AI Uncovers Forgotten Oil Wells: A High-Tech Solution to Environmental Hazards

Researchers are using artificial intelligence, drones, and sensors to locate and assess undocumented orphaned oil and gas wells, addressing their environmental and climate risks by identifying high-priority sites for plugging and methane mitigation.

2 minute read

December 22, 2024, 11:00 AM PST

By Clement Lau


Old oil well with red brick building in the background.

Azovsky / Adobe Stock

Undocumented orphaned oil and gas wells scattered across the United States pose significant environmental and climate risks, with potential leaks contaminating air, water, and emitting methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), researchers are analyzing historical topographic maps to identify these hidden wells, combining this data with modern tools like drones, sensors, and magnetometers to locate and assess the sites. The AI technology, trained to recognize symbols denoting wells on old maps, has already pinpointed thousands of potential undocumented wells, which are then verified through satellite imagery and fieldwork.

The research is part of the Consortium Advancing Technology for Assessment of Lost Oil & Gas Wells (CATALOG), a collaborative effort among national labs to address the growing issue of orphan wells. Once discovered, these wells are assessed for methane emissions using both high-tech and low-cost sensors to prioritize the most hazardous sites for plugging. This approach not only curbs greenhouse gas emissions but also prevents contaminants like benzene and hydrogen sulfide from endangering nearby ecosystems and communities.

Innovative field tools, such as drones equipped with methane sensors and magnetometers, allow researchers to survey large areas more efficiently than on foot. These technologies are paired with traditional mapping techniques to create a multi-layered approach for uncovering wells. The combination of historical data and cutting-edge equipment ensures even wells buried under decades of development or natural regrowth can be identified and addressed.

Through partnerships with stakeholders like Native American tribes and federal agencies, CATALOG’s efforts aim to scale these methods nationwide. By integrating diverse datasets and tools, the project seeks to minimize environmental harm from orphan wells, reducing methane emissions and protecting communities from the legacy of early oil and gas exploration.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024 in Berkeley Lab

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view image of strip mall in suburban Duncanville, Texas.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall

A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

5 hours ago - Parking Reform Network

Blue tarps covering tents set up by unhoused people along chain link fence on concrete sidewalk.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work

Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

7 hours ago - Next City

Aerial tram moving along cable in hilly area in Medellin, Colombia.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle

Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.

July 6 - InTransition Magazine