Methane Monitoring Associated with Well Plugging & Abandonment for Active, Marginal, Idle, and Orphan Wells

Introduction to Methane Monitoring, Measurement, & Quantification

Understanding Varied Requirements: IIJA Funding, Carbon Registries, State Requirements, etc.

• Orphan Well Plugging using IIJA monies required to do MM starting 1/1/24.
• Several states seeking methane monitoring support.
• Federal Guidance vs Carbon Registry Protocols

Guidances, Methods, Protocols, and Qualification Requirements

• DOE Guidance & EPA Method 21 for Orphan Wells
• Carbon Registries (requirements & how they vary)
• MERP/NEMRI considerations for MCWs
• Qualified Measurement Specialist

Associated Considerations & Safety

• Planning
• Access & Safety
• Type of Well (e.g., Orphan, Idle, MCW, Active, ?)
• Presence or Absence of Infrastructure
• Weather & Interference Conditions

Methane & Gas Monitoring, Measurement/Quantification, & Characterization

• Methods may vary depending on well type, purpose, infrastructure, etc.
• Choosing Equipment/instrumentation
• Measurement Accuracy & Considerations
• Data Collection & Documentation

Equipment/Field Examples/Research

• OGI Technology & ALL Consulting
• VentBuster & Well Done Foundation
• Hawk Vent Gas Meter & PetraCat
• High Flow Meter & Heath
  • Montrose Environmental
  • Xplorobot handheld IR methane measurement, imaging tool
• University Research Findings
• Federal Program Findings

Closing Remarks