appropriate Federal surface management agency or
non-Federal surface owner. On National Forest System (NFS) lands, the FS
has approval authority for the surface use portion of Federal oil and
gas operations. The Gold Book should also be useful for oil and gas
operators conducting operations on Indian lands. Early coordination with
the BLM and the appropriate surface management agency or Bureau of
Indian Affairs (BIA) office is encouraged as procedures and requirements
vary by agency or reservation. Appendix 1 provides a map showing BLM
State Offices and Regional FS Offices with addresses and telephone
numbers.

**Filing Plans**

Onshore Oil and Gas Order No. 1 describes the procedure for filing
either an *Application for Permit to Drill or Reenter* (APD), Form
3160-3, or a *Notice of Staking* (NOS) fol­lowed by an APD (Appendix 2 --
Forms and Formats for Required Information). Early contact and
discussions with the BLM and the surface management agency are highly
encouraged and will expedite approval of the APD. It is recommended that
this contact be made ***prior*** to the commitment of dates, equipment,
access route acquisition, and preparation of the APD.

The operator is required to file the complete APD package for all
operations, including those on National Forest System lands, with the
appropriate BLM office. The completed APD package must include an
8-point Drilling Plan and a 12-point Surface Use Plan of Operations
(SUPO) in accordance with the requirements of Onshore Order No. 1.
Drilling and related surface-disturbing operations are not allowed
without an approved APD. Requests for changes to an approved APD must be
submitted to the BLM for prior approval on a Sundry Notice (SN) (Form
3160-5). Operators are encouraged to file APDs, Sundry Notices, and Well
Completion Reports (Form 3160-4) through the BLM's electronic filing
system. Contact any BLM State or Field Office for further information on
electronic filing options.

**Environmental Analysis**

The BLM, and if applicable, the FS, is responsible for ensuring
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Upon
receipt of a complete APD or formal proposal that encompasses multiple
wells in a specific area, the BLM, the surface management agency, or the
agency's or operator's environmental contractor will conduct an
environmental analysis and prepare an environmental document in
conformance with the requirements of NEPA and the regula­tions of the
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Regardless of which agency,
entity, or individual prepares the environmental analysis document, the
BLM (and FS, for actions on National Forest System lands) must concur
with the content prior to issuing a decision document. In the case of
National Forest System lands, where the environmental analysis is
conducted jointly with the BLM, each agency will issue its own decision.
The extent of the environmental analysis process and timeframe for
issuance of a decision will depend upon the complexity of the proposed
action and resulting analysis, and the significance of the environmental
effects disclosed.

**Onsite Inspection**

Before approval of the APD, an onsite inspection will be conducted with
the operator to further identify site-specific resource protection
concerns and requirements. Prior to, or in conjunction with, the onsite
inspection, the surface management agency will advise the operator if
any special inventories or studies are required, such as for cultural
resources or threat­ened and endangered species.

**Interim and Final Reclamation**

The objective of reclamation in the short term is to provide site
stability and basic productivity. The final goal of reclamation is to
restore the character of the land and water to its pre-disturbance
condition. The operator is responsible for completing the reclamation
activities necessary to achieve the short-term objective, and upon
abandonment, establishing the conditions on the site so that no
impediment exists that would prevent achieving the final goal.

To reduce areas of disturbance not needed for long-term operations,
interim reclamation will be initiated for areas such as active well and
facility locations, pipelines, and roads when well completion operations
or facility installation operations are concluded. All surface
disturbances associated with plugged wells and facility abandonment must
be reclaimed after operations have concluded. The final abandonment
notice (FAN), including final reclamation, will not be approved by the
BLM until reclamation work is determined to be successful by the BLM in
consultation with the surface management agency or surface owner.

**Best Management Practices**

All operations must be conducted in a manner that provides for safe and
efficient operations and minimizes undesirable impacts to the
environment. Proper planning and consultation among the operator,
surface management agency, and non-Federal surface owner, and the
voluntary incorporation of environmental Best Management Practices
(BMPs) into the APD Surface Use Plan of Operations by the operator, will
typically result in a more efficient APD and NEPA review process,
increased operating efficiency, reduced long-term costs, reduced final
reclamation needs, and less impact to the environment.

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="3.0208333333333335in"
height="3.8229166666666665in"}

Best Management Practices in this photograph include a two-track,
primitive road with full interim reclamation of the road and well pad;
flowlines and electrical lines buried deep within the road; remote
monitoring to reduce traffic to the well; a submersible pump; and a
small well box painted to blend in with the background.

**Stipulations and Conditions of Approval**

Constraints that are consistent with the rights granted by the lease may
be imposed on the location of access roads, well sites, and facility
sites or the tim­ing of geophysical exploration, well drilling, or other
operations. Con­straints may result from lease stipulations, the surface
management agency\'s review and environmental analysis of the proposed
operations, Notices to Lessees, Onshore Orders, or regulations. When
consultation with the State Historic Preservation Of­fice (SHPO), Tribe,
or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is re­quired, the time needed
for an APD review may be extended and result in additional constraints
on opera­tions.

**Other Federal, Tribal, State, or Local Permits or Authori­zations**

A permit, right-of-way, or other authorization from the BLM or surface
management agency will be required unless otherwise exempted by Onshore
Order or Notice to Lessee for on-lease uses, such as disposal of
produced water, authorization for use of sand or gravel, and gas
flaring. Off-lease uses, such as facilities and roads, will require a
permit, right-of-way, or other authorization from the surface management
agency. All facilities located on the lease, but owned by parties other
than the operator, will require authorization from the surface
management agency.

BLM approval of an APD does not relieve the operator from obtaining any
other authorizations required for drilling or sub­sequent operations.
This includes any requirements of other Federal, Tribal, State, or local
authorities.

**Chapter 2 - Geophysical Operations**

This chapter identifies the basic procedures necessary for ensuring the
efficient review and approval of environmentally responsible geophysical
exploration. Prior to conducting operations, the operator must contact
the surface management agency to obtain approval. Requirements for
operations on BLM-administered lands can be found in the Code of Federal
Regulations at 43 CFR 3150 and on National Forest System lands in the
Forest Service (FS) Manual. Geophysical operations may be conducted on
most Federal lands by bonded geophysical operators, re­gardless of
whether the Federal lands are leased or by whom they are leased.

**BLM and FS Requirements**

**Geophysical Operator**

An operator is required to file a *Notice of Intent (NOI) and
Authorization to Conduct Oil and Gas Geophysical Exploration Operations*
(BLM Form 3150-4/FS Form 2800-16) with the BLM for operations on BLM
administered lands, with the FS for operations on National Forest System
lands, and with both agencies for operations which overlap lands managed
by both agencies. However, geophysical operations or testing that are
conducted for a lessee entirely within the lessee's Federal oil and gas
lease are considered lease operations which may be permitted either by
Sundry Notice or by Notice of Intent. The operator will be apprised of
practices and procedures to be fol­lowed prior to commencing operations
on BLM or National Forest System lands. The Notice of Intent shall
include site-specific project information and field techniques to
minimize surface impacts; a map showing the location of the proposed 2D
geophysical lines or 3D source and receiver proposed locations; all
access routes and ancillary facilities; and a proposed schedule of field
activities. The map should be at a minimum scale of one-half inch equals
1 mile; however, a 1:24,000 USGS topographic map is recommended.

The party filing the Notice of Intent (named on the top of the form)
will need a bond for most operations. On BLM-managed lands, the
geophysical exploration operator is required to be bonded. On National
Forest System lands, the authorized officer will decide whether a bond
is required. When applicable, a copy of the bond or other evidence of
satisfactory bonding must accompany the Notice of Intent. Holders of
statewide or nationwide oil and gas lease bonds may satisfy this
requirement by obtaining a rider to include coverage of geophysi­cal
operations. For geophysical operation methods involving surface
disturbance, a cultural resources survey may be necessary. In some
circumstances, sensitive or threatened and endangered species surveys
may also be necessary.

The completion and signing of the Notice of Intent signifies agreement
to comply with its terms and conditions and subsequent practices and
procedures specified by the authorized officer. A pre-work field
conference is recommended and may be conducted by the surface management
agency. Earth moving equipment shall not be used without prior approval.
Upon completion of operations, in­cluding any required reclamation, the
operator is required to file a *Notice of Completion (NOC) of Oil and
Gas Geophysical Exploration Operations* (BLM Form 3150-5/FS Form
2800-16a).

Articulated vibroseis trucks are one of many

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.9375in"
height="2.4270833333333335in"}geophysical exploration methods.

**Authorized Officer**

The authorized officer will contact the operator after the Notice of
Intent (BLM Form 3150-4/FS Form 2800-16) is filed and inform the
operator of the practices and procedures to be fol­lowed and the
estimated timeframe for approval. On National Forest System lands, a
user fee will be assessed for operations on Federal lands that are not
under lease by the operator.

The authorized officer will complete a final post-work inspec­tion of the
site and notify the operator that the terms and condi­tions of the Notice
of Intent have been met or that additional action is required by the
operator. Consent to release the bond or terminate liability will not be
granted by the surface management agency until the operator has met the
terms and conditions of the Notice of Intent.

**Split Estate Minerals Administered by the BLM**

Where the minerals are federally owned and the surface is privately or
State owned, no authorization is necessary from the Federal Government
to conduct geophysical operations. Operators must work with the surface
owner to obtain access to private lands and the State permitting agency
for authorization of operations proposed on State lands.

**Chapter 3 - Permitting and Approval of Lease Operations**

This chapter identifies the process for ensuring the efficient review
and approval of environmentally responsible oil and gas lease
development. The information provided will acquaint the operator with
the basic procedures required for approval of lease operations.

The operator has two procedural options for securing approval to drill:
The Notice of Stak­ing (NOS) option and the Application for Permit to
Drill (APD) option. Although the timeframes in the regulations are the
same for both op­tions, each option has specific advantages. The NOS
option, if properly coordinated early in the process, may expedite final
permit ap­proval, particularly for exploratory wells. The APD option may
be more efficient for use with in-fill wells in developed fields where
the operator and surface management agency have developed a close
working relationship and have agreed on a general development plan and
standard operating practices for the field.

**Initiating the Process**

The process for obtaining approval to drill is generally initiated by
filing either an NOS followed by an APD, or by filing just an APD. With
either option, a complete and acceptable APD must be filed with the BLM.
Planning and coordination with the BLM or other surface management
agency can be critical to meeting the operator's needs for a smooth and
timely permitting process. It is highly recommended that operators
coordinate with the surface management agency ***prior*** to filing
either an NOS or an APD to discuss the operator's general plans for
development. At this planning meeting, the surface management agency
will inform the operator of surface management agency procedures and
requirements, sensitive areas or seasons that have to be avoided, as
well as recommendations to aid in timely permit processing.

Approval for a multiple-well, areawide drilling and development program
can also be initiated by submitting a formal proposal that may include a
Master Development Plan, which contains more detailed information about
individual wells and associated facilities. Operators should check with
the applicable BLM and local surface management agency offices about
procedures to follow in such a situation. The procedural guidance
provided here is applicable to both single-well and multiple-well
projects.

**Drilling Application Options**

**Application for Permit to Drill**

No drilling operations or related surface disturbing activi­ties may be
initiated without an approved APD. The APD must be approved by an
authorized offi­cer of the BLM, in consultation with the surface
management agency as appropriate. On National Forest System lands, the
FS must approve the Surface Use Plan of Operations portion of the APD
before the BLM can approve the APD. Operators are strongly encouraged to
consult with the appropriate surface management agency as early as
possible before filing an APD to identify local requirements and
potential concerns.

To help ensure timely processing, the APD should be complete and include
all necessary supporting information, such as information on the well
and associated rights-of-way, roads, pipelines, and production
facilities. Within 10 days of receiving an APD, the BLM (in consultation
with the FS if the application is on National Forest System lands) will
notify the operator whether or not the application is complete.
Requirements for filing an APD package are outlined in Onshore Order 1
and, for operations on National Forest System lands, Subpart E of 36 CFR
228, The APD package consists of:

-   Form 3160-3, Application for Permit to Drill or Reenter

-   Surface Use Plan of Operations

-   Drilling Plan

-   A well plat certified by a registered surveyor

-   Evidence of bond coverage

-   Operator certification

-   Original or electronic signature

-   Other information required by order, notice, or regulation

Onshore Order No. 1 de­scribes specific information requirements for the
Drilling Plan and Surface Use Plan of Operations. An operator may elect
to submit a Master Development Plan addressing two or more wells that
share a common Drilling Plan, Surface Use Plan of Operations, and plans
for future development and production.

Posting an APD in the local BLM office (and FS office for operations on
National Forest System lands) initiates the BLM/FS 30-day public
notification period that is required before APD approval. The onsite
inspection is held after the filing of the APD, if the onsite inspection
was not held previously under the NOS option.

