Some larger sites may contain pits with small amounts of hydrocarbons or drilling mud present. The greatest challenges consist of areas where saltwater spills caused scars where vegetation does not grow. The OERB contracts with a professional environmental consulting firm to make recommendations for cleanup of each site. In many cases, personnel from the State's Conservation Commission districts are called on for their expertise in developing cleanup procedures. The average time to restore a site from start to finish is about eight months.
Larger areas consisting of abandoned pits or large saltwater scars take longer.
Areas containing hydrocarbons are normally restored on site if possible and may take one-two years to correct. The OERB and its contractors make every effort to complete the sites using effective and efficient methods so as to complete as many sites as possible with the available budget. Land owners are updated as needed on the restoration procedures and progress. Oklahoma was the first to enact legislation forming environmental and educational programs for the oil and natural gas industry. Because of the OERB success story, Ohio and Illinois have developed similar programs in the last three years.