Gas extraction can be extremely lucrative. However, the wells where this resource is extracted will eventually have to be closed. This can be an important process, and it is critical for your company to appreciate the steps for safely and effectively abandoning a gas well.

Failing To Effectively Close A Gas Well Can Pose Significant Environmental Hazards

If a gas well is not properly abandoned, it can pose significant environmental hazards. Not surprisingly, this has led to a variety of regulations that govern the process of preparing a well to be abandoned. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to your business facing expensive fines and other repercussions and civil liabilities. As a result, your business should have a plan in place for managing the process of abandoning a gas well that will no longer be used.

Soil May Not Be Sufficient For Plugging The Well

A key part of abandoning a gas well will be to plug the hole in the ground. Some individuals may assume that this will only require the business to put a large amount of soil in the hole. However, this is typically not a suitable method as the gas could still seep through the soil. Rather, a cement plug may be needed to fully close the well. As part of the abandonment process, it can be useful to have the site surveyed and evaluated by a professional abandonment solutions provider. These professionals will be able to assess the types of steps that will be needed to safely close and seal the well while also keeping the costs affordable.

Abandoned Gas Well Will Need To Be Monitored

Once the gas well has been plugged and abandoned, it may still need to be monitored for an extended period of time. This will identify whether leaks develop that will require repairs to the seal. When assessing your company's options for these needs, there are gas well abandonment solution providers that will be able to provide ongoing monitoring of the abandoned well so that any leaks or other problems with its seal can be found and addressed before significant environmental damage occurs.

If your business needs to abandon one or more gas wells, take the appropriate steps to reduce the environmental and safety risks that abandoned gas wells can pose. By recognizing these threats and creating an abandonment plan, utilizing cement to plug the well, and investing in long-term monitoring can be basic steps for safely closing these wells.

Contact a company like Calgem Well Abandonment for more information.