Old Oil and Gas Wells Can Get a Second Life to Generate Clean Energy

As countries want to produce much-needed clean, reliable energy, some are looking to an unconventional source: abandoned oil and gas wells built for geothermal heat.

Millions of idle wells are spread throughout the United Statesfossil fuels. Most of the land has no legal owners, and many are still suffering from groundwater pollution and methane leaks that trap heat. The country has not done anything to deal with the problem.

Policymakers in both Republican and Democratic states are exploring whether these sites could be turned into new geothermal energy sources. Holes were already drilled in the ground, after all. And areas with a lot of oil and gas development have the underground information that geothermal companies need to know where to build their gas-free systems.

The concept is new and untested, although scientists and inventors are work to change it. Countries are also laying the groundwork for action by removing regulatory barriers and introducing intensive education.

In Oklahoma, the state Senate is considering a bill which would create a way for companies to buy abandoned oil and gas wells and repurpose them for geothermal energy or underground energy storage. Oklahoma has identified more than 20,000 wells, and state officials say it could take 235 years and hundreds of millions of dollars to plug them all. Repairing a single old well can cost anywhere from $75,000 to $150,000 or more, depending on the location and how difficult it is to clean.

The Well Repurposing Act, which passed the Oklahoma House in March, is implemented by a the same rule which New Mexico received last year to eliminate its 2,000-plus orphan wells.

The Oklahoma bill “recognizes that these wells are a problem, and that there may be a way to turn them into revenue streams and put value on them,” said Dave Tragethon, director of communications for the nonprofit. Well Done Foundationwhich works to find and close abandoned oil and gas wells across the country. “And if there’s value, then there’s a willingness to deal with it and an opportunity to make money.”

In Alabama, legislators he issued an order last month which allows the government to approve and regulate the conversion of oil and gas wells to use alternative energy sources such as geothermal. North Dakota he took the bill last year required the legislative council to investigate the possibility of using barren wells to generate geothermal energy. And in Colorado, it’s just government agencies he introduced technical education evaluating the feasibility of renovating old wells for geothermal development and carbon capture and sequestration.

These efforts show the potential contribution of geothermal energy, which is huge he remained unharmed and the Trump administration’s efforts to ban renewable energy projects. Electricity can help meet the world’s energy needs and reduce the world’s greenhouse gas emissions from electricity and heat.

Converting Wells Is Attractive But Difficult

Geothermal systems work by circulating water underground to capture natural heat, which can be used to drive turbines to generate electricity or heat air and water in homes. Companies are gaining strength Thanks to recent advances in drilling techniques and technologies, it is now possible to technically or economically access geothermal energy in many areas.

Much of this activity has come from the oil and gas industry, which skilled workers drillers and geologists, and deep corporate pockets, have helped to start the basics and establishing sustainable policies. However, most of the expertise and money is being poured into building new projects – without thinking about how to use the disposal wells left by previous generations.