2008-10-10_PERMIT FILE - C1980007 (5)

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E 2 through E 12 Longwall Panels Methane Drainage Wells Project Plan PR-14 Page 9 of 13 pile will be seeded in the first seeding season following its construction using a seed mix that will stabilize erosion. This topsoil will be used in the reclamation phase of the program. Mud pits to accommodate drill cuttings will be constructed with an approximate size of 10' x 20' x 6. These mud pits will be cut into the cut area of the pad if possible. If a mud pit cannot be accommodated because of shallow soils due to sandstone outcrops, then a pipeline will be constructed and the cuttings pumped to another proposed drill site's mud pit. Water for the drilling operations will be pumped to the drill sites from MCC's mine water discharge pond using high-pressure hose. Alternatively, water may be transported to the drill sites with mobile water carriers. Mountain Coal Company, L.L.C. owns water rights for these water resources. MCC may place portable stock tanks (frac tanks) near the drill sites and maintain a minimum water level in the tanks to insure water is available for stock and wildlife. This will reduce the risk of stock and wildlife approaching the mud pits for water. DRILLING ACTIVITIES Drilling activities for the proposed methane drainage wells in the E Seam will include mobilizing drill equipment to the sites, drilling, installing casing and cementing. Drilling will be accomplished by either of two methods. Deep holes (greater than 1000 feet) and directional holes will be drilled using the following: • Drill 19" hole, 20' or to bedrock, set 14" surface casing • Drill the intermediate 12.25' hole to a competent formation within 100-250 feet of the E- seam and case the hole with 9 5/8" casing and cement the annulus to the surface • Drill out the grout shoe with 8.75" bit and drill the remainder of the hole to within 25' of E seam and install 7" slotted casing in the hole to extend approximately 40' past the bottom of the 9 5/8" casing. • Install wellhead Shallower vertical holes may be drilled using an alternate method as follows: • Drill and set surface casing 20' or to bedrock • Drill the intermediate hole to within 25' of the E seam to accept 7" flush joint or equivalent casing, the bottom 100'-200' of which will be slotted • Grout the annulus of the 7" casing from the top of the slotted to the surface • Install wellhead The attached Figure No. 1, and Figure No. 2 are typical illustrations of the above methods. Once the drilling has been completed, the associated mud-pit will be reclaimed as the material dries and the surface will be reseeded for interim reclamation. DE-GAS INSTALLATION Passive de-gassing of the longwall panels would be accomplished by extending a non- metal stack to the surface casing, attaching a lightning arrestor to it and venting to the ambient 9