(a) (1) The division, in consultation with the State Air Resources Board, shall initiate a study to be conducted by independent experts of fugitive emissions from idle, idle-deserted, and abandoned wells in the state. The independent experts selected shall have experience measuring and documenting emissions from multiple idle and abandoned wells and well sites, preferably at multiple locations within the state.

(2) In developing the parameters of the study, the division shall seek input from researchers with expertise in fugitive emissions, oil and gas operators, and people with relevant experience in nongovernmental organizations. The parameters of the study shall (A) be conducted based on a total well sample not to exceed 500 wells, (B) utilize existing information and technology tools that allow data collection without disruption to a well site, (C) limit surface disturbance associated with any emissions sampling, and (D) limit the total cost of the study to a maximum of one million dollars ($1,000,000).

(3) In implementing the study, the division shall seek to minimize costs to operators, and the testing conducted pursuant to this section shall not conflict with a scheduled routine maintenance operation of the well or associated equipment.

(4) The study shall be conducted to measure emissions of air pollutants, including, but not limited to, greenhouse gases, toxic air contaminants, and volatile organic compounds, from idle wells, idle-deserted wells, and abandoned wells that can contribute to climate change or endanger occupational and public health and safety through their toxicological properties.

(5) The division shall work with the independent experts, oil and gas operators, and nongovernmental organizations to identify a stratified random sample of wells, and set of pollutants to be measured, from which measurement data can be used to extrapolate to the total number of idle, idle-deserted, and abandoned wells in the state. To the maximum extent possible, the sample shall include emissions data already collected from wells in the state.

(6) The sample of wells shall include idle-deserted wells identified by the division, previously abandoned wells, and idle wells that are ordered or permitted to be plugged and abandoned by the division.

(7) For purposes of undertaking the study, for a well that is selected for measurement as part of the sample but which is also scheduled to be plugged, abandoned, or reabandoned, before the initiation of physical work to plug, abandon, or reabandon the well the division or the contracted independent experts, with oversight from the division, shall have testing performed for leaks on the well and associated equipment either (A) in accordance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency Reference Method 21, as set forth in Appendix A-7 to Part 60 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as it read on January 1, 2019, (B) by using an optical gas imaging instrument that is operated by a technician with a certification or training in infrared theory, infrared inspections, and heat transfer principles, or (C) in accordance with an alternative methodology developed for the purposes of this study.

(8) If, pursuant to paragraph (7), a well is found to emit hydrocarbons in observable quantities using an optical imaging device or in concentrations greater than 1 percent by volume using a United States Environmental Protection Agency Reference Method 21 instrument when tested before the initiation of physical work, the division or the contracted independent experts shall ensure additional testing is performed using a direct measurement method consisting of high volume sampling, bagging, or a calibrated flow measuring instrument to determine the flow rate of atmospheric emissions of total and speciated hydrocarbon pollutants before the initiation of physical work.

(b) Oil and gas operators with wells selected for purposes of sampling under this section shall make reasonable efforts to permit access to the wells to the division and the independent experts contracted to undertake the study if adequate notice is provided to the operator to ensure appropriate safety precautions are taken at the well site. All oil and gas operators with wells selected for sampling shall submit to the division a certification stating that no action was taken to reduce emissions from the sampling site within 72 hours of the sampling taking place so as to reduce the value of measurements taken.

(c) On or before January 1, 2026, the department shall post all results of testing conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) on the department’s internet website in a machine-readable format. On or before January 1, 2021, the department shall produce and post to the department’s internet website an interim progress report describing the status of the study conducted pursuant to this section, including, but not limited to, the number of wells where testing has been completed, the number of wells remaining to be tested, study costs, and any preliminary testing results, as available and subject to the requirement described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).

(d) (1) On or before July 1, 2026, the independent experts contracted to undertake the study shall complete a written document that includes an executive summary of the findings, a description of the results, the findings, and an estimate of hydrocarbon emissions from the state’s idle, idle-deserted, and abandoned wells.

(2) Before public release pursuant to subdivision (e), the written document shall be provided for peer review and comments, to the operators whose wells were included in the sample, and to a group of independent experts and nongovernmental organizations selected by the division.

(e) On or before January 1, 2028, the division shall make the results of the study, as per the written document required pursuant to subdivision (d), available on its internet website.

(f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 848, Sec. 2. (AB 1526) Effective January 1, 2024. Repealed as of January 1, 2029, by its own provisions.)