Master Development Plan Template
A Master Development Plan addresses two or more APDs that share a common drilling
plan, Surface Use Plan of Operations, and plans for future development and production.
Submitting a Master Development Plan facilitates early planning, orderly development, and
the cumulative effects analysis for all the APDs expected to be drilled by an operator in a
developing field. Approval of a Master Development Plan serves as approval of all of the
APDs submitted with the Plan. Processing of a Master Development Plan follows the
procedures in Section III.E.2. of the Oil and Gas Onshore Order No. 1. After the Master
Development Plan is approved, subsequent APDs can reference the Master Development
Plan and be approved using the NEPA analysis for the Master Development Plan, absent
substantial deviation from the Master Development Plan previously analyzed or significant
new information relevant to environmental effects. Therefore, an approved Master
Development Plan results in timelier processing of subsequent APDs. Each subsequent
proposed well must have a survey plat and an APD (Form 3160–3) that references the
Master Development Plan and any specific variations for that
The following includes a complete Master Development Plan Template. Adhering to this
template will allow for efficient processing by the BLM field office and reduce the number
deficiencies. Attached are helpful example tables and guidelines for maps.
1. Cover Page
a. Title of Master Development Plan
b. Date and amendment/version number
c. Company contact information
2. Introduction or Executive Summary
Could include, but is not limited to, a brief description of the following:
a. Project Overview
i. Schedule/Duration
ii. Development Plan
b. Location
i. County, Distance from City, General Description
c. Objective
3. Proposed Action – A more in-depth description of the project specifically items that
may not be included in the Surface Use Plan which may include, but is not limited, to
the following:
a. A more in-depth description of the project
b. Leases and stipulations (prefer inclusion in Appendices)
c. Well list (prefer inclusion in Table)
i. Well name
Master Development Plan Template
ii. Legal location (surveyed footages or if unsurveyed most accurate
location description ; include bottom hole if known)
iii. Type of well(s) – example gas, oil, SWD
iv. Type of drilling – horizontal, vertical
v. Status – include if the well been surveyed, onsited, APD submitted, etc.
d. Facilities – a description of facilities and whether they’ll be centralized or
located on well pads
e. Table(s) of types of surface disturbance and approximate acreage of
disturbance for the following:
i. Well pads – estimated number of well pads
ii. Access
1. estimated miles of new access roads
2. estimated miles of reconstructed access roads
iii. Pipelines
1. estimated miles of surface
2. estimated miles of buried
iv. Electric Lines
1. estimated miles of surface
2. estimated miles of buried
v. Facilities
1. estimated number of new offsite tank batteries
vi. Frac Ponds
1. Estimated number of frac ponds
f. Rights-of-way (ROW)
i. Existing ROWs that will be utilized for the project
ii. New ROWs that will be required (if known)
g. Overview maps - If the project area is large, it may be necessary to include one
general overview map and several 1:10,000 maps which could include, but is
not limited, to the following:
i. Leases
ii. Proposed Surface Hole Locations
iii. Well Bore Path
iv. Land status
4. Drilling Use Plan
a. Provide estimated tops of all geologic formations – select from the following
(Onshore Order 1 requires all groups, formations, members or zones:
develop lists
i. Back reef
ii. Reef
iii. Basin
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Master Development Plan Template
b. Provide formation for pilot hole so that plug back of pilot hole can be
properly evaluated.
c. Provide estimated depths and thicknesses of formations, members or zones
potentially containing useable water, hydrocarbons and other minerals that
operator expects to encounter. These can be marked on the geologic
formation list.
d. Provide operator’s minimum specifications for blowout prevention
equipment and diverter systems. – develop schematics for standard
operations (need several types if we are to use different ram configurations 2
or 3 rams, operations with H2S). Onshore Order 2 currently only contains
choke manifold schematics. Insert schematics for multi-bowls that have been
used. Operator can select or send information on different type. Equipment
shall meet Onshore Order 2 requirements.
