https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2012/09/16/wv-dep-report-on-abandoned-og-wells-reveals-enforcement-problems/ Just another WordPress site Wed, 14 Feb 2024 02:06:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2012/09/16/wv-dep-report-on-abandoned-og-wells-reveals-enforcement-problems/#comment-11812 M. Gorman Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:26:12 +0000 http://www.frackcheckwv.net/?p=6151#comment-11812 I suspect, with a little research, you would find that a large percentage of the "36.1 percent" of the wells "listed as having no known operator" were drilled long before the state's bonding requirements were put into place. Keep in mind that there is a 150-year-plus history of drilling wells in WV to produce petroleum. The 1920 WV Bluebook indicated that by the end of 1917 there had been as many as 60,000 to 70,000 wells drilled in WV. As to the other 64%, many are wells that could be put back into production, if gas prices recover. The requirement that such marginally economic wells be plugged now is onerous and counterproductive. Better that the state require that wells that our out of service because of current economics be shut-in at the surface and monitored for leaks on a regular basis, as long as the bond for abandonment is maintained and the operator believes that they may be able to produce the well in the future. I suspect, with a little research, you would find that a large percentage of the “36.1 percent” of the wells “listed as having no known operator” were drilled long before the state’s bonding requirements were put into place. Keep in mind that there is a 150-year-plus history of drilling wells in WV to produce petroleum. The 1920 WV Bluebook indicated that by the end of 1917 there had been as many as 60,000 to 70,000 wells drilled in WV. As to the other 64%, many are wells that could be put back into production, if gas prices recover. The requirement that such marginally economic wells be plugged now is onerous and counterproductive. Better that the state require that wells that our out of service because of current economics be shut-in at the surface and monitored for leaks on a regular basis, as long as the bond for abandonment is maintained and the operator believes that they may be able to produce the well in the future.

]]> https://www.frackcheckwv.net/2012/09/16/wv-dep-report-on-abandoned-og-wells-reveals-enforcement-problems/#comment-11766 Carol Sue Schneider Tue, 18 Sep 2012 03:15:18 +0000 http://www.frackcheckwv.net/?p=6151#comment-11766 Well, I found this one of great interest and importance. We learn here of the importance of advance planning, of putting regulations and personnel in place before approving such incredibly large numbers of oil and gas wells. Well, I found this one of great interest and importance. We learn here of the importance of advance planning, of putting regulations and personnel in place before approving such incredibly large numbers of oil and gas wells.

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