GREEN RIVER - Federal officials have issued a scoping notice for a proposed year-round drilling project on crucial big game winter range by Shell Exploration and Production Company and other operators within the Pinedale Anticline, according to the Bureau of Land Management.

The BLM's Pinedale Field Office recently decided to conduct an Environmental Assessment on the proposed year-round demonstration drilling project in southwest Wyoming, said BLM public affairs officer Ami Heyborne.

Shell, Anschutz Pinedale Inc., and Ultra Resources Inc. are proposing a pilot program to drill up to 45 new wells using up to 32 drilling pads per section with directional drilling techniques in order to reduce impacts to wildlife, habitat and air quality, officials said.

Company officials said the use of consolidated drilling pads should result in fewer surface impacts due to reduced road and truck traffic, faster reclamation of drilling areas and increased workers safety.

Seasonal restrictions to protect big game, sage grouse and other sensitive species were stipulated by the BLM as part of the July 2000 Record of Decision for the Pinedale Anticline Environmental Impact Statement.

The operators are seeking exceptions to the BLM's winter drilling restrictions, which prohibit drilling in deer, elk, moose and antelope winter range from Nov. 15 through April 30 in order to protect wildlife and habitat.

The 200,000-acre anticline stretches from just northwest of Pinedale for about 30 miles to the southwest.

A host of natural gas operators such as Shell were given permission under the 2000 decision document to drill upwards of 900 new natural gas wells to achieve 700 producing wells.

The operators are proposing that the BLM allow a year-round drilling demonstration project on a site-specific basis during the winter of 2005-06. The project would begin Nov. 15 and end July 31, 2006.

The year-round drilling would be conducted while the companies conducted research and monitor the effects of that activity on sage grouse, antelope and assorted wildlife, according to plans.

Under the proposal, Shell would use the existing pad on its Mesa 7-29 lease in the anticline, and two drilling rigs, to drill up to 20 wells next winter. The pad is currently permitted for seven wells, but no wells have been drilled.

Southwest Wyoming bureau reporter Jeff Gearino can be reached at (307) 875-5359 or at gearino@trib.com.