D22AP00172

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission's Orphaned Well Program identifies, prioritizes, and addresses oil and gas wells, locations, and production facilities statewide for which there are no known responsible parties or financial assurance instruments or bonds have been claimed. If not addressed, these oil and gas locations may impair a surface owner's farming or ranching activity or other use of the property, harm wildlife, pose risks to the environment, or present a safety hazard to the public.

The Orphaned Well Program plugs wells, removes production equipment and debris, investigates and remediates soil and groundwater impacts, installs safety equipment such as fences, signs, and locks or tags, and reclaims well pads, remote production sites, and access roads at orphaned sites. COGCC's rules, regulations, policies, and industry standards provide guidance for the Orphaned Well Program.

Orphaned Well Program projects will be performed in phases:
1. Site security equipment removal, salvage, and disposal
2. Well plugging and flowline abandonment
3. Environmental investigations and remediation
4. Surface reclamation

Program staff are responsible for the design and implementation of all phases of work and for ensuring that the work complies with COGCC's rules, policies, and industry professional standards. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission will use the grant funds to increase its capacity to plug, reclaim, and remediate orphaned wells and sites in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and wildlife resources.

Specific wells and sites to be addressed with the funding are on private or state-owned lands. Restoration of associated land will benefit the general public by removing hazardous legacy facilities, including in disproportionately impacted communities where work will be prioritized.

Colorado Department Of Natural Resources

PLUG AND REMEDIATE OR RECLAIM ORPHANED WELLS ON STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS. ENHANCE THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY AND PROPERTY FROM ORPHANED WELLS ON STATES AND PRIVATE LANDS. TO IDENTIFY AND CHARACTERIZE UNDOCUMENTED ORPHANED WELLS ON STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS REMEDIATE LAND ADJACENT TO ORPHANED WELLS AND DECOMMISSION OR REMOVE ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE AND IMPROVE LAND HEALTH.

15.018 - Energy Community Revitalization Program (ECRP)

Interior Business Center (IBC) [DOI]

Colorado United States

State-Wide

D-AQD-FA-22-003

Infrastructure $25,000,000 (100%) percent this Project Grant was funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Act.
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 08/31/24 to 11/30/24.