Version 1.0

The Reserve is developing the Early Plugging of Marginal Oil and Gas Wells Protocol and United States Module. The protocol will address GHG emission reductions associated with the early plugging of marginal, productive, and economically viable oil and gas wells.

The Reserve’s modular format consists of the Early Plugging of Marginal Oil and Gas Wells Protocol, which contains globally applicable guidance, and jurisdiction modules, which contain location-specific guidance.

Public Comment Period

The Early Plugging of Marginal Oil and Gas Wells Protocol Version 1.0 and United States Module Version 1.0 underwent public comment from September 14, 2026 to October 14, 2026.

• Early Plugging of Marginal Oil and Gas Wells Protocol Version 1.0 – public comment draft (September 14, 2026)
• United States Module Version 1.0 – public comment draft (September 14, 2026)

Public Comment Webinar

The Reserve held a public comment webinar to provide an overview of the Protocol and Module and to solicit public comment on October 6, 2026.

• Presentation slides
• Webinar recording

Local Stakeholder Engagement

The Reserve seeks to engage stakeholders throughout the protocol development process to identify and incorporate applicable laws, norms, and conditions to the oil and gas industry in the US. Local stakeholder engagement also ensures that the protocol is aligned with legal, environmental, and social safeguards. We invite stakeholders interested in the protocol development process to complete the Local Engagement form below. This ensures you’ll receive notifications for public engagement opportunities during protocol development.

• Local Engagement form

Workgroup Process

The protocol is being developed through the Reserve’s multi-stakeholder workgroup process. The Reserve strives to create a well-balanced workgroup consisting of industry representatives, project developers, environmental NGOs, verification bodies, independent consultants, academia, and government bodies.

Workgroup member organizations are listed below:

Stakeholders not chosen to be part of the workgroup are encouraged to participate in the process as “observers.” Observers may attend workgroup meetings in listen-only mode, submit written comments on the draft methodology when it is available for public comment, and attend the public webinar held during the public comment period.

Members of the public may participate in the development process as “observers.” Observers may attend workgroup meetings in listen-only mode, submit written comments on the draft methodology when it is available for public comment, and attend the public webinar(s) held during the public comment period.

Workgroup Meetings

Workgroup Drafts

• U.S. Early Plugging of Marginal Oil and Gas Wells Version 1.0 – Draft for workgroup review (March 27, 2026)

Workgroup Meeting 5
March 11, 2026

• Presentation slides
• Meeting recording

Workgroup Meeting 4
March 3, 2026

• Presentation slides
• Meeting recording

Workgroup Meeting 3
February 17, 2026

• Presentation slides
• Meeting recording

Workgroup Meeting 2
January 15, 2026

• Presentation slides
• Meeting recording

Workgroup Meeting 1
January 7, 2026

• Presentation slides
• Meeting recording

Scoping Webinar

The Reserve held a scoping webinar to discuss the protocol concept and cover key considerations for the protocol development process on November 25, 2025.

• Presentation slides
• Webinar recording

Development Timeline

The following timeline has tentative dates and will be updated as the protocol development process unfolds.

Partial Technical Support

Partial technical support was provided by ClimateWells, in collaboration with the Rocky Mountain Institute, EcoEngineers, and Netherland, Sewell & Associates.