Why?
A recent OECD report suggests that, with no serious mitigation actions, an increase in temperature between 1.5 and 4 degrees celsius may have a
The Swiss Re Institute warns that without significant mitigation efforts, climate change could slash up to 18% off the global GDP by 2050. This dramatic loss stems from increased frequency and severity of natural disasters, disruption to agricultural productivity, and the resulting impacts on infrastructure and human health.
Conversely, taking decisive action now could result in global economic gains of $43 trillion over the next five decades by transitioning to a low-carbon economy, demonstrating that the cost of inaction far outweighs the investments required to combat climate change.
And though methane has a significantly shorter atmospheric lifespan than carbon dioxide, its tremendous heat-trapping ability gives methane a disproportionately large immediate-term impact on climate change.
This also means that reducing methane emissions can have a faster impact on slowing down climate change, making it a crucial focus in efforts to keep global temperature rise within safe limits.
Orphaned oil and gas wells amount for 12% of all United States emissions and approximately 30% of global warming to date. Plugging the average orphaned oil well makes an immediate, verifiable, and lasting impact:
With between two and three million orphaned oil and gas wells in the United States alone, we know we have an opportunity to make a serious impact: the equivalent of 7.1 million metric tonnes (MMT) of CO² annually.
And we know how to plug oil and gas wells. With decades of oil and gas experience, SmartCap Solutions is positioned to perform to the gold standard, offering permanent, verifiable, and certifiable solutions to this growing problem.
Orphaned oil and gas wells don't just present a threat to the air around us: soil and water contamination is also a serious concern. When these wells are left uncapped, they can leak harmful substances, leading to severe environmental degradation. This contamination can make the land unusable for agriculture, damage local ecosystems, and pose serious health risks to nearby communities through polluted drinking water.
By plugging orphaned oil and gas wells, we're preventing oil, brine water, and chemicals from contaminating the soil in your community.
Importantly, plugging these oil and gas wells also protects groundwater from contamination. Clean groundwater is crucial for drinking water and irrigation, and its protection ensures that local communities have access to safe and sustainable water resources.
We are proud to be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015, with a special emphasis on making a tangible and quantifiable impact on the following areas:
Plugging prevents harmful emissions, protecting public health. It also helps mitigate climate change, which can reduce long-term health risks associated with extreme weather and environmental hazards.
We can prevent leaks of pollutants into groundwater and surface water by plugging orphaned oil and gas wells, thus safeguarding water quality. This helps ensure cleaner, safer water sources.
We reduce environmental hazards and pollution risks, contributing to safer and healthier urban and rural environments. This promotes cleaner and more livable areas.
Oil and gas well plugging helps mitigate climate change by reducing methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. This lowers greenhouse gas concentrations and supporting efforts to combat global warming.
By eliminating the impact of orphaned oil and gas wells on surrounding wildlife and plant life, SmartCap Solutions helps protect terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity.
How?
02. We qualify the opportunity.
Once candidate wells are identified, we move into the qualification phase. Our experienced team carefully considers the environmental risks posed by each well, its proximity to vulnerable ecosystems or populations, and the potential for land, water, and air contamination.
With our proprietary technology, we are able to quantify the impact of plugging each well, prioritizing those where our intervention can have the most significant effects on the environment.
03. We get to work.
The SmartCap Solutions team schedules the field work to minimize disruption to the community.
Before any fieldwork begins, we conduct thorough site assessments to identify risks and prepare detailed safety plans. These plans are informed by decades of industry experience and are designed to protect local residents, the environment, and our staff.
During the plugging process, we implement these stringent safety protocols, utilizing the latest in engineering techniques and equipment to ensure that the well is sealed effectively and permanently.
After, you rest easy knowing you've worked with the very best.
After the plugging a well is complete, we secure certifications that confirm the job has been done to the highest standards.
Our team is well-versed in the requirements set by environmental agencies, environmental defense funds, universities, and other authoritative bodies around the world. We meticulously document every phase of our work and follow established protocols to ensure that our plugging efforts are both effective and compliant.
This proactive approach reflects our deep experience and commitment to setting the gold standard in the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let's talk.
Whether you're the owner of an orphaned oil well, a member of the press, or someone who's interested in joining our mission to address climate change, we want to hear from you.
Fill out the form and a member of our team will be in touch.