Approved APDs are valid for 1 year from the date of approval as long as
the lease does not expire during that time. An APD may be extended for
up to 1 year at the discretion of the BLM and the surface management
agency if a written request is filed before the 1 year expiration date.
The terms of an APD may require the operator to contact the BLM and
surface management agency before beginning construction activities.

**Notice of Staking**

By filing a NOS, the operator is formally requesting an onsite
inspection prior to filing an APD. During or within 7 days of the onsite
inspection, all parties will jointly develop resource concerns that they
ask the operator to address in the APD. This will help the operator in
filing a complete APD. Posting a NOS in the local BLM and FS offices
also initiates the mandatory BLM/FS 30-day public notification
requirement. There is no specific form available for this information,
but a sample format is provided in Appendix 2 with the necessary
information requirements. When the lands involved are managed by a
Federal agency other than the BLM, the BLM will provide a copy of the
NOS to the appropriate agency.

**Surveying and Staking**

Regardless of the option selected (NOS or APD), the well location and
two reference markers must be staked and the access roads flagged along
the centerline ***prior*** to the onsite inspection. Casual use, such as
sur­veying and staking may be initiated without advance approval from the
BLM or the surface management agency, except for lands used for military
purposes, Indian lands, or lands where long-term surface disturbance is
likely to occur during the staking process.

Operators are advised to notify the surface management agency or surface
owner prior to entry to allow the surface management agency or owner to
inform them of sensitive resources that need to be avoided or any
difficult, problem condi­tions. For private, State, or Indian surface,
the operator is responsible for making access arrange­ments with the
surface owner prior to entry.

When an APD is submitted, staking should include the well location, two
200-foot di­rectional reference stakes, the exterior dimensions of the
drill pad, a reserve pit, cuts and fills, and the outer limits of the
area to be disturbed, unless a variance is granted. Because the well,
road location, and other associated off-location facilities may change
as a result of the onsite inspection, the operator may request a
variance to the full staking requirements for purposes of conducting the
initial onsite inspection. However, the full staking requirements found
in Oil and Gas Onshore Order No. 1 must be met before the APD can be
approved. Off-location facilities must also be staked, as well as the
centerlines of new roads and routes for flowlines and power lines, with
stakes being visible from one to the next (intervisible). In steep
terrain or environmentally sensitive areas, cut and fill staking or
slope staking may be required for the well site, reserve pit, roads, and
any ancillary facilities.

The well location plat must describe the location of the surface
disturbances and their proximity to the nearest lease, ownership, or
special use area boundaries in geographical coordinates referenced to
the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), North American Datum 1983
(NAD83), and in feet and direction from the nearest two adjacent lease,
ownership, or special use area boundaries. The authorized officer has
the option of approving the use of the BLM's Geographic Coordinate Data
Base (GCDB) to describe the boundaries, when the GCDB coordinates
reliability ensures that operations will be within the intended
boundaries. In unsurveyed townships, the latest protraction or amended
protraction diagram will be used to describe the boundaries. The
registered surveyor should coordinate with the cadastral survey section
of the appropriate BLM State Office, particularly where the boundaries
are uncertain or unsurveyed.

**Onsite Inspection, Environmental Review, and Permit Approval**

Within 10 days of receiving the NOS or APD package, the BLM, in
coordination with the operator and surface management agency or private
surface owner, will schedule a date for the onsite inspection. The
onsite inspection will be held as soon as practicable based on schedules
and weather conditions. For operations on National Forest System lands,
the FS will schedule the onsite inspection with BLM involvement.

The onsite inspec­tion team will include a BLM/surface management agency
representative, the operator or permitting agent, and other parties
associated with planning work on the project, such as the operator\'s
principal dirtwork contractor, agency resource specialists, surveyors,
and pipeline or utility company representatives. When the onsite
in­spection is on private surface, the surface owner will be invited by
the BLM.

[]{.mark}

The purpose of the onsite inspection is to identify site-specific
concerns and potential environmental impacts as­sociated with the
proposal and to discuss conditions of approval (COAs) or possible Best
Management Practices for mitigat­ing these impacts. Before conducting the
onsite inspection, the BLM or surface management agency will determine
whether any of the following requirements or features would affect the
operational proposal:

-   Land management plan

-   Lease stipulations

-   Level of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis required

-   Spacing permitted

-   Cultural survey needs

-   Wildlife evaluations

-   Riparian and wetland areas

-   Excessive slopes

-   Landowner consultation

-   Road, pipeline, or utility right-of-way or FS Special Use
    Authorization

Cultural resources, sensitive or threatened and endangered species, or
other resource survey information may be needed in order to comply with
the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the Endangered Species
Act (ESA), or to complete an environmental analysis under NEPA.

If the operator is completing cultural or other survey reports, the
early submission of those reports to the surface management agency, at
or prior to the onsite inspection, will help ensure timely and efficient
consultation, environmental review, and processing of APDs. Cultural
resource "block" surveys are an option that can provide the operator
with increased flexibility to locate or relocate wells, roads, and
utilities at the onsite inspection and reduce the need to conduct
additional surveys that could delay the project.

The BLM, surface management agency, or private contractor will com­plete
the environmental analysis process in accordance with the requirements
of the BLM, surface management agency, NEPA, and the Council on
Environmental Quality. The BLM will issue the decision document, except
in the case of National Forest System lands where the environmental
analysis is conducted jointly and each agency issues its own decision.
APDs on Federal leases will not be approved by the BLM until after
completion of the environmental analysis and the public
posting/notification process.

Approved permits will be subject to the operator's permit application as
modified by the existing lease stipulations, right-of-way terms and
conditions, and APD or Sundry Notice conditions of approval developed
during the permit review process.

**Lease Stipulation Exceptions, Waivers, and Modifications**

Many leases contain stipulations developed during the land use planning
process. The land use plan also serves as the primary vehicle for
explaining to industry, other agencies, and to the public the
circumstances and procedures under which exceptions, waivers, and
modifications of lease stipulations may be granted.

An operator may request that the authorized officer grant an exception,
waiver, or modification to a lease stipulation as explained in the Code
of Federal Regulations at 43 CFR 3101.1-4 (BLM) and 36 CFR 228.104 (FS).
Operator requests should be submitted in writing and include information
demonstrating that the factors leading to its inclusion in the lease
have changed sufficiently to make the protection provided by the
stipulation no longer justified or that the proposed operation would not
cause unacceptable impacts.

When the drilling operation is proposed on land managed by another
surface management agency, the BLM will forward operator requests to
that surface management agency and obtain their concurrence or
recommendation. All final decisions will be processed through the BLM.
After drilling has commenced, the BLM (and FS for operations on National
Forest System lands) may consider verbal requests for an exception,
waiver, or modification; however, the verbal request must be followed up
by a written request within 7 days. The BLM and FS will confirm, in
writing, any verbal approval.

**BLM Rights-of-Way and FS Special Use Authorizations**

On BLM-administered lands and National Forest Systems lands, pipelines
(upstream from the custody transfer point), access roads, and utilities
located on a lease (or within a unitized area), which are to be
constructed and managed by the leaseholder/operator, can be authorized
under an APD or Sundry Notice. On or off lease/unit, pipelines, roads,
and utilities constructed and managed by someone other than the
leaseholder/operator require a BLM right-of-way or an FS Special Use
Authorization.

On BLM-administered lands, pipelines, access roads, and utilities
located off the lease or the unitized area require a right-of-way. A
pipeline on BLM-administered lands (or on lands administered by two or
more Federal agencies), located downstream of the custody transfer point
either on or off a lease, also requires a right-of-way from the BLM.
(Refer to 43 CFR 2800, April 22, 2005). On National Forest System lands,
certain access roads and utilities, including pipelines downstream of
the custody transfer point, may require a Special Use Authorization (36
CFR 252 Subpart B).

A detailed APD can be accepted as an application for a BLM right-of-way
off lease or FS Special Use Authorization for facilities owned by the
leaseholder/operator in lieu of the *Application for Transportation and
Utility Systems and Facilities on Federal Lands* (Standard Form 299). If
the leaseholder/operator plans to use the APD as the application, it
should provide sufficient detail for the entire proposal, including all
facilities located off the lease. At the NOS or the APD onsite
inspection involving rights-of-way on BLM-administered lands, the BLM
will review items on the pre-application checklist with the operator, if
a pre-application meeting has not already taken place, and will provide
the operator with a blank SF-299.

Right-of-way project information may be included in the APD or Sundry
Notice rather than being submitted on the SF-299. To use this option,
the operator must complete and submit an APD or Sundry Notice to the BLM
with a Surface Use Plan of Operations, which references the requested
rights-of way; maps; a plan of development containing information
specific to the right-of-way and construction; and other required
details. The BLM will evaluate the application, determine the cost
recovery processing fee category, and request the non-refundable
processing fee and any additional information that may be required.
After the processing fee and any additional information have been
received, BLM will process the right-of-way application.

Following the completion of NEPA analysis for the entire project, a
decision will be issued concerning approval of the right-of-way. Upon a
decision to grant the right-of-way, BLM will request that the applicant
sign the right-of-way grant and return it with payment of the rent and
cost recovery monitoring fees. After the rent, fees, and a signed
right-of-way grant are returned to the BLM, the grant will be executed
by the authorized officer and a copy returned to the
applicant/leaseholder with the approved APD and Surface Use Plan of
Operations.

The FS uses a similar process to approve the APD Surface Use Plan of
Operations and associated Special Use Authorization when needed for
pipelines, access roads, and utilities located entirely on National
Forest System lands. The Special Use Authorization may include the APD
conditions of approval and any special stipulations resulting from the
NEPA analysis.

**Other Authorizations**

All proposed drilling operations and related surface disturbance
activities, as well as any change from an approved APD, must be approved
before such activities are con­ducted. Approval will be in accordance
with lease terms, conditions of approval; 43 CFR 3160; Onshore Oil and
Gas Orders; and Notices to Lessees.

For operations on National Forest System lands, approval of the Surface
Use Plan of Operations must also be in accordance with 36 CFR 228
Subpart E before BLM final approval of the APD. Approval must be
obtained from the BLM prior to drilling from private surface into
Federal minerals.

The BLM's approval of an APD does not relieve the operator from
obtaining any other authorizations or approvals required for conducting
drilling or related subsequent operations. This includes requirements of
other Federal, Tribal, State, or local authorities.

**Exploration and Development on Split Estates**

**Non-Federally Owned Surface/Federally Owned Minerals**

The operator should contact the private surface owner before entering
private surface to stake a well location and access road or to conduct
cultural or biological surveys. Each APD, NOS, or Sundry Notice
permitting new surface disturbing activities must contain the name,
address, telephone number, and e-mail address (if available), of the
private surface owner.

The BLM will invite the surface owner to participate in the onsite and
final reclamation inspections and will take into consideration the needs
of the surface owner when reviewing the APD and approving final
abandonment and reclamation. The BLM will offer the surface owner the
same level of surface protection that the BLM provides on Federal
surface. The BLM will not apply standards or conditions that exceed
those that would normally be applied to Federal surface, even when
requested by the surface owner.

Prior to approval of the APD (or Sundry Notice to conduct new surface
disturbing activities), the operator must certify as part of the
complete application that a good faith effort has been made to reach an
agreement with the private surface owner. If the surface owner and
operator fail to reach an agreement, the operator must file a bond with
the BLM (amount to be determined by the BLM, but a minimum of \$1,000)
for the benefit of the surface owner to cover compensation for
reasonable and foreseeable loss of crops and damages to tangible
improvements. The BLM will advise the surface owner of appeal rights and
will review the value of the bond if the surface owner appeals.

The operator is strongly encouraged to negotiate an agreement with the
surface owner. Negotiating an agreement in good faith provides a forum
through which the operator and surface owner can discuss the preferences
and needs of the surface owner. In addressing those needs, the operator
may be able to modify the development proposal to minimize reclamation
and surface damage costs. These costs can be minimized by placing roads
and facilities in locations that the surface owner can use, thereby
lessening the reclamation obligations of the operator.

The agreement between the surface owner and the operator is
confidential, and neither the surface owner nor the operator is required
to provide the details of the agreement to the BLM or other agencies.
However, the APD Surface Use Plan of Operations should contain
sufficient detail about any aspects of the agreement necessary for NEPA
documentation and to determine that the operations will be in compliance
with laws, regulations, Onshore Orders, and agency policies.

The BLM may need additional cultural resources, sensitive or threatened
and endangered species, or other resource survey information in order to
comply with the NHPA, the ESA, or to complete an environmental analysis
under NEPA. For surveys completed by the operator, the operator will be
responsible for making access arrangements with the surface owner.

[]{.mark}

**Indian Lands**

The BLM will process APDs, Master Development Plans, and Sundry Notices
on Tribal and allotted oil and gas leases and Indian Mineral Development
Act mineral agreements in a manner similar to Federal leases. However,
the approval procedures, including cultural resource and other
environmental requirements, may vary between reservations depending on
Tribal ordinances and whether tribes have assumed the functions of a
State Historic Preservation Office. Both the Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA) and the Tribe have the opportunity to recommend conditions of
approval to the APD. For processing such applications, the BLM considers
the BIA to be the surface management agency for all Indian lands unless
a Tribe has contracted the BIA realty function for its lands. The BIA is
the lead Federal agency for complying with Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act on Indian lands, although this may vary in
some States. Operators are responsible for obtaining any special use or
access permits from appropriate BIA and/or tribal offices. BLM is not
required to post APDs for minerals subject to Indian leases or
agreements for public inspection.

**Bonding**

Bonding is required (43 CFR 3104 and 36 CFR 228 Subpart E) for oil and
gas lease operations in order to ensure that the operator performs all
obligations of the lease contract, including but not limited to: royalty
obligations, plugging leasehold wells, surface reclamation, and cleanup
of abandoned op­erations. Operators may post the bond in their own name,
or obtain consent of the surety under an existing lessee\'s bond or
operating rights own­er\'s bond, extending coverage under that existing
bond to include such operations.

The bond may be a surety bond or pledge backed by cash, nego­tiable
securities, Certificate of Deposit, or Letter of Credit in the minimum
amount of \$10,000. In lieu of a \$10,000 lease bond, a bond of not less
than \$25,000 for statewide operations or \$150,000 for nationwide
operations may be furnished. The operator must identify which bond will
be used to provide the required coverage when filing an APD.

The author­ized officer may require an increase in the amount of any bond
whenever it is determined that the operator poses a risk due to factors,
including but not limited to, a history of previous violations, a notice
from the Minerals Management Service (MMS) that there are uncollected
royalties due, or the total cost of plugging existing wells and
reclaiming lands exceeds the present bond amount by an unacceptable
amount.

A bonded principal (operator or lessee) may request a partial release of
a lease bond when portions of the abandonment or final reclamation
process are deemed complete by the authorized officer. Statewide and
nationwide bonds cannot be partially released. The operator must notify
the authorized officer prior to and upon the completion of all lease­hold
abandonment and final reclamation activities.

A separate bond may be required for rights-of-way or Special Use
Authorizations to cover losses, damages, or injury to human health, the
environment, or property in connection with the use, occupancy, and
termination of the right-of-way (43 CFR 2800 and 36 CFR 251 Subpart B).

The BLM will require a separate bond to protect the surface owner in
split-estate situations if the operator and surface owner fail to reach
an agreement regarding compensation or waiver for damage to or loss of
crops or tangible improvements (43 CFR 3814).

For operations on National Forest System lands, the authorized FS
officer may require additional bonding prior to or during the conduct of
operations. (36 CFR 228.109)

**Chapter 4 -- Construction and Maintenance**

This chapter provides guidance for the operator about the basic
requirements for safe and environmentally sound construction and
maintenance of oil and gas-related infrastructure. Construction and
maintenance must be performed to standards that ensure the long-term
health and productivity of the land. The operator\'s representative must
ensure compli­ance with all plans and designs. The representative should
be designated prior to construction; be accessible to the surface
management agency authorized officer; have immediate access to an
approved copy of the Application for Permit to Drill (APD), including
all maps, drawings, templates, and construction standards; and have the
authority to make changes at the request or order of the BLM or surface
management agency.

**Well Sites**

**Site Selection and Design**

To the extent permitted by the geologic target, well spacing, and
drilling and production technology, the locations selected for well
sites, tank batteries, pits, and compressor stations should be planned
so as to minimize long-term disruption of the surface resources and
existing uses, and to promote successful reclamation. Design and
construction techniques and other practices should be employed that
would minimize surface disturbance and the associated effects of
proposed operations and maintain the reclamation potential of the site.
The following guidelines can be used to assist in meeting these
objectives and reducing the overall undesirable impacts from well sites
and other construc­tion areas.

The site layout should be located and staked in the most level area, off
narrow ridges, and set back from steep slopes, while taking into
consideration the geologic target, technical, economic, and operational
feasibility, spacing rules, natural resource concerns, and safety
considerations. Well locations constructed on steep slopes cost more to
construct, maintain, and reclaim and result in greater resource impacts.
Locations on steep slopes that require deep, nearly vertical cuts and
steep fill slopes should be avoided where possible or appropriately
mitigated. Operations should also be avoided or properly mitigated in
riparian areas, floodplains, playas, lakeshores, wetlands, and areas
subject to severe erosion and mass soil movement. In visually sensitive
areas, locations should be selected that provide for vegetative and
topographic screening. The well site or production facility location
should also be reviewed to determine its effect on the location of the
access road. The advantages gained by a good well site or tank battery
location should not be negated by the adverse effects of the access road
location.

**Construction**

Construction procedures must conform to the ap­proved Surface Use Plan of
Operations. In order to minimize surface disturbance, construction
equipment appropriately sized to the scope and scale of the proposed
operation should be used. All surface soil materials (topsoil) are to be
removed from the entire cut and fill area and temporarily stockpiled for
reuse during interim and final reclamation. The depth of topsoil to be
removed and stockpiled should be determined at the onsite inspection and
should be stated either in the proposed Surface Use Plan of Operations
or specified in the APD conditions of ap­proval.

Topsoil should be segregated and stored separately from subsurface
materials to avoid mixing during construction, storage, and interim
reclamation. Subsurface materials should never be placed on top of
topsoil material at any point in the operation. Stockpiles should be
located and protected so that wind and water ero­sion are minimized and
reclamation potential is maximized.

Excavation of the cut and fill slopes is normally guided by information
on the slope stakes. Fills should be compacted to minimize the chance of
slope failure. If excess cut material exists after fill areas have been
brought to grade, the excess material will be stockpiled at ap­proved
locations. Snow and frozen soil material is not to be used in
construction of fill areas and dikes or berms. To reduce areas of soil
disturbance, the surface management agency may allow mowing or brush
beating of vegetation for parts of the well location or access road
where excavation is not necessary.

The area of the well pad where the drilling rig substructure is located
should be level and capable of sup­porting the rig. The drill rig, tanks,
heater-treater, and other production equipment are not to be placed on
uncompacted fill mate­rial. The area used for mud tanks, generators, mud
storage, and fuel tanks should be at a slight slope, where possible, or
a suitable alternative, such as ditching, should be used to provide
surface drainage from the work area to the pit.

To reduce erosion and soil loss, it may be appropriate to divert storm
water away from the well location with ditches, berms, or waterbars
above the cut slopes and to trap well location runoff and sediments on
or near the location through the use of sediment fences or water
retention ponds.

**Reserve Pits**

Reserve pits are generally used for storage or disposal of water, drill
mud, and cuttings during drilling operations. The pit should normally be
located entirely in cut material. Avoid constructing reserve pits in
areas of shallow groundwater. Reserve pits should not be constructed in
natural watercourses. Water courses include lake beds, gullies, draws,
streambeds, washes, arroyos, or channels that are delineated on a
1:24,000 USGS quadrangle map or have a hydrologic connection to streams,
rivers, or lakes.

For reserve pit construction on steeply sloping sites, the preferred
method is to locate the pit on the drill pad next to the high wall. Pits
are constructed totally in cut at such locations. If this is not
possible, at least 50 percent of the reserve pit should be constructed
below original ground level to help prevent failure of the pit dike.
Fill dikes should be properly compacted in lifts. The necessary degree
of compaction depends on soil texture and moisture content. The pit
should be designed to contain all anticipated drilling muds, cuttings,
fracture fluids, and precipitation while maintaining at least 2 feet of
freeboard.

Pits improperly constructed on slopes or poor soil types may leak along
the plane between the natural ground level and the fill. There is a
significant potential for pit failure in these situations. When
constructing dikes for pits or im­poundments with fill embankment, a
keyway or core trench should be excavated to a minimum depth of 2 to 3
feet below the original ground level. The core of the embankment can
then be constructed with compacted, water-impervious material.

To prevent contamination of ground water and soils or to conserve water,
it is recommended that operators use a closed-loop drilling system or
line reserve pits with an impermeable liner, particularly when it is
anticipated that pits will contain moderate or high levels of
hydrocarbons and chloride, or the pits are located in areas of shallow
groundwater or porous soils over fractured bedrock aquifers.

Pits can be lined with synthetic liners or other materials such as
bentonite or clay. Impermeable liners should have a permeability of less
than 10^-7^cm/sec. Liners must be installed so that they will not leak
and must be composed of materials compatible with all substances to be
placed in the pit. Synthetic liners with a minimum thickness of 12 mils
and resistance to ultraviolet radiation, weathering, chemicals,
punctures, and tearing are most commonly used, although some States may
require liners that are thicker. Suitable bedding material, such as
sand, clay, or felt liners should be used in areas where the base rock
might puncture the liner.

Depending on the proposed contents of the pit and sensitivity of the
environment, the surface management agency may require a leak detection
system or the use of self-contained mud systems with the drilling
fluids, mud, and cuttings being transported to approved disposal areas.

Reserve pits should be appropriately fenced to prevent access by
persons, wildlife, or livestock. During drilling in active livestock
areas, the reserve pit must be fenced with an exclosure fence on three
sides and then fenced on the fourth side once drilling has been
completed. Refer to Figure 1 for recommended fence construction
standards in active livestock areas. In areas where livestock will not
be present, other types of fences may be appropriate.

The fence should remain in place until pit reclamation begins. After
cessation of drilling and completion operations, any visible or
measurable layer of oil must be removed from the surface of the reserve
pit and the pit kept free of oil. In some situations and locations,
precautions, such as netting, may be required in order to prevent access
and mortality of birds and other animals.

[]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="6.022916666666666in"
height="8.129861111111111in"}

######### 

**Figure 1.** Recommended construction standards for exclosure fences in
livestock areas.

**Roads and Access Ways**

This section provides the minimum guidelines for oil and gas operators
on BLM and FS policy and standards relative to the planning, location,
design, construction, maintenance, and operation of roads and access
ways on public and National Forest System lands. Contact the local BLM
or FS office for specific requirements. Exception to or modification of
these guidelines is at the surface management agency's discretion based
on the physical conditions at the site and the project proposal. Figure
2 illustrates commonly used terms in road design and should be referred
to when reviewing this section.

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="6.497916666666667in"
height="4.579861111111111in"}

**Figure 2.** Illustration of commonly used terms in road design

To ensure public safety and the protection of Federal resources, BLM and
FS roads must be constructed to an appropriate standard no higher than
necessary to accommodate the intended use. In many cases, the
construction of a lower-class road will meet the operator's access
needs, while minimizing the effects on other important resource values.

Roads used to access oil and gas locations are typically constructed for
that primary purpose, are rarely permanent, and exist only as long as
necessary to complete exploration and production operations. They are
authorized with an accompanying reclamation plan and are to be reclaimed
after well and field operations are completed. In relatively rare cases,
the surface management agency or surface owner may assume responsibility
for the continued operation and maintenance of roads deemed necessary.

The authorized officer has the option of determining whether
professional engineering design and construction oversight is necessary
or whether the road can be constructed by the operator consistent with
site-specific standards and approved road design templates (Figures 2
and 3). The need for professional engineering design and oversight
should be based on factors such as topography, soils, hydrology, safety,
and levels and types of use by the operator and general public. For oil
and gas roads on National Forest System lands, a qualified FS engineer
reviews all project design drawings, officially attesting to their
technical adequacy.

![](media/image5.jpeg){width="6.25in" height="8.342361111111112in"}

**Figure 3.** Cross-sections and plans for typical road sections
representative of BLM resource or FS local and higher-class roads.

To meet the requirements of Onshore Order No. 1 (Surface Use Plan of
Operations, 2a and b) for new or reconstructed roads, the operator must
provide information such as:

-   Road width, maximum grade, and crown design

-   Location of turnouts

-   Plans for soils-, hydrology-, and topography-dependent drainage,
    including ditches and locations and sizes of culverts and bridges

-   On- and off-site erosion control

-   Plans for revegetation of disturbed areas

-   Fence cuts and cattle guards

-   Major cuts and fills

-   Source and storage sites for topsoil

-   Types of surfacing materials, if any

-   Plans for maintaining or improving existing roads

All roads must be designed, constructed, and maintained by the operator
in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. Oil and gas roads that
are not closed to public use (through the use of gates or other traffic
control devices) have the potential to serve secondary uses, such as
providing access for hunters and other recreational users who may not be
familiar with the road and area. Therefore, safety is a primary design
consideration.

Roads also have the potential to cause environmental harm through
erosion, air pollution, stream degradation, habitat alteration, and
increased public use of an area. Careful attention to the proposed road
location and design can significantly minimize environmental harm. For
example, shorter roads constructed on steep slopes may cost more to
construct, maintain, and reclaim and can also result in greater
environmental impacts than would longer roads constructed along the
contours of the land or constructed in flatter terrain. In areas of high
environmental sensitivity, special road location, design, and
con­struction and maintenance techniques may be required, as well as
seasonal vehicular closures to the general public.

