Oil and Gas Wells Decommissioning

It’s estimated that more than one million conventional vertical oil and gas wells have been drilled in the US and Canada over the last 150 years. Once these wells are no longer in use, many are abandoned, left to degrade into a state of disrepair. If not properly plugged, they can become a health, safety, and environmental hazard for the community. Consequently, state, provincial, and federal regulatory agencies have established guidelines for assuring proper plugging within a specified timeframe.

Explore Our Well Plugging and Abandonment Services

Our team of experts have managed and executed large-scale well plugging projects across public and private sectors. We excel at the assessment, remediation, restoration, and management of both upstream and downstream oil and gas sites.

Our services include:

Project management
Facilities demolition and decommissioning
Landman/landowner interface

Health and safety management
Contractor management
Project planning
Waste management
Regulatory/environmental permitting

Cost tracking and analysis
Title/deed searches
Private and public land access agreements
Construction management/site-building

Downstream Solutions

We focus on the strategic evaluation of sites to drive closure by delivering innovative, efficient, and cost-effective solutions. Our expertise includes:

Monitoring well installation underway at an upstream site as part of remediation activities
Design and implementation of in situ remediation systems
Contaminant fate and transport modeling
Risk assessment and environmental forensics
Bedrock investigation and characterization
Regulatory and third-party interface
Cost-effective management of large portfolios

Upstream Solutions

Our full suite of upstream services facilitates the restoration of sites contaminated by salt and petroleum hydrocarbons. With expertise in planning, engineering, construction management, and post-construction restoration services for decommissioning, decontamination, and demolition projects, we help our clients reclaim the landscape, soil, and vegetation on each project.

Our upstream services include:

Environmental site investigations
Liability assessments
Restoration planning
Remedial design and remediation
Risk assessments
Groundwater modeling
Construction oversight
Submission for remediation certificates

Cutting-Edge Methane Emissions Quantification

Methane Biofilters

Locating Undocumented Orphan Wells with Precision

Innovative Solutions

Our patented NAPL-Away^® process utilizes enhanced natural anaerobic biodegradation for the bioremediation of light nonaqueous-phase liquid. This method is faster and less costly compared to other forms of remediation.
Our team has saved clients hundreds of millions of dollars through numerical modeling based on the Subsoil Salinity Tool (SST), coupled with enhanced transport modeling with Visual MODFLOW.
Our program management information systems and dashboard capabilities provide real-time tracking and comprehensive data analysis for orphan wells. These tools ensure efficient project management by enhancing transparency and decision-making from initial assessment to remediation.

Project management
Facilities demolition and decommissioning
Landman/landowner interface
Health and safety management
Contractor management
Project planning
Waste management
Regulatory/environmental permitting
Cost tracking and analysis
Title/deed searches
Private and public land access agreements
Construction management/site-building

Downstream Solutions

We focus on the strategic evaluation of sites to drive closure by delivering innovative, efficient, and cost-effective solutions. Our expertise includes:

Monitoring well installation underway at an upstream site as part of remediation activities.
Design and implementation of in situ remediation systems
Contaminant fate and transport modeling
Risk assessment and environmental forensics
Bedrock investigation and characterization
Regulatory and third-party interface
Cost-effective management of large portfolios

Upstream Solutions

Our upstream services include:

Environmental site investigations
Liability assessments
Restoration planning
Remedial design and remediation
Risk assessments
Groundwater modeling
Construction oversight
Submission for remediation certificates

Cutting-Edge Methane Emissions Quantification

Methane Biofilters

Locating Undocumented Orphan Wells with Precision

Innovative Solutions

Our patented NAPL-Away^® process utilizes enhanced natural anaerobic biodegradation for the bioremediation of light nonaqueous-phase liquid. This method is faster and less costly compared to other forms of remediation.
Our team has saved clients hundreds of millions of dollars through numerical modeling based on the Subsoil Salinity Tool (SST), coupled with enhanced transport modeling with Visual MODFLOW.
Our program management information systems and dashboard capabilities provide real-time tracking and comprehensive data analysis for orphan wells. These tools ensure efficient project management by enhancing transparency and decision-making from initial assessment to remediation.

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We're Well Ahead Of The Field

Tailored Solutions

We combine industry-leading resources and the latest technologies to deliver global programs of all sizes. From investigation and remedial engineering to construction and community involvement, our multidisciplinary team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Sustainability

Using innovative techniques, we bring orphan wells to successful site closure, eliminating environmental risks and liabilities, and restoring the local landscape.

Orphan Wells Resources

Our experienced technical teams address surficial and downhole challenges and have first-hand local regulatory knowledge and industry relationships.

Safety Culture

As an OSHA VPP-certified firm, our first-in-class safety culture, programs, and safety record speak volumes of our commitment to safety.

Featured Oil and Gas Wells Decommissioning Projects

Central Michigan New York Alberta, Canada

Central Michigan

Since 2006, we have managed the remediation of over 1000 former sites within four oilfields spanning 26 square miles in central Michigan. We have restored more than 20,500 acres of land to their original conditions consistent with current land usage, while minimizing environmental impact. Our services include program management, investigation, remedial engineering, and construction oversight services in compliance with US Environmental Protection Agency, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE), and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources regulatory programs. We have plugged 160 abandoned wells, removed more than 2.23 million cubic yards of contaminated soils, treated more than 1.4 million cubic yards of soil through innovative ex situ techniques, and are currently plugging an additional 65 wells.

New York

In New York, we are providing project management services for orphan well plugging on behalf of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Division of Mineral Resources. Our responsibilities include preparing and bidding out packages for the highest-risk wells as prioritized by the NYSDEC. We handle all aspects of the process, including permitting, contractor management, health and safety oversight, regulatory compliance, downhole consultation, and environmental restoration services. Currently, there are over 3,500 orphaned wells on the NYSDEC list, with thousands more anticipated to be added.

Alberta, Canada

Since 2007, we have collaborated with the Orphan Well Association (OWA) on over 400 sites across Alberta. This long-term partnership has allowed us to gain an in-depth understanding of OWA's business practices and culture, including their emphasis on safety, practical and cost-effective work, and their general accounting and contracting processes. Our environmental consulting services have supported a wide range of projects, from Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental site assessments to comprehensive remediation programs (including well plugging), documentation of site conditions, and ultimately, site closure.

Plugging Away: Delivering A Sustainable Future

Learn How We Are Well Equipped To Handle Your Decommissioning Needs.