JHA was retained by Southwestern Energy (SWN) to prepare all the surveying and engineering design plans for the Southwestern Pad A in Wetzel County, West Virginia. The project began with a preliminary layout of the drilling pad with a separate facilities pad; however, the location presented challenges due to the topography of the site, and a stream located at the bottom of the hill. Upon initial approval of the preliminary design, a topographic survey was performed, which was used to help with the geotechnical evaluation and determination of the stability requirements for the slopes. After the evaluation, it was determined that the pad would need to be relocated, along with existing power poles.
JHA prepared an engineering design including the drilling and facilities pad, entrances for both, and a geotechnical design for the construction of the pads. A JHA survey team used those design plans to perform construction stakeout, and JHA provided inspection services throughout the construction phase. JHA further provided a post-construction as-built including survey locations of all stormwater structures, and a new topographic drone survey because of the extensive site changes.
Throughout this project, JHA provided additional surveying services for well plats which were used to permit drilling activities associated with this pad. These well locations were then staked in the field by the JHA surveying team to allow conductors to be set and drilling to occur.