It is always a good practice to consult with the surface management
agency or private landowner prior to submitting the road design. Helpful
design information can also be found on agency websites. For the BLM,
guidance can be found in BLM 9113--Roads Manual; and BLM 9130--Sign
Manual. For the FS, information is available in EM-7100-15: Sign and
Poster Guidelines for the FS or the FS Water/Road Interaction Series of
publications. []{.mark}

[]{.mark}

**Transportation Planning**

The goal of transportation planning is to identify and analyze feasible
alternatives for access that meet the objectives of the surface
management agency, private surface owner, and the needs of the diverse
users of Federal lands. The transportation planning process

-   Considers future road use needs, including public access and
    resource development or use

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Considers affected resource values and safety

-   Avoids haphazard or unnecessary development of roads and utility
    corridors

Road location and design criteria are also developed and documented
during the transportation planning process. Transportation plan­ning can
prevent unnecessary expenditures of time and money and prevent
unnecessary surface disturbance. Therefore, it is important for the
operator to become involved in the transportation planning process.

**Road Location**

Road location is critical to the long-term maintenance and environmental
success of a road con­struction project. Proper road location can
significantly reduce or eliminate impacts to cultural, scenic,
biological, and other environmental resources. Operators are strongly
encouraged to contact the surface management agency or private surface
owner about possible route locations before survey­ing and staking. This
early communication between the operator and the surface management
agency or private surface owner can minimize changes made at the onsite
inspection and reduce project delays.

Existing roads should be considered for use as access routes and may be
used when they meet agency standards, transportation and development
needs, and environmental objectives. When access involves the use of
existing agency roads, operators must obtain agency approval and may be
required to upgrade the roads, contribute to road maintenance funds, or
participate in road maintenance agreements.

When selecting a location for new roads, consider following topographic
contours. While laying out roads in a point-to-point approach minimizes
the length of road, it often increases soil erosion, maintenance costs,
long-term loss of vegetation, and visual contrast. Following natural
topographic contours preserves natural drainage patterns and usually
makes it possible to design a more aesthetically pleasing road with
lower construction, maintenance, and reclamation costs and less impact
on the environment.

Initial steps in road location include:

-   Determina­tion of the intended use of the road, planned season of
    use, type of vehicles to be used, road class, and needs of the
    surface owner or agency

-   Examination of the surface management agency\'s transportation plan,
    which may already have identified feasible routes for the area

-   Examination of existing data, including maps and aerial photos, land
    use plan decisions, and biological, physical, and cultural
    conditions of the area

-   Determination of oil and gas lease obligations, future development
    needs, and safety considerations.

Once these steps have been taken, an appropriate route can be
identified. This process is critical to ensuring that the safest and
least intrusive route is chosen.

**Geotechnical Factors**

In complex terrain or conditions, it is recommended that the operator
look at various route alternatives before selecting the preferred route.
Field reconnaissance of alternative routes may be necessary in order to
provide information on such factors as soil types,
construction/reclamation limitations, type of excavation, landslide
areas, subgrade conditions indicating the need for surfacing, potential
cut slope problems, surface or subsurface water problem ar­eas,
suitability of fill material, potential gravel pits or quarries for road
aggregate, and potential borrow and waste sites. A good road location
analysis may avoid costly problems and identify cost-saving
op­portunities.

**Other Factors**

Other factors to consider that are unique to the oil and gas industry
include:

-   The potential for encountering sour gas (H~2~S). Note the prevailing
    wind direction and identify a clear escape route from the drill
    site.

-   The potential for year-round operation. Drill sites and producing
    locations may require all-weather access and special maintenance
    considerations for snow removal.

-   The potential for exploratory drilling to result in a producing
    operation. Select initial road alignments and road classes based on
    the potential for upgrade if the wells are completed for production.

When the road location information is submitted to the surface
management agency, the acceptability of the proposed route, and if
applicable, alternative routes, can be evaluat­ed. The preferred road
location will be identified by the authorized officer at the onsite
inspection in coordination with the private surface owner on nonfederal
surface.

**Road Design and Construction**

**Construction and Reclamation Considerations**

New road construction or reconstruction by the operator must be suitable
for the intended use and must comply with BLM road and safety standards,
such as those found in BLM's 9113--Roads Manual. Roads constructed
within the jurisdiction of the FS must comply with applicable FS road
and safety standards.

Roads should be designed and constructed to allow for successful interim
and eventual final reclamation. Revegetation of road ditches and cut and
fill slopes will help stabilize exposed soils and reduce sediment loss,
reduce the growth of noxious weeds, reduce maintenance costs, maintain
scenic quality and forage, and protect habitat. To ensure successful
growth of plants and forbs, topsoil must be salvaged where available
during road construction and respread to the greatest degree practical
on cut slopes, fill slopes, and borrow ditches prior to seeding. To
ensure the stability of freshly topsoiled slopes during revegetation,
the application of mulch or other sediment control measures may be
appropriate.

Construction with saturated or frozen soils results in unstable roads
and should be avoided. Vehicular travel under wet conditions can produce
significant rutting of unsurfaced roads resulting in soil loss and
safety concerns. If road use is anticipated during saturated soil
conditions, the surface management agency may require road surfacing to
provide safe vehicle access, ensure uninterrupted operations, and reduce
road damage and sediment loss.

**Nonconstructed Roads and Routes**

When site conditions are appropriate, the surface management agency may
approve the creation or use of "primitive," two-track roads or overland
route corridors to meet the operator's access needs. Primitive roads and
route corridors may serve as appropriate access to exploration drilling
locations where it is not certain if the well will be productive, or to
producing wells where vehicle traffic is infrequent due to the use of
off-site production facilities and automated well monitoring.

The appropriateness of primitive roads or routes is both site-specific
and use-specific and is typically based on many factors, such as
anticipated dry or frozen soil conditions, seasonal weather conditions,
flat terrain, low anticipated traffic, or driller's or operator's access
needs. Primitive roads or routes necessitate low vehicle speed and are
typically limited to four-wheel drive or high clearance vehicles. They
can consist of existing or new roads with minor or moderate grading;
two-track roads created by the operator's direct vehicle use with little
or no grading; overland routes within a defined travel corridor leaving
no defined roadway beyond crushed vegetation; or any combination along
the route. Operators should not flat-blade roads. Drainage must be
maintained, where appropriate, to avoid erosion or the creation of a
muddy, braided road.

These roads and routes must be used and maintained in a safe and
environmentally responsible manner and are not intended for use as
all-weather access roads. Resource damage must be repaired as soon as
possible and the operator must consult with the surface management
agency to determine if all or a portion of the road needs to be upgraded
to an all-weather access road. When used and maintained appropriately,
nonconstructed roads and routes have the advantage of reducing
construction, maintenance, and reclamation costs and reducing resource
impacts. The use of nonconstructed roads must be approved by the surface
management agency.

####### ![](media/image6.jpeg){width="3.845138888888889in" height="2.890972222222222in"}

A minimum disturbance, primitive, two-track road winds its way to a
drilling operation. To further reduce disturbance, most of the well
location has not been stripped of vegetation or topsoil.

**Constructed Roads**

####### 

The surface management agency determines the appropriate road type and
associated road design standards based on the expected traffic volume
and other factors, such as seasonal or year-round use, the design
vehicle, soil types, rainfall, topography, construction costs,
compatibility with other resource values, and safety. This information
is documented during the transportation planning process and onsite
meeting. Road types may vary along the same route depending on the
operator's or the surface management agency's access or resource
protection needs. In some cases, exploration drilling may warrant a
lower design standard or primitive road, mentioned previously, which
could be upgraded if the well becomes a producing well.

####### 

####### *BLM Resource or FS Local Roads*

BLM resource or FS local roads are low-volume, single-lane roads. They
normally have a 12 to14 foot travelway with "intervisible turnouts," as
appropriate, where approaching drivers have a clear view of the section
of road between the two turnouts and can pull off to the side to let the
approaching driver pass. They are usually used for dry weather, but may
be surfaced, drained, and main­tained for all-weather use. These roads
connect terminal facilities, such as a well site, to collector, local,
arterial, or other higher-class roads. They serve low average daily
traffic (ADT) and are located on the basis of the specific resource
activity need rather than travel efficiency.

####### 

####### *BLM Local or FS Collector Roads*

BLM local or FS collector roads may be single-lane or double-lane with
travelways 12 to 24 feet in width and intervisible turnouts. They are
normally graded, drained, and surfaced and are capable of carrying
highway loads. These roads provide access to large areas and for various
uses. They collect traffic from re­source or local roads or terminal
facilities and are connected to arterial roads or public highways. The
location and standards for these roads are based on both long-term
resource needs and travel efficiency. They may be operated for either
constant or intermittent service, depending on land use and resource
management objectives for the area being served.

BLM Collector or FS Arterial Roads

BLM collector or FS arterial roads are usually double-lane, graded,
drained and surfaced, with a 20 to 24 foot travelway. They serve large
land areas and are the major ac­cess route into development areas with
high average daily traffic rates. The locations and stand­ards are often
determined by a demand for maximum mobility and travel efficiency rather
than a spe­cific resource management service. They usually connect with
public highways or other arterials to form an integrated network of
primary travel routes and are operated for long-term land and resource
management purposes and constant service.

**General Design Specifications for Different Types of Roads**

**Definitions**

***Design Criteria*** are requirements that govern the se­lection of
elements and standards for a road, such as resource management
objectives, road manage­ment objectives, safety requirements, and traffic
characteristics.

***Design Elements*** are the physical characteristics of a road, such
as the ditches, culverts, travelway clearing limits, curve widening,
slopes, and drainage characteristics that, when combined, comprise the
planned facility.

***Design Standards*** comprise the lengths, widths, and depths of
design elements, such as a 14-foot-wide travelway, 2-foot shoulders, 2:1
cut slopes, 3-foot curve widening, and 6 inches of crushed aggregate.
Design terms are illustrated in Figure 2.

***Design Vehicle*** is the vehicle most frequently using the road that
determines the minimum standard for a particular design element. No
single vehicle, however, controls the standards for all the design
elements for a road.

**BLM Resource and FS Local Roads**

***Basic Design Requirements***

The surface management agency will provide requirements specific to
proposed oil and gas roads during project planning and/or at the onsite
review with consideration of safety, impacts on land and resources, and
cost of transportation. Requirements for specific proposals may vary
somewhat from the generalized requirements that follow.

> -Design speed specific to oil and gas roads is 10 to 30 miles per
> hour. For the FS, this should generally be less than 15 miles per
> hour.
>
> -Preferred travelway width is 14 feet with turnouts. For the FS, this
> can vary from two parallel vehicle tracks, bladed 12-foot sections
> with turnouts, or a broader defined overland corridor approved by the
> surface management agency.
>
> -Recommended minimum horizontal curve radii is determined by the
> design vehicle and design speed. Where terrain will not allow the
> proper curve radii, curve widening is necessary. Specifications are
> available from the surface management agency.
>
> -Road gradient has a major effect on the environmental and visual
> impact of a road, particularly in terms of erosion. The gradient
> should fit as closely as possible to the natural terrain, considering
> vehicle operational limitations, soil types, environmental
> constraints, and traffic service levels. The gradient should not
> ex­ceed 8 percent except for pitch grades (300 feet or less in length)
> in order to minimize environmental effects. In mountainous or
> dissected terrain, grades greater than 8 percent up to 16 percent may
> be permissible with prior approval of the surface management agency.
>
> -The primary purpose of turnouts is for user convenience and safety
> and to maintain user speed. Turnouts are generally naturally
> occurring, such as additional widths on ridges or other available
> areas on flat terrain. On roads open to the public, turnouts must be
> located at 1,000-foot intervals or be intervisible, whichever is less.
>
> -Drainage control must be ensured over the entire road through the use
> of drainage dips, insloping, natural rolling topography, ditch
> turnouts, ditches, or culverts. Ditches and culverts may be required
> in some situations, depending on grades, soils, and local hydrology.
> If culverts or drainage crossings are needed, they should be designed
> for a 25-year or greater storm frequency, without development of a
> static head at the pipe inlet.
>
> -Gravel or other surfacing is not always required, but may be
> necessary for "soft" road sections, steep grades, highly erosive
> soils, clay soils, or where all-weather access is needed.
>
> -At times, a limited number of oil field vehi­cles (critical vehicles)
> larger than the design vehicle may make occasional use of the road.
> The operator should consider these needs in road design.

***Field Survey Requirements***

Field survey requirements vary with topography, geologic hazard,
potential for public and recreational use, or other concerns. Each
surface management agency has survey requirements based on design
requirements and concerns specific to the area. The surface management
agency should be contacted as early as possible to determine the survey
requirements. The following general requirements are imposed to control
work and produce the desired road.

> -A flagline is established along the construction route. Flags should
> be placed approximately every 100 feet, or be intervisible, whichever
> is less.
>
> -Construction control staking may be required depending on conditions
> of the site.
>
> -Culvert installations are located and staked.

