Abandonments
Well Abandonment Services in California and Nevada
Full-Service Well Abandonment — Done Right, From Notice to Final Cleanup
Properly abandoning a well is one of the most regulated and consequential operations in California oil and gas — and one of the most important things an operator can do to protect the environment, stay compliant, and limit long-term liability. MMI Services has been completing well abandonment projects throughout California and Nevada since 1970, and we bring the full depth of that experience to every job we take on.
We serve operators in Kern County, Fresno County, Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and Orange County, as well as fields throughout the broader San Joaquin Valley and neighboring Nevada. Whether you have a single well to plug or a multi-well abandonment program to manage, MMI can handle the entire project from start to finish — with one crew, one contractor, and one point of contact.
Why Proper Well Abandonment Matters
Abandoned wells that are improperly plugged pose a real and lasting threat to groundwater resources, soil integrity, and public safety. The State of California takes well abandonment seriously, and so do we. Unplugged or poorly abandoned wells can allow oil, gas, or produced water to migrate into shallow aquifers, create surface hazards, and expose operators to significant regulatory and legal liability long after production has ended.
Doing the job right the first time is always less expensive than dealing with the consequences of a job done poorly. MMI’s abandonment crews are trained, experienced, and equipped to meet California Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) requirements at every step — so you can move forward with confidence that your obligations have been fully satisfied.
Our Approach to Well Abandonment
Environmental stewardship is not an afterthought at MMI Services — it is built into every step of our abandonment process. From the initial Notice of Intent through final site cleanup and restoration, we follow strict environmental management protocols that align with our core safety values. Our crews are equipped to minimize soil disturbance, properly manage all fluids on location, and ensure that every cement and mud plug is placed to the regulatory standards required to protect underground water resources and the surrounding environment.
We also understand that not every abandonment is straightforward. Stuck casing, downhole obstructions, corroded equipment, and difficult wellbore conditions are all realities of California’s mature oil fields — and MMI has the full-service capabilities to handle them. From fishing and wireline work to coiled tubing and construction services, we bring everything needed to complete even complex abandonments under one roof.
Complete Well Abandonment Services
MMI handles every phase of the abandonment process, so operators don’t have to manage multiple contractors or coordinate handoffs between service providers. Our complete well abandonment services include:
Regulatory Preparation and Permitting
We prepare and submit the Notice of Intent to the California Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) on your behalf, ensuring that all required documentation is in order before work begins. Getting the paperwork right from the start keeps the project on schedule and avoids costly regulatory delays.
Well Location and Site Preparation
Our crews locate wells — including older or previously undocumented locations — and prepare the site for abandonment operations. This includes clearing access, establishing a safe work area, and assessing wellbore conditions before any equipment is mobilized.
Conventional Rig Services
MMI operates a complete line of single and double production and workover hoists to handle all rig-based abandonment work. This includes pulling rods, tubing, and casing, as well as fishing operations to retrieve downhole equipment or obstructions that must be removed before plugging can begin. Our rigs are inspected and maintained to the highest standards, and our crews are experienced with the full range of wellbore conditions found in California’s producing basins.
Fluid and Waste Management
Proper handling of fluids is a critical part of any abandonment project. MMI digs sumps, moves in tanks, and washes out pits and berms as needed to contain and manage produced water, drilling fluids, and other materials encountered during the abandonment process — in full compliance with California environmental regulations.
Coiled Tubing Services
For abandonment operations where conventional rig access is limited or where efficiency is a priority, MMI’s coiled tubing unit provides a powerful alternative. Our CTU can be deployed on live wells without a separate workover rig, allowing continuous fluid injection and pipe movement in a compact, easily mobilized package. Coiled tubing is particularly effective for wellbore cleanout, fluid circulation, and plug placement in challenging wellbore conditions.
Cement and Mud Plug Placement
The heart of any well abandonment is the proper placement of cement and mud plugs to permanently isolate all producing zones, protect groundwater resources, and meet DOGGR requirements. MMI’s crews are experienced in plug placement across a wide range of wellbore configurations and conditions, and we take the precision of this work seriously — because the plugs we set today are what stand between a properly abandoned well and a long-term environmental liability.
Wireline Services
Many abandonment projects require wireline work before plugging can be completed. MMI’s wireline crews handle cavity shots, link jets, casing cuts, and any other wireline services needed to prepare the wellbore for permanent abandonment. Having wireline capabilities in-house means faster mobilization, tighter coordination, and no delays waiting on a third-party provider.
Construction and Site Restoration
Once plugging is complete, MMI handles all construction services required to finish the job — including digging out the wellhead, cutting off casing at the required depth, and performing full site cleanup and surface restoration. We leave every location clean, safe, and ready for whatever comes next, whether that is agricultural use, continued field operations, or long-term idle status.
One Contractor for the Entire Project
One of the most significant advantages of working with MMI Services on a well abandonment project is our ability to manage the entire scope of work under one contract. Rather than coordinating a rig contractor, a wireline company, a coiled tubing provider, and a construction crew separately — each with their own scheduling, mobilization, and invoicing — MMI brings all of those capabilities together. That means fewer handoffs, tighter scheduling, clearer accountability, and lower total project cost.
For operators with multiple wells to abandon, this integrated approach can make a substantial difference in both time and budget.
Serving Operators Across California and Nevada
MMI Services operates throughout California and Nevada, with crews based in Bakersfield and ready to mobilize to your location. We regularly serve operators in Kern County, Fresno County, Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and Orange County, as well as fields throughout the broader San Joaquin Valley, the coastal basins, and neighboring Nevada.
For operators managing idle well programs, state-mandated plugging requirements, or end-of-life production assets, MMI is the experienced, full-service contractor you need on your side. Contact us today to discuss your abandonment program and get a clear picture of what MMI can do for you.
Contact Us
Ready to get started on your well abandonment project? Contact MMI Services in Bakersfield today.
MMI Services, Inc. has a full line of services to complete all your well abandonment needs
When it comes to well abandonment, doing the job right means doing it responsibly. MMI Services, Inc. brings decades of oil field experience to every abandonment project in California and Nevada, ensuring that each well is properly decommissioned in full compliance with state and federal regulations. We understand that abandoned wells pose a real environmental risk — from groundwater contamination to surface hazards — and we treat every project with the care and precision it demands. Our team is committed to leaving every site cleaner, safer, and more environmentally sound than we found it.
Environmental stewardship isn’t an afterthought at MMI Services — it’s built into every step of our abandonment process. From the initial Notice of Intent through final site cleanup, we follow strict environmental management protocols that align with our core safety values. Our experienced crews are equipped to handle every phase of the abandonment process, minimizing soil disturbance, properly managing fluids, and ensuring all cement and mud plugs meet regulatory standards to protect underground resources. Whether your project is straightforward or requires specialized fishing, wireline, or coiled tubing work, MMI has the full-service capabilities to get it done right. Our complete well abandonment services include:
- Write up Notice of Intent (for the DOGGR).
- Locate wells and prep locations.
- Conventional Rig to pull rods, tubing, casing, fishing, or any other services needed to complete the abandonment project.
- Dig sumps, move in tanks, or wash out bens.
- Coiled Tubing or Conventional Rig for all your abandonment needs.
- Placement of all your cement plugs.
- Placement of all your mud plugs.
- Wireline services for cavity shot, link jets, casing cut, or any other wireline services need to complete the abandonment project.
- Construction services for digging out well head and for cut off, site clean up, or any other services need to complete the abandonment project.