Draft EIS – August 2007 Appendix J-RFDS Summary 

APPENDIX J—SUMMARY OF THE REASONABLY 

FORESEEABLE DEVELOPMENT SCENARIO 

EXPECTED DISTURBANCE FROM OIL AND GAS 

The expected level of disturbance from the projected oil and gas wells was determined using reasonable 

assumptions about a generic well site and access needs. Typically 2 to 5 acres are cleared for construction 

of a well pad. However, depending on the topography of the well site and access area, this construction 

may require the creation of cut slopes and fill areas which may disturb additional acres. Constructed roads 

typically have a width of approximately 30 feet. The length of the road is dependent on the well site 

location in relation to existing roads or highways. The average length of roads per well is 1/3 of a mile. 

Pipelines and/or flow lines will be constructed in conjunction with road construction to minimize 

additional disturbance. Pipeline rights-of-way are generally 30 feet wide, however widths could vary 

depending on ground conditions. Pipeline depth must be at least 48 inches. When possible, a common 

collection point will be established to minimize the number of production sites. The producing well sites 

will be reduced to a maximum long-term disturbance area of 1⁄4 acre (10,000 square feet) after the well is 

put into production. 

The Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenario (RFDS) projects the number of wells anticipated to 

be drilled over the next 20 years. The following is a summary RFDS for Alabama and Mississippi. 

ALABAMA 

In Alabama, BLM projects that 20 wells accessing non-USFS FMO would be drilled over the next 20 

years. BLM projects that the 20 wells would disturb approximately 105 acres. Table J-1 displays the 

RFDS and associated surface disturbance for Alabama by mineral and surface ownership. 

Table J-1. Reasonable Foreseeable Development Scenario for Alabama 

Mineral/Surface Owners Number of Wells Total Acres Disturbed 

Federal/non-USFS 20 105 

Federal/USFS 12 61 

Non-Federal/non-Federal 3,988 20,750 

Total 4,020 20,916 

Oil and gas development on the Alabama surface tracts is not expected. This is a function of the high 

potential of the beach and highway tracts on the Fort Morgan Peninsula to have commercial development 

when combined with adjacent lands. These tracts can be developed by wells drilled in the nearby offshore waters. Also, the engineering problems presented by the river tracts with the associated increase in 

costs preclude the surface use of those tracts as the mineral estate can be more inexpensively developed 

from adjacent lands. 

Alabama and Mississippi RMP J-1 
Appendix J-RFDS Summary Draft EIS – August 2007 

MISSISSIPPI 

In Mississippi, BLM projects that 10 wells accessing non-USFS FMO would be drilled over the next 20 

years. BLM projects that the 10 wells would disturb approximately 55 acres. Table J-2 displays the RFDS 

and associated surface disturbance for Mississippi by mineral and surface ownership. 

Table J-2 Reasonable Foreseeable Development Scenario for Mississippi 

Mineral/Surface Owners Number of Wells Total Acres Disturbed 

Federal/non-USFS 10 55 

Federal/USFS 350 1,925 

Non-Federal/non-Federal 11,650 57,820 

Total 12,010 59,800 

Oil and gas development on the Mississippi surface tract is not expected. The engineering problems 

presented by this low lying marshland tract and the associated increase in costs preclude the surface use 

of this tract for mineral development. The mineral estate may be more inexpensively developed from 

adjacent lands. 

J-2 Alabama and Mississippi RMP