Dust Mitigation:

• Speed restrictions (25 mph) on access roads to minimize dust.
• Dust mitigation on access road
• Topsoil and stockpiled soils stabilized with wheel packing, tackifiers, seeding, or erosion control blankets.

Emissions:

• Telemetry installed to monitor location remotely and reduce truck traffic
• Connection to a crude oil gathering pipeline to reduce truck traffic.
• Use of a closed tank system during flowback with controlled vapor combustion.
• Temporary onsite storage of fresh water for hydraulic fracturing to reduce truck traffic
• Electric drilling rig utilized to minimize noise and emissions.
• Electric powered production facility
• No bleed pneumatic controllers
• Connection to natural gas and crude oil pipelines to reduce onsite equipment and truck traffic
• Continuous Air Emissions Monitoring
• Robust Air Inspection Program including Leak Detection And Repair Program and daily Audio Visual Olfactory inspection completed by Bison Operational Staff.

During the pad construction phase, the site undergoes preparation to ensure a stable and secure foundation for future operations. This phase begins with dirt work and site grading, where the land is carefully leveled and shaped to support the drilling and production facilities. Grading ensures proper drainage and stability, reducing the risk of erosion and other environmental impacts. Additionally, stormwater controls are installed to manage runoff and prevent contamination of surrounding areas. These controls typically include silt fences, berms, and other erosion prevention measures, all designed to protect stormwater runoff and comply with stringent environmental regulations. This thorough preparation sets the stage for safe and efficient oil and gas development. The pad construction phase involves the use of various heavy machinery to ensure the site is properly prepared. Typical equipment includes excavators, dozers, and other heavy machinery, which are essential for the dirt work and site grading process.

Once pad construction is completed, the drilling phase begins with the arrival and setup of the drilling rig, which will be operated on electric utility line power. This significantly reduces emissions associated with combustion engines, reflecting Bison’s commitment to minimizing environmental impact. Operations run 24 hours a day until all wells have been drilled. Initially, surface holes are drilled to approximately 2,000 feet using fresh water, followed by the installation and cementing of surface casing to protect shallow freshwater zones. The surface casing depth is determined by subsurface groundwater maps from the State Engineer, supplemented with the latest data from nearby wells. After the cement sets and well control equipment is installed and tested, drilling continues into the oil and gas-bearing formations. The wells are drilled horizontally, with a typical vertical depth of 7,000 to 8,000 feet and a horizontal leg extending 2 to 2.5 miles. Once drilling is complete, production casing is cemented in place to isolate the productive zones. Bison’s drilling rigs utilize a closed-loop system, and each horizontal well typically takes about six days to drill before the rig is moved to the next well. Once all wells have been drilled the Drill Rig is taken down and moved off location.

Once the drill rig is removed from the location the completions equipment will be moved on location to commence the completion phase which is made up of multiphase process including hydraulic fracturing and flowback phase. Hydraulic fracturing is a critical part of the oil and gas well completion process, designed to enhance the flow of hydrocarbons from the reservoir to the wellbore. This phase begins after the well has been drilled and cased.

Hydraulic Fracturing: Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as “fracking,” involves pumping a mixture of water, sand, and chemical additives at high pressures into the wellbore. The high-pressure fluid is directed into the targeted rock formation, where it creates fractures in the rock. These fractures allow trapped oil and gas to flow more easily toward the wellbore. The sand, known as proppant, is carried into the fractures by the fluid and remains in place to keep the fractures open, ensuring that the pathways remain available for oil and gas to flow. Bison utilizes a “Quiet Frac fleet” which reduces noise levels by 3 times compared to conventional fleets.

Flowback: Once the hydraulic fracturing is complete, pumping, blending and injection equipment is removed and the well enters the flowback phase. During this phase, the pressure is released, and the injected fluids, along with natural formation water and hydrocarbons, begin to flow back to the surface. As part of Bison’s modernized best in class BMPs, Bison directs flowback fluids directly to the production facility where vapors are captured, recovered and controlled to reduce emissions and prevent liquid spills. The flowback phase can last from a few days to several weeks, depending on the specific well and formation characteristics.

Equipment and Operations: During hydraulic fracturing and flowback, a range of specialized equipment is utilized, including pressure pumps, blending units, and storage tanks. A Modular Large Volume Tank (MLVT) is used to store fresh water on location in order to minimize truck traffic, and other equipment is used to blend the fracturing fluid and manage the high pressures required for the process.

Throughout both the hydraulic fracturing and flowback phases, strict environmental controls are in place to ensure that no fluids are spilled and that fluids are properly disposed of, reflecting a commitment to safe and responsible well completion practices.

The production phase begins once the well completion process is finished and the well is turned to production. At this stage, the well is fully equipped and ready to produce hydrocarbons—oil and gas from the reservoir. This phase can last for several years or even decades, depending on the well’s productivity and the reservoir’s characteristics. At the surface, the produced hydrocarbons are directed through a series of production equipment. This equipment typically includes separators, which separate the oil, gas, and water; storage vessels, where oil is temporarily stored before transport; and pipelines, which transport oil and gas to processing facilities or directly to market. Produced water, a byproduct of oil and gas extraction, is also managed at this stage and is transported off location to disposal sites. During the production phase, the well and associated equipment are continuously monitored to ensure optimal performance and safety. This includes regular inspections, maintenance, and adjustments to the production strategy as needed. Operators monitor flow rates, pressure, and other key parameters to maximize production efficiency and address any issues that may arise, such as equipment wear or changes in reservoir pressure. Throughout the production phase, Bison Oil & Gas remains committed to minimizing the environmental impact of its operations. This includes managing emissions, reducing waste, and adhering to all regulatory requirements. The company also employs best management practices to ensure that the production process is as efficient and environmentally responsible as possible.

The production phase represents the culmination of the well development process, where all the prior work—from exploration and drilling to completion—comes together to deliver energy resources to the market.

The Interim Reclamation Phase begins once the Completion Phase ends and the wells are turned to production. During this phase, the construction pad is reduced to the essential operational area, and landscaping is installed around the perimeter of the location. A variety of trees and shrubs are planted to create a visual screen, helping the facility blend with the surrounding environment. This process not only minimizes the site’s footprint but also demonstrates Bison Oil & Gas’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community relations.

The anticipated lifespan for the proposed well(s) is 30 years. Once a well is determined to no longer be productive and/or economic, a plugging rig will remove production equipment and plug the productive zone(s) with a combination of bridge plugs and cement plugs. Surface equipment no longer needed will be removed. Final surface restoration will involve removal of any above-ground casing and the installation of regulation markers that will not interfere with subsequent surface use. Remaining disturbance will be restored to the original grade and reseeded in compliance with ECMC and Local Government rules and regulations and in accordance with surface owner’s future land use plans.