Emergency Plug Authorization-Jim Wiers 1_Huron_3.pdf
PDF 906 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- SRC0000036605
- Issued by
- Hocking County, Ohio
About this file
This Emergency Orphan Well Plugging Authorization is issued by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Oil & Gas Resources Management, authorizing emergency plugging of one orphan well located in Huron County, New Haven Township. The authorization, dated January 26, 2026, requires mobilization, well site development, drilling and cleaning out, plugging of the well, storage and disposal of all materials generated during plugging, decommissioning and removal of all casing, tubing, well and production equipment, and restoration of disturbed areas. A mandatory pre-bid meeting and site visit is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the well location off State Route 103 South (coordinates 40.99628, -82.729532). The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
The well at API 34-077-6-0037-00-00 poses an imminent public health and safety emergency, having been discovered on January 21, 2026, leaking gas at levels as high as 100% LEL from degraded 2-inch tubing. The well is located 70 feet from four seasonal farm worker housing units scheduled for occupancy in March 2026, with 11 additional homes within a 1,000-foot radius. Because the well is too degraded to seal back in, emergency authorization was granted pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 1509.071(B)(1)(b). Only suppliers currently active on CSP900922 contract (DAS Index No. MAC110) and meeting all Division and Agency project requirements are eligible to bid. Award of the contract is contingent upon bidder attendance at the mandatory pre-bid meeting and maintenance of good standing with all other Division and Agency projects.
View the file
Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| SOW-Huron 3.pdf |
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
Orphan Well Program Emergency Orphan Well Plugging Authorization Page 1 of 5 DNR DOGRM Rev 03/20
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF OIL & GAS RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
2045 Morse Road, F-2 • Columbus, OH 43229-6693
Orphan Well Program
Emergency Orphan Well Plugging Authorization
RE: Orphan Well Site Huron County, New Haven Township
API 34-077-6-0037-00-00
Background A complaint was received by the Division from Jim Wiers on January 21st, 2026 stating that an old well on his property was leaking gas. An investigation was carried out by Division Inspector John Williams on January 21st, 2026. The well is located in a 5-foot wide by 5-foot long by 10 feet tall shed at the west edge of a parking area for four buildings used as seasonal housing for farm workers. The well was leaking gas intermittently from a severely degraded section of 2-inch tubing immediately above the suspected wellhead. The leaking gas was audible from over 30 feet away and could be seen venting from the shed from that distance. The local Fire Department was on location overnight between Wednesday and Thursday to monitor the well and measured gas levels as high as 100% LEL in the building and immediately outside the building when the well was leaking. Due to high winds, no levels were detected in or around the most immediate residence, but if winds subside, the area of travel for dangerous levels of gas will increase. An investigation led by Orphan Well Program inspector Kirsten Ebright was conducted on January 22nd, 2026. This was attended by Division Staff and the NW Region Exploratory contractor Second Oil Company. Also present was the Huron County EMA Director and the local Fire Department.
It was determined that the well is too degraded to be able to seal the well back in. The decision was made to vent the well out of the shed to a 400-gallon Poly tank to collect any fluids that may vent from the well.
A vent stack will be placed on that tank to vent gas out at a higher level, allowing the gas to dissipate until the well can be properly plugged.
Consideration The orphan well is 70 feet from one of four buildings used as seasonal housing for farm workers. Those workers are scheduled to come back to reside in the housing sometime in March. Due to the wells’ proximity to the housing and position in the parking area, there will be a considerable amount of both foot and car traffic in that area. The four seasonal housing units are within 300 feet and are downwind from the well based on prevailing winds. There are also 11 other homes in a 1000’ radius from the well. To protect the health and safety of those and other nearby residents, and the fact that the well leak cannot be secured in its degraded state, the well needs to be plugged as an emergency.
Conclusion Pursuant to 1509.071 (B)(1)(b) the well, 34-063-6-0254-00-00 is idle and there is no known owner of the well. Due to the imminent public health and safety risks that this well poses, an immediate plugging of this well through offering a Scope of Work to certified contractor is hereby authorized.
Orphan Well Program Emergency Orphan Well Plugging Authorization Page 2 of 5
January 26, 2026 Eric Vendel Signature Date Eric Vendel, Chief Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management
Orphan Well Program Emergency Orphan Well Plugging Authorization Page 3 of 5
Orphan Well Program Emergency Orphan Well Plugging Authorization Page 4 of 5
Orphan Well Program Emergency Orphan Well Plugging Authorization Page 5 of 5
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .