The Altmark is one of the largest natural gas deposits on the European mainland. After decades of production, pipelines, wells and central field stations are being successfully decommissioned. From 1994 to 2024, 249 wells (probes) have already been safely backfilled as part of the large-scale ecological project (ÖGP) Erdgasfelder Altmark. The work is scheduled to continue until 2047. The plugging and abandonment of facilities no longer required for operations is being carried out under the supervision of the Saxony-Anhalt State Office for Geology and Mining (LAGB). The services provided on behalf of the mining company are refinanced by the State Office for the Clearance of Contaminated Sites (LAF).
Backfilling work 2025
In 2025, experts plugged the Peckensen 157 well in the Tylsen area. It was drilled in 1984 and had not produced any natural gas since 1996. The Peckensen 167 natural gas well, which was commissioned in 1986 and produced a total of 37.8 million cubic metres of natural gas by 1990, was also plugged.
What does plugging and abandonment mean?
Neptune Energy is active in all phases of oil and gas production, from development to plugging and abandonment. Plugging and abandonment marks the final step in the production life cycle. Our responsibility includes the complete restoration of the areas that were used for mining. Once the work has been completed, we make these areas available for further utilisation, which marks the end of mining supervision.
Back to nature
Once the systems have been approved for plugging and abandonment, the wells are backfilled first. A special system is used for this. All wells are finally and permanently secured with cement and mechanical barriers. We then shorten the pipes around two metres below the bottom of the field and seal the well with a concrete slab.
We also dismantle the concrete-lined and fenced probe sites. The next step is to install the gas transport lines and the associated gas collection points and field stations. Once all the work has been completed, the area used for agriculture and forestry will be restored.
A significant proportion of the dismantling work in the Altmark is being carried out by local companies. This strengthens regional value creation, secures local jobs, reduces transport routes and creates investment security for the companies involved.
