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IOGCC Updates Report on Idle and Orphan Oil and Gas Wells
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (December 31, 2021) –The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC), released a report titled, Idle and Orphan Oil and Gas Wells: State and Provincial Regulatory Strategies 2021. The report updates and expands upon information previously published by IOGCC on idle and orphan oil and gas wells.
The new report provides updated information based on survey responses from 32 IOGCC member states and five Canadian provinces. IOGCC’s Council of Regulatory Officials provided direction and support for this publication.
The report documents the numbers of idle and orphan wells in the United States and Canada and associated well plugging and site restoration costs. It also outlines the regulatory tools and funding sources used to ensure idle wells are properly maintained and funds are available to plug orphan wells.
Shortly before publication, Congress passed and the President signed bipartisan infrastructure legislation that includes funding for the plugging of orphan wells on federal, state, private and tribal lands. IOGCC is gratified that the 2019 edition of this report served as a useful reference in the development of this legislation. The 2021 edition provides additional information to support the effective implementation of the legislation.
Click here to read the report.