Orphan & Idle Wells California Conference
Part of a North American Series
March 25-26, 2025 | Bakersfield, California
OVERVIEW:
Join us at the 2025 Orphan & Idle Wells California Conference, where we continue to confront the critical environmental, logistical, and financial challenges posed by approximately four million abandoned oil and gas wells across the US, including approximately 130,000 orphan wells. These wells, lacking responsible ownership, pose severe risks by leaking oil and toxic chemicals, endangering water sources, contributing to air pollution, and emitting methane, causing environmental hazards and economic burdens on communities and governments. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), significant steps have been taken with a US$4.7bn fund to address the environmental impacts of these wells – how, why and the best way to allocate these fund remains an evolving challenge.
This event builds upon our successful Orphan and Idle Wells series, which began in Texas in 2023 and has since expanded to address regional challenges across Colorado and Canada. The California conference will highlight the state's unique regulatory framework, innovative remediation technologies, and collaborative approaches to well cleanup while exploring new opportunities in the transition to sustainable energy practices.
WHY CALIFORNIA?
California's orphan well crisis represents a complex intersection of environmental justice, public health, and economic challenges that uniquely impact the state's communities and resources. These abandoned oil and gas wells, many dating back to California's 1860s petroleum boom, pose severe risks to the nation's most populous state.
Unlike other regions, California's unique combination of high population density, seismic activity, and water scarcity magnifies the impact of these deteriorating wells. The financial burden is staggering, with cleanup costs ranging from $68,000 to $750,000 per well, creating a multi-billion-dollar liability for the state. This challenge is particularly pressing given California's role as an agricultural powerhouse and its ongoing struggle with water security.
As California continues to lead the nation in environmental protection and climate action, resolving the orphan well crisis becomes not just an environmental imperative but a critical component of the state's broader sustainability and environmental justice goals.
The event will spotlight initiatives and updates on:
- Managing At-Risk and Marginally Producing Wells across the state of California
- Reviewing the effects of Idle Well Extensions and other policy options
- Well-plugging business models that work for all stakeholders
- Well-plugging field techniques unique for California’s environment including seismic zones
- Freshwater wells and drinking water contamination
- Reporting well-plugging towards California’s broader climate goals
- Community and Public Health Priorities
- Data-Driven Decision-Making
- Regulatory Frameworks and Policy Advocacy
The Orphan & Idle Wells California Conference is your opportunity to be at the forefront of this critical environmental and economic challenge. For more information on joining the program, please contact brandy.cormier@energyconferencenetwork.com
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