Search

Search

Home
...
Research Domains Engineering Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy Petroleum and reservoir engineering
Research Domains
Engineering
Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy
Petroleum and reservoir engineering
A study of methane emissions from orphan wells in Louisiana

A study of methane emissions from orphan wells in Louisiana

Otto L A Santos ¹, Francis S Driscoll ², Ipsita Gupta ¹, Mohamed Abdelaal ¹, Kevin S McCarter ³, Jordi A Garzona ⁴

Otto L A Santos ¹, Francis S Driscoll ², Ipsita Gupta ¹

¹Craft and Hawkins Department of Petroleum Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.
²Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA; (Now at the) School of Ocean Science and Engineering, University of Southern Mississippi, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, USA.
³Department of Experimental Statistics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.
⁴Craft and Hawkins Department of Petroleum Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA; Department of Economics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.

⁰Craft and Hawkins Department of Petroleum Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.

The Science of the Total Environment +

|

November 5, 2025

|

November 5, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Contact us if these videos are not relevant.

Design and Use of a Full Flow Sampling System (FFS) for the Quantification of Methane Emissions

Design and Use of a Full Flow Sampling System (FFS) for the Quantification of Methane Emissions

Published on: June 12, 2016

Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands

Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands

Published on: January 31, 2025

Measuring Dissolved Methane in Aquatic Ecosystems Using An Optical Spectroscopy Gas Analyzer

Measuring Dissolved Methane in Aquatic Ecosystems Using An Optical Spectroscopy Gas Analyzer

Published on: July 26, 2024

See all related videos

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Methane emissions from Louisiana

Area Of Science

Environmental Science
Geoscience
Petroleum Engineering

Background

Orphan oil and gas wells pose environmental risks, including methane emissions.
The Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources (LA DENR) implements well plugging and abandonment (P&A) programs.
Quantifying methane emissions from these wells is crucial for environmental management.

Purpose Of The Study

To analyze methane emissions from orphan oil and gas wells in Louisiana.
To assess the impact of various well and reservoir attributes on methane emission occurrence and magnitude.
To identify key factors influencing methane leakage from plugged wells.

Main Methods

Analysis of 600 well measurements from well-heads.
Statistical analysis including trend analysis, Chi-Square tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and analysis of covariance.
Compilation and analysis of well attributes: field, fluid type, age, depth, density, uncemented interval, reservoir pressure, production history, and borehole characteristics.

Main Results

Identified uncemented interval length, well age, time since production shut-down, borehole size, and perforation interval length as associated with methane emission occurrence and leak rate intensity.
Found that newer wells exhibit higher emission occurrence and greater magnitudes.
Analysis of covariance indicated an interaction between location and well density, supporting the significance of well age.

Conclusions

Specific well attributes significantly influence methane emissions from orphan wells.
Well age is a critical factor, with newer wells showing increased emissions.
Further research with larger datasets is recommended for more definitive conclusions on methane emissions from P&A wells.

Keywords:

Contributive factors Louisiana Methane emissions Orphan wells Statistical analyses

Related Experiment Videos

Contact us if these videos are not relevant.

Design and Use of a Full Flow Sampling System (FFS) for the Quantification of Methane Emissions

Design and Use of a Full Flow Sampling System (FFS) for the Quantification of Methane Emissions

Published on: June 12, 2016

Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands

Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands

Published on: January 31, 2025

Measuring Dissolved Methane in Aquatic Ecosystems Using An Optical Spectroscopy Gas Analyzer

Measuring Dissolved Methane in Aquatic Ecosystems Using An Optical Spectroscopy Gas Analyzer

Published on: July 26, 2024

See all related videos

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Archaea

Overview of Archaea

Archaea, named after the Archaean eon, represent a unique domain of life, distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes, with remarkable traits. Their cellular and molecular features, ecological adaptability, and industrial relevance highlight their importance in understanding life processes and leveraging biotechnology.Cellular and Molecular CharacteristicsA defining feature of archaea is their unique membrane composition. Archaeal membranes contain ether-linked isoprenoid lipids, which confer...

Share

X
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube

ABOUT JoVE

Overview
Leadership
Blog
JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process
Editorial Board
Scope & Policies
Peer Review
FAQ
Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials
Subscriptions
Access
Resources
Library Advisory Board
FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal
Methods Collections
JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments
Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core
JoVE Business
JoVE Science Education
JoVE Lab Manual
Faculty Resource Center
Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies