Colorado Department of Natural Resources

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 Orphaned Wells or Sites or for Which 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 and 4 Surface Reclamation Program Staff Are Responsible for 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