Join us for refreshments and breakfast networking prior to the event!

This session will explore production and new drilling rates, along with the growing number of idle wells in California, and the challenges posed by production limitations. We will examine what these factors reveal about the future of the state's oil and gas industry, particularly in terms of well abandonment and orphaned well management.
•    Assessing production trends and limits
•    The impact of increasing idle wells on future industry operations
•    Projections for well abandonment across the state
 

This session examines the challenges of plugging at-risk wells in California while addressing the broader financial implications of decommissioning. Key topics include:

•    Evaluating the $15 billion in statewide decommissioning liabilities and financial strategies to manage them.
•    Assessing costs related to downhole plugging, site facilities, and inflation impacts.
•    Comparing current liabilities to public figures and identifying funding mechanisms to support operators.

Topics include wildfire management, orphan wells in seismic zones, and addressing natural seepage tied to seismic activity. The session highlights challenges in current technologies to adapt to California’s active geological setting.

Explore how plugging orphaned wells contributes to emissions reduction and generates carbon credits. Curtis Shuck will discuss how innovative funding strategies, collaborative efforts, and market-based solutions are driving environmental and economic benefits, paving the way for scalable climate action.

This session explores the evolving stakeholder landscape in orphan and idle well management. We’ll discuss best practices for collaboration among private, public, and tribal entities, nonprofits, and other key players.
•    Strategies to align priorities, build trust, and drive impactful solutions.
•    Addressing the diverse concerns of stakeholders in California’s well-plugging and remediation efforts.

This session will address the unique challenges of orphan wells in California and across the nation, including the geological factors influencing emissions and the risks they pose to groundwater aquifers. We will discuss the historical context of orphan wells in the state and the challenges they present to local communities. Additionally, we will explore strategies and USGS resources for effective well-plugging.

Lunch and Learn with Our Speakers
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to engage with our speakers during the lunch break. Ask your questions, share ideas, and connect directly with industry experts in a relaxed and informal setting.

•    Methane detection and quantification methodologies for orphaned wells
•    Insights from the CATALOG program and SUMMATION project
•    Addressing regulatory challenges and compliance in methane emissions
•    Implications of improved emissions data for policy and industry practices

•    Analyzing the national picture of orphan and idle wells and their environmental impacts.
•    Preliminary analytics on idle well populations in key states.
•    Exploring innovative solutions, including technological advancements and policy recommendations.

Plugging offshore wells involves significant challenges, from managing high costs to addressing environmental and technical complexities. This session will explore these hurdles in depth.
•    Cost Management: Navigating the financial burden of decommissioning offshore wells and finding efficient funding solutions.
•    Corrosion Issues: Addressing the unique risks of corrosion and its impact on plugging offshore wells safely and effectively.
•    Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring adherence to environmental and safety regulations during offshore well abandonment.
By examining these complexities, the session will highlight solutions for overcoming the unique challenges of offshore well plugging.
 

• Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement Challenges
• Economic Incentives for Operators to Prevent Orphan Wells
• Case Studies and Lessons Learnt from Well Repurposing Projects 

This session focuses on how California’s tribal governments are taking a leadership role in addressing the orphan and idle well challenges across their lands. By leveraging traditional knowledge and innovative strategies, tribes are developing solutions that reflect both environmental stewardship and community well-being. Key discussion points include:
•    Building tribal capacity for managing orphan well plugging and remediation.
•    Engaging communities with culturally appropriate, locally driven solutions.
•    Collaborating with state and federal agencies to access records and navigate approval processes for well abandonment.

California's unique regulatory landscape and geological diversity present distinct challenges for well-closure efforts. This session will explore:
•    Balancing Responsibilities: Addressing technical, economic, and regulatory liabilities specific to California’s oil and gas sectors.
•    Tailored Due Diligence: Evaluating the scope of compliance processes for California’s stringent environmental and safety standards.
•    State and Local Synergy: Examining California's efforts in collaboration with federal and international partners to innovate and streamline well closure strategies.
Gain insights into aligning well closure systems with California's goals for sustainability and safety.
 

