Project Description

The objective of this project is to mitigate methane emissions from marginal conventional wells (MCWs) by assisting operators/well owners to voluntarily and permanently plug and abandon MCWs on non-Federal lands and measure methane emissions from MCWs both pre- and post-plugging operations. This project may also support elements of environmental restoration required for full compliance with applicable State or Federal well plugging and abandonment standards and regulations. The project will develop a process and methodology to identify and prioritize MCWs for permanent plugging and abandonment, monitor (via discrete measurements) methane emissions from MCWs, and support elements of environmental restoration required for full compliance with applicable State or Federal well plugging and abandonment standards and regulations. Monitoring can include detection and measurement of methane emissions used to provide a preliminary screening of emissions from MCWs as a mechanism to inform plugging prioritization. Monitoring must include measurement of methane emissions (in accordance with the DOE methane measurement guidelines for MCWs) prior to and following the plugging and abandonment of any MCW, quantification of the methane emissions mitigated for plugged wells, and verification that plugged wells are no longer emitting methane emissions as required for full compliance with applicable State or Federal well plugging and abandonment standards and regulations. Stakeholder engagement and outreach are key to this project, and it is anticipated that the outcomes of the project will result in substantial benefits with specific impact on disadvantaged communities.

Project Benefits

The project is expected to result in methane and other greenhouse gas emission reductions and provide environmental benefits through the restoration of MCW pads. These activities are expected to mitigate legacy air pollution from MCWs in low-income and disadvantaged communities and provide potential benefits to such communities, including improved ambient air quality, surface and groundwater quality, climate resilience, and human health as well as creation of high-quality jobs.

Presentations, Papers, and Publications

• Methane Emissions Reduction Program for Marginal Conventional Wells Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) (Jul 2024)
  Kickoff Workshop Presentation

Contact Information