Funded primarily by industry, the Orphan Well Association's (OWA) job is to close wells, facilities, pipelines and associated sites that do not have a financially viable and responsible owner, known as orphans. We make sure people and the environment are protected from these sites and ensure that the people of Alberta do not have to pay for the oil and gas sector’s liabilities. We have about 30 people who work for us directly, and hundreds of contractors who are the arms and legs of the OWA.