Orphaned and Abandoned Wells
Abandoned wells are unplugged wells (primarily oil or gas wells) that have not been operated and maintained in accordance with prevailing statute and regulation. Many abandoned wells have fallen into advanced states of disrepair.
Orphaned wells are a subset of abandoned wells for which no operator can be determined. In most instances, orphaned wells were drilled in the late 1800s to early 1900s, prior to the establishment of a modern regulatory framework in New York. Due to their advanced age and the lack of comprehensive well information, these wells may present significant threats to public safety and the environment.
DEC developed well plugging programs to address these threats. Well plugging involves the placement of cement at discrete depth intervals in a wellbore to seal off hydrocarbon-bearing zones and prevent the pollution of aquifers and surface waters. If left unplugged, orphaned and abandoned wells can provide unimpeded conduits for oil, gas, and other fluids to migrate between different geologic formations, into aquifers, and/or to the land surface. Unplugged orphaned and abandoned wells can also provide a potential route for subsurface methane to escape into the atmosphere, potentially contributing to increased levels of greenhouse gases.
In late 2020, DEC and NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) announced a new drone-based initiative to address climate change by locating orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells. The drone technology and precision equipment will help locate abandoned wells that may be emitting methane into the atmosphere and can be prioritized for well plugging. This will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and aid in achieving New York's Climate Act goals. Read more about finding and identifying oil and gas wells.
Orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells exist throughout New York State, but they are concentrated in the southwestern portion of the state, where most historical drilling occurred.
