BLM Completes Plugging of Legacy Wells at Umiat
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ANCHORAGE, Alaska - BLM Alaska has completed plugging of three legacy wells and removal of wellheads from three additional legacy wells at Umiat in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). The work was done through an interagency agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which contracted with Marsh Creek, LLC.
“We’re very pleased to be making headway on the cleanup of legacy wells, thanks in large part to funding provided through the Helium Act of 2013.” said BLM Alaska State Director Bud Cribley. “This work reflects our continued commitment to protect public safety and Alaska’s environment.”
Umiat Wells 1, 3, and 11 were plugged and wellheads removed. In addition, wellheads were removed at Umiat Wells 4, 8, and 10, which had been plugged previously. All pipes were cut off below ground level and buried beneath a mound of gravel and soil. The work was coordinated with the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC.)
All six wells had been drilled by the U.S. Navy from the mid-1940s to the early 1950s. Between 1944 and 1982, the U.S. Navy and U.S. Geological Survey conducted a program of exploratory and scientific drilling on Alaska’s North Slope in what is now the NPR-A. The BLM was given responsibility for managing the NPR-A in 1976 and inherited the responsibility to assess, plug and remediate these wells in 1982.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.