Responsibly Completing the Lifecycle of Orphan Oil and Gas Wells
The Orphan Well Cooperative brings all of the necessary parties to the table, working together to bring awareness, data-driven understanding, and finally solutions and action to the forefront.
Orphan oil and gas wells no longer have an operator to maintain or remediate them and have become the responsibility of state, federal, or tribal governments.
Why are they a problem?
As these wells age, they can pose risks to human health and well-being and threaten our natural resources.
Climate Impact: Methane Emissions
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Orphan wells can leak methane into the atmosphere, exacerbating the climate crisis.
Contaminate Air, Soil, and Water
Orphan wells can contaminate groundwater with oil, gas, and other chemicals. This can make drinking water unsafe and lead to a variety of health problems.
Pose safety risks to humans and wildlife
Orphan wells can attract wildlife, such as deer and elk. These animals can become trapped in wells or poisoned by contaminated water.
Decrease the value and productivity of the land
Orphan wells can pose a safety hazard to people and property. Exposed wellheads can cause falls, and leaking gas can create an explosion hazard.
What is being done about orphan wells?
There is a growing movement to plug orphan oil and gas wells and restore the associated lands. A number of states, tribes, and the federal government have establish programs to fund this work using taxpayer dollars. We help bring ALL of the stakeholders together to ensure the strategic and equitable use of every available resource.
Together we find solutions
What we have done
Compile
Produced the first ever compilation of orphan wells from each of the United States to establish and corroborate a nation-wide orphan well count.
Prioritize
Established the only publicly available prioritization matrix with a team of task force experts on social and environmental justice.
Brought regulators, policymakers, service providers, landowners, oil & gas companies, carbon project developers, scientific researchers, NGO’s and other NPO’s together for collaborative Field Event and learning experience.
Grant
Granted resources to establish the first and only member driven trade association (OWMA) to unify and amplify the various entities addressing orphan wells.
Co-authored the METHODOLOGY FOR THE QUANTIFICATION, MONITORING, REPORTING AND VERIFICATION OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS AND REMOVALS FROM PLUGGING ORPHAN OIL AND GAS WELLS IN THE U.S. AND CANADA