But while the Orphan Well Prevention Act will help reduce the number of abandoned and orphaned wells — currently around 5,300 — industry watchers said it does little to address the looming issue of wells that remain dormant indefinitely, some of which leak climate-warming methane and toxic fumes.

  • MisterD@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    These wells might become prime targets for eco terrorists. They should be capped with cement

    • silence7@slrpnk.netOPM
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      1 year ago

      Damaging an idle well makes little sense. It has no impact on the oil company and does environmental damage.

      Proper end of life for a well means not just some cap on top, but a plug or multiple plugs down in the borehole to prevent hydrocarbons from migrating into aquifers and salt water from migrating into freshwater aquifers