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84,130 Metric Tons of CO2e
Emissions Reduced Located in French Creek Valley Conservancy in Waterford, Pennsylvania, one of the nationally recognized biologically important waterways in the entire country, this orphaned gas well named Martha Smith (APN 37-049-224423) was reported as venting gas to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in 2021. The DEP deemed that it needed to be moved to orphan status, reported it with an unknown spud date (1-1-1800) and at a depth of over 4,000 feet. This orphan gas well sat on the banks of the LeBoeuf Creek in the French Creek watershed and was in the flood plain with homes within 2500 feet. George Washington may have walked by the location in 1753 on his way to deliver a message to the French Commandant at Fort LeBoeuf to stop intruding into the Virginia Territory and Ohio Country. The French Creek Conservancy and Watershed is home to 27 species of mussels, 15 species of darters, and has four National Audubon Society Important Bird Areas (IBA). Many species that thrive in French Creek have been extirpated from their natural ranges due to habitat loss and degradation of water quality. The Nature Conservancy that includes the French Creek Watershed is listed as a national “hot spot.” The prior operator experienced financial hardship and was not solvent. The Approval to Plug was accepted by DEP and ownership was transferred to Well Done Foundation. Plants and Goodwin from Bradford, PA was contracted to perform the plugging work which was completed on December 9, 2022. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Oil and Gas Management completed its final inspection on December 12, 2022 with no violations. CarbonPath Registry and Methodology Two 2-hour continuous monitoring events prior to well plugging by a Qualified Measurement Specialist, industry-leading flowmeters and lab-verified methane concentration Benefits & Accomplishments 84,130 Metric Tons of CO2e Emissions Reduced 5 United Nation Envision 2030 Goals Achieved - Improved water quality - Air quality improvements - Environmental restoration - Local jobs creaation - Community outreach - Environmental justice United Nations Envision 2030 Goals Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation Met by improving water quality, reducing pollution and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials into groundwater. Plugging of the orphan well supports improvement in air and water quality. Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Met via the use of flow metering processes which can be used to retrofit industries, making them sustainable, improving resource utilization and expanding the adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. The technology can be used in developing countries and with mobile capabilities, can be monitored globally using cloud technologies. Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities Met by preserving French Creek Valley Conservancy, its critical biodiversity and four National Audubon Society Important Bird Areas (IBA), this orphan well emitted methane in a national “hot spot” and protected nearby residents and the local community. Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production Met through the project providing sound management of orphaned oil and gas well and methane emissions in accordance with agreed international frameworks, permanently reducing their release to air, water-minimizing their adverse impacts on human health and the environment through prevention of future emissions Goal 13: Climate Action Met via the innovative measurement technologies being used in the project were invented to anticipate and meet climate goals -continuing to be refined and its use expanded across many locations. |
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