For XTO Energy, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, Atkins is coordinating environmental and regulatory activities associated with approximately 17,000 acres of lease holdings in the Bakken Shale play of the Williston Basin in North Dakota. Project activities include agency coordination with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC), and Fort Berthold Agency (representing the Three Affiliated Tribes [Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara]), in addition to various local governments and stakeholder groups.

Initial coordination was required during the siting process for more than 20 individual drilling pad locations through on-site assessments to determine preliminary surface boundaries of drilling pads and access roads. Once locations had been established, a range of 6 to 12 wells would be drilled on each location with a total of more than 200 proposed well locations planned. To facilitate drilling activities, Atkins prepared environmental assessments (EA) for each location on behalf of BIA and through collaboration with the Three Affiliated Tribes. Each EA was required to present a purpose and need and subsequent assessment of project impacts (known and potential) supported by mitigative measures intended to minimize potential resource impacts.

In addition, Atkins coordinated with project surveyors and land lease staff to complete and solicit approvals for Applications for Permit to Drill (APD) for each well for both BLM and NDIC. Extensive agency coordination with lead and interested agencies was required to facilitate project approvals and meet lease drilling obligations.

• Ecological services

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