i. Size
ii. Pressure rating configuration
iii. Testing procedure
iv. Closed loop requirements
v. Flex hose specifications – test certification, hydrostatic chart, anchors.
vi. Type of well head – inspector driven request so that tests can be
witnessed. If a multi-bowl
e. Provide detailed casing program.
i. Size
ii. Grade
iii. Weight
iv. Type of thread and coupling
v. Setting depth for each string
vi. Condition of casing
vii. Minimum design criteria, including loading assumptions and
corresponding safety factors for burst, collapse and tension (body
yield and joint strength). If operator will use our minimum
requirements and loading criteria, their APDs can be processed more
quickly. Anytime that we have to evaluate the design criteria,
additional time is spent on the review.
viii. If tapered string is used, operator shall provide details on each
segment of the string.
ix. Hole size
x. Non-API casing – provide specifications for review.
xi. Special casing such as coiled tubing or expandable casing may require
additional information.
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Master Development Plan Template
f. Provide detailed cement program, which will also provide the information
necessary to answer if the resources are adequately protected.
i. Amount of cement in sacks for each casing string or stage.
ii. Type of cement for each casing string or stage
iii. Additives for each cement slurry used.
iv. DV tool/ECP setting depths
v. Top of cement for each casing string or stage
vi. Excess cement for each casing string or stage
vii. Cement slurry yield
viii. Cement slurry water volume in gallons/sack – request for AFMSS II by
National Training Center.
ix. Pilot hole plug back procedures with cement details.
g. Circulating medium
i. Type of circulating medium for each well bore section.
ii. Characteristics of each circulating medium proposed.
iii. Quantities and types of mud and weighting material to be maintained
on location.
iv. Describe mud monitoring system.
h. Air drilling
i. Blooie line details – length, size, location, gas ignition and dust
suppression systems
ii. Compressor equipment – location and capacity, safety devices,
distance from well bore and location on drill site
iii. Standby mud or kill fluid – anticipated amounts, types, and other
characteristics. Include details on circulating equipment.
i. Testing, logging and coring procedures
i. List all proposed
ii. List details regarding drill stem tests – procedures, equipment, safety
measures.
j. Expected bottom hole pressure
k. Hazards
i. Abnormal pressures
ii. Abnormal temperatures
iii. Potential hazards – lost circulation / H2S – provide mitigation
measures.
iv. If H2S is a hazard – drilling plan shall be included. If determined that
H2S plan is needed and it is not included, operator will be informed in
10 day letter.
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Master Development Plan Template
l.
Additional information
i. Directional/horizontal well – provide directional plan. Watch for
stranded 40s. Well must be able to produce from at least one location
that would be considered orthodox for a vertical well. Operators
usually plan for maximum drainage, so usually the first take point is
about 500’ or greater from the end line of the first 40. The plan shall
include proposed design, plan view and vertical section in true
vertical and measured depths.
ii. Coil tubing operations
iii. Any other information that will assist in the evaluation of the
proposed well.
m. Unit well – if not in current UPOD, BLM will hold approved permit.
5. Surface Use Plan
a. Existing Roads
i. Identify on a map existing access roads planned to be used to access
the proposed wells. The map would identify the access route from the
proposed wells to a locatable public access point (Example: county
road).
ii. Maintenance plan for existing roads
1. Plan for Dust Abatement
2. Plan for high traffic litter removal
b. New/Reconstructed Roads
i. Survey plats (if available) that depicts the proposed
new/reconstructed roads to the wells. If not available, provide legible
maps of the new/reconstructed roads to the well sites
ii. Survey plats/maps must include distances from established roads to
the well sites
iii. Road design for all new roads – A description that may include
diagrams to include the following:
1. Type of Surfacing Material
2. Width of Roadbed
3. Width of Construction Easement
4. Maximum Grade
5. Turnouts
6. Drainage and Ditch Design
7. Crown Design
8. Erosion control (on site/offsite)
9. Location/Size of Proposed Culverts
10. Location of Proposed Cattle Guards
11. Storage Placement of Topsoil
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Master Development Plan Template
12. Revegetation of Disturbed Areas
13. Plan for Dust Abatement
c. Well Radius Map
i. A map of all wells within one mile radius of all SHL and BHL of
proposed wells or the project area (Preference would be an overview
map and inclusion in the Appendices); An individual map will be
needed with each APD submitted.
