60 abandoned “orphaned” oil wells in the Allegheny National Forest will be plugged under a new program.
Cecile Stelter, District Forester for the Cornplanter District, said that the wells, some dating back to the 1950’s have “no responsible party” due to leaseholders going out of business, dying, or companies folding.
The project will be done in stages. The first stage will have 12 wells plugged by Howard Drilling of Mt. Jewett.
It is estimated that anywhere from 100,000-200,000 “orphaned” wells exist in Pennsylvania.