Reclaiming Well Sites Within the Barataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Date:
October 3, 2024
Contact:Guy Hughes

Marrero - The National Park Service is reclaiming seven oil and gas well sites within the Barataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (JELA). This work entails the removal of surface equipment and debris, and replugging and abandonment of the wells. The seven wells were originally plugged and abandoned in the 1960s, prior to the creation of the Preserve and the establishment of the park. NPS has completed compliance, including obtaining a US Army Corps of Engineers permit waiver and a State of Louisiana coastal consistency determination for reclamation work at all the well sites. This project is funded by the FY22 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Energy Revitalization Program (BIL-ECRP).

According to JELA Superintendent Chuck Hunt, "The removal of these wellheads will not only assist with the protection of groundwater throughout the Preserve but also continues our efforts to get the Preserve back to a more natural appearance."

Surface equipment and debris remaining at the well sites represent violations of state standards for plugging and abandonment as determined by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, violate operating standards under the National Park Service (NPS) nonfederal oil and gas rights regulations at 36 CFR § 9.116, and are safety hazard and hazard to navigation for park visitors and staff.

Assessment of the sites began in early September 2024. Based on the assessments work will begin to remove the equipment and debris and replug wells as needed in mid-October 2024. Cement will be used to plug the wells to ensure that oil, gas, brine, or other well fluids do not contaminate the fresh or usable water strata or escape to the surface. Work in the field is estimated to take around 6 weeks.

The Barataria Preserve, located 17 miles south of New Orleans, is comprised of over 26,000 acres of Louisiana wetlands, including bottomland hardwood forest, cypress swamp, freshwater and intermediate (between freshwater and brackish) marshes, bayous and canals. The Preserve includes a network of boardwalks and hiking and canoe trails that allow visitors to access the park's wild places and observe native plants, alligators, snakes and over 200 species of birds. Admission to the center and to most programs is free. The preserve visitor center is open Wednesday-Sunday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (closed on federal holidays). Parking lots are open for trail and picnic area access daily 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Each year, over 450,000 visitors enjoy the Preserve's trails, canoe waterways and programs that inspire stewardship of the natural and cultural resources of southern Louisiana and the many challenges they face.

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