What is Plugging and Reclamation of Wells?
As Colorado’s energy industry continues to grow, Extraction believes in replacing older technologies with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. In Colorado, there are currently numerous vertical wells that were drilled decades ago and continue to produce. When appropriate and when it is possible to access the same reserves from another location through horizontal drilling, Extraction plugs and reclaims these wells. In these cases, the older vertical wells will be fully reclaimed by removing all equipment and plugging the well with cement. After the well has been plugged, it will be pressure tested to ensure integrity.
This process takes approximately two weeks. During that time, construction trucks may be seen entering and exiting neighborhoods for short periods. Once the well has been plugged, Extraction will remove all facilities and reclaim the land by planting native grasses and vegetation.
Plugging and reclaiming sites is not mandated, however Extraction sees the benefit of decommissioning older wells to beautify areas and utilize state-of-the-art facilities.