Oilfield Restoration Commission

ABANDONED OILFIELD SITE NEAR LSU NOW UNDER CLEANUP AND RESTORATION BY DNR

Orphaned and abandoned oilfield sites across the state are getting attention and being restored under the state’s Oilfield Site Restoration Program, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials revealed today in Baton Rouge. An orphaned oilfield site drilled in 1948, and located just south of LSU’s campus was visited this morning by news media, local and state officials, environmentalists, and others close to the project.

“This is very good news about industry and government working together to correct problems for a better environment,” said DNR Secretary Jack Caldwell. Under the program, also known as “Act 404", DNR’s Office of Conservation has closed 141 abandoned oilfield sites across the state in this fiscal year alone. “Because this site (University Field) is right here in our backyard, we felt this is an excellent time to spread the word and go out to have a look at what it’s like to cleanup and remediate these areas,” Caldwell said.

Commissioner of Conservation Philip Asprodites said that there are nearly 3,000 documented orphaned wells and about 1,026 open pits in the state. Cleanup of these sites began in 1994, as established by Act 404 of state law, and are prioritized based on factors such as potential harm to the public health or the environment. He said 80 percent of the oilfield sites are located in north Louisiana with the largest concentration in Caddo parish. Asprodites said Act 404 funding is generated by a fee on oil and gas production in the state. Under some conditions, the administration can seek restoration costs directly from operators.

In University Field, off Burbank Drive and East Boyd Street, eight wells are to be plugged and six pits closed as work continues at this site. The contractor began work in late December 1998 and has removed one large tank battery facility with ten storage tanks. Conservation officials estimate the cost of the project at $425,000. SSCI, Inc. (Separation Systems Consultants Incorporated) of Houma was awarded the project.

Since 1994, $12.1 million has been spent plugging 452 orphan wells, closing 84 pits and removing 38 facilities throughout Louisiana.

Editors: For more information on this topic, contact Gary Ross, Petroleum Engineer Supervisor, Office of Conservation at 225-342-6089.