Minimizing Surface Disturbance

Well pads are often much larger than they need to be - sometimes exceeding several acres in size. At Ted Turner's Vermejo Park Ranch, however, the well pads are only 0.6 acres. (See Vermejo Park Ranch Coal Bed Methane Project Mineral Extraction Agreement Summary, in Chapter III).

After the drilling phase if over, the portion of the drilling pad not needed for oil or gas production can be reclaimed. This is known as interim reclamation, and it is required
by law in many states. Unfortunately, lack of enforcement by state agencies means that interim reclamation does not occur in many jurisdictions.