Recently some Bowling Green residents received letters from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management, in partnership with Verdantas LLC, to conduct evaluations on properties for the presence of abandoned or orphan oil/gas wells.
The City of Bowling Green understands the significance of this endeavor and assures property owners that this initiative is not a scam and could be highly beneficial. This identification process includes employing an unmanned aerial system (UAS) based aerial magnetic survey to identify the general location of any oil or gas wells that may be abandoned or orphaned.
This non-invasive method involves flying a drone over the property to determine if any wells are located just below the surface.
Many of these wells do not cause problems for landowners, in fact most people do not even know they are there. The division is conducting this evaluation to determine whether an orphan well may be located on your property and if so, whether the wells may qualify to be plugged with State of Ohio funds under the Orphan Well Program.
If you have received one of these letters and have further questions, contact the Ohio Division of Natural Resources Orphan Well Program by phone 614-265-6922 or by email at OrphanWellProgram@dnr.ohio.gov, or Verdantas LLC directly, to determine your participation.
More information on the Orphan Well Program is available on ODNR’s website: www.oilandgas.ohiodnr.gov.
As always if you believe you have been a target of a scam, report it to the Bowling Green Police Division by calling 419-352-1131.
