The Orphan Well Cooperative, Inc.

The Orphan Well Cooperative, Inc. is a United States-based nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the environmental and social impacts of orphaned oil and gas wells. Founded with a mission to research and reclaim orphan wells, the organization focuses on bridging the gap between past legacy pollution and sustainable solutions for the future.

Mission and Goals

The Cooperative’s mission centers on solving the problem of orphan wells — abandoned oil and gas wells left unplugged due to various reasons including lack of proper documentation or insufficient resources from operators. The organization seeks to increase education and awareness surrounding these wells, emphasizing inclusivity and the incorporation of diverse perspectives for effective solutions. Its efforts aim to document and prioritize orphan wells for plugging, thereby mitigating environmental hazards such as greenhouse gas emissions and groundwater contamination.

Key Activities and Achievements

• Compilation of Orphan Well Data: The Cooperative produced the first comprehensive compilation of orphan wells across all U.S. states, establishing a baseline for the national count of these wells.

• Prioritization Matrix: It developed the only publicly available prioritization matrix with input from task force experts focused on social and environmental justice, which helps identify wells with the highest risk or impact to prioritize remediation efforts.

• Collaborative Engagement: The organization convenes a broad range of stakeholders including regulators, policymakers, service providers, landowners, oil and gas companies, carbon project developers, scientific researchers, and other nonprofit entities. This collaborative approach facilitates shared learning and coordinated field events.

• Support for Industry Organization: The Cooperative granted resources to establish the Orphan Well Management Association (OWMA), the first member-driven trade association aimed at unifying and amplifying efforts to address orphan wells.

• Research Contributions: The Cooperative co-authored a methodology for the quantification, monitoring, reporting, and verification of greenhouse gas emissions reductions achieved by plugging orphan wells in the U.S. and Canada.

Financial and Organizational Structure

The Orphan Well Cooperative operates with a focus on financial literacy and conservative asset management. Its financial statements are independently audited, and the organization files Form 990 tax returns, reflecting transparency in governance and operations.

Impact

By tackling the problem of orphan wells through data-driven research, stakeholder collaboration, and innovative methodologies, the Orphan Well Cooperative plays a critical role in environmental stewardship. Its work supports methane mitigation, prevents contamination of soil and water, and advances environmental justice by prioritizing communities disproportionately affected by legacy pollution.

This nonprofit exemplifies a dedicated community-based approach to addressing a complex environmental challenge linked to the legacy of the oil and gas industry in the United States[1][2][3].