Projects in Communities
Complex projects located near communities may require additional communication and status updates. If you have any additional questions or concerns pertaining to the sites in this section, please contact community@orphanwell.ca.
The Town of Bonnyville
Statement on the Trican 12-08-061-05W4 well in Town of Bonnyville
The Orphan Well Association (“OWA”) has been directed by the Alberta Energy Regulator (“AER”) to ensure public safety is maintained surrounding a 1950’s vintage sweet gas well located within the 4500 block between 45th and 46th Avenue in the Town of Bonnyville.
In June of this year, the well, which was previously decommissioned to the standard of the day, was found to be leaking minor volumes of sweet natural gas (methane). The OWA is monitoring the area, has located and exposed the wellbore, and installed a vapour recovery unit to capture gas from the soil. The OWA continues to work closely with the AER, the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority, and the Town of Bonnyville to ensure the safety of nearby residents.
While the leak is small, plans to permanently fix and decommission this well are nearing completion. A meeting was held on September 11th, 2024 with nearby residents and a future information session will be held for interested stakeholders.
At the time this area of Bonnyville was developed, there were no requirements to identify historic wells as part of development plans. In 2012, rules were established by Alberta Municipal Affairs that changed this requirement to help prevent these types of situations from occurring. For more information on this requirement, please visit https://www.aer.ca/regulating-development/rules-and-directives/directives/directive-079.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the OWA at info@orphanwell.ca. Questions regarding regulatory oversight and historic wells can be directed to the AER at inquiries@aer.ca.
This portion of our website will be updated regularly as work progresses to keep stakeholders fully informed.
Town of Vermilion, Brennan Sub-division
The Tenwell #1 well in Vermillion’s Brennan Sub-division, near a playground, was decommissioned many years ago; however, the well continued to release minor amounts of methane. The OWA has completed the installation of an Automated Methane Mitigation System (AMMS) at the well and no further work outside of ongoing monitoring is anticipated.
The site is now under a long-range management plan with no expected changes to the current infrastructure on site for many years. The small volume of methane from the well is being gathered and is then fully combusted by a flameless heater with minor periodic maintenance required. Periodic environmental sampling events are also undertaken to ensure the site continues to present no safety issues to nearby residents.
In the spring/summer of 2024, the OWA plans to relocate the house that is immediately east of the well (5224 63rd Street). This lot will then be converted to an expansion of the current greenspace. The removal of the house will help accommodate access to the well in the future should the need ever arise.
Tenwell No.1 Long-Term Management Program Community Update: Newsletter link
The Town of Diamond Valley
The OWA has postponed decommissioning activities on the Katana Resources British Dominion Well #3 which is located on the north-west edge of Diamond Valley near the Country Meadows subdivision. The OWA is re-evaluating its technical plans for the well through consultation with the AER and will notify residents in advance of any future work.