West Texas Landowners Face Property Destruction as Orphaned Oil and Water Wells Explode

Texas’ Railroad Commission is tasked with finding and plugging these abandoned wells. However, hundreds of thousands of wells around the United States are undocumented. This has led to many landowners not being aware of a well on their land until disaster strikes.

Many of these water and oil wells were deserted by oil and gas companies in the last century as they drilled around Texas and other states.

These orphaned wells remain undocumented because of negligent record-keeping in the last century. The oil and gas industry did not keep tabs on where they created wells — and then deserted these wells without notifying anyone.

Through 2021’s infrastructure legislation, Texas received millions of dollars to try to plug these orphaned wells. In 2022, the state received $25 million. In January of 2024, it received another $80 million.

Because the water spilling onto his land contained salt, it ruined the soil. Now, huge piles of dirt remain in place of grass. Unfortunately, there was no record of any type of well on Wight’s property.

According to the commission’s spokesperson, they are actively looking for the company or person who initially drilled this well.

However, if the well was used to produce oil or gas, then the commission will step in. Many critics say that the commission makes it incredibly hard to get this help, as they tell landowners they have to “prove beyond the shadow of a doubt” that their orphaned well produced oil or gas.

However, testing done on the water showed that it contained 0.05 milligrams per liter of benzene. Benzene is a chemical that is in crude oil and gas. Therefore, there is a possibility that the well on Wight’s land at one point in time was used to drill for gas or oil.

This body of water began to form from an abandoned well about two decades ago. Though many in the public want this taken care of, the commission says they cannot do anything about it, as the well at fault was only a water well — not a well used for drilling oil or gas.

Ultimately, Chevron plugged this well. Though Chevron’s predecessor Gulf Oil may have drilled this well in the last century, there is no record of who actually drilled on this land. Now, Wight and many others in the area are concerned the water underneath their land will find another unknown well to explode out of.

However, The Briggs family’s initial excitement was tempered by the reality of living alongside the remnants of the oil industry.

This backdrop of intense industrial activity was a constant reminder of the area’s economic and historical importance.

Sewell’s company acquired oil leases on the Briggs’ property, which included 24 wells. This acquisition, made possible without the family’s consent due to Texas’ property rights laws, introduced new challenges and concerns for the family’s safety and environmental well-being.

This contamination posed a direct threat to their land and livestock. One particular leak was severe enough to cover a substantial area of their pasture, highlighting the environmental risks associated with these abandoned or poorly maintained wells.

This rudimentary safety measure illustrated the potential dangers that the Briggs family and their livestock faced daily, living in close proximity to these neglected oil wells.

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, contributes significantly to climate change, demonstrating the broader environmental impact of such leaks. 

Their experiences reveal the complex challenges of balancing economic benefits with environmental and safety concerns, highlighting the need for more comprehensive management and regulation of oil wells.

Their situations exemplify the broader issues facing communities in oil-rich regions, calling for increased oversight and regulation to protect both the environment and the people living in these areas.

The experience of Wight and the Briggs family serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges that come with residing in one of America’s most prolific oil-producing regions.

Just a few miles east of her ranch, the negligence has resulted in a toxic, sulfuric lake, significantly saltier than the Gulf of Mexico, a direct consequence of leaks from abandoned wells. 

 Laura reflects on the situation with dismay, attributing the problem to a broader systemic failure. “This is a failure on so many levels,” she comments, pointing out the consequences of an industry motivated by quick profits at the expense of environmental safety and community well-being.

Their resilience and determination highlight the strength of those who choose to make their lives amidst the dynamic and sometimes perilous landscape of the American energy sector.

These researchers also believe water underneath the ground may be moving from these saltwater injection wells through underground channels. This water could even be moving toward the site in the Permian Basin that saw the 2022 explosion.

Saltwater that leaks or explodes out of these wells can ruin the ground, especially if it contains hazardous liquids or chemicals such as benzene. Reports done in the past decade have also revealed that these leaking wells can contaminate groundwater and other water sources.