31 NOVEMBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Improving the Land and Creating Jobs for Veterans Adapted from Information by Environmental Innovators of America The nonprofit group Environmental Innovators of America (EIA) is on a mission to accelerate the retirement of abandoned, or orphaned, gas and oil wells by plugging them with concrete as prescribed by the Oklahoma Water Resource Board regulations. The group also cleans up any holdover chemicals and recycles abandoned or rusting equipment. The problem of abandoned gas and oil wells is significant. There are millions of abandoned wells nationwide, with about 12,000 orphaned wells in Oklahoma on public record as of 2020. Many more are believed to be in private hands. The state defines an orphaned well as one which is abandoned and taken out of production because it no longer produces enough to be viable, or the company that owned the well went bankrupt. Each orphaned well is a potential environmental hazard. When idle wells are left unsealed, they become pathways for gas, oil, or briny water to migrate into groundwater and soil. Rusting pipes and equipment are hazards for wildlife, livestock, and unsuspecting humans. Many of the wells are releasing methane and some are already leaking chemicals into fields and groundwater. Numerous small businesses benefit from the process of well plugging, leading to employment opportunities and economic growth. EIA also seeks to employ and target Veteran-owned businesses across the United States to help reach their goals. The Veteran community brings high-level skills to the civilian workforce which can add value to the gas and oil industry. In an effort to empower, support, and connect with the Veteran community, the EIA Veteran Recruitment Program was created. Working in collaboration with the John Daly-Major Ed Heart of a Lion Foundation, the program provides information and connection to opportunities for employment, education, certification, mentorship, and training in the natural gas and oil industry. G&O DON’T TURN THIS PAGE This is just a sneak peek ~ visit www.worldwidedrillingresource.com/gallery.html for more photos online! Demo of Geoprobe® rig. Did you get to say “Hi” to Frank in the Hoffman Diamond booth? CME had Dave, Michael, & Dave on hand to talk equipment. Matt and Mike, Eijkelkamp were proud of Fraste rig. Givens International was well represented by Cindy & Laurie. Norm (R) had a helping hand at Wyo-Ben booth. Ryan represented SIMCO®. National Drilling Association in Horse Country Lexington, KY Sept. 13-15, 2023
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