An update to previous news article: Ohio to receive $256M in federal funding to clean up abandoned oil and gas sites

Division of Oil & Gas Resources – ORPHAN WELL PROGRAM

The new funding has allowed the program to put together a robust plugging plan, said Steve Irwin, spokesman for ODNR’s Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management.  The final version of House Bill 225 increased the plugging program’s share of the fund from 14 percent to 30 percent of the previous fiscal year’s collection.  The bill also streamlined the steps ODNR must take to locate well owners before plugging a well and allows landowners to hire contractors who are then paid directly by ODNR. Previously, ODNR reimbursed landowners who hired contractors, creating a tax liability for the landowners.

OHIO’S PLAN TO PLUG ORPHAN OIL AND GAS WELLS

This is for potential contractors who will plug the wells. These links provide an overview of the program that would be useful to landowners with orphan/idle wells.

NEW ORPHAN WELL PROGRAM CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE

OWP Federal Funding Presentation 2022.pdf