PERMFILE46618

• Permit No: X199421400
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 9/6/1994
• Doc Name: NOI Application
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

6.
Narrative Description - Exploration Methods
The proposed drilling and seismic program will involve a number of
preparatory steps prior to the commencement of and subsequent to
drilling. These steps include the following: access road
preparation, drill pad preparation, drilling, construction of
monitoring well(s) or grouting of well, and reclamation of drill
pads and roads. Each step is discussed in detail in the following
paragraphs.
It is anticipated that this will be a year-round operation, with
the exception of early spring and possibly mid-fall when ground
conditions are unfavorable, due to the number of exploration holes
planned. Due to the planned periods of drilling, CEC anticipates
that access road construction will be minimal. Unless excessive
precipitation dictates, access road preparation will be limited to
a general levelling of the ground to allow ease of access to and
from the site. In the event of mid-winter drilling when the ground
is frozen, excessive snow would be bladed to the side of the
roadway without disturbance of the soil other than the previously
noted general levelling (if needed). It is anticipated that the
levelling activity will be minimal, as it has been Cyprus'
experience that reclamation efforts are enhanced if no preparatory
work is conducted on the road. In the event that further
preparatory work is required in addition to the levelling, the
available topsoil (typically 18-36" in depth) will be bladed to the
side of the road in a windrow for use during final reclamation of
the road. As noted, existing access routes will be utilized
whenever possible to minimize the amount of access road
construction within the drilling area. Also, please note that
efforts have been made to place exploration holes within previously
disturbed areas when possible.
In reference to the drill pad, CEC proposes to only strip the
topsoil in the immediate area of the rig kelley and the mud pits.
Topsoil will be stripped to a depth of 18-36 inches where
available, and will be stockpiled/winrowed adjacent to the drill
pad. A dozer will typically be used for both drill pad and access
road construction. If ground conditions dictate, a small berm may
be constructed along the lower edge of the pad to aid drainage
control.
After the pad has been stripped of topsoil, it may be levelled to
accomodate the drill rig. As can be seen from the accompanying
map, the sites are mostly located on gentle slopes or on bench
areas where minimal levelling might be required. Upon completion
of this activity, mud pits will be constructed within the pad area
that has been stripped. The mud pits will be at a minimum 6 feet
long, three feet wide, and four feet deep. The material excavated
from these pits will be kept within the boundary of the drill pad.
In the event additional mud pits/water pits are required due to
drilling conditions, they will also be constructed within the
confines of the drill pad. If sufficient area has not been