Abandoned water and oil wells around Texas have been suddenly exploding, destroying countless acres of land around it. For many landowners and ranchers, this has become a nightmare.
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.
The Deserted Wells Around Texas
After various incidents of exploding wells were reported in West Texas, the U.S. Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021.
This legislation included $4.7 billion to be sent to plug abandoned wells on lands, both public and private, around the United States.
Deserted Water and Oil Wells
Over the last century, an inconceivable amount of water and oil wells have been drilled throughout Texas and other oil-bearing states in the US.
However, as the oil dried up or the companies decided to move elsewhere, many of the wells were simply deserted by the oil and gas companies.
Many Wells Are Undocumented
According to a federal report, there are about 117,000 known orphaned wells around the United States.
However, a 2021 Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission report states that about 310,000 to 800,000 undocumented wells may be around the country.
Orphan Wells Remain Undocumented
These orphaned wells remain undocumented because of negligent record-keeping in the last century.
The oil and gas industry did not keep any kind of written records on where they created wells, and so, when they decided to simply desert these wells without notifying anyone, they were lost to time.
Texas: The Largest Oil Producing State
Texas is considered the largest oil-producing state. As a result, it’s also one of the main states dealing with suddenly exploding wells, thanks to a century of companies drilling throughout the land.
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.
A West Texas Rancher’s Story
In December 2023, rancher Bill Wight was one of the unfortunate victims of the oil company’s negligence. He had an abandoned well explode on his land.
Immediately, a massive amount of water spilled out of the ground and over his land, ruining much of the pasture that his cattle used to graze on and forcing him to move them to other fields, creating a larger workload.
Ranchers Land Left in Ruins
When the well initially exploded, vast amounts of water spilled onto Wight’s land. The water contained copious salt, which ruined the soil.
Now, huge piles of dirt remain in place of grass. Unfortunately, like many other examples, there was no record of any type of well on Wight’s property.
The Railroad Commission Helped Wight
The Railroad Commission is the governmental body charged with plugging orphaned wells and cleaning up potential explosions.
Though there is no documentation that Wight’s land ever had a well, they quickly got to work and paid $2.5 million to plug the well and clean up all the water.
Railroad Commission Are Searching For Oil Company
The Railroad Commission was quick to act and helped plug Wight’s land, however, their work didn’t stop there.
According to the commission’s spokesperson, they are actively looking for the company or person who initially drilled this well.
Many Criticize the Railroad Commission
Though the Railroad Commission is tasked with plugging wells, many have criticized the group for ignoring certain wells and leaving them to landowners to deal with.
According to state law, landowners are responsible for plugging water wells. The Railroad Commission only takes responsibility for wells under certain circumstances.
Texans Struggle to Get Help From Commission
The Railroad Commission will only get involved and pay to plug the well if it was used to produce oil or gas.
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.
Wight’s Well Changes Things
The massive well explosion on Wight’s land has changed things. Upon the well’s first explosion, it was believed that this orphaned well was just an abandoned water well.
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.
Rancher Scared for the Future
While Wight was happy with the plugging of the well on his land, he admits he’s concerned for the surrounding region as it’s likely there are more undocumented wells around his ranch.
In the meantime, he’s simply worried about his soil. “I’ll just have to wait years for the grass to grow back,” he said. “I may not live that long.”
Wight’s Land Is Surrounded by Exploding Wells
The land that also encompasses Wight’s ranch has had a few huge well explosions in the past few years alone. About 10 miles southwest of Wight’s ranch, a deserted water well created what people now know as Lake Boehmer.
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.
The Permian Basin’s Problems
Wight’s land is in the Permian Basin, which has experienced numerous issues recently due to exploding wells.
In January of 2022, less than one mile west of Wight’s ranch, a well exploded, causing significant damage to the surrounding landscape.
Chevron Forced to Plug Well
In the end, the oil and natural gas company 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.
Challenges of Living in the Permian Basin
Laura Briggs and her family found their dream home in the Permian Basin, on a 900-acre ranch in Pecos County, an area rich in oil history and activity.
However, The Briggs family’s initial excitement was tempered by the reality of living alongside the remnants of the oil industry.
Life in the Heart of U.S. Oil Production
With Pecos County producing approximately 3 million barrels of crude oil monthly, the Briggs family’s new home was surrounded by an industry that defines the region.
This backdrop of intense industrial activity was a constant reminder of the area’s economic and historical importance.
The Disruption of Peace
The Briggs family’s peaceful existence was disrupted by William “Gilligan” Sewell, a businessman who founded 7S Oil and Gas LLC.
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.
Encountering the Realities of Oil Wells
The presence of oil wells on their property became a tangible concern for the Briggs family when they noticed the wells were not only inactive but also leaking oil and producing water.
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.
Hazardous Conditions on the Ranch
Among the various hazards posed by the wells on their property, one was particularly alarming: a well covered only by plywood, intended to prevent accidents.
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.
Environmental Impact and Climate Concerns
The environmental implications of the leaking wells became apparent