47-039-01168

Well drilled in 1944
Producing formation(s): Big Lime, Oriskany
Geographic location: latitude 38.495491, longitude -81.719028

Visited in 2012

This is an abandoned well north of Campbell's Branch near Camp Virgil Tate in Kanawha county. The well is considered abandoned because the operator has not reported production since 2004, making this an abandoned well. The operator reported no production in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011. No production reports were filed for 2005, 2006, and 2010. According to state law, an operator must apply for a plugging permit within 60 days of well abandonment (in this case 2005), something this operator hasn't done.

A 2012 legislative audit found serious problems in the Office of Oil and Gas' abandoned well program.

Problems we noted at this well include trash (cable, pipe and a plastic bottle), a gas and fluid leak at the casing head, and the absence of an API number. The access road is in poor condition and appears to be only useable by an ATV.

This is an abandoned well at the northeast end of Campbell's Branch near Camp Virgil Tate.

Molly, standing nearby, gives an idea of the size of the wellhead. The condensate storage tank is off to the right, out of the photo's frame.

There was a gas leak at the wellhead at the casing head.

There was an oily substance leaking out of the bottom of the casing head.

The well had a sticker identifying an operator but there was no API number as required.

The plastic condensate storage tank sits in adequate secondary containment. The containment has a rainwater drain.

There was miscellaneous trash scattered around the edge of the site, including steel cable, pipe and a plastic gallon jug.

 

Gas Well Site Visits

Examining Well Sites
How We Examined Well Sites
Environmental Assessment

Table with Links to Wells Visited

47-039-05714 Environmental Assessment
47-079-01492 Environmental Assessment
47-039-02026 Environmental Assessment

2013 Gas Well Workshop


Gas Well Study is the examination of natural gas wells in West Virginia.

Underground Injection Control Class 2 Wells
These wells are used either for the disposal of oil and gas liquid waste or for the enhanced recovery of oil or natural gas.

Gas Well Study Site Visits
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Select videos from the Gas Well Study YouTube channel.

What Happened at Fernow
An investigation into what caused the vegetation death in the land application area after landspraying hydraulic fracture flowback waste.

The Spill at Buckeye Creek
An investigation into a spill from a Marcellus well site into Buckeye Creek in Doddridge county.


The Details

Plunger Lift Technology on Gas Wells
Fluids Brought to the Surface during Production
Plugging a Well
How To Read a Lab Report
Information the Completion Report Provides
Casing and Cementing