Environmental Impacts of Oil and Gas Well Plugging and Abandonment: Best Practices and Future Directions

Abstract

Oil and gas well plugging and abandonment (P&A) has received more attention globally today as its downstream impacts on the ecosystem, human health, and climate stability have serious long-term implications to the environment. This paper discusses the ecological and regulatory aspects of inactive, and orphan wells with reference to groundwater pollution, methane emissions, and instability of the ground. In a comparative review of international case studies consisting of best practice in Norway and challenges in Niger Delta, Nigeria the study reveals the existing regulatory gaps and technological shortcomings defeating the success behind decommissioning. In addition, it also looks at advances in the methodology of plugging, AI-assisted leak detection, and risk-based prioritization of wells. Legacy pollution and ethical considerations related to environmental justice, as well as the effect on communities are also discussed. Drawing the conclusion, the paper suggests an advanced framework of sustainable P&A practice with a focus on how a more robust governance, cross-sector partnership, and innovative technologies can promote environmental security and accountability of the operations. Such observations take part in the development of debates about energy transformation, climate mitigation and sound resource management.