D22AP00239

Using contractors, the applicant will plug and abandon P&A O&G wells drilled between 1943 and 1974 previously identified by FDEP Oil and Gas Program (OGP), the Florida Geological Survey (FGS), or the five Regional Water Management Districts (WMD) who may become sub-recipients. The applicant will also identify and characterize undocumented orphaned wells on state, federal, and private land, and coordinate with tribes for any that may be located on tribal lands.

To ascertain approximate locations, the applicant will review available information in OGP, FGS, and WMD files regarding O&G wells drilled before 1943. They will conduct on-foot and magnetometer surveys and determine location coordinates with GPS instrumentation. Additionally, the applicant will determine the depth of the deepest underground source of drinking water (USDW) and review locations of previously P&A'd O&G wells located near public water supply wells.

Tests will be conducted to evaluate the condition of orphaned wells, including the integrity of any historically plugged wells near those water supply wells. A report will be prepared prioritizing those wells to be plugged, focusing on old orphaned wells, long-abandoned fields, wells whose condition, fugitive emissions, or geographic setting may contribute to potential public health, safety, or environmental risks. The applicant will make information regarding the use of funds received available on a public website and add an orphaned well grant quicklink to the existing FDEP O&G Program website (https://floridadep.gov/water/oil-gas).

Online readily accessible public access will be provided to the grant application, awards, contracts, maps, reports, inspections, plans, key communications, and a dashboard of funds spent to date, orphaned wells plugged, sites remediated, and sites restored.

The applicant will measure and track emissions of methane (CH4) and other gases associated with orphaned wells and contamination of groundwater or surface water associated with orphaned wells. They will determine the instrumentation required to reasonably measure concentrations of fugitive emissions of CH4 and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas and acquire transportable instrumentation to measure CH4 activities. Consultation will be done with public water supply and wastewater utilities.

Soil will be remediated and native species habitat that has been degraded due to the presence of orphaned wells and associated pipelines, facilities, and infrastructure will be restored. Flowline routes and tank batteries at orphaned or abandoned facilities will be evaluated for evidence of soil and potential groundwater impacts due to spill. Remediation will be conducted to the extent sufficient funds are available.

The applicant will identify and address the disproportionate burden of adverse human health or environmental effects of orphaned wells on communities of color, low-income communities, and tribal and indigenous communities. They will determine the existence of low-income communities throughout Florida that could benefit as described by this provision of the grant and administer a program to carry out the activities described above. The FDEP Division of Water Resource Management will manage the described activities.

Florida Department Of Environmental Protection

DECREASE THE AMOUNT OF METHANE EMISSIONS FROM ORPHANED WELLS. ENHANCE THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY AND PROPERTY FROM ADVERSE EFFECTS OF OIL DRILLING PRACTICES FROM ORPHANED WELLS ON STATES AND PRIVATE LANDS. PLUG AND REMEDIATE OR RECLAIM ORPHANED WELLS ON STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS.

15.018 - Energy Community Revitalization Program (ECRP)

Interior Business Center (IBC) [DOI]

Florida 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.