Ending the Emissions: 9 Steps to Permanently Seal Orphan Wells
by Eric Perner, COO
The United States faces a massive environmental challenge stemming from millions of orphan and abandoned oil and gas wells. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than 3.12 million abandoned wells were documented in the U.S. by 2016, with 69% left unplugged. These unplugged wells represent a significant source of methane emissions, a greenhouse gas 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide in its first 20 years in the atmosphere. Beyond their environmental impact, these wells pose health and safety risks, threatening air quality, groundwater, and even creating potentially explosive situations.
An essential part of addressing this challenge is the use of Portland cement for the plugging process, a material with a long and trusted history in the oil and gas industry. Cement can serve as an effective and durable barrier to seal wells and permanently prevent fugitive methane emissions—but only when it is applied correctly and enhanced with the right additives. Decades of scientific research and practical application have demonstrated that, when properly formulated and executed, cement remains the gold standard for ensuring well integrity and environmental protection.
The legacy of cement stretches far beyond the oil and gas sector. Its durability and versatility have been demonstrated since ancient times, with the Romans using cement in structures like the Pantheon and aqueducts—many of which are still standing thousands of years later. This proven longevity highlights why cement remains a cornerstone material in addressing modern engineering challenges including the plugging of orphan wells.
Rebellion Energy Solutions is tackling this well abandonment problem with a patent-pending methodology known as The Rebellion Method of Plugging. This innovative approach combines the time-tested reliability of cement with advanced materials and monitoring techniques to permanently seal orphan wells. By doing so, the method ensures that no hydrocarbons leak into the atmosphere, aquifers, or other critical zones for up to 1,000 years. Below, we outline the nine crucial steps of this methodology.
Step 1: Well Identification and Assessment
This includes gathering historical and structural data about the well, its location, and its condition. If the well’s history is unavailable, extensive monitoring is conducted to understand pressure buildup and leakage points. This foundational step ensures the right approach is taken for long-term sealing.
Step 2: Method Specification
Rebellion’s methodology emphasizes the construction of a minimum of two durable cement barrier envelopes that reach across the casing wall to the formation and multiple internal barriers to block any potential pathways for methane. This step also establishes a framework of standard operating procedures, quality assurance measures, and regulatory requirements to ensure long-term durability.
Step 3: Well Proposal
A detailed well proposal is developed based on the specific geometries and conditions of each well. This document guides the team during the plugging and abandonment (P&A) process. Pre-job data, including testing results and assessments, feed into the proposal, ensuring a tailored approach for each well.
Step 4: Professional Engineering Assessment Pre-job
Before fieldwork begins, a certified Professional Engineer (PE) reviews and approves the proposal. This step guarantees that the planned materials, procedures, and methods meet stringent durability and safety standards mandated by the Rebellion Method.
Step 5: Performance on Site
Operational staff undergo training, and a decision tree helps guide real-time adjustments as needed. Onsite calculations, monitoring, and data collection here is vital for post-job analysis.
Step 6: Post-Job Report
After completing the P&A operation, a detailed post-job report is generated. This report documents all aspects of the process, compares them to the initial proposal, and identifies any deviations. It is a critical document for learning and accountability.
Step 7: Professional Engineering Assessment Post-Job
A second review by a Professional Engineer assesses how well the actual work matches The Rebellion Method of Plugging’s standards, and documents any modifications made due to practical challenges encountered on-site. This ensures the well’s durability aligns with long-term objectives.
Step 8: Archiving Data in a Database
All data from the process—beginning with initial assessments through post-job documentation—is archived in a searchable database. This resource supports future research, performance analysis, and reference for similar well projects, helping improve techniques and materials over time.
Step 9: Ongoing Monitoring of Leakage
To ensure the integrity of the sealed wells, Rebellion conducts rigorous, ongoing monitoring. Methane measurements are taken immediately after plugging, at 30 and 90 days post-plugging, and annually for 5 years then every fifth thereafter for a total period of 20 years. This commitment to long term monitoring ensures any potential issues in the future are identified and resolved promptly.
The Environmental and Climate Impact
Plugging orphan wells using The Rebellion Method of Plugging offers measurable reductions in methane emissions, helping companies move closer to their climate goals. By addressing this significant source of greenhouse gases, Rebellion Energy Solutions is not only mitigating environmental damage but also protecting public health and safety.
The nine steps provide a robust framework for addressing immediate emissions but also commit to a long-term environmental stewardship aiming for well integrity that lasts centuries. With a commitment to innovation, quality, and reliability, Rebellion Energy Solutions is leading the charge toward a cleaner, safer future.
For more information, reach out to us at info@rebellionenergy.com.
For your safety, please avoid orphan well sites unless you have proper training, including hazard recognition, safety equipment and emergency procedures.