d. Existing/Proposed Production Facilities
i. Describe plans for using existing production facilities
1. Depict location of facilities in a legible map
ii. Describe plans for constructing onsite/offsite production facilities
1. Depict location of new onsite/offsite facilities in a legible map
(if known)
2. Provide a general diagram of facilities (if available)
3. Survey plats of offsite facilities
a. If not available, provide map depicting general location
of offsite production facilities
iii. Describe plans for pipelines
1. Provide a survey plat/legible map of proposed pipelines
depicting the following:
a. Starting Points (well sites)
b. Ending Points (e.g. production facilities, etc.)
2. General Information for Pipelines:
a. Size
b. Length
c. Working psi (surface pipelines need to be under 125
psi)
d. Type (steel, fiberspar, etc.)
e. Surface or Buried
f. If buried, state width needed construction
g. What is being transported
h. If pipeline is paralleling existing disturbance (road),
state distance from it
iv. Electric Lines (prefer inclusion in Table)
1. Provide a survey plat of proposed electric lines depicting the
following:
a. Overhead/Buried
b. Starting Points (Wells Sites)
c. Ending Points (Tie-in points or e.g. production facilities
etc.)
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Master Development Plan Template
d. Span of Poles and Total Distance
2. Voltage (e.g. 3-phase, 480kv)
3. Number of Poles
4. Use of APLIC Standards
e. Water
i. Water supply information should be shown by quarter/quarter on
map or described in writing.
ii. Identify the following for all water anticipated for use:
1. Source (Also include water sources for frac operation, if
different)
a. Well, river, etc.
b. 3rd party company to include contact information (Map
preferred)
2. Type
a. Fresh, salt, or produced, ect.
3. Access Route
a. Identify beginning points, ending points, and route to
source.
b. Identify the route from the source to the frac pond, and
identify the route from the frac pond to the proposed
well.
4. Transport method for water
a. Trucked or pipeline
b. Include a map of proposed road/pipeline route.
f. Construction Material – a description of the following:
i. Character (e.g. caliche, gravel, etc.)
ii. Source
1. Material source (e.g. pit) must be shown by quarter/quarter
section on a map.
2. If construction material is obtained from the well location,
describe the procedures for excavation (e.g. flipping).
iii. Intended use
1. What will the material be used for. (May include, but not
limited to):
a. Fill
b. Surface material
c. Containment berms
2. Use or storage of excess construction material.
g. Waste from drilling the well (Before, during, and after)
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Master Development Plan Template
i. Describe methods and locations proposed for safe containment and
disposal of each type of waste material:
1. Cuttings (e.g., closed loop or reserve pit)
2. Garbage
3. Salts
4. Chemicals
5. Sewage and gray water
ii. Describe plans for eventual disposal of drilling fluids and any
produced oil or water recovered.
iii. Describe plan for construction and design of reserve pit including
lining, fencing, closure, and reclamation, etc.
iv. If a reserve pit is proposed, a survey plat will be required.
h. Ancillary Facility
i. Identify on a map the location and construction methods for all
anticipated ancillary facilities (e.g. Staging areas).
ii. Must include a survey plat
i. Well site
i. Provide a diagram of typical rig layout(s) which will include
1. Well pad dimensions
2. Rig components
ii. Survey plats, if available, will include the following:
1. North arrow
2. Well pad dimensions
3. Access road entry points
4. Cuts and fills (if needed)
5. Location and orientation of pad
6. Reserve pit
7. Flare pit and blooie line
8. Dikes and ditches
9. Topsoil stockpiles
iii. Interim Reclamation
1. If onsite was conducted, depict on a diagram the areas and
dimensions of interim reclamation.
