California Legacy Well Services, LLC, has been selected by the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) to conduct well plugging and sealing work on one orphan well in the Pyramid Hills Oil Field in Kings County, Calif.
An “idle well” is an oil and well that has not been used for two years or more and has not yet been properly plugged and abandoned (sealed and closed). “Orphan wells” are idle wells that don’t have an operator capable of abandoning and remediating the well.
Across California, there are approximately 5,000 orphaned, deserted or potentially deserted well. These orphan wells present special environmental and community health hazards. The state’s orphan well plug and abandonment program helps to address the risks and hazards associated with these wells through contracts with service companies, like California Legacy Well Services.
Summary of Planned Activities
We have planned the safe plugging and abandonment of 1 orphan well in the Pyramid Hills Oil Field. Work will occur over the coming weeks.
The work will include the following planned activities:
- Workover Rig Deployment
Crews of 3-5 personnel will operate workover rigs at each well location to perform abandonment activities in accordance with state regulations.
- Standard Working Hours
Operations will take place during daylight hours, Monday through Friday. No overnight or weekend work is currently planned.
- Increased Traffic from Support Vehicles
Daily activity will include vacuum trucks, wireline units, cementing crews, and tool delivery vehicles entering and exiting the area.
- Vacuum Truck Operations for Fluid Management
Trucks will be used to remove and transport fluids from each well to approved disposal facilities.
- Cementing Operations to Seal Wells
Cementing units will be mobilized to place cement in wellbores to properly isolate underground zones and ensure permanent well closure.
- Wireline Services and Isolation Charges
Wireline trucks will run tools and deploy controlled detonation charges underground to assist with wellbore isolation and cement placement. All activities are conducted with appropriate safety precautions.
- Safety and Environmental Oversight
All work will comply with CalGEM guidelines and local and state regulations.
- Project Completion Timeline
The goal is to complete the well abandonment before the end of 2026, pending field conditions and agency coordination.
Our goal is to be as minimally disruptive as possible. We have developed a website to provide more information to the public about well abandonment, including training opportunities for individuals seeking a career in well abandonment. You can view our website by visiting www.wellabandonment.org.