Buffalo News Publishes Op-Ed by Zefiro CEO Curt Hopkins on Plugging Orphaned Wells in New York State


VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZEFIRO METHANE CORP. (the “Company”, “Zefiro”, or “ZEFI”) is pleased to announce that an op-ed article authored by Zefiro Chief Executive Officer Curt Hopkins has been published by Buffalo News, which operates the largest newsroom in all of Western New York1. The op-ed, titled “Plugging Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells is Essential”, was published on June 18, 2023 under Buffalo News’ issues-oriented column “Another Voice”. Although Zefiro has already received media coverage from industry-oriented outlets (e.g., World Oil2), this publication is the first instance of mainstream media coverage since the Company’s formation in 2022. Buffalo News has an average daily distribution of over 56,000, and has more than 2.8 million unique visitors each month to its web edition with nearly 15 million total page views per month3.

The op-ed describes how private sector organizations such as Zefiro are collaborating with the public sector to plug orphaned oil and gas wells to prevent gases such as methane from being emitted, which can pollute water and air, damage farmland, and potentially harm nearby residents. Additionally, the op-ed highlights the relevance of this issue in the state of New York, where there are approximately 23,000 unplugged wells primarily located in Erie, Steuben, Chemung, and Wyoming Counties4. New York is one of the four states in which Zefiro now has well-plugging operations through its subsidiary Plants & Goodwin, Inc. (“P&G”), which it recently acquired as announced in a press release dated May 19, 2023.

Mr. Hopkins’ Buffalo News op-ed can be accessed through the following link: https://buffalonews.com/opinion/another-voice-plugging-orphaned-oil-and-gas-wells-is-essential/article_67d2d66e-0bb2-11ee-81b4-1fc313bce0cf.html

On June 18, 2023, Buffalo News published the op-ed shown above authored by Zefiro CEO Curt Hopkins on the topic of plugging orphaned oil and gas wells in the state of New York.

On June 18, 2023, Buffalo News published the op-ed shown above authored by Zefiro CEO Curt Hopkins on the topic of plugging orphaned oil and gas wells in the state of New York. The op-ed can be accessed by clicking here.

Readers using news aggregation services may be unable to view the media above. Please access the Investors section of the Company’s website for a version of this press release containing all published media.

Zefiro Chief Executive Officer Curt Hopkins commented, “Although plugging orphaned oil and gas wells may appear to be highly technical and commercial in nature, it is an undertaking that has implications for everyone who lives near such wells, as emissions of methane can affect the water supply, the air that residents breathe, and several other aspects of their quality of life. In 2022, the United States Department of the Interior awarded New York State USD $25 million under its Initial Grant Program to go towards plugging orphaned oil and gas wells5. We look forward to taking the next steps towards decommissioning these wells in markets to include New York State, and are thankful to be receiving media coverage as we move forward.”

Sources

1 - The Buffalo News, Twitter

2 - Zefiro Methane acquires U.S.-based oil, gas well plugging company, expands decommissioning services, World Oil (May 19, 2023)

3 - Lee Enterprises, Incorporated Form 10-K For the Fiscal Year Ended September 25, 2022

4 - Finding and Identifying Oil and Gas Wells, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

5 - Governor Hochul Announces $25 Million Awarded to New York State Under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law To Plug Orphan Oil and Gas Wells, Governor Kathy Hochul (August 29, 2022)

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company,

ZEFIRO METHANE CORP.

“Curt Hopkins”

Curt Hopkins, CEO

For further information, please contact:

Zefiro Investor Relations
1-800-274-ZEFI (1-800-274-9334)
investor@zefiromethane.com

About Zefiro Methane Corp.

Zefiro develops methodologies to reduce methane emissions by plugging orphaned and abandoned oil/gas wells, while originating carbon credits. Under executive leadership to include the former carbon market team at J.P. Morgan, Zefiro actively deploys crews to decommission wells throughout the United States. With unprecedented global demand for carbon offsets as corporations and institutions work towards net-zero targets, Zefiro is strategically aligning with industry leaders for a greener future.

Forward-Looking Statements

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