Ensuring the proper sealing (plugging) of unused wells is a mandatory legal requirement in Vietnam aimed at protecting groundwater resources, preventing cross-contamination between aquifers, and mitigating the risk of land subsidence. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the latest legal framework and technical standards.
1. Legal Framework
As of 2026, the decommissioning of wells is governed by the following key regulations:
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The Law on Water Resources 2023: (Effective from July 1, 2024), which serves as the primary legal basis for water resource protection.
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Decree No. 54/2024/ND-CP: Detailing the implementation of the Law on Water Resources regarding the protection of groundwater during drilling activities.
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Circular No. 72/2017/TT-BTNMT: Providing specific technical standards for the treatment and plugging of unused wells.
2. Mandatory Cases for Well Decommissioning
According to the law, well owners must decommission and plug wells in the following scenarios:
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Damaged Wells: Wells that are structurally compromised and cannot be repaired.
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Unused Wells: Wells no longer in use with no plans for future backup exploitation.
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Site Clearance: Wells located within areas designated for land recovery or infrastructure projects.
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Polluted Wells: Wells that have become heavily contaminated or are causing pollution to the surrounding aquifer.
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Illegal Wells: Wells drilled without proper permits or those that do not align with regional water resource planning.
3. Technical Standards for Well Plugging
The primary objective of plugging is to restore the geological seal of the ground. The process must ensure that the well is filled with materials of low permeability (k ≤ 107 cm/s).
Filling Materials:
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Cement Slurry: A mixture of cement and water (with a typical water-to-cement ratio of 0.45 – 0.5).
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Bentonite/Clay: Natural clay or mixtures used to create an impermeable barrier.
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Inert Materials: Sand or gravel may be used for the bottom-most sections of the well in specific geological layers.
Technical Procedure:
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Preparation: Remove pumps, pipes, and any obstructions from the wellbore.
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Bottom-Up Filling: Materials must be pumped or poured from the bottom of the well upward. For deep wells, a tremie pipe must be used to prevent material segregation.
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Surface Seal: The top 1.0 to 3.0 meters of the well must be sealed with high-grade concrete to prevent surface runoff from entering the borehole.
4. Roles and Responsibilities
| Stakeholder | Responsibility |
| Well Owners | Must cover all costs related to the plugging process and ensure it meets technical standards. |
| Households | For domestic wells, owners must notify the local People’s Committee (Commune/Ward level) upon completion. |
| Enterprises | Must hire licensed drilling contractors and submit a “Well Decommissioning Report” to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE). |
5. Administrative Sanctions
Failure to comply with well-plugging regulations may result in heavy fines under Decree No. 36/2020/ND-CP (as amended by Decree No. 04/2022/ND-CP):
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Fines: Penalties range from several million to tens of millions of VND, depending on the scale of the violation.
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Remedial Measures: Violators are legally compelled to perform the plugging correctly at their own expense under government supervision.
Expert Advice: Since the Law on Water Resources 2023 places a heavy emphasis on groundwater registration, it is highly recommended to consult with local environmental authorities before abandoning any well to ensure full legal compliance and environmental safety.
