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For ranches covering hundreds or even thousands of acres, the cumulative effects of spills and/or leaks from exploration and production activity can be significant.

Hydrocarbon-related contamination is more than just unsightly blemishes on the landscape. It can negatively impact livestock and agriculture operations and destroy wildlife habitats. Hydrocarbon releases can also contaminate stock tanks, streams, and water tables. To protect their properties, more and more landowners are seeking third-party consultants to gather the evidence needed to demand remediation and seek legal recourse for damages.

A case in point is a Texas ranch owner whose 30,000+ acre property has seen extensive oil and gas activity for over a century. With growing worries about the impact of spills, the rancher sought legal help. The ranch owner’s attorneys contracted with Roux, one of the top all-environmental firms in the nation, to locate and assess any damage on the property.

To begin the process, Roux scheduled a Prius Intelli flyover to capture high-resolution RGB orthophotography. Gathered by manned, fixed-wing aircraft, RGB orthophotography quickly and efficiently captures the surface intelligence needed to identify evidence of both active leaks and older, improperly remediated leaks.  

Aerial imagery simplifies environmental site assessment by delivering the ability to:

• Remotely zoom in on saltwater disposal wells, well heads, tank batteries, gathering lines, and pipelines to identify oil stains and other signs of contamination. 
• Pinpoint the exact map location of any suspected problem areas.
• Perform calculations regarding the size of contaminated areas. 
• Strategically deploy ground crews to collect soil samples as needed. 

For this Texas rancher, these efforts culminated in identifying areas containing hydrocarbon releases that exceeded regulatory limits. Instances of contamination were referred to the Texas Railroad Commission for enforcement and/or served as evidence in civil litigation, supporting the rancher in recovering damages from those accountable.

“While this highly efficient method of environmental site assessment may be new to many, Roux has the experience and expertise to navigate this terrain. Roux’s experience allows us to advise on strategy that best addresses our client’s project needs while simultaneously satisfying potential community concerns.”
J. Jay Klein, P.G.
Vice President/Principal Geologist
Roux