Western Mountain States Studies
The University of Wyoming (UW), in collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management, WyoComposites, LLC and major upstream gas production companies, has developed a layered mat, roll-out road system design using composite building materials to minimize the impact of oil field access roads to well pads using the most sustainable approach possible. The concept came from the need to minimize soil disruption and wildlife fragmentation in Jonah Field and Pinedale Anticline Production Area (PAPA) of the upper Green River Valley, Wyoming. UW’s submission won first prize in the TAMU 2008 Disappearing Roads competition. Now the UW and the RPSEA EFD team have collaborated to propose a field test of a scale model of the low impact road concept.
Field trials of the scale model system will be conducted at the Pecos Desert Research test Center and will incorporate being planned for the RPSEA project with recycled road materials. Testing procedures and engineering evaluations will be developed in detail along with an expanded economic feasibility study.
There are five key deliverables associated with this work scope:
A series of workshops (at least two) that will transfer EFD technologies to regional stakeholders.
A report documenting the development of the prototype lay down road system and documentation of a field test to be performed for sponsors.
Participation in field testing of such prototypes, if possible during the duration of the RPSEA EFD program.
A paper and presentation at a conference.