Tribal Orphaned Wells Program

Federal Agency

Sub-Department

Orphaned Wells Program Office

Purpose

To plug, remediate and reclaim orphaned well sites on the Indian Tribe’s respective trust or restricted lands

Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Indian Tribes include those where orphaned wells are located on the federally recognized Indian Tribe’s respective trust or restricted lands.

Decarbonization Considerations

If funding will be used to plug, remediate, and reclaim orphaned wells, included in the application must be the methodology to be used to measure and track methane and other gases associated with orphaned wells, including how the Tribe will confirm the effectiveness of plugging activities in reducing or eliminating such emissions.

Equity Considerations

Applications must include training programs, registered apprenticeships, and local and economic hire agreements for workers the Tribe intends to conduct or fund in well plugging or site remediation. They must also include plans the Tribe has to support opportunities for all workers, including workers underrepresented in well plugging or site remediation, to be trained and placed in good-paying jobs directly related to the project.

Helpful Tips

N/A

Other Notes

This program includes the Tribal Implementation Grants, Tribal Program Development Grants, and In-Lieu-of-Grants. The In-Lieu-of-Grants allows Tribes to request the Department to administer and carry out plugging, remediation and reclamation activities on the Tribe’s behalf.