A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO THE ORPHAN WELL PROGRAM AS EMBRACED BY RETTEW ASSOCIATES, INC

RETTEW Inc. has been working with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to locate and document abandoned orphan wells through Phase II of the Orphan Well Program. This program aims to identify orphaned gas wells, assess their risks, and ensure their proper plugging to mitigate environmental hazards and protect public health. Our approach is to locate these wells using drone-based magnetic surveys, ground investigations, and advanced GIS and geophysical techniques, all of which will be described. The Survey team used drone technology equipped with a magnetometer to survey approximately 13,000 acres, identifying magnetic monopole anomalies that could indicate the presence of abandoned steel-cased wells, including efforts to generate coordinates. Ground investigations intended to probe these anomalies, document potential well locations, and assess any associated risks. The final step involved the Survey team acquiring precise survey-grade coordinates of confirmed orphan wells, which were used by the GIS team to create detailed maps for final reporting. The presentation will describe the technical scope of the project, including the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to collect aerial magnetic data, a method that enhances the efficiency and safety of the survey process. Review of terrain and vegetation, obtaining right-of-entry from landowners, and the systematic approach to performing magnetic surveys are included, along with follow-up investigations. The collaborative efforts between RETTEW, ODNR and its partners, emphasizes effective project management, communication, and safety protocols and is quite innovative. The project’s success relies on a multi-disciplinary approach, from initial planning and data collection to final reporting, and highlights the importance of precise data acquisition and teamwork in meeting project objectives and delivering accurate, actionable results to ODNR. Concluding comments include the broader implications of the Orphan Well Program in improving environmental stewardship and contributing to the safety and sustainability of the region.