Orphan, Idle, Abandoned and Marginal Well Program Management
Atlas is your trusted partner in orphan, idle, abandoned and marginal well program management.
Atlas has demonstrated experience with complex, multi-site orphan well program management projects and synergies developed over many years. Our deep resources and experienced staff are able to respond quickly and efficiently to any need – whether anticipated or unexpected. We support your mission to eliminate safety hazards, methane and other harmful gas entering the atmosphere and the leaching of contaminants, gas and oil into surrounding soils and waters.
Turnkey Services
Full range of services required to assess risks and complete projects on time and within budget.
Making an impact across the United States.
Our relationships with industry partners and vast experience enable Atlas to successfully navigate complex processes while meeting aggressive deadlines.
6
States that we manage orphan well programs.
42K+
Well plugging and abandonment projects in North America.
1,600
Measuring and monitoring DOI-compliant wells in 14 states.
5,900
Orphan well closures in the last 4 years.
19
State and federal programs we lead.
Thought Leadership
Scott McCready
Project National Orphan, Idle, and Marginal Oil & Gas Well Program Director
More Than Plugging: Orphan and Marginal Conventional Well Site Closure
Across the U.S., federal and state-funded programs are addressing orphan wells and marginal conventional wells (MCWs) that pose risks to land, water, groundwater and air quality. Estimates suggest there are as many as three million orphaned and undocumented wells nationwide, and nearly a million MCWs. Orphan wells are abandoned wells that can have histories that date back many decades. MCWs can also be older wells but they are owned and operated. MCWs may be underperforming wells that are idle or wells that simply produce very low volumes of oil and gas.
Plugging orphan and MCWs is one aspect of the overall closure process of well locations. Effective remediation requires comprehensive site evaluation, a detailed closure plan and post-restoration monitoring to ensure long-term stability.
Featured Projects
Arizona DEQ; Orphaned Well Plug and Abandon
Statewide AZ
Atlas was awarded a task order contract under an MSA with the ADEQ for the Arizona Orphaned Well Site Abandonment, Remediation and Restoration Project. ADEQ plans to plug and abandon legitimately orphaned oil and gas, geothermal and/or helium wells in Arizona incoordination and in compliance with federal requirements followed by reclamation of the associated facilities.
Environmental Assessment and Remediation
Private Client: Southern CA
Atlas provides environmental services to this confidential retail petroleum client for the assessment and remediation of petroleum-oil-impacted soil and groundwater associated with historical oilfield activity in the Santa Maria Valley. In the 16-year history of work on this national client’s portfolio, Atlas researched historical records and identified oilfield features beneath neighborhoods, properties, farmland, city infrastructure, a maintenance yard and within a public park/nature preserve.
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