BC OGC sees increase of oil and gas wells being designated as orphan status

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The B.C. Oil and Gas Commision is reporting an increase of oil and gas wells being designated as orphan status.

In a presentation made to the Peace River Regional District Board, on Thursday, the number of orphan sites has increased from 357 in 2019 to 770 in 2020.

An orphan designation is given by the Commission to wells and facilities, and associated operating areas when the operator is insolvent or can’t be located.

When it comes to dormant sites work planning, the OGC reports 66 permit holders are completing closure in 2020, which is up from 56 in 2019.

The total number of dormant sites with closure work scheduled for 2020 was 2,242, up from 1,674 the previous year.

Dormant sites are wells and their associated operating areas that for five or more years have not met a certain threshold of activity but still have a viable operator.