In all, the province saw over 2,000 well abandonments completed between April of 2019, and February of this year, according to numbers made available this week. It is an increase of more than 40 percent compared to 2018-19.

“Saskatchewan’s oil and gas sector is one of the most environmentally responsible in the world,” explained Energy and Resources Minister Bronwyn Eyre. “This increase in well abandonments demonstrates the commitment by industry and government to manage the entire life-cycle of provincial wells and ensure the safe retirement of unused infrastructure to protect our environment, landowners and the public.”

An abandoned well is one which a company is no longer using, and has been decommissioned properly. This includes plugging downhole producing zones, cutting the well casing below ground, and sealing it off with a welded cap. Additionally, abandoned wells are not to be confused with orphaned wells, which are wells that are no longer in use due to a company becoming insolvent, and unable to clean up the well site.

During a press conference Monday, Eyre pointed out there are roughly 175 orphaned wells in the province, which is a manageable number when compared to Alberta. Additionally, the province, through the orphan well fund, has seen $28 million spent since 2010 to clean up orphaned wells. The fund is maintained through contributions from industry, with no taxpayer money being used.