California Polytechnic State University’s (Cal Poly) environmental engineering team, led by Assistant Professor Derek Manheim along with professors Nazli Yesiller and Jim Hanson, has secured nearly $1 million in funding from the California Department of Conservation to enhance research on greenhouse gas emissions from idle and abandoned oil and gas wells in California.
The 3-year project builds on prior studies and will expand the scope to include twice as many wells across the state. California has an estimated 180,000 abandoned wells and numerous idle wells, which pose significant environmental risks by emitting methane and volatile organic compounds.
By combining extensive fieldwork with advanced modeling, the research aims to fill critical data gaps, inform regulatory decisions, and reduce health and environmental risks. The team will utilize cutting-edge tools like drone-based measurements, optical gas-imaging cameras, and portable gas sniffers to collect precise emissions data and identify high-risk wells.
Students are integral to the project, participating in emissions testing, soil sampling, and numerical modeling. This hands-on approach aligns with Cal Poly’s “Learn by Doing” philosophy, offering students experience tackling real-world environmental challenges.