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OLD WELLS MUST BE PLUGGED OR PRODUCED - DEP Enforcing Initiative |
| (01/09/2003) |
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State oil and natural gas regulators are hoping a new initiative reduces the number of
abandoned wells in the state. Recognizing the need for a higher degree of environmental compliance with well abandonment requirements, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Oil and Gas has developed the Abandoned Well Initiative. Under this effort, well operators will be required to bring their abandoned wells into compliance through production or plugging in accordance with an agreed schedule. State law defines an abandoned well as a well that has not been in use for 12 consecutive months. Operators with abandoned wells that choose not to participate in the initiative will be subject to enforcement actions. "We developed this initiative because there are an unacceptable number of abandoned wells in the state," said DEP Cabinet Secretary Michael O. Callaghan. "Some of these wells have economic potential and should be produced, while others pose environmental threats and need to be plugged and reclaimed. Through this initiative, we can bring companies into compliance and promote a healthy environment." The initiative began Jan. 1. Operators that want to participate in the initiative must execute and submit a compliance agreement to the DEP's Office of Oil and Gas by Jan. 31. Copies of both the compliance agreement and enforcement protocol may be obtained by contacting the Office of Oil and Gas at 1356 Hansford Street, Charleston, WV 25301 or by calling (304) 558-6075. The information is also available on DEP's website at http://www.dep.state.wv.us.
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