Media Advisory - More than 80,000 inactive Oil Wells in Alberta. Blessing or Environmental hazard for Albertans?
CALGARY, Feb. 7, 2017 /CNW/ - Alarms are being raised over the growing number of inactive oil and gas wells in Alberta, which now exceeds 80,000. Why are there so many? Cost.
Non-producing wells are routinely kept in a state of "inactive" suspension on the hope that someday oil prices or technology, or both, will change significantly enough to make those wells profitable again. In most cases that will never happen.
There is no limit on how long a well can be kept inactive before it must be reactivated or abandoned. While a convenience for well owners, there is no benefit to Albertans. They are exposed to the risk of thousands of inactive wells becoming a hazardous threat to public safety.
Tomorrow, The School of Public Policy with author Lucija Muehlenbachs will release a report that examines the potential liability inactive wells can cause and to decipher the rationale for leaving oil and gas wells inactive.
This is an issue of critical importance to Albertans.
Author Lucija Muehlenbachs will be available for interviews tomorrow. For interview requests, please contact Morten Paulsen at the number listed below.
The report will go live online at 11:00 a.m. MT tomorrow, February 8th at http://www.policyschool.ca/publications/
SOURCE The School of Public Policy - University of Calgary
Morten Paulsen, 403.220.2540, [email protected]
Share this article