Montana-based nonprofit Well Done Foundation has led the movement to plug orphaned wells nationwide. With an estimated 3.5 million orphaned wells needing attention, the recent naming of Scott Yenzer as Chief Operating Officer (COO) to the team is expected to catalyze the predicted success rate due to his extensive and robust experience as an energy industry expert.
In a recent Well Done Foundation press release, Yenzer said, “Joining Well Done Foundation in this role aligns with my values to have access to cleaner, inexpensive, and safe energy and improving the environment. I think everyone can agree that it is a good thing to clean up leaking orphan well sites to make an immediate impact on communities across the U.S. My strong relationships will help me amplify the Well Done Foundation’s mission to eliminate the devastating effects of methane gas on the environment.”
Yenzer’s relationships and experience originate from the inspiration gained from his father’s oil and gas and his ability to always provide the answer to a problem. After earning a degree in civil engineering, Yenzer found himself working on large projects such as BP’s GHX2 Alaska project. He later traveled to Saudi Arabia for his career to work there long enough to pay off school loans and return to the U.S. debt-free. His plans, however, deviated.
“I went for one year and stayed for 15,” said Yenzer.
Yenzer’s career found roots overseas, where he continued to absorb the information around him and further his career. As a result, he worked on major projects and became a prominent figure within the industry. He and his family eventually found their way back to Denver, Colorado.
Yenzer more recently joined the 360 Engineering partnership with Atlas Technical Consultants for an initiative providing turn-key orphaned well plugging solutions for multiple states within the country. This led to his meeting Curtis Shuck and his joining Well Done Foundation as COO.
“Scott’s vast knowledge of the energy and oil and gas industry, along with his passion for a cleaner and safer environment, makes him the right choice to serve Well Done Foundation in the role of COO,” said Curtis Shuck, Well Done Foundation founder and chairman, in the press release. “With his proven success of growing diverse businesses, his strategic thinking and ability to build productive and successful teams, I am certain he will help Well Done Foundation further its mission of plugging the 3.5M orphaned wells across the country.”
By joining the Well Done Foundation, Yenzer sees an excellent opportunity to assist the organization in its quest to drive awareness and partner with companies to solve the industry’s methane leaching issues. A prevalent issue identified is the fear of retribution. Operators generally remain closed off from talking about leaking wells because of potential fines, but the term potential has become a focal point of the Well Done Foundation.
Yenzer and Well Done Foundation have embraced an innovative approach to assisting operators in studying the potential of wells to leak methane into the atmosphere. This creates a basis for proactive action and determining the likelihood of a well leaking.
“It’s hard for some operators to put their hands up and say they have a problem because if they don’t fix it, then they have another problem,” said Yenzer. So, we look at the potential whether it is really leaking or not.”
Yenzer’s goal at Well Done Foundation includes harnessing his skills and knowledge to continue the movement to eliminate methane gas leaking from as many orphaned wells as possible. The crusade to clean up and preserve the environment sees accomplishment through various outlets, but Yenzer feels the removal of methane gas yields impressive returns with each well plugged.
“We were just in Montana last week and plugged a 1500-foot well,” said Yenzer. “It was like taking the equivalent of 2000 cars off the road or planting a couple of hundred thousand trees.”
Nick Vaccaro is a freelance writer and photographer. In addition to providing technical writing services, he is an HSE consultant in the oil and gas industry with twelve years of experience. Vaccaro also contributes to SHALE Oil and Gas Business Magazine, American Oil and Gas Investor, Oil and Gas Investor, Energies Magazine and Louisiana Sportsman Magazine. He has a BA in photojournalism from Loyola University and resides in the New Orleans area. Vaccaro can be reached at 985-966-0957 or nav@vaccarogroupllc.com.
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
- Nick Vaccarohttps://energiesmedia.com/author/nick-vaccaro/
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