Cal Poly expands research on idle and abandoned well emissions
Cal Poly researchers measure emissions from a plugged and abandoned well near active oil pumps at Aera Energy’s South Belridge site to better understand their environmental impact.
University receives $1M grant for statewide emissions study
– Cal Poly’s environmental engineering team is broadening its groundbreaking research on greenhouse gas emissions from California’s idle and abandoned oil and gas wells, thanks to a nearly $1 million grant from the Department of Conservation.
The new three-year project, led by Assistant Professor Derek Manheim alongside professors Nazli Yesiller and Jim Hanson, builds on previous studies to provide a more comprehensive understanding of emissions from idle and abandoned wells across the state.
California is home to an estimated 180,000 plugged and abandoned wells, along with thousands of idle wells that remain inactive but not yet sealed. These wells have become a growing concern due to their potential to release methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), contributing to climate change and affecting nearby communities. With this new funding, the team will double the number of wells studied and expand their reach statewide.
Environmental engineering students Hailey Bui, Matthew Watts and Jeffrey Dang collect a gas sample from a custom-built flux chamber at a small operator site in Fruitvale Wellfield, part of Cal Poly’s emissions research project.
The study aims to fill significant data gaps in understanding emissions from idle and abandoned wells, many of which remain undocumented or underregulated. By combining extensive fieldwork with advanced modeling, the team hopes to inform future regulations, reduce environmental risks, and enhance public health protections.
“This project is an opportunity to collaborate with industry and explore solutions together,” Manheim said. “We are leading the way in improving how these wells are monitored and managed.”
The research will incorporate innovative tools such as drone-based measurements of methane and VOCs, handheld optical gas imaging cameras and portable gas sniffers. These advanced technologies will allow the team to collect more precise data on emissions and identify high-risk wells more efficiently.
Ryan Luzzi, a Cal Poly environmental engineering graduate student, prepares to take a gas sample from a flux chamber at a testing site in East Bakersfield’s Kern Bluff, part of the team’s emissions research at Sunray Petroleum.
The projects reflect Cal Poly’s “Learn by Doing” philosophy, as students play a significant role in both field data collection and lab analysis. Teams of undergraduate and graduate students will help with emissions testing, soil sampling, and numerical modeling to understand emissions from various well types across diverse geographic and operational conditions.
“We’re combining traditional fieldwork with cutting-edge technology to address a critical environmental challenge,” Manheim said. “This research also provides invaluable hands-on experience for our students, preparing them to tackle real-world challenges.”
This project underscores Cal Poly’s commitment to addressing pressing environmental issues through innovative research and collaboration. For more information on this study and Cal Poly’s environmental initiatives, visit the Global Waste Research Institute at gwri.calpoly.edu/.
