Protecting land, water, and reputations through responsible well-decommissioning
For today’s operators, well-plugging and abandonment services are no longer just a regulatory formality. They represent a critical obligation that affects environmental outcomes, community relationships, and long-term business performance.
Orphaned Wells: Environmental and Operational Risk
Improperly decommissioned wells can leak methane, threaten groundwater, and trigger costly clean-up efforts. The environmental risks are well-documented, but the operational consequences are often underestimated. Failing to meet abandonment standards can lead to fines, litigation, and reputational damage, especially in jurisdictions with heightened regulatory scrutiny.
Well-plugging services and hydraulic well decommissioning have become environmental, financial, and operational risk mitigation priorities.
Getting Ahead of Regulation
With increased funding, CBAM, and a renewed focus on methane reduction, operators are under pressure to act. Data-driven, highly documented, well-decommissioning services demonstrate a company’s ability to responsibly manage assets across their full lifecycle, earning trust from regulators, investors, and local stakeholders.
Proper closure practices are more than best practices—they’re a business imperative in a sector where carbon credibility can influence access to capital and project approvals.
What Effective Decommissioning Requires
Well closure done right involves more than cement plugs and site grading. It calls for technical precision, regulatory fluency, and environmental foresight. Sendero provides integrated solutions through its well services and engineering & environmental consulting divisions. This allows us to address the full scope of requirements—both underground and at the surface.
Our approach includes:
- Specialized well plugging and abandonment services with a focus on groundwater protection
- Ongoing well maintenance services to extend asset life and prevent premature abandonment
- Site-specific emissions monitoring services, including direct GHG measurement and fugitive emissions surveys, and data-driven reporting
- Carbon credit services to support project development, verification, reporting frameworks, and participation in emerging carbon markets
The Role of Local Expertise
For operators seeking a reliable partner in the field, experience matters. Sendero is a trusted provider across Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado, with a strong track record in:
- Permian Basin well maintenance
- Texas and New Mexico decommissioning
- P&A third-party oversight
- Emissions monitoring services for upstream and midstream
With access to fit-for-purpose tools, including rental and fishing equipment, and a dedicated compliance team, Sendero ensures each well is closed safely, efficiently, and fully aligned with current regulations.
Closing the Loop, Protecting the Future
The oil and gas industry is facing a pivotal moment. The ability to close out operations responsibly is a marker of operational maturity and environmental stewardship. Whether you’re preparing to hire a well services contractor or evaluating methane emissions monitoring costs, it’s critical to work with partners who understand both the technical and strategic dimensions of well abandonment.
At Sendero, we help operators finish strong, protecting land, water, and reputation while positioning their businesses for long-term success. By combining well-plugging and abandonment expertise with emissions monitoring and asset retirement planning, we help operators take a more strategic approach to closure—one that protects the environment, strengthens compliance, and supports future financial outcomes.