***Design Drawings and Templates***

> -On side slopes of 0 to 20 percent, where hori­zontal and vertical
> alignment can be worked out on the ground, a plan and profile drawing
> may not be required. Standard templates, drainage dip spac­ing, culvert
> locations, and turnout spacing guides would be acceptable.
>
> -A plan and profile view would be the minimum drawing required on
> steeper slopes and in areas of environmental concern. The drawing
> should identify grade, alignment, stationing, turnouts, and culvert
> locations.
>
> -Standard templates of road cross-sections and drainage dips are
> required for all re­source, local, and higher-class roads. Figures 2
> and 3 illustrate these sections.
>
> -Additional information may be required in areas of environmental or
> engineering concern.

***Construction***

The operator must take all necessary precautions for protection of the
work and safety of the public during construction of the road. Warning
signs must be posted during blasting operations.

> *Clearing and Grubbing*
>
> Clearing and grubbing will normally be required on all sections of the
> road. Exceptions would be allowed in areas of sparse, non-woody
> vegetation.
>
> All clearing and grubbing should be confined to a specified clearing
> width (Figure 2), which is usu­ally somewhat wider than the limits of
> actual con­struction (roadway). Branches of all trees extending over
> the roadbed should be trimmed to provide a clear height of 14 feet
> above the roadbed surface. All vegetative debris must be disposed of
> as specified by the surface management agency.
>
> *Excavation*
>
> All soil material and frag­mented rock removed in excavation is to be
> used as directed in the approved plan. Excess cut material shall not
> be wasted unless specified in the ap­proved plan.
>
> *Roadbed Construction*
>
> Roadbed mate­rial should not be placed when the materials or the
> surface are frozen or too wet for satisfactory compaction. Equipment
> should be routed over the layers of roadbed material already in place
> to help avoid uneven compaction anywhere along the travel route.
> Borrow material shall not be used until material from roadway
> excavation has been placed in the em­bankments, unless otherwise
> permitted. Borrow ar­eas used by the operator must be approved prior to
> the start of excavation.
>
> Roadside ditches should conform to the slope, grade, and shape of the
> required cross-section with no projections of roots, stumps, rocks, or
> similar debris. Side ditches must be excavated to a depth of 1-foot
> minimum below the finished road surface. Drainage turnout spacing on
> these ditches should not exceed 500 feet; slopes greater than 5
> percent may require closer spacing of turnout furrows (wing ditches or
> relief ditches).

**BLM Local and FS Collector Roads**

***Basic Design Requirements***

> -Design speed is generally 15 to 50 miles per hour. For the FS, it is
> 15 to 25 miles per hour. The selected design speed establishes the
> minimum sight distance for stopping and passing, and road geometrics
> such as minimum radius of curvature, the gradient, and type of running
> surface.
>
> -Travelway minimum is 14 feet (single lane) and 24 feet (double lane)
> with intervisible turnouts, as may be required.
>
> -Recommended minimum horizontal curve radius is 220 feet. Where
> terrain will not allow 220-foot curve radii, curve widening is
> necessary. Super-elevation should be considered at speeds greater than
> 20 miles per hour. Specifications are available from surface
> management agency engineering offices.
>
> -Vertical curves should be designed with an appropriate "k" value
> (rate of vertical curvature length per percent of "A", the algebraic
> difference in grade) based on design speed (for example on FS, crest
> vertical curves, 30 mph k=9; 40 mph k=22; 50 mph k = 45).
>
> -Maximum grades should not exceed 8 percent. Pitch grades for lengths
> not to exceed 300 feet may be allowed to exceed 8 percent in some
> cases.
>
> -All culverts must be sized in accordance with accepted engineering
> practices and any spe­cial environmental concerns. The minimum size
> cul­vert in any installation is 18 inches. Drainage crossings and
> culverts should be designed for a 25-year or greater storm frequency
> and allow fish passage in perennial streams where fish are present.
>
> -Turnouts are required on all single-lane roads. Turnouts must be
> located at 1000-foot intervals or be intervisible, whichever is less.
> The length should not be less than 100 feet, with addi­tional 50-foot
> transitional tapers at each end.
>
> -Surfacing may be required to provide all-weather ac­cess. If surfacing
> is needed, aggregate size, type, amount, and application method will
> be specified by the local office of the surface management agency.
> Subgrade analysis may be required to deter­mine load-bearing
> capacities.

***Field Survey Requirements***

Generally, the survey requirements for these roads are similar to those
for BLM resource and FS local roads. These roads, however, are designed
for higher average daily traffic rates and greater speeds. Thus, in
addition to flagline and culvert survey requirements, an instrument or
topographic survey with preliminary centerline staking and slope staking
is usually required on steep terrain and in areas requiring special
engineering. Specific survey requirements are available at the local
office of the surface management agency.

***Design Drawings and Templates***

> -Generally, the required drawings for this road class would include a
> plan and profile (Figure 4). The drawing should identify grade,
> loca­tion, stationing, surfacing, turnouts, culvert locations, and
> drainage dip spacing.
>
> -Standard templates of the proposed road cross-section(s) (Figures 2
> and 3) and drainage dip design are required for this type of road.
>
> -Additional information may be required in areas of environmental or
> engineering concern.

***Construction***

> -Drainage dips, construction, and spac­ing are the same as for BLM
> resource and FS local roads.
>
> -Culvert cross-drains should be used in lieu of drainage dips for road
> grades in excess of 10 percent. Culvert installation is discussed in
> the Drainage and Drainage Structure Section.
>
> -Construction standards are the same as given in the BLM Resource and
> FS Local Roads Section.

**BLM Collector and FS Arterial Roads**

***Basic Survey and Design Requirements***

> -Vertical, horizontal, and topographic data, as well as significant
> features should be plotted on standard plan and profile sheets to a
> scale of 1 inch = 100 feet horizontal and 1 inch = 20 feet vertical,
> or as otherwise directed by the surface management agency. The design
> shall conform to the most current edition of the AASHTO, *Guidelines
> for Geometric Design of Very Low-Volume Local Roads*, for access roads
> with an anticipated average daily traffic of less than 400 vehicles.
>
> -Plot \"L\" (layout) line along \"P\" (prelimi­nary) line using the
> following design standards criteria:
>
> -Design speed is 30 miles per hour or greater unless otherwise
> directed.
>
> -Travel width-minimum is 20 feet, max­imum is 24 feet.
>
> -Minimum horizontal curve radius is 460 feet unless shorter radii are
> approved. The curve radius must take into account super-elevation.
>
> -Design vertical curves with an appropriate "k" value based on design
> speed.
>
> -Maximum grade is 8 percent (except pitch grades not exceeding 300
> feet in length and 10 percent in grade).
>
> -Mass diagrams and earthwork bal­ancing may be required. Obvious areas
> of waste or borrow shall be noted on the plan and profile as well as
> proposed locations of borrow or waste disposal areas.
>
> -All culverts should be designed for a minimum 25-year storm frequency
> with an allowable head that does not overlap the roadway or cause
> damage. However, the minimum acceptable size culvert diameter is 18
> inches. Show all culverts planned to accurate vertical scale on plan
> profile sheets.
>
> -Slope staking is required.

***Design Drawings and Templates***

> -Complete plan and profile drawings are required for any BLM collector
> or FS arterial road
>
> (Figure 4). These drawings should identify grade, location,
> stationing, and all culvert sizes and locations (see Figure 7 for
> examples).
>
> -Standard templates of road cross-sections, drainage design, and
> culvert location and installation are required (Examples in Figures 3
> through 6).
>
> -Mass diagrams and materials investiga­tion and classification may be
> required.

***Construction***

Except for the specific items that follow, construction standards are
given in the BLM Resource/FS Roads or the BLM Local/FS Collector Roads
Sections. Construction shall be performed under the direction of a
licensed, professional engineer as required by the BLM, or a qualified
engineer for roads on FS lands.

Excavation and fill construction will be performed to secure the
greatest practicable degree of roadbed compaction and stability. Roadbed
materials shall be placed parallel to the axis of the roadway in even,
continuous, approximately horizontal layers not more than 8 inches in
thickness. The full cross-section of the fill must be maintained as each
suc­cessive layer is placed. Place successive layers of material on
embankment areas to produce the best practical distribution of the
material. The mate­rials throughout the roadbed shall be free from
lens­es, pockets, streaks, or layers of material differing substantially
in texture, gradation, or compaction from the surrounding material.
Ordinarily, stones coarser than a 3-inch-square mesh opening should be
buried at least 4 inches below the finished surface of the roadway.

The operator should route construction equipment over the layers of
roadbed material already in place and distribute the gravel evenly over
the entire width of the embankment to obtain maximum compaction while
placing the material and to avoid uneven compaction anywhere along the
trav­el route.

Use excess excavation material, where practical, to improve the road
grade line or to flatten fill slopes. Other waste areas must be approved
prior to place­ment of waste material.

[]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

![](media/image7.jpeg){width="6.499305555555556in"
height="6.829861111111111in"}

**Figure 4.** Typical road plan and profile drawing for an oil and gas
road.

**Road Maintenance**

When required, the operator shall submit a road maintenance plan for all
roads that will be con­structed or used in conjunction with the drilling
pro­gram. The maintenance plan will contain provisions for maintaining
the traveled way, protection of the roadway features, requirements for
road management, and the method to be used in carry­ing out maintenance
activities.

Maintenance activities normally required include monitoring, blading,
surface replace­ment, dust abatement, spot repairs, slide removal, ditch
cleaning, culvert cleaning, litter cleanup, noxious weed control, and
snow removal. When applicable, specific areas shall be identified in the
road maintenance plan for disposal of slide material, borrow or quarry
sites, stockpiles, or other uses that are needed for the project.

Key maintenance considerations include regular inspections; reduction of
ruts and holes; maintenance of crowns and outslopes to keep water off
the road; replacement of surfacing materials; clearing of sediment
blocking ditches and culverts; maintenance of interim reclamation; and
noxious weed control.

Conduct additional inspections following snowmelt or heavy or prolonged
rainfall to look for drainage, erosion, or siltation problems. Blade
only when necessary and avoid blading established grass and forb
vegetation in ditches and adjacent to the road. Ensure that maintenance
operators have proper training and understand the surface management
agency's road maintenance objectives.

[]{.mark}

Authorized users may perform their share of road maintenance, enter into
road maintenance agreements administered by the users, or may be
required to deposit sufficient funds with the surface management agency
to provide for their share of maintenance. If the road has only one
permitted user, other than incidental use by others, that user may have
total responsibility for mainte­nance.

![](media/image8.jpeg){width="6.489583333333333in"
height="3.214583333333333in"}

This example of interim road reclamation shows that reapplying topsoil
and the regrowth of vegetation along the road borrow ditches of this
resource road reduces the loss of forage, habitat, and sediment,
decreases maintenance costs, and helps maintain the scenic quality.

**Drainage and Drainage Structures**

The proper design and construction of structures for the drainage of
water from or through the road­way often contributes the most to the
long-term suc­cess of the road and structure and minimizes maintenance
and adverse environmental effects, such as erosion and sediment
production. It is vitally important to keep the water off the road.

**Road Drainage Design**

The most economical con­trol measure should be designed to meet resource
and road management objectives and constraints. The economic
considerations should include both con­struction and maintenance costs.
The need for drainage structures can be minimized by proper road
location. However, adequate drainage is es­sential for a stable road. A
proper drainage system should include the best combination of various
design elements, such as ditches, culverts, drainage dips, crown,
in-slope or out-slope, low-water crossings, subsurface drains, and
bridges.

> ***Surface Drainage***
>
> Surface drainage provides for the interception, collection, and
> removal of water from the surface of roads and slope areas. The design
> may need to allow for debris passage, mud flows, and water heavily
> laden with silt, sand, and gravel. Culverts should be designed in
> accordance with applicable practices adopted by State and Federal
> water quality regulators under authority of the Federal Clean Water
> Act (CWA). Culverts should accommodate a 10-year flood without
> development of a static head and avoid serious velocity damage from a
> 25-year flood.
>
> ***Subsurface Road Drainage***
>
> Subsur­face drainage is provided to intercept, collect, and remove
> groundwater that may flow into the base course and subgrade; to lower
> high water tables; or to drain locally saturated deposits or soils.

**Drainage Structures**

Proper location and design can provide economical and efficient drainage
in many cases. However, structural measures are of­ten required to ensure
proper and adequate drainage. Some of the most common structures are
drainage dips, ditches, road crowning, culverts, and bridges.