2. If onsite was not conducted, describe the typical well pad
dimensions after interim reclamation.
3. Describe plans and estimated timeframe for the following:
a. Removal of surfacing material
b. Reconfiguration of topography
c. Redistribution of topsoil
d. Re-seeding
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Master Development Plan Template
e. Weed control
iv. Final Reclamation
1. Describe plans and estimated timeframe for the following:
a. Removal of all trash
b. Removal of surfacing material
c. Reconfiguration of topography
d. Redistribution of topsoil
e. Re-seeding
f. Weed control
g. Any other practices necessary to reclaim all disturbed
areas, including access roads, electric lines, pipelines,
and any other infrastructure associated with the well
pad.
j. Surface Ownership
i. Describe the surface ownership (Federal, state, private, etc.) of the
project including:
1. Well location
2. Roads
3. Infrastructure
ii. Include the private landowner information:
1. Name
2. Phone Number
3. Address
iii. Certify that a copy of the surface use plan was provided to the private
landowner or a good faith effort was made to provide the document.
iv. Certify that an agreement with the private landowner has been
reached or a good faith effort to reach an agreement failed. (If no
agreement is reached a bond will be required, see IM #).
k. Other (Including, but not limited to the following):
i. Spill prevention plans
ii. Salt Water Disposal
1. Describe plans for disposal of salt water:
a. Location of a disposal well or facility
i. Provide name of 3rd party company, if used
b. Pipeline route, length, diameter, and dimensions, if used
c. Transportation method, if used
l. Special design features of well pad (if discussed at POD or onsite then
include)
i. Fracing
1. Describe the following:
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Master Development Plan Template
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
Single location or centralization
Portable or pond
Permanent or temporary
Location
Pipeline routes
Road
Turn arounds
Fencing
Berms (height, thickness, and depth) if applicable
Liners (thickness) if applicable
i. Leak detection system, if required
k. Bird deterrents
l. List of wells to be frac’d
i. Associated frac pond if multiple wells are frac’d
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Master Development Plan Template
Sample Tables and Appendices
Well Table………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Page 11
Disturbance Table Example………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 12
SUPO Map and Diagram Guide…………………………………………………………………….…Page 13
SUPO Survey Requirements………………………………………………………………………………………...Page 16
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Master Development Plan Template
1. Well Table Example
Well Name
Section
Township
Range
Well Name Table
Quarter/Quarter
SHL (if
known)
BHL (if
known)
Well
Type
Drilling
Type
Status
Facilities
2. Well Table Example
Table 2. Surface and Bottomhole Locations of Proposed Wells.
(GJFO pads shown with gray shading; GSFO pads shown without shading)
Lease
Proposed Pad
Proposed Wells
Orchard Unit 31-14
Currently
Unleased
pending
11/8/07 BLM
Lease Sale
ON6 (Four
wells) Note: 4
wells will be
drilled into
adjacent existing
BLM leases
Fee Lease
(Surface)
OP13 (Four
wells)
Surface
Location
Bottomhole Location
Lot 3, Section
6,
Section 31,T8S R96W 660 FSL 1980
FWL
T9S R96W
Section 31, T8S R96W
Orchard Unit 31-15
660 FSL 1980 FEL
Orchard Unit 7-3
Section 7, T9S R96W 660 FNL 1980
FWL
Orchard Unit 7-4
Section 7, T9S R96W 660 FNL 660
FWL
Federal 18-12
Section 18, T9S R96W 1980 FSL 660
FWL
Federal 18-13
Federal 18-14
Federal 19-4
SE¼SE¼,
Section 13
T9S R97W
Section 18, T9S R96W 660 FSL 660
FWL
Section 18, T9S R96W 660 FSL 1980
FWL
Section 19, T9S R96W 660 FNL 660
FWL
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Master Development Plan Template
3. Disturbance Table
Disturbance Table
Number
of Wells
Pipelines/Electric
Roads
Lines
Miles of New Miles of
Miles of Miles of
Access Road
Reconstructred Surface
Buried
Roads
Number Frac
of
Ponds
Offsite
Facilities
4. Disturbance Table
Number/Amount
Length*
Width*
Total Acres of
Disturbance
Well Pads
20
340'
340'
53.08
New Access Roads
NA
2.5 miles
14'
4.24
Reconstructed Roads
NA
1.2 miles
14'
2.04
Buired Pipelines
NA
1,000 feet
30'
0.69
Surface Pipelines
NA
3 miles
NA
NA
5
170'
300'
5.85
NA
1.5 miles
30'
5.45
Frac Ponds
2
300'
300'
4.13
Total
-
-
-
75.48
Type of Disturbance
Offsite Production Facilities
Electric Lines
* indicate measurement
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Master Development Plan Template
APD Surface Use Plan of Operations
Maps & Diagrams Guide
Existing Roads Map


Supply a legible map that shows and identifies the proposed well site and access route to
the proposed well from a state or county maintained road.
