Case Study: Challenges to Successful Restoration of a Marcellus Shale Well Pad.

The development cycle of a Marcellus Shale well pad in Pennsylvania includes interim and final restoration of portions of the well pad and associated infrastructure. Although there are regulations that govern the process, a lack of understanding of the pre- and post-construction soil conditions can limit the success of restoration efforts. A case study focusing on an unsuccessful well pad restoration is presented to highlight some of the potential issues that can occur. Remediation strategies are presented and best practices are discussed to provide options to return these landscapes to pre-construction use.