Douglas Dafoe

Engages in acquisition, exploration, development and production of petroleum and natural gas

Operates as a Canadian association of petroleum producers

Provides oil and gas production & exploration services

The Orphan Well Association is an independent, non-profit organization funded primarily by the oil and gas industry. The non-profit company is based in Calgary, Canada. Its core mandate is to safely and efficiently close oil and gas sites—known as orphan sites—that lack a financially viable or responsible owner. Operating under delegated authority from the Alberta Energy Regulator and a regulatory framework aimed at reducing orphan risks, the association manages the decommissioning, remediation, and reclamation of these sites to protect public safety and the environment. The process includes well suspension, dismantling, soil sampling, contamination remediation, recontouring, revegetation, and ongoing monitoring until reclamation standards are met. The organization maintains a detailed inventory of orphan sites across Alberta, plans and bundles projects regionally, and engages proactively with landowners and communities throughout the closure process. It contracts experienced engineering and environmental firms, facilitates industry involvement, and is governed by an independent board of directors and management.