The Orphaned Wells Program Office Must Better Monitor the Osage Nation’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Orphaned Well Program Funding Progress

Title Full

Date Issued

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Submitting OIG

Department of the Interior OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of the Interior

Components

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Report Number

2025-ISP-003

Report Description

The Osage Nation made minimal progress in developing and executing its orphaned well program using IIJA funding.

Report Type

Inspection / Evaluation

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Report updated under NDAA 5274

External Link

https://www.doioig.gov/reports/inspection/orphaned-wells-program-office-must-be…

Open Recommendations

This report has 2 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
2025-ISP-003-01	No	$0	$0
We recommend that the Orphaned Wells Program Office establish milestones for the Osage Nation's execution of its performance goals in its development grants and ensure it has made progress in meeting those performance goals before awarding phase 3 funds.
2025-ISP-003-02	No	$0	$0
We recommend that the Orphaned Wells Program Office establish milestones for the Osage Nation's execution of the implementation grants and ensure it has made progress in plugging orphaned wells before awarding phase 3 funds.