Must have:
o Title (Exhibit E)
o Well Site identified
o Existing Road route identified
o Aerial map or county road/topo map
New or Reconstructed Access Road Map




Must be a separate survey plat from the well site plat if the new access road leaves the
600x600 arch area.
Survey plat must be zoomed-in to only depict the following:
o Well Site
o Starting and Ending points
o Distances between PI’s (turns)
o Show tie-in point to section corner
Survey plat must show locations of all proposed road structures (low water crossings,
cattle guards, etc.).
Upgrading a two-track to a surfaced road and increasing the width of existing lease roads
would be considered new access roads.
Location of Existing Wells

Include a map identifying all known wells (producing, abandoned, SWD, water, etc.) within a one
mile radius of the proposed location. Provide a legend with the map.
Tank Battery Diagram

Onsite Tank Battery Diagram:
o Title (Exhibit 6)
o Name of Well
o North Arrow
o Road Entry Point
o Dimensions of the Area of Pad to be Reclaimed
o Final Pad Dimensions
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Master Development Plan Template
o Proposed Production Facilities (Storage Tanks, On-site Pipelines, Separators,
Heaters, etc.)
 Label Facilities and/or Describe in Surface Use Plan of Operations
o Ensure Consistency with Well Site Layout
Infrastructure Map (Pipeline, Electric line, etc.)


Surveyed Map - Power lines, buried lines, lines that cross undisturbed land
Survey plat must be zoomed-in to only depict the following:
o Well Site
o Starting and Ending points
o Distances between PI’s (turns)
o Show tie-in point to section corner


Aerial Map - Surface pipelines that follow existing lease roads
Aerial map must include:
o Title (Exhibit 3D)
o Proposed Well Site
o Existing Tank Battery Name
o Route of pipeline identified
o If pipeline is paralleling existing road not on aerial photo, draw in road
o Zoom in to only show project area
Well Site Layout Map/Diagram


Survey Plat of the well site by a professional surveyor/engineer.
o Exterior and interior dimensions of the well pad (includes stingers, flare pit, frac
pad needed off the well pad)
o Proposed road (if any)
o North arrow
o Existing structures within the area (labeled)
o Topsoil or spoil material stockpile dimensions
Supply a diagram of the well site which includes:
o Title (Exhibit 5)
o Well Name
o Well pad edge
o Drilling rig components
Interim Reclamation Diagram


“Production Facility Layout” can be used if the diagram shows reclaimed areas of the
pad.
