The Orphan Well Association (OWA) released a statement reporting “additional mitigation measures” to ensure the safety of homes effected by the orphan well and methane leak between 45th and 46th avenue in Bonnyville and highlighted the organization’s plans to decommission the well.
The Dec. 2 OWA statement said, “[Their] plans call for the smallest possible footprint for the drill rig while ensuring the safe decommissioning of the well.” The plans still include the demolishing of surrounding homes in the immediate vicinity of the well, in order to provide access for a drilling rig.
"Once purchase agreements have been finalized, residents will need some time before vacating their properties. The OWA recognizes this will be a difficult time and we want to give displaced residents time to move from their homes,” reports the OWA.
Currently, the OWA has deemed the area safe for residents.
“Based on our sampling to date, we are satisfied the area around the well remains safe and does not pose a risk to residents or the public. The OWA continues to work closely with the AER (Alberta Energy Regulator), the Town of Bonnyville, the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority, and Alberta Health Services to ensure public safety is maintained,” said the OWA.
The OWA anticipates the earliest date for work to begin will be in early 2025, though there are "multiple parameters” that can impact the timeline.
“The decommissioning program will require very careful and detailed plans for on-site operations and access to and egress from the site. Issues such as traffic patterns, road closures, timing of operations, duration of operations, noise and light impacts and mitigation, are currently being reviewed,” said the OWA.
Stakeholder feedback and engagement is cited as a factor in the OWA’s plans, and they will be holding an open house several weeks prior to starting work with the drilling rig.
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