UNSPSC 71121008: Oilwell lost circulation services

A service performed to control a loss of drilling fluid to a formation, usually caused when the hydrostatic head pressure of the column of drilling fluid exceeds the formation pressure.

UNSPSC 71121008 Oilwell lost circulation services, a Commodity code, describes work that state and local governments are buying primarily as orphan well plugging and site restoration—not lost-circulation materials or pressure-control services in active production. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy dominates recent activity, issuing four direct solicitations in mid-July 2026 (posted July 16, due July 21) for plugging and abandonment of 38 orphan gas storage wells across Gratiot and Montcalm counties. These are large integrated projects: well plugging, drilling, re-drilling, site prep, mobilization, equipment rental (pole rigs, derrick rigs, wireline), cementing, mud engineering, waste disposal, heavy equipment, and site restoration including road and gate removal, tree trimming, and septic tank handling. Davis-Bacon prevailing wage applies to all Michigan work. Scope of work across these solicitations encompasses 68 line-item unit-price matrices covering labor (roustabouts, toolpushers, rig operators, welders, electricians, equipment operators), specialized drilling and well equipment, casing and tubing rental, wireline and mud services, and lump-sum site tasks. The code sees modest geographic concentration in Michigan, with secondary recent activity in Mississippi (three IFB solicitations for orphan well plugging funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) and isolated opportunities in Florida, Texas, Illinois, and California for well repair, abandonment, and maintenance. Issuing bodies are typically state environmental or oil-and-gas regulatory agencies, water utilities, and county or city water departments managing aging groundwater infrastructure or remediation programs.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy posted four direct solicitations (DS 260000000032, DS 260000000033, DS 260000000034, DS 260000000035) on July 16, 2026, all due July 21, 2026, for orphan well plugging in Gratiot County under New Haven Energy LLC wellheads. All four required prequalification through prior RFPs (210000000834, 220000000547, 220000001850, 220000002631, 240000000951) and mandatory attendance at a July 9 pre-proposal meeting. Evaluation is qualifications-based (80-point minimum threshold) across key personnel, business-owned equipment, technical experience, and vendor questions, with best-value award rather than lowest price. Mississippi Oil and Gas Board posted three IFB solicitations (IFB RFx 3160007881, 3160007966, 3160007967) in March–April 2026 for plugging and reclamation of orphaned wells in multiple counties, funded through IIJA formula grants, with requirements for five years of documented experience, valid Mississippi business licenses, and trade references. Secondary activity appears in Florida (Sarasota County RFQ 2026QQ759 for single-well abandonment due July 10, 2026; Seminole County wastewater pump station maintenance RFQ CC710026 due August 5; and Collier County NRO Wells bid 25-8418 for well improvements at $2.9 million), California (EMWD RFP 3931 for well maintenance and rehabilitation, proposals due April 23), and Illinois (IDNR supplemental irrigation well installation IFB 26-422DNR-LNDMG-B-52982, small business set-aside, bids due July 9). The code is neither highly active nor dormant in state and local procurement; it reflects steady demand for well abandonment and remediation tied to legacy oil-and-gas regulatory programs and aging groundwater infrastructure renewal.