Diagram must include:
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Master Development Plan Template
o
o
o
o
o
o
Title (Exhibit 6)
Name of Well
North Arrow
Road Entry Point
Dimensions of the Area of Pad to be Reclaimed
Final Pad Dimensions
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Master Development Plan Template
APD Surface Use Plan of Operations
Survey Requirements for Oil & Gas Actions
1. Well Sites
Staking Requirements
a. Exterior pad corners
b. Access road if the well pad does not overlap an existing caliche road or well pad.
c. Additional disturbances (stingers, frac farm pad, flare pit, etc.)
d. Topsoil Stockpile (usually 30’ wide)
e. Reserve pit corners (if applicable)
i. Reserve pit topsoil stockpile and subsoil stockpile
f. 600’ x 600’ Archeological Survey Boundary
Survey Plat Requirements
a. Plat must have north arrow (Arrow should point to the top of the page)
b. Plat must have a reasonable scale (1”:50’ to 1”:100’)
c. Depict an access road if the well pad does not overlap an existing caliche road or
well pad.
i.
If road exits page, then provide a separate “Proposed Road Map” zoomed
in to show the starting and ending points.
d. Clearly label all lines, symbols, features on survey plat
i.
Especially label the Proposed Well Pad, 600’ x 600’ Archeological Survey
Boundary, Proposed Road, etc.
ii. All proposed features must be labeled “Proposed”
e. Plat must depict all existing features within a 600’ x 600’ area
i.
Existing features include pipelines, roads, well pads, electric lines, etc.
f. Depict dimensions of all proposed disturbances
i.
Interior dimensions of well pad (distance from wellbore to all four edges
of the pad)
ii. Exterior dimensions of other disturbances (stinger, topsoil, etc.)
g. Depict elevations at all points of the well pad (wellbore, corners, etc.)
h. If a reserve pit is proposed, then the following needs to be staked and surveyed:
i.
Exterior pit dimensions
ii. “Topsoil Stockpile” from pit area
iii. “Subsoil Stockpile” from excavated material
iv.
Cut and fill diagram of the final level of pad and bottom of reserve pit
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v.
vi.
vii.
Topography lines (1 – 2 foot intervals) need to be depicted across the well
pad
Final pad elevation (post construction) depicted
Bottom of reserve pit elevation depicted
2. Access Roads
Staking Requirements
a. Proposed new roads require a centerline flagging with stakes clearly visible from
one to the next.
i. The road must end at an established road (caliche road, county road, etc.)
ii. Two track roads are not established roads
b. All proposed locations for road structures must be clearly staked.
i. Low water crossings
ii. Cattle guards
iii. Culverts
iv. Center and end of lead-off ditches
v. Center of turn outs (Turn outs are located in 1,000 ft. intervals. and on
blind curves.)
Survey Plat Requirements
a. Plat must have north arrow (Arrow should point to the top of the page)
b. Plat must have a reasonable scale (Zoomed in to only contain the starting and
ending points of the access road.)
i.
If the road is long, then also provide segments of the road on separate plats
c. Plat must depict the entire access road from established/maintained roads to the
drill site
d. Plat must depict distances of every segment of the access road
e. Plat must state the maximum grade of the access road
f. Two track roads that need to be upgraded to oil and gas roads need to be depicted
as a proposed new road or proposed upgraded road.
g. Depict an access road if the well pad does not overlap an existing caliche road or
well pad.
h. Typical access road driving surfaces do not exceed 14 feet and the allowable
disturbance area to construct the road does not exceed 25 feet.
3. Other Infrastructure
Staking Requirements
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Master Development Plan Template
a. The following infrastructure must be survey staked and platted
i. Electric Lines
ii. Buried Pipelines
iii. Other Buried Infrastructure
iv. Cross-Country Infrastructure (surface pipeline, etc.)
v. Other ground disturbing activities such as frac ponds, pads, etc.
Survey Plat Requirements
a. Survey plats must clearly depict the starting and ending points of the
infrastructure
b. Plat must have a reasonable scale (Zoomed in to only contain the starting and
ending points.)
c. Proposed fence crossings must be depicted
d. Disturbance area must be defined
e. Show detailed views if necessary
Other activities may be depicted in detail on an aerial map or diagram when submitted by the
operator in an appropriate application to the Carlsbad Field Office.
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