RECLAMATION SUCCESS STORIES: GARFIELD COUNTY, MONTANA
- The Macum Energy 34-26 well, a vertical wildcat oil well in Garfield County, MT., was approved in June 2000 to test the Tyler formation, which is a total depth of 5,705'.
- Road and Pad construction commenced in June 2000.
- Improved an existing 2-track road by blading and applied gravel in low spots; constructed 1 mile new access road, installed a low water crossing using rock and gravel on private surface.
- The 185' x 255' well pad, on BLM surface, was located at the toe of two hills sides, with a cut of 28' & 15' of fill.
- Drilled November 2000.
- Well was a dry hole and was plugged on June 2005.
- Reclamation included removing the new road construction (BLM surface only), contouring the well pad, spreading topsoil, installing water bars, and seeding on both the pad and access road.
- Recontoured areas and ripped to a depth of 12" prior to topsoil spread.
- Seeded across contour with a 6' drill row. Seed deep 1/2' to 3/4' with a BLM native grass mix.
- Fenced to deter cattle and wildlife to enable vegetative establishment.
- When the BLM approved the Final Abandonment (FAN) on October 2006, the disturbed areas were stabilized, all water erosion controlled, and vegetative cover exceeded the 60% requirement.