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Technologies and Practices for Plugging and Remediating Orphaned and Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells

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Orphaned wells can present a risk to the environment and public by emitting methane, contaminating groundwater, and/or impacting ecosystems. The National Academies will convene an ad hoc committee of experts to provide advice to U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Orphaned Wells Program Office (OWPO) on regulatory, technical, scientific, and economic considerations for plugging and remediating orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells.

News and updates

Best Practices, Opportunities for Plugging Orphan Wells Identified in New Report

News Release

Potentially hundreds of thousands of orphaned oil and gas wells across the U.S. remain unplugged or were sealed before modern standards existed, and pose risks to public health, the environment, and nearby communities. A new National Academies report examines technologies and best practices for plugging and remediating orphan wells.

Jun 11, 2026
Photo of the old rusty oil rigs with preasure valve
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Showing 1–12 of 46 items

Technologies and Practices for Plugging and Remediating Orphaned and Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells Public Report Release Webinar

  • June 24, 2026
  • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EDT)
  • Webinar
  • Past

This webinar is a presentation from the report staff and committee members to highlight key ideas and findings in the report.

Technologies and Practices for Plugging and Remediating Orphaned and Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells Writing Meeting

  • November 20 - 21, 2025
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Final meeting as a committee to focus on writing needs to create a complete draft of the report.

Technologies and Practices for Plugging and Remediating Orphaned and Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells Information-Gathering Session #6 with University of Calgary

  • October 10, 2025
  • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT)
  • Webinar
  • Past

This information-gathering session topic will be on geochemistry and presented by Bernhard Mayer from the University of Calgary.

Technologies and Practices for Plugging and Remediating Orphaned and Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells Information-Gathering Session #5

  • October 1, 2025
  • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM (EDT)
  • Webinar
  • Past

This is an information-gathering session with the committee and representatives from ASRC.

Chapter 6 Bi-Weekly Check-In

  • September 24, 2025
  • 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Bi-weekly chapter check-in to discuss progress and needed efforts.

Chapter 7 Bi-Weekly Check-In

  • September 17, 2025
  • 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Bi-weekly chapter check-in to discuss progress and needed efforts.

Chapters 3 and 4 Bi-Weekly Check-In

  • September 17, 2025
  • 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Bi-weekly chapter check-in to discuss progress and needed efforts.

Chapter 6 Bi-Weekly Check-In

  • September 10, 2025
  • 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Bi-weekly chapter check-in to discuss progress and needed efforts.

Chapter 2 Bi-Weekly Check-In

  • September 10, 2025
  • 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Bi-weekly chapter check-in to discuss progress and needed efforts.

Chapter 7 Bi-Weekly Check-In

  • September 3, 2025
  • 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Bi-weekly chapter check-in to discuss progress and needed efforts.

Chapters 3 and 4 Bi-Weekly Check-In

  • August 27, 2025
  • 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Bi-weekly chapter check-in to discuss progress and needed efforts.

Chapter 7 Bi-Weekly Check-In

  • August 6, 2025
  • 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Bi-weekly chapter check-in to discuss progress and needed efforts.
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