2007 California Public Resources Code Article 4.1. Abandoned Wells

CA Codes (prc:3240-3241)

3240.  The supervisor, in cooperation with appropriate state and
local agencies, shall conduct a study of abandoned oil and gas wells
located in those areas of the state with substantial potential for
methane and other hazardous gas accumulations in order to determine
the location, the extent of methane gas and other hazardous gas
accumulations, and potential hazards from the abandoned wells.



3241.  The supervisor, in cooperation with appropriate state and
local agencies, shall develop a strategy for extracting existing
accumulations of methane gas and other hazardous gas from abandoned
oil and gas wells in high-risk areas identified by the supervisor in
order to protect the health and safety of the public.  The strategy
shall also provide plans for the management of methane gas and other
hazardous gas from wells in high-risk areas where no accumulations
are discovered in order to prevent future accumulations of methane
gas and other hazardous gas.