Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Will AI Deep Learning be able to help Texas’ find orphan wells in the near future?

Happy Wednesday!     

We admit talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI) seems a bit off topic for us, nonetheless we read something which made us go - hmmm!

Did anyone happen to read HoustonChronicle.com’s Newsletter - The 713 Afternoon on December 4, 2024, their article titled, “Researchers using AI identified 1,300 undocumented oil wells.  Here’s what it means for Texas”?  In the article, it goes on to speak of a study in AI Deep Learning authored by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory which used AI to help a group of researchers find over 1,300 undocumented oil wells in California and Oklahoma.   The unknown orphan wells the researchers found used AI’s “computer vision” a computer gathering method which allows the AI to review possibly 1000s of old topographic maps and compare them to new maps to find unidentified wells and flag them.  Then, the researchers compared the locations to satellite imagery, pictures, and field surveys.  They were able to verify 44 unknown orphan wells and the AI’s estimated location was within 32.8 feet.  The AI’s Deep Learning capabilities will be an asset to us. 

The AI’s Deep Learning capabilities may be able to help Texas with our orphan well problem.  Currently, Texas has 8,500 documented orphan wells, nonetheless there were wells before current mapping and reporting methods which need to be addressed especially with the carbon capture industry expecting to take off and the current wastewater problems.  Uncapped, unknown, and zombie wells may allow harmful gases and tainted water to get to ground level and harm those living near them like the ones which recently erupted in West Texas.  The Railroad Commission of Texas is expecting to pay $234 million to cap orphan wells in 2026 and 2027 which $95 million is from a U.S. government program.  The state has requested another $100 million from them for the Texas’ program.  AI may be able to help us locate orphan wells in the near future, then we can get them plugged!

The researchers will be expanding their AI Deep Learning to the whole country!  Then, they will hopefully be able to help with this ongoing issue, and they are expected to get more funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to further their research.   Let’s hope they find more undocumented wells, and the state’s get the funding they need to plug these public nuisances.  We wish this research program much success!  If you would like to read more of the HoustonChronicle.com’s article, please click the link: AI could help Texas find decades-old oil wells drilled before records.

If you would like help in looking into how to transport your product efficiently, safely, and with less of a carbon footprint or just find out what is underneath your feet to help with your emission reduction goals, contact us via email in the Blog and check out our ESC website!

We hope you have a wonderful evening!

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