Best management practices (BMPs) are innovative, dynamic, and improved environmental protection practices applied to oil and gas drilling and production to help ensure that energy development is conducted in an environmentally responsible manner. BMPs may reduce the amount of vegetation lost to development, may speed the regrowth of vegetation, or may reduce the amount of wildlife disturbance in important habitats.
| Title | Summary |
|---|---|
| Apply dust control measures as appropriate to control air quality | Air Quality: "Dust control measures, as approved by the BLM [Bureau of Land Management], will be applied as appropriate. Water will be used to… |
| BCI-BLM Bats and Dark Skies BMPs | BMPs for managing bats and dark skies. |
| Conduct coordination with BLM, USFWS and WGFD for all mitigation activities related to specified species. | "Operator coordination with BLM [Bureau of Land Management], USFWS [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service], and WGFD [Wyoming Game and Fish Dept.]… |
| Conduct raptor surveys during nesting season | Wildlife Resource Protection: "If project activities are to occur during raptor mating/nesting season (March 1-August 31), surveys will be… |
| Conduct surveys during migratory birds' typical nesting season | Wildlife Resource Protection: "If project activities are to occur during migratory birds typical nesting season (typically April 1st -July 315t… |
| Construct facilities outside and away from areas of environmental interest | 2008 BLM BMP Award to BP: "If drilling near sensitive wildlife areas, construct central production and storage facilities outside and away from… |
| Contact Natural Resource Specialist at BLM with questions about surface use COAs | Oil and Gas Well Development: General: "Please contact (pertinent NRS), Natural Resource Specialist, @ (307) 6841100, Bureau of Land Management… |
| Develop appropriate Programmatic Agreements for cultural resources. | "Operators would work with the BLM [Bureau of Land Management], SHPO [State Historic Preservation Officer], and ACHP [Advisory Council on… |
| Disturbed areas will be reseeded using a mix specified by the AO at a time when seed germination is facilitated by natural conditions. | Soils and Vegetation: "Disturbed areas, where a site will not naturally revegetate in a reasonable time or areas where soil stability is… |
| Fences must meet BLM and WGFD specifications. | "...fences, where necessary, would meet BLM [Bureau of Land Management] and WGFD [Wyoming Game and Fish Department] specifications for… |
| Grouse surveys can be conducted by air or on the ground, as deemed appropriate by the BLM | Analysis of Population Estimate Methods and Impacts in Areas with Energy Development: Annual Monitoring Program: "Surveys can be conducted by… |
| Implement an adaptive management process for the JIDPA. | The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will implement an adaptive management process for the Jonah Infill Drilling Project Area (JIDPA) that will follow… |
| In order to protect important seasonal wildlife habitat, development must occur between May 15 and November 15. | RP-2 STIPULATION IMPORTANT SEASONAL WILDLIFE HABITAT: "In order to protect important seasonal wildlife habitat, exploration, drilling and other… |
| Minimize noise and surface impacts by drilling from a single pad | 2008 BLM BMP Award to BP: "Surface and noise impacts from site construction, truck traffic and road construction can be minimized by drilling… |
| Minimize surface and noise impacts by drilling multiple wells on single pads | 2008 BLM BMP Award to Devon Energy Corporation: "Surface and noise impacts from site construction, truck traffic and road construction can be… |
| No occupancy or disturbance within 1000 feet of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. | NM-6 CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL: "No occupancy or other surface disturbance will be allowed within 1000 feet of the Continental Divide National… |
| No surface use is permited during the following time periods. | RP-8 TIMING LIMITATION STIPULATION: "No surface use is allowed during the following time period(s). This stipulation does not apply to operation… |
| Notify the BLM, USFWS and WGFD immediately if raptors are found nesting on project facilities. | "Operators would notify the BLM [Bureau of Land Management], USFWS [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service], and WGFD [Wyoming Game and Fish Dept.]… |
| Properly dispose of hydrostatic test water | "Water and Soil Management: 3) Hydrostatic test water will be discharged in a controlled manner onto an energy dissipater and within existing… |
| Reduce emissions by installing solar panels on production equipment | 2008 BLM BMP Award to Devon Energy Corporation: "For oilfield equipment requiring only small amounts of output power, install solar panels to… |
| Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing "green completions" | 2008 BLM BMP Award to Devon Energy Corporation: "Use specialized completion techniques to defer initial gas production to treatment facilities… |
| Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing "green completions" | 2008 BLM BMP Award to BP: "Use specialized completion techniques to defer initial gas production to treatment facilities rather than flaring it… |
| Reintroduce native vegetation to drill site areas | 2006 BLM BMP Award to Shell: "Better drill site reclamation by replanting native plant species" |
| Report finding of cultural resources to the BLM and/or state. | Cultural Resources: "If other cultural resources are discovered during operations, the findings will be immediately reported to the BLM [Bureau… |
| Shot holes will be distanced from wells and high-pressure pipelines by a distance of at least 202 ft if using a 15 lb charge. | Safety: "Shot holes will be distanced from wells and high-pressure pipelines by a distance of at least 202 feet if using a 15-pound charge (BLM… |
| Use or occupancy will be restricted when the BLM/surface agency demonstrates it necessary for the protection of sensitive species. | Oil and Gas Lease Stipulations: Controlled or Limited Surface Use Stipulation: "Use or occupancy will be restricted only when the Bureau of Land… |
| Use Stirling-cycle generators for low power applications in the oilfield | 2008 BLM BMP Award to BP: "For lower power oil field application use Stirling-cycle generators to reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and noise… |
| Utilize add-on technologies to decrease emissions of wellhead compressors | "Wellhead compressors that are powered by natural gas emit NOx and VOCs [volatile organic compounds] (which contribute to ground-level ozone)… |
