At the heart of this project was NuWave Industries’ adaptable cut-and-cap approach.

Because the wells across North Dakota had been filled inconsistently — some flush to surface, others several feet below — no single method would have worked efficiently across all sites. Instead, NuWave adjusted its cutting strategy well by well.

Where concrete had naturally settled and created space inside the casing, cuts were completed from within. Where wells were filled to the top, external cutting methods were used. This flexibility allowed each well to be cleanly severed below grade and properly capped, without the need for large excavations or disruptive site prep.

The result was a smooth, controlled abandonment process that minimized surface disturbance, reduced equipment requirements, and kept crews moving efficiently from location to location. Rather than forcing the job to fit one technique, NuWave let site conditions guide the approach — delivering consistent results across all 48 wells while maintaining speed, safety, and environmental care.

The controlled subsurface severing performed across all 48 wells is part of NuWave’s broader cut-and-cap process, which can be explored in greater detail here.