> ***Drainage Dips***
>
> The primary purpose of a drainage dip is to intercept and remove
> surface water from the travelway and shoulders before the combination
> of water volume and velocity be­gins to erode the surface materials.
> Drainage dips should not be confused with water bars, which are
> normally used for drainage and erosion protection of closed or blocked
> roads. See Figure 5 for an illustration of a typical drainage dip and
> construction specifications. Spacing of drainage dips depends upon
> local con­ditions such as soil material, grade, and topogra­phy. The
> surface management agency should be consulted for spacing
> in­structions.
>
> ***Ditches***
>
> The geometric design of ditch­es must consider the resource objectives
> for soil, water, and visual quality; maintenance capabilities and
> associated costs; and construction costs. Ditch grades should be no
> less than 0.5 percent to pro­vide positive drainage and to avoid
> siltation. The types of ditches normally used are drainage, trap,
> interception, and outlet.
>
> ***Road Crowning***
>
> Roads that use crowning and ditching are common and can be used with
> all road classes, except non-constructed roads. This design provides
> good drainage of water from the surface of the road.
>
> Drainage of the inside ditch and sidehill runoff is essential if the
> travelway is to be kept dry and passable during wet weather.

![](media/image9.jpeg){width="5.803472222222222in" height="5.53125in"}

**Figure 5.** Typical drainage dip and construction specifications

> ***Culverts***
>
> Culverts are used in two appli­cations: in streams and gullies to allow
> normal drainage to flow under the travelway and to drain inside road
> ditch­es. The latter may not be required if drainage dips are used. The
> location of culverts should be shown on the plan and profile or
> similar drawings or maps submitted with the APD.
>
> All culverts should be laid on natural ground or at the original
> elevation of any drainage crossed, except as noted for ditch relief
> culverts. See Figures 6 and 7 for installation details.
>
> Culverts should have a minimum diameter of 18 inches. The diameter
> should be determined by the anticipated amount of water that would
> flow through the culvert. Factors to be considered include the
> geographic area being drained, soils and slopes in the drainage area,
> annual precipitation, and likely storm events.
>
> The outlet of all culverts should extend at least 1 foot beyond the
> toe of any slope. It may be necessary to install rip-rap or other
> energy dissipation devices at the outlet end of the culvert to prevent
> soil erosion or trap sediment (see example in the photograph).
>
> ![](media/image10.jpeg){width="4.843055555555556in"
> height="2.4208333333333334in"}

Properly sized rock rip-rap at culvert outlets helps reduce water
velocity and resulting soil erosion.

![](media/image11.jpeg){width="4.216666666666667in"
height="2.0548611111111112in"}

**Figure 6.** Culvert spacing.

> All culverts used in the construction of access roads should be
> concrete, corrugated metal pipe made of steel, or properly bedded and
> backfilled corrugated plastic pipe. Only un­damaged culverts are to be
> used, and any culvert should be inspected for damage prior to
> installation. All spots on the pipes where the zinc coating has been
> injured should be painted with two coats of zinc-rich paint or
> otherwise repaired as approved by the surface management agency.
>
> Excavation, bedding, and backfilling of culverts should be conducted
> according to requirements of the surface management agency and good
> engineering practices. Compliance with applicable Clean Water Act Best
> Management Practices and requirements for passage of aquatic species
> is required.
>
> ***Ditch Relief Culverts***
>
> Ditch relief cul­verts are installed to periodically relieve the ditch
> line flow by piping water to the opposite side of the road where the
> flow can be dispersed away from the roadway. The spacing of ditch
> relief culverts (Figure 6) is de­pendent on the road gradient, soil
> types, and runoff characteristics.
>
> A culvert with an 18-inch diameter is the minimum for ditch relief to
> prevent failure from debris blockage.
>
> The depth of culvert burial must be sufficient to ensure protection of
> the culvert barrel for the design life of the culvert. This requires
> anticipating the amount of material that may be lost due to road use
> and erosion.

![](media/image12.jpeg){width="6.186111111111111in"
height="8.374305555555555in"}

**Figure 7.** Diagrams for proper culvert installation

> Ditch relief culverts can provide better flow when skewed with an
> entrance angle of 45 to 60 degrees with the side of the ditch. The
> culvert gradient should be greater than the approach ditch gradient.
> This improves the flow hydraulics and reduces siltation and debris
> plugging the culvert inlet. Culverts placed in natural drainages can
> also be used for ditch relief.
>
> ***Bridges and Major Culverts***
>
> Federal Highway Administration (FHA) regulations and BLM and FS road
> manuals require that on roads open to public travel, all bridges and
> culverts that in combination span at least 20 feet horizontal
> distance, must comply with the National Bridge Inspection and
> Reporting Standards. Thus, BLM and FS manuals require that all such
> facilities have engineering approval from Regional or State offices.
> Operators are encour­aged to prepare applications requiring major
> cul­verts or bridges to allow sufficient time for agency engineering
> evaluations. Con­struction of some stream crossings may require a
> Section 404 Corps of Engineers per­mit in addition to the approval of
> the surface management agency.
>
> ***Wetland Crossings***
>
> Wetlands are es­pecially sensitive areas and should be avoided, if
> possible. Generally, these areas re­quire crossings that prevent
> unnatural fluctua­tions in water level. Marshy and swampy terrain may
> contain bodies of water with no discernible current. The design of
> culverts for roads crossing these lo­cations requires unique
> considerations. Con­struction of some wetland crossings may require a
> Section 404 Corps of Engineers per­mit in addition to the approval of
> the surface management agency.
>
> The culvert should be designed with a flat grade so water can flow
> either way and maintain its natural water level on both sides. The
> culvert may become partially blocked by aquatic growth and should be
> installed with the flowline below the standing water level at its
> lowest elevation. Special attention must be given to the selection of
> culvert materials that will resist corrosion.
>
> ***Low-Water Crossings***
>
> Roads may cross small drainages and intermittent streams where
> culverts and bridges are unnec­essary. The crossing can be effectively
> accom­plished by dipping the road down to the bed of the drainage.
> Site-specific designs and the construction of gravel, rip-rap, or
> concrete bottoms may be required in some situations. In no case should
> the drainage be filled so that water will be impounded. Low-water
> crossings that are not surfaced should not be used in wet conditions.
> Low-water crossings in combination with culverts may be utilized if
> the crossing is designed such that the structure is stable and self
> cleaning.
>
> ***Subdrainage***
>
> If water is not removed from the subgrade or pavement structure, it
> may create instability, reduce load-bearing capacity, in­crease
> possible damage from frost action, and cre­ate a safety hazard by
> freezing on the road surface.
>
> Perforated pipe drains and associated filter fabric or aggregate
> filters may be used when necessary to provide subdrainage. Other
> methods may be ap­proved by the authorized officer.
>
> Subdrainage systems may effectively reduce final road costs by
> decreasing the depth of base course needed, thereby reducing subgrade
> widths. This, in turn, results in less clearing and excavation.
> Mainte­nance savings may also be realized as the result of a more
> stable subgrade.
>
> The solutions to subdrainage problems can be ex­pensive. Road
> management techniques, such as reducing traffic loads or removing
> traffic until a subgrade dries out, may be considered as an
> alter­native.

**Pipelines and Flowlines**

**Construction**

Steep hillsides and water courses should be avoided in the location of
pipelines and flowlines. Flowline routes should take advantage of road
corridors wherever possible to minimize surface disturbance and provide
better leak detection and access for installation and repair operations.
Consider maintenance needs and safety when burying power and pipelines
in or immediately adjacent to the road.

When clear­ing is necessary, the width disturbed should be kept to a
minimum. Topsoil material must be stockpiled to the side of the routes
where cuts and fills or other surface disturbances occur during pipeline
construc­tion. Topsoil material must be segregated and not be mixed or
covered with subsur­face material. Bladed materials must be placed back
into the cleared route upon completion of con­struction and returned back
to the original contour before reapplying topsoil.

Pipelines and flowlines should be tested for leaks before backfilling
trenches. Pipeline trenches should be compacted during backfilling.
After construction, cut-and-fill slopes must be regraded to conform to
the adjacent terrain and reclaimed. Pipeline rights-of-way must be
maintained in order to correct backfill settling and prevent erosion.

Pipeline construction should not block, dam, or change the natural
course of any drainage. Sus­pended pipelines should provide adequate
clear­ance for high-flow events, floating debris, wildlife, or livestock.
Pipelines buried across stream crossings should be buried below the
scouring depth.

**Chapter 5 - Drilling and Production Operations**

**General Operating Standards and Objectives**

Onshore oil and gas lease operations are subject to applicable laws,
regulations, lease terms, the Application for Permit to Drill (APD), APD
conditions of approval, Onshore Oil and Gas Orders, Notices to Lessees,
and orders and in­structions of the authorized officer. These include,
but are not limited to, conducting operations in a manner that ensures
the proper handling, mea­surement, disposition, and site security of
leasehold production and protecting other natural resources,
en­vironmental quality, life, and property. The primary objective is to
maximize the ultimate recovery of oil and gas with minimum waste and
with minimum adverse effect on the ultimate recovery of other mineral
resources, other natural resources, and environmental quality.

Production and sales reports must be filed with the Minerals Management
Service (MMS), as appropriate, under regulatory requirements at 30 CFR
Subpart B, using *Oil and Gas Operations Report (OGOR), Form MMS-4054.*

**Well Completion Report**

A *Well Completion or Recompletion Report and Log, Form 3160-4*, is
required to be filed within 30 days after completion of a well either
for abandon­ment or production. The well completion report must re­flect
the mechanical and physical condition of the well. Geologic information,
and when applicable, information on the completed interval and
produc­tion is required.

**Subsequent Well Operations**

Productive wells and service wells periodically require repair and
workover operations that may or may not require prior approval or
subsequent notification. The operator should contact the surface
management agency to confirm local requirements when surface disturbance
activities are involved.

Operations requiring the prior approval of BLM's authorized officer
include: deepening, plugging-back, non-routine fracturing jobs,
recompletion in a different interval, and conversion to a service well.
If there is additional surface disturbance, the proposal must include a
Surface Use Plan of Operations. A subsequent report of operations must
also be filed for these operations following completion of the work.

Operations, such as routine fracturing or acidizing jobs or recompletion
in the same interval, do not require prior approval if such operations
do not involve additional surface disturbance and conform to standards
of prudent operating practice. However, a subsequent report of
operations must be filed for these operations.

No prior approval or subsequent report is required for operations such
as well cleanout or routine operations.

The required form for obtaining approval or reporting subsequent
operations is *Sundry Notices and Reports of Wells, Form 3160-5*
(Appendix 2). For more detailed information on reporting requirements,
refer to 43 CFR 3162.3-2.

All wastes are to be treated or disposed of in an approved manner
consistent with existing laws and regulations. Modifications of
production handling equipment may require the submittal of a new site
facility diagram or may require a new site security plan.

**Approval Procedures**

For operations requiring prior approval by the surface management agency
or the BLM, the operator must submit a Sundry Notice or APD, as
applicable. With the appropriate form, a detailed written statement of
the plan of work must be provided to the authorized officer. When
additional surface disturbance is proposed that was not previously
authorized for the well pad or right-of-way, a description of any
subsequent new construc­tion, reconstruction, or alteration of existing
facili­ties, including roads, dam sites, flowlines and pipelines, pits,
tank batteries, or other production facili­ties on any lease, must be
submitted to the author­ized officer for environmental reviews and
approval. On FS-administered lands, the BLM will coordinate with the FS
to obtain its approval on surface disturbing activi­ties.

Emergency repairs may be conducted without prior approval provided the
authorized officer is promptly notified. Emergency repairs are defined
as actions that are necessary in order to avoid threats to human safety
or the environment, or to prevent significant loss of royalty income if
such actions were delayed until prior approval could be given by the BLM
authorized officer.

**Production Startup Notification**

Operators will notify the authorized officer by Sundry Notice (Form
3160-5) or letter no later than the fifth business day after any well
begins production anywhere on a lease site or allocated to a lease site,
or resumes production in the case of a well that has been off production
for more than 90 days as required by Onshore Order No. 4 for oil and
Onshore Order No. 5 for gas.

**Measurement of Production**

All oil, other hydrocarbons, and gas produced from the leased lands are
to be put in a marketable condition to the extent economically feasible.

Oil production must be measured by tank gauging, positive displacement
metering system, or other methods acceptable to the authorized officer.
No oil is to be diverted to a pit except in emer­gency situations or with
prior approval from the authorized offi­cer. Oil in the pit must be
recovered promptly, and the pit must be kept reasonably free from
surface accumulations.

Gas production must be measured by orifice meters or other methods
acceptable to the authorized officer. The flaring or venting of gas from
leasehold oper­ations must meet the requirements of Notice to Lessee,
*NTL-4A: Royalty or Compensation for Oil and Gas Lost*, or an applicable
Onshore Oil and Gas Order.

**Disposal of Produced Water**

Produced water from leasehold operations will be disposed of by
subsurface injection, lined or unlined pits, surface discharge into
channels or impoundments, or other methods, including beneficial use,
acceptable to the authorized officer and in accordance with the
requirements of Onshore Order No. 7, Disposal of Produced Water, and
other Federal or State regulations.

