Every time I see the reference to “capped wells” at this forum, I cringe.
That’s not the terminology in the oil business. Unused wells are either “plugged” or “temporarily abandoned”.
Plugged usually means pumping a few tons of concrete into them, while temporarily abandoned means setting bridge plugs at various depths. Most states limit the amount of time you can keep a well temporarily abandoned.
The notion that there are thousands of “capped” wells which would magically produce a bunch of oil if only they were “uncapped” is simply wrong. While it is certainly possible to re-enter an abandoned well and attempt something new, there are limitations depending on well design and the condition of the downhole equipment.
No oil company is keeping a “capped” well capable of producing oil in anticipation of the White House suggesting that they “uncap” it.
Exactly. If wells were simply capped as many think of the term, our aquifers would be severely contaminated with leaked crude oil