What would the impacts be of new oil production?
Todays exploration and production technologies significantly reduce surface impacts over those of the past. The 3-D seismic survey produces an accurate picture of potential underground oil formations minimizing the need for multiple exploratory wells. Advanced drilling techniques reduce the number of wells and the size of pads needed to access large amounts of oil. High-capacity down-hole electric submersible pumps reduce field life and surface occupancy. As a result, todays oil and gas development methods temporarily utilize only a very small fraction of the area surveyed by 3-D seismic. When production activities have concluded in 12 to 15 years, the temporary impacts will be reversed and the area will be left essentially as it was found.