Dis­posal of produced water often requires permits from State agencies or
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in addition to authorization
by the BLM under Onshore Order No. 7. Disposal or use of water produced
from Federal wells must be approved by the BLM before such operations
begin, even if the operator has approval from the surface management
agency. In cases of water disposal into pits or other impoundments, the
structures must conform to approved construction requirements in
accordance with Onshore Order No. 7, BLM Manual 9172, and applicable
State agency requirements.

Pits, water impoundments, and surface discharges that present a
potential hazard to humans, livestock, wildlife, and other resources
should be subject to appropriate mitigation, such as fencing, netting,
caging, or covers, as appropriate. Refer to Figure1 for exclosure fence
construction standards.

####### 

####### Pollution Control/Hazardous Waste

Operators are encouraged to substitute less toxic, yet equally effective
products for conventional drilling products. All spills or leakages of
oil, gas, salt water, toxic liquids or waste materials, blowouts, fires,
personal injuries, and fatalities shall be reported by the operator to
the BLM and the surface management agency in accordance with the
requirements of *Notice to Lessees NTL-3A; Reporting of Undesirable
Events,* and in accordance with any applicable local requirements.

The BLM requires immediate reporting of all Class I major events, such
as spills of more than 100 barrels of fluid/500 MCF of gas re­leased;
fires that consume 100 bbl or more oil or 500 MCF gas; life threatening
or fatal injury/loss of well control; release of reportable quantities
of hazardous substances; spill, venting, or fire in sensitive areas,
such as parks, recreation sites, wildlife refuges, lakes, reservoirs,
streams, and urban or suburban areas (see the Spill Report format in
Appendix 2). Volumes discharged during any of the above incidents will
be estimated as necessary. Operators must take immediate action to
prevent and control spills and the BLM, the surface management agency,
and other applicable regulatory authorities must be consulted prior to
treating or disposing of wastes and spills. Operators should become
familiar with local surface management agency requirements for reporting
and managing spills and leaks.

Containment structures sufficiently impervious to prevent a discharge to
waters of the United States, such as containment dikes, containment
walls, drip pans, or equivalent protection actions are to be constructed
and maintained around all qualifying bulk oil storage facilities,
including tank batteries, consistent with the Environmental Protection
Agency's Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulation
(40 CFR 112). The containment structure must have suf­ficient volume to
contain, at a minimum, the content of the largest storage tank
containing liquid hydrocarbons within the facility/battery and
sufficient freeboard to contain precipitation, unless more stringent
protective requirements are deemed necessary by the authorized officer.

Containment dikes are not to be constructed with topsoil or coarse,
insufficiently impervious spoil material*.* Containment is strongly
suggested for produced water tanks. Chemicals should be placed within
secondary containment and stored so that the containers are not in
contact with soil or standing water and product and hazard labels are
not exposed to weathering.

![](media/image13.jpeg){width="6.481944444444444in" height="3.36875in"}

###### 

This central tank battery has been surrounded with a corrugated metal
containment wall.

###### 

###### 

###### Noise Control

Noise that has the potential to disturb wildlife, livestock, and private
surface owners or neighbors should be controlled to reduce sound levels.
Suitable mufflers should be installed on all internal combustion engines
and certain compressor components. Other noise reduction techniques to
consider include siting wells, production facilities, compressors, roads
to take advantage of topography and distance, and constructing
engineered sound barriers or sound-insulated buildings. The placement of
tank batteries and other facilities offsite and the use of remote well
monitoring systems can reduce vehicle traffic in the field and the
associated noise.

**Visual/Scenic Resources**

The operator must comply with the visual resource management objectives
established in the land use plan for all activities that alter
landforms, disturb vege­tation, or require struc­tures (BLM 8400 Manual
Series). Site-specific mitigation practices may be required by the
surface management agency to minimize visual impacts, while remaining
consistent with the lessee's right to conduct operations under the
lease. A primary consideration is the selection of a paint color that
allows long-term facilities to blend in with the natural landscape
background. Other considerations in more visually sensitive areas may
include the aesthetic siting of roads, well locations, and production
facilities; avoiding straight roads; reducing unnecessary disturbance;
modifying production facility or well pad shape or size; using
low-profile or below ground pumping units and low-profile tanks;
manipulating vegetation to feather straight edges; using natural-looking
earthwork berms or vegetative screening; and completing interim
reclamation of disturbed areas.

**Painting** **of Facilities**

All long-term facility structures should be painted a color that enables
the facilities to blend in with the natural background color of the
landscape as seen from a viewing distance and location typically used by
the public. The selected color should be one or two shades darker than
the dominant background color, typically a vegetation color.

In visually sensitive areas, the use of properly chosen camouflage
techniques may be an appropriate method for matching the texture of the
landscape. Semi-gloss paints may be preferred because of their
resistance to staining and weathering. Where necessary, the use of
contrasting safety paint can be used to highlight and mitigate a
potential hazard, such as a tripping hazard or protruding or mechanical
edge that could harm the operator or public.

![](media/image14.jpeg){width="4.727777777777778in" height="3.3625in"}

This pumping unit has been painted a color that helps it blend in with
the surrounding juniper tree screening.

**Placement of Production Facilities**

Production facilities should be placed on the well pad to allow for
maximum interim recontouring and revegetation of the well location.
Consider placing tank batteries and natural gas compressors offsite in
an area that is screened from view by vegetation or topography. Consider
centralizing tank batteries at a location near the main access road, but
screened from view, rather than placing tanks on each well pad. It is
often possible to eliminate the need for all-weather roads to each
individual well by constructing an all-weather access road to a
centralized production facility.

**Inspection and Enforcement**

Leaseholds that are producing or are ex­pected to produce significant
quantities of oil or gas in any year, or have a history of
noncompliance, will be inspected by the BLM at least once a year and all
operations on National Forest System lands will be inspected by the FS
at least once a year. Other factors, such as health and safety,
environmental concerns, and potential conflict with other resources also
de­termine inspection priority. Inspections of leasehold operations are
made to ensure compliance with ap­plicable laws, regulations, lease
terms, the APD and its conditions of approval, Onshore Oil and Gas
Orders, NTLs, and other written orders of the authorized officer.
Operators are expected to initiate their own inspection programs,
identify noncompliance, and take appropriate corrective actions, rather
than relying on Federal inspections to identify problems.

**Chapter 6 - Reclamation and Abandonment**

**Reclamation Objective**

Oil and gas development is one of many uses of the public lands and
resources. While development may have a short- or long-term effect on
the land, successful reclamation can ensure the effect is not permanent.
During the life of the development, all disturbed areas not needed for
active support of production operations should undergo "interim"
reclamation in order to minimize the environmental impacts of
development on other resources and uses. At final abandonment, well
locations, production facilities, and access roads must undergo "final"
reclamation so that the character and productivity of the land and water
are restored.

Planning for reclamation ***prior*** to construction is critical to
achieving successful reclamation in the future. Reclamation becomes
significantly more difficult, more expensive, and less effective if
sufficient topsoil is not salvaged, interim reclamation is not
completed, and if proper care is not taken to construct pads and roads
in locations that minimize reclamation needs.

The long-term objective of final reclamation is to set the course for
eventual ecosystem restoration, including the restoration of the natural
vegetation community, hydrology, and wildlife habitats. In most cases,
this means returning the land to a condition approximating or equal to
that which existed prior to the disturbance. The operator is generally
not responsible for achieving full ecological restoration of the site.
Instead, the operator must achieve the short-term stability, visual,
hydrological, and productivity objectives of the surface management
agency ***and*** take the steps necessary to ensure that long-term
objectives will be reached through natural processes.

The reclamation process involves restoring the original landform or
creating a landform that approximates and blends in with the surrounding
landform. It also involves salvaging and reusing all available topsoil
(whatever soil is on top) in a timely manner, revegetating disturbed
areas to native species, controlling erosion, controlling invasive
non-native plants and noxious weeds, and monitoring results. Reclamation
measures should begin as soon as possible after the disturbance and
continue until successful reclamation is achieved. With proper
reclamation measures, over time, local native species will become
re-established on the site and the area will regain its original
productive and scenic potential.

Reclamation generally can be judged successful when a self-sustaining,
vigorous, diverse, native (or otherwise approved) plant community is
established on the site, with a density sufficient to control erosion
and non-native plant invasion and to re-establish wildlife habitat or
forage production. Erosion control is generally sufficient when adequate
groundcover is reestablished, water naturally infiltrates into the soil,
and gullying, headcutting, slumping, and deep or excessive rilling is
not observed. The site must be free of State- or county-listed noxious
weeds, oil field debris, contaminated soil, and equipment. The operator
should inform the surface management agency that reclamation has been
completed and that the site is ready for final inspection when these
requirements have been met.

**Reclamation Plan**

A reclamation plan is included in the Surface Use Plan of Operations and
should discuss plans for both interim and final reclamation. Reclamation
is required of any surface previously disturbed that is not neces­sary
for continued production operations. The operator should submit a new
plan with the Notice of Intent to Aban­don (NIA) or Subsequent Report
Plug and Abandon (SRA) using the Sundry Notices and Reports on Wells
Form 3160-5 when aban­doning wells and other facilities that do not have
an approved reclamation plan. The BLM will forward the request to the FS
or other surface management agency as appropriate. Additional
reclamation measures may be required based on the conditions existing at
the time of abandonment and made a part of the conditions of approval of
the NIA or SRA. Earthwork for interim and final reclamation generally
must be completed within 6 months of well completion or plugging
(weather permitting). The following information includes components of
the reclamation plan.

**Plugging the Well**

Well abandonment operations may not be started without the prior
approval of the *Sundry Notices and Reports on Wells, Form 3160-5*, by
the authorized officer. The Sundry Notice serves as the operator\'s NIA.
In the case of newly drilled dry holes, failures, and emergency
situations, oral approval may be obtained from the authorized officer
subject to written confirmation by application. The operator must
contact the BLM prior to plugging a well to allow for approval and
witnessing of the plugging operations.

**Pit Reclamation**

All pits must be reclaimed to a natural condition that blends with the
rest of the reclaimed pad area. In addition, the reclaimed pit must be
restored to a safe and stable condition. In most cases, if it was
necessary to line the pit with a synthetic liner, the pit should not be
trenched (cut) or filled (squeezed) while still con­taining fluids. Pits
must be free of oil and other liquid and solid wastes, allowed to dry,
be pumped dry, or solidified in-situ prior to filling. The pit liner
must be removed to the solids level or treated to prevent its
reemergence to the surface or its interference with long-term successful
revegetation. If necessary, the pit area should usually be mounded
slightly or restored to the original contour to allow for settling and
positive surface drainage.

The concentration of nonexempt hazardous substances in the reserve pit
at the time of pit backfilling must not exceed the standards set forth
in the Comprehen­sive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act of 1980 (CERCLA), 42 USC 9605, as amended by the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), PL 99-499. All oil
and gas drilling-related CERCLA hazardous substances re­moved from a
location and not reused at another drilling location must be disposed of
in accordance with applicable Federal and State regulations. {(Refer to
42 USC 9601(14)(Definition of "hazardous substances"); 42 USC
6921(2)(A)(exclusion of certain wastes associated with exploration and
production); EPA 530-95-003, Crude Oil and Natural Gas Exploration and
Production Wastes: Exemption from RCRA Subtitle C Regulation (May
1995)}.

**Site Preparation and Revegetation**

Disturbed areas should be revegetated after the site has been
satisfactorily prepared. Site preparation will include respreading
topsoil to an adequate depth, and may also include ripping, tilling,
disking on contour, and dozer track-imprinting. The operator will
usually be advised of the revegetation methods, objectives, and seasons
to plant, unless this information is included in the Application for
Permit to Drill (APD) reclamation plan. Native perennial species or
other plant materials specified by the surface management agency or
private surface owner will be used. Seeding should be accomplished by
drilling on the contour whenever practical or by other approved methods
such as dozer track-walking followed by broadcast seeding. Seeding or
planting should be repeated until revegetation is successful, as
deter­mined by the surface management agency.

When conditions are not favorable for the establishment of vegetation,
such as periods of drought or the lack of sufficient salvaged topsoil,
the surface management agency may allow for subsequent reseedings to be
delayed until soil moisture conditions become favorable or may require
additional cultural techniques such as mulching, fertilizing, fencing,
or other practices. It is the operator's responsibility to monitor the
site, take the necessary steps to ensure reclamation success, and to
notify the surface management agency when success is achieved.

Reclamation is most effective when the ecology of the site is
considered. The previous plant community or potential plant community
native to the site should be identified to help determine the plant
communities that can exist on the reclaimed site. Revegetation efforts
will be hampered and costs increased if the site contains conditions
detrimental to revegetation, such as heavy grazing pressure,
insufficient salvaged topsoil, erosion, and compacted or contaminated
soil. (Refer to Figure 1 for exclosure fence standards.)

