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Title: Data compiled for shut-in oil and gas wells on onshore federal lands is inaccurate and probably unnecessary

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6883921

Oil and gas wells on Federal lands that are considered producible but yet are shut-in were evaluated. The purpose was to determine if government requlations precluded these wells from producing. Findings indicate that government regulations will delay production in some cases, but apparently not for an unreasonable time. Economic considerations, such as lack of demand and reserves insufficient to justify the cost, seem to be the primary reasons such wells are shut-in. The investigation did reveal that data on shut-in oil and gas wells, compiled at the field level, (1) is inaccurate, thereby creating a false impression about the number of wells shut-in on federal lands, and (2) is probably not needed at all.

Research Organization:
General Accounting Office, Washington, DC (USA)
OSTI ID:
6883921
Report Number(s):
GAO/EMD-82-115; ON: DE83900649
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English