This session explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence in managing California’s orphan and idle wells, focusing on:
•    Driving innovation and operational efficiency.
•    Integrating sustainable practices in well management.

This session will explore the intersection of public health and climate change challenges posed by orphan and idle wells in California. Topics will include:
•    Risks to groundwater from contamination exacerbated by climate-induced droughts.
•    Wildfires' proximity to orphan wells and their role in air quality and safety risks.
•    Corrosion and subsurface complexities affecting California’s water systems.
•    Methane leaks from underground wells contributing to climate change and potential water contamination.
The discussion highlights the urgent need for adaptive policies and proactive measures to mitigate these interconnected risks.

This session will delve into existing sources of funding, including state and federal programs, and discuss strategies for securing financial resources. Key topics include:
•    The role of state initiatives and policies in supporting well-plugging efforts.
•    Leveraging federal programs like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for funding.
•    Addressing funding gaps and ensuring sustainable financial solutions for future projects.
Gain insights into the financial mechanisms driving California's well-plugging efforts and strategies to expand these critical resources.

This session examines the complexities of managing marginally producing, orphaned, and idle wells in California’s high-production fields. Topics include:
•    Understanding the environmental and economic impacts of partially abandoned vs. fully abandoned wells.
•    Best practices for transitioning marginal wells to full abandonment while mitigating emissions and financial risks.
•    Leveraging technology and data to assess well status and optimize abandonment strategies.
•    Navigating California's regulatory landscape, including its stringent well abandonment requirements.
Join industry leaders and policy experts to explore innovative approaches to ensure environmental safety and compliance while addressing legacy infrastructure challenges.
 

California is exploring innovative ways to repurpose orphaned and idle wells to support clean energy and environmental goals.
•    Geothermal Energy: Converting wells for geothermal power generation, tapping into renewable energy potential.
•    Carbon Sequestration: Using wells for storing CO2 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
•    Water Management: Repurposing wells for water storage or monitoring in drought-prone regions.
These alternative uses contribute to sustainability efforts while addressing legacy well issues.

This session explores innovative strategies for repurposing orphaned and idle wells to serve new purposes beyond oil and gas production. Topics include converting wells for geothermal energy production, carbon storage, and water management. We will discuss the technical, regulatory, and financial challenges of repurposing infrastructure while ensuring environmental safety. Learn how these efforts can align with California's clean energy goals and provide sustainable solutions for communities impacted by legacy wells.

This session will explore the development and evolution of Regulatory Improvement Grant (RIG) programs, highlighting key lessons learned and best practices in plugging standards. We will discuss how these programs can enhance orphan well management in the U.S. in 2024, providing new opportunities for efficiency and environmental impact. Join us to learn how RIGs are reshaping regulatory landscapes and advancing well abandonment solutions.

Explore the legal landscape of orphan and idle wells in this session focused on liability and emerging trends. Key topics include:
•    Liability Challenges: Unpacking who bears responsibility for abandoned wells, from owners to operators.
•    Liability Transfers: Assessing the feasibility and risks of shifting liability between parties.
Gain essential insights into legal risks and responsibilities, with practical takeaways for navigating this evolving issue.
 

This session explores Los Angeles’ efforts to address orphan wells in densely developed areas, highlighting issues like leaking wells under new construction, outdated regulations, and leak testing challenges. Learn strategies for balancing urban growth with community safety and environmental needs.

Decommissioning orphaned and idle wells presents several challenges, from regulatory and financial barriers to technical hurdles. This session will focus on strategies to streamline decommissioning processes.
•    Financial Support: Accessing funding and insurance options to cover the high costs of well abandonment.
•    Regulatory Streamlining: Simplifying permitting and approval processes to accelerate well closure.
•    Technological Innovation: Implementing new technologies to improve the efficiency and safety of decommissioning efforts.
By removing these barriers, the process of safely closing orphan and idle wells can be more effective and less costly.

This panel explores the future of well management in California, emphasizing tribal partnerships for sustainable well closure, the role of state record-keeping in ensuring transparency, and the potential of technological innovations like advanced well mapping and methane detection. Join us to discuss strategies shaping the next phase of responsible well management.