**Additional Guidelines**

Supplemental guidelines and methods may be available that reflect local
site and geographic con­ditions. These guidelines or methods may be
ob­tained from the local surface management agency. Technical

advances in reclamation practices are continually being developed that
may be successfully applied to lands affected by oil and gas
development.

**Pipeline and Flowline Reclamation**

Pipeline routes and roads should be co-located as much as possible to
reduce reclamation needs and impacts to other resources. Pipeline
trenches are to be compacted during backfilling and must be maintained
to correct backfill settling and prevent erosion. Reclamation involves
placing fill in the trench, compacting the fill, regrading cut-and-fill
slopes to restore the original contour, replacing topsoil, installing
temporary waterbars only where necessary to control erosion, and
revegetating in accordance with a reclamation plan. Waterbars and other
erosion control devices must be maintained and repaired as neces­sary.

Following successful revegetation, surviving waterbars must be flattened
to blend with the slope and then revegetated. If berms of topsoil were
originally placed over the trench to accommodate settling, the surviving
berms should also be flattened to blend with the surrounding landform
and revegetated.

Final abandonment of pipelines and flowlines will involve flushing and
properly disposing of any fluids in the lines. All surface lines and any
lines that are buried close to the surface that may become exposed due
to water or wind erosion, soil movement, or anticipated subsequent use,
must be removed. Deeply buried lines may remain in place unless
otherwise directed by the authorized officer.

**Well Site Reclamation**

Well site reclamation includes both interim and final reclamation.

**Interim Reclamation**

Interim reclamation consists of minimizing the footprint of disturbance
by reclaiming all portions of the well site not needed for production
operations. The portions of the cleared well site not needed for
operational and safety purposes are recontoured to a final or
intermediate contour that blends with the surrounding topography as much
as possible. Sufficient level area remains for setup of a workover rig
and to park equipment. In some cases, rig anchors may need to be pulled
and reset after recontouring to allow for maximum reclamation. Topsoil
is respread over areas not needed for all-weather operations. When
practical, the operator should respread topsoil over the entire location
and revegetate to within a few feet of the production facilities, unless
an all-weather, surfaced, access route or turnaround is needed. In order
to inspect and operate the well or complete workover operations, it may
be necessary to drive, park, and operate on restored, interim vegetation
within the previously disturbed area. This is generally acceptable
provided damage is repaired and reclaimed following use. Under some
situations, such as the presence of moist, clay soils, the operator or
surface management agency may prefer that vegetation and topsoil be
removed during workover operations and restored following operations to
prevent soil compaction.

To reduce final reclamation costs; maintain healthy, biologically active
topsoil; and to minimize habitat, visual, and forage loss during the
life of the well, the salvaged topsoil should be spread over the area of
interim reclamation, rather than stockpiled. Where the topography is
flat and it is, therefore, unnecessary to recontour the well location at
the time of final reclamation, the operator should set aside sufficient
topsoil for final reclamation of the small, unreclaimed area around the
wellhead. Any topsoil pile set aside should be revegetated to prevent it
from eroding and to help maintain its biological viability. On sloped
ground, during final reclamation, the topsoil and interim vegetation
must be restripped from portions of the site that are not at the
original contour, the well pad recontoured, and the topsoil respread
over the entire disturbed site to ensure successful revegetation.

![](media/image15.jpeg){width="4.475694444444445in"
height="3.3097222222222222in"}

[]{.mark}

During the start of well production, this well pad was recontoured,
revegetated, and shaped to blend in with the surrounding natural forest
openings. Well production facilities were constructed off-site and out
of view.

**Final Reclamation**

Following well plugging, well sites that do not blend seamlessly with
the surrounding landform (contour) should not be left in place, even if
there has been successful regrowth of vegetation on the site.
Revegetation alone does not constitute successful reclamation.
Restoration of the original landform is a key element in ensuring that
the effects of oil and gas development are not permanent.

To achieve final reclamation of a recently drilled dry hole, the well
site must be recontoured to original contour or a contour that blends
with the surrounding landform, stockpiled topsoil redistributed, and the
site revegetated. To achieve final reclamation of a formerly producing
well, all topsoil and vegetation must be restripped from all portions of
the old well site that were not previously reshaped to blend with the
surrounding contour. All disturbed areas are then recontoured back to
the original contour or a contour that blends with the surrounding
landform, topsoil is redistributed, and the site revegetated.

In recontouring areas that have been surfaced with gravel or similar
materials, the material must be removed from the well location or buried
deep in the recontoured cut to prevent possible surface exposure. All
excavations and pits must be closed by backfilling when they are dry and
free of waste and graded to con­form to the surrounding terrain.

Salvaged topsoil must be respread evenly over the surfaces to be
revegetated. The topsoiled site should be prepared to provide a seedbed
for reestablishment of desirable vegetation. Site preparation may
include gouging, scarifying, dozer track-walking, mulching, fertilizing,
seeding, and planting.

Water breaks and terracing should only be installed when absolutely
necessary to prevent erosion of fill material and should be removed when
the site is successfully revegetated and stabilized.

![](media/image16.jpeg){width="3.811111111111111in" height="2.68125in"}

[]{.mark}

The well pad and access road are constructed to the minimum size
necessary to safely conduct drilling and completion operations.

![](media/image17.jpeg){width="3.8805555555555555in"
height="2.7465277777777777in"}

The well pad and access road have been recontoured back to the original
contour, the topsoil respread, and the site revegetated.

**Road Reclamation**

Interim reclamation consists of reclaiming portions of the road not
needed for vehicle travel. Wherever possible, cut slopes, fill slopes,
and borrow ditches should be covered with topsoil and revegetated to
restore habitat, forage, scenic resources, and to reduce soil erosion
and maintenance costs.

At abandonment, roads must be reclaimed by the operator unless the
surface management agency or surface owner requests that they be left
unreclaimed.

Final reclamation includes recontouring the road back to the original
contour, seeding, controlling noxious weeds, and may also include other
techniques to improve reclamation success, such as ripping, scarifying,
replacing topsoil, placing waterbars, pitting, mulching, redistributing
woody debris, and barricading.

Seeds of native, perennial species or other plant materials specified by
the surface management agency or surface owner must be used. If
waterbars were used, they should be removed and seeded following
successful revegetation.

**Reclamation of Other Associated Facilities**

Other facilities and areas of surface disturbance associated with
Federal oil and gas lease development, including water impoundments,
power lines, metering buildings, compression facilities, and tank
batteries must be removed and reclaimed in accordance with the standards
identified previously and with the requirements of the surface
management agency or surface owner.

**Water Well Conversion**

In some instances, the surface management agency or private landowner
may wish to acquire a well that has encountered usable fresh water.
Refer to 43 CFR 3162.3-4(b). In those cases, the operator has no further
abandonment responsibility if the private landowner or surface
management agency accepts all liability for the final plugging and
reclamation of the water well and wellsite. Documentation of liability
release will be issued to the responsible party.

**Inspection and Final Abandonment Approval**

The operator must file a Subsequent Report Plug and Abandon (SRA)
following the plugging of a well. A Final Abandonment Notice (FAN) must
be filed upon completion of reclamation operations, which indicates that
the site meets reclamation objectives and is ready for inspection. Upon
receipt of the Final Abandonment Notice, the surface management agency
will inspect the site to ensure reclamation is fully successful.

BLM must approve the Final Abandonment Notice, even when the surface is
managed by another surface management agency. Final abandonment will not
be approved by the BLM until the surface reclamation work required by
the APD, Notice of Intent to Abandon, or Subsequent Report Plug and
Abandon has been completed and the required reclama­tion is acceptable to
the surface management agency. The operator is responsible for
monitoring reclamation progress and taking the necessary actions to
ensure success.

**Release of Bonds**

If the well and associated facilities are covered by an individual lease
bond, the period of liability on that bond can be terminated once the
final abandonment has been approved. The principal (operator or lessee)
can request termination of the period of liability from the BLM State
Office holding the bond. If the well is covered by a statewide or
nationwide bond, termination of the period of liability of these bonds
is not approved until final abandonment of all activities conducted
under the bond have been approved. The operator may request termination
of the bond on the Final Abandonment Notice.

###### Chapter 7 - Appeals

Maintaining successful working relationships can be accomplished by
keeping the lines of communication open. In most cases, up-front and
frequent phone calls, e-mails, meetings, and field tours can generate
understanding, lead to agreement, and eliminate the delay, cost, and
frustration of the administrative appeals process.

**Bureau of Land Management Administrative Relief**

All actions and deci­sions of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM),
related to the oil and gas pro­gram as governed by 43 CFR 3160 and all
Onshore Oil and Gas Orders and Notices to Lessees (NTLs) are subject to
State Director Reviews (SDRs), appeals, or both upon request.

SDRs are conducted according to 43 CFR 3165.3. Appeals are processed
according to 43 CFR 3165.4. An SDR must be conducted before pursuing an
appeal under this set of regulations. SDRs apply to decisions related to
Application for Permit to Drill (APD) conditions of approval or
stipulations, inspection and enforcement actions, and APD or Sundry
Notices. SDRs and appeals must be filed in the appropriate office
according to the regulatory timeframes prescribed.

**Forest Service Appeals**

Forest Service (FS) decisions approving use of National Forest System
lands are subject to agency appeal procedures in accordance with 36 CFR
215 or 251. Decisions governing Surface Use Plan of Operations (SUPO)
and Special Use Authorization (SUA) approvals based on analysis,
documentation, and other requirements of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) are subject to agency appeal procedures under 36 CFR
215. Decisions solely affecting the business relationship between the FS
and holders of written instruments regarding occupancy and use of
National Forest System lands can be appealed by permit holders under 36
CFR part 251, subpart C, or under 36 CFR 215, but not under both
regulations.

Appeals under either 36 CFR 215 or 251 must be filed within 45 days of
the date of written notice of the decision being appealed. Generally, a
response to appeals will be issued within 30 days following the close of
the appeal period for appeals filed under 36 CFR 251, and within 45 days
following the close of the appeal period for appeals filed under 36 CFR
215.

**Bureau of Indian Affairs Appeals**

Decisions of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) may be appealed under 25
CFR 2.

**List of Commonly Used Abbreviations and Acronyms**

ADT - Average Daily Traffic

APD - Application for Permit to Drill

BLM - Bureau of Land Management

BIA - Bureau of Indian Affairs

BMP - Best Management Practice

CA - Communitization Agreement

CERCLA - Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980

CEQ - Council on Environmental Quality

CFR - Code of Federal Regulations

CMP - Corrugated Metal Pipe

COA - Condition of Approval

CWA -- Clean Water Act

EPA - Environmental Protection Agency

ESA - Endangered Species Act

FAN - Final Abandonment Notice

FHA -- Federal Highway Administration

FWS - Fish and Wildlife Service

FS - Forest Service

GCDB - Geographic Coordinate Data Base

MLA - Mineral Leasing Act

MMS - Minerals Management Service

NEPA - National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

NFS - National Forest System

NHPA - National Historic Preservation Act

NIA - Notice of Intent to Abandon

NOC -- Notice of Completion

NOI - Notice of Intent

NOS - Notice of Staking

NSRS - National Spatial Reference System

NTL - Notice to Lessee (National, State, or District)

POD - Plan of Development

RMP - Resource Management Plan

ROD - Record of Decision

ROW - Right-of-Way

SARA - Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986

SDR - State Director Review

SHPO - State Historic Preservation Officer

SMA - Surface Management Agency, (includes only Federal agencies with
land management responsibilities)

SN - Sundry Notice

SPCC - Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure

SRA - Subsequent Report Plug and Abandon

SUA - Special Use Authorization

SUPO -- Surface Use Plan of Operations

SWD - Salt Water Disposal

UA - Unit Agreement

USDA - United States Department of Agriculture

USDI - United States Department of the Interior

USGS -- United States Geological Survey

**Appendix 1 -- BLM/FS Office Locations**

![](media/image18.jpeg){width="6.895833333333333in" height="6.29375in"}

NOTE: Current BLM and FS Office addresses and phone numbers to be added
to final print publication

Information is also available at

the Bureau of Land Management Web site at
[www.blm.gov](http://www.blm.gov/) or the Forest Service Web site at
[www.fs.fed.us](http://www.fs.fed.us/)

**Appendix 2 -- Forms and Formats for Required Information**

NOTE: Forms to be added to final print publication

Application for Permit to Drill or Reenter (APD)
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--Form 3160-3

Notice of Staking (NOS)
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--Sample
Format

Sundry Notices and Reports on Wells
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--Form 3160-5

Spill Report
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--Sample
Format

Well Completion or Recompletion Report and Log \-\-\-\-\-\-\--Form
3160-4

Notice of Intent and Authorization to Conduct BLM Form 3150-4/

Oil and Gas Geophysical Exploration Operations \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--FS
Form 2800-16

Notice of Completion of Oil and Gas BLM Form 3150-5/

Geophysical Exploration Operations
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--FS Form 2800-16a

The mention of company names, trade names, or commercial products does
not constitute endorsement

or recommendation for use by the Federal Government.