SusitnAKAlaska Public Notices, Explained
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Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission

Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development · Notice #224651

What is this notice about?

The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC) will hold three public workshops in Anchorage, by phone, and by video to hear ideas about possibly updating the state's rules for plugging oil and gas wells (20 AAC 25.112). The Commission is not proposing specific rule changes yet. People can join the workshops or send written comments until 4:30 p.m. on November 30, 2026.

Why was this notice issued?

The AOGCC opened Docket Number R-26-001 to gather information and stakeholder input on possible updates to 20 AAC 25.112, Well Plugging Requirements, so the regulation better reflects current industry best practices.

What action is being taken?

Holding three public workshops (September 2, October 15, and November 19, 2026) and accepting written comments on possible revisions to well plugging rules. Topics include what information must be submitted with a well abandonment application (such as the location of hydrocarbon-bearing, freshwater, and confining layers, pore pressures, fracture gradients, cement quality, and certification by a petroleum engineer licensed in Alaska), remedial cementing, definitions of "significant hydrocarbon-bearing stratum" and "perforated interval," rigless (through-tubing) abandonment, plugs across all annuli, ways to verify plug placement, cement requirements (including American Petroleum Institute (API)-classified cements), plugging of parent wells during sidetrack operations, inspector witness requirements, alternative isolation methods such as shale barriers, new technologies, and a variance provision for alternative methods with at least equal protection. No specific changes are proposed now; if the AOGCC later proposes revisions, the public will get another chance to review and comment under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Who is involved: Oil and gas well operators and other stakeholders affected by well plugging and abandonment requirements in Alaska.

How can the public respond?

Respond by Mon, Nov 30, 2026 22 days from today.

“Written comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on November 30, 2026.”

Ways to respond

  • Mail Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, 333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
  • Email samantha.coldiron@alaska.gov
  • In person (at workshops) AOGCC Hearing Room, 333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501
  • Phone (at workshops) Call (907) 202-7104. Workshop #1: Conference ID 248 437 619#; Workshop #2: Conference ID 421 564 638#; Workshop #3: Conference ID 480 235 44#
  • Video conference (Microsoft Teams) Contact Ms. Samantha Coldiron at least two business days before the scheduled workshop to request a meeting invitation.

What to include

Comments should address the workshop topics for Docket Number R-26-001. Input given at the workshops is a public record and may be inspected, copied, and distributed under AS 40.25.110 – 40.25.220, so do not include confidential information in written or oral comments. People with disabilities who need special accommodations should contact Samantha Coldiron at (907) 793-1223 at least two business days before the workshop.

Contact

Samantha Coldiron
Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
samantha.coldiron@alaska.gov
(907) 793-1223
333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501

Will there be public meetings?

  • Public workshop #1: Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
    AOGCC Hearing Room, 333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501 (may be held entirely by videoconference if necessary)
    Phone: (907) 202-7104, Conference ID 248 437 619#. For Microsoft Teams, contact Ms. Samantha Coldiron at least two business days before the workshop to request a meeting invitation.
  • Public workshop #2: Thu, Oct 15, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
    AOGCC Hearing Room, 333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501 (may be held entirely by videoconference if necessary)
    Phone: (907) 202-7104, Conference ID 421 564 638#. For Microsoft Teams, contact Ms. Samantha Coldiron at least two business days before the workshop to request a meeting invitation.
  • Public workshop #3: Thu, Nov 19, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
    AOGCC Hearing Room, 333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501 (may be held entirely by videoconference if necessary)
    Phone: (907) 202-7104, Conference ID 480 235 44#. For Microsoft Teams, contact Ms. Samantha Coldiron at least two business days before the workshop to request a meeting invitation.

Key dates

  • Sep 2, 2026: Workshop #1 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Oct 15, 2026: Workshop #2 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Nov 19, 2026: Workshop #3 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Nov 30, 2026: Written comments due by 4:30 p.m.

Original notice text
Notice of Public Workshops STATE OF ALASKA ALASKA OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION Re: Docket Number: R-26-001 The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC) will hold three public workshops to discuss potential revisions to 20 AAC 25.112, Well Plugging Requirements. The purpose of these workshops is to gather information and solicit stakeholder input on potential updates to the regulation to better reflect current industry best practices. The AOGCC is not proposing specific regulatory changes at this time. If the AOGCC undertakes revisions to these regulations, the public will have an additional opportunity to review and comment on the proposed regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. Workshop #1: Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Topics for discussion include: • Additional information to be submitted with an application for well abandonment, including: • the location of hydrocarbon-bearing, freshwater, and confining strata; • disposal injection zone(s); • estimated pore pressures and fracture gradients; • the location and quality of cement within the well and the method used to determine cement tops; and • certification by a petroleum engineer licensed in the State of Alaska. • Requirements for remedial cementing when hydrocarbon-bearing or freshwater strata were not adequately isolated during casing and cementing operations. • Definitions of "significant hydrocarbon-bearing stratum" and “perforated interval” consistent with AS 31.05.030(d)(3). Workshop #2: Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Topics for discussion include: • Requirements for rigless (through-tubing) abandonment operations, including the removal of lines external to the production tubing that could create a conduit through a plug. • Requirements for isolation plugs across all annuli, including a plug across all annuli at the surface casing shoe. • Methods for verifying plug placement, including: • allowing cement quality logs as an alternative verification method; • establishing a minimum tag weight requirement when plug verification is performed by tagging only; and • identifying conditions under which both a pressure test and a tag would be required. • Updates to cement requirements, including: • the use of API-classified cements; • cement placement above retainers and packers; and • increased cement lengths for dump-bailed plugs. Workshop #3: Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Topics for discussion include: • Plugging requirements for parent wells abandoned during sidetrack operations, including the use of fully cemented liners. • Inspector witness requirements, including observation of casing cuts before top jobs and installation of marker caps. • Alternative isolation methods, including the use of shale as a barrier where technically justified. • New technologies and applications for well plugging. • A variance provision allowing alternative methods that provide protection at least equivalent to the requirements of the regulation. The workshops will be held in the AOGCC Hearing Room, 333 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501. If necessary, the workshops may be conducted entirely by videoconference. Members of the public may participate by telephone by calling (907) 202-7104. • Workshop #1: Conference ID 248 437 619# • Workshop #2: Conference ID 421 564 638# • Workshop #3: Conference ID 480 235 44# Those wishing to participate by Microsoft Teams video conference should contact Ms. Samantha Coldiron at least two business days before the scheduled workshop to request a meeting invitation. Written comments regarding the workshop topics may be submitted to: Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission 333 West 7th Avenue Anchorage, AK 99501 or by email to samantha.coldiron@alaska.gov. Written comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on November 30, 2026. Persons with disabilities who may need special accommodations to participate in a workshop or submit comments should contact Samantha Coldiron at (907) 793-1223 at least two business days before the scheduled workshop. Please note that input provided during the workshops will be subject to inspection, copying, and distribution as public records under AS 40.25.110 – 40.25.220. Please do not include any confidential information in written or oral comments. Thomas W. McKay Jessie L. Chmielowski Gregory C. Wilson Chair, Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner

This summary was written by an AI model (Claude) from the official notice text. This is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm deadlines and instructions in the official notice. Legal disclaimer.