Petroleum Geology

Our staff has a combined experience of over 40 years in geological oil and gas exploration and production.  This experience ranges from management positions to prospect generation, economic analysis, project financing, evaluation and review, well-site geological supervision and log analysis.

Our geologic staff possesses in-depth knowledge in clastic stratigraphy with areal experience covering the entire northern Rockies.  GGA is capable of prospecting, land acquisition program design, reservoir characterization, reserve analysis and economic evaluation.  The firm has experience in evaluations for producing property acquisition or divestiture as well as estate and Internal Revenue Service evaluations.
 
Petroleum Reservoir Engineering

Petroleum reservoir engineering capabilities include reserve estimations, production analysis and forecasting, log analysis, aquifer/reservoir characterization, reservoir modeling, pressure transient analysis including rate transient analysis, and economic evaluations.

GGA's combined petroleum geology and petroleum reservoir engineering expertise streamlines projects that require both disciplines.  When representing clients before the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (WOGCC), we first prepare the application.  Then we manage the hearing preparation process by gathering, reviewing and organizing evidence and then shaping the presentation or testimony.  Last, we present both the geological and engineering testimony in a highly organized and coordinated manner lending significant credibility to our client’s position.  In addition to WOGCC hearings, we utilize both disciplines to estimate resource reserves, evaluate infill drilling potential and assess mineral estates including reserves and economics.

Water Resource Management

Surface Water

Our staff has knowledge of Water Management Plans for BLM and National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES and in Wyoming WYPDES) permit applications for WDEQ.  Preparation of Use Attainability Analyses (UAA) by GGA has resulted in successful petitions to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality for site-specific surface water quality discharge limits and reclassification of discharge streams to meet more appropriate surface water quality standards.  GGA has experience preparing Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) necessary to discharge storm water associated with construction activity under WYPDES.  GGA also has the expertise to review State Engineer Office records to determine surface water rights. 

Groundwater

GGA's groundwater experience includes preparation of Underground Injection Control (UIC) permit applications for both Class I Commercial wells (WDEQ) and Class II Oil and Gas produced water wells (Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission). Aquifer characterization, pump testing and analysis and groundwater flow modeling are part of GGA expertise.  Similar to surface water rights, GGA has the expertise to review State Engineer Office records to determine groundwater rights.

Regulatory and Government Affairs

GGA has years of experience providing a wide range of services to energy industry clientele focused on management of governmental affairs and regulatory issues.  Our professional staff has been analyzing and managing state and federal policies, rules, and regulations related to energy development in the Rocky Mountain region for several years (e.g., BLM, WDEQ and WOGCC rules and regulations).  This history of regulatory involvement has established a comprehensive understanding of regulatory issues in and around Wyoming that allows us to effectively conduct strategic operational planning relative to state and federal agency regulatory initiatives.

GGA has considerable experience assisting clients with regulatory permitting and application processes necessary to obtain authorization for operations.  Notable regulatory approval processes GGA is proficient in handling include produced water discharge permits (WYPDES and NPDES), Underground Injection Control permits (UIC Class I, II and V), Use Attainability Analyses (UAA), Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure plans (SPCC), Hazard Communication Plans (Hazcom), initial and annual SARA Title III reports, and Spill Reporting procedures.  Our understanding of these processes allows us to effectively and efficiently help our clients take their projects from the initial stages of conception to the final stages of implementation.
     
GGA also has years of experience working with state and federal agency personnel throughout planning and formulation processes used to establish rules, regulations, and policies impacting natural resource development.  Our involvement in regulatory planning and formulation processes is focused on advocating the best interest of our client.  This involvement includes participating and testifying at agency meetings, informal discussions with agency contacts, analyzing and commenting on regulatory documents prepared by state and federal regulatory agencies (Instruction Memorandums, Executive Orders, policy guidance, rules, regulations, stipulations, etc.), and working with industry trade associations to respond to regulatory issues that arise during planning and formulation processes. 

While working on state and federal regulatory issues over the last several years, GGA has established strong working relationships with state and federal regulatory agency personnel and energy industry trade associations.  These relationships are a valuable asset that allows us to more effectively advocate our client’s interests while managing regulatory and governmental affairs. 

Property Due Diligence

GGA has in-depth experience conducting Phase I Site Assessments on oil and gas and commercial real estate properties.  GGA’s professional staff has completed the ASTM School for Commercial Real Estate Transactions and follows the latest ASTM guidelines for conducting Phase I Site Assessments.

GGA also has experience conducting regulatory compliance assessments/audits for oil and gas development projects at a project specific, regional, or statewide level.  This includes a review of all state and federal regulations applicable to oil and gas development operations within the scope of the assessment area, identification of state and federal programs that must be in place to achieve regulatory compliance, and identification of regulatory compliance deficiencies that must be addressed.  Following this assessment, we provide a summary of results and recommended actions that should/must be taken within the assessment area to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.