July 29, 2009 (Casper Star-Tribune). Since 1997, according to the agency, the commission's field staff has plugged 273 orphaned wells across the state, for a total cost of $5.38 million. Bonds from operators responsible for those wells covered slightly more than $1 million of that cost.

Concerned that a severe downturn in the coalbed methane industry could lead to bankruptcies - possibly even orphaned wells - state officials are reviewing bonds meant to cover the cost of plugging wells.

"In the past, the state had insufficient bonding to plug the potential number of orphaned wells," Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission supervisor Tom Doll said.

Last year, the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission raised its bonding requirement from $3 per foot of well depth to $10 per foot, based on the fact that the average cost was actually about $7 per foot to plug a well.

Companies are being asked to report to the agency their number of idle wells along with plans for either producing, maintaining or plugging. Doll said the process will help the agency determine whether each company has sufficient bonding. Read the full story here.