Plugging of Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells - Phase 3

Summary

The State of Texas, through the Railroad Commission (RRC), has established an Oil Field Cleanup Fund to plug abandoned wells and clean up abandoned oil and gas properties.  Due to the maturity of the state's oil and gas activity and the large number of abandoned wells to be plugged, additional funds were needed to address the environmental threats and threats to water quality. To eliminate and/or minimize the pollution threat posed to the marine environment by the plugging operations, the RRC required the following:  (1) after rigging up the plugging equipment, the wellhead on each well was tested to determine the integrity of each valve.  Leaking valves were replaced.  The wellhead valves were used to shut-in and secure the well if a threat of leakage was imminent, and (2) the Invitation To Bid required that the contractor provide pollution containment and control materials and services.  The contractor was required to provide booms for the containment of fluids should a leak occur.