Feds and State Still Developing Priority List for Alaska Legacy Wells

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has agreed to plug at least one additional abandoned well in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska provided it receives the money to do so.
   
The issue of how or whether to address other so-called legacy well sites remains under discussion between the agency and Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, or AOGCC.
   
Earlier this year, the Legislature passed a resolution urging BLM to properly plug and reclaim the well sites as soon as possible.
   
While BLM-Alaska hoped to have an updated plan for addressing unplugged wells this spring, spokeswoman Artealia Gilliard said the agency is still working with AOGCC and others to develop a priority list.
   
One project the parties have agreed should be tackled next is a well site that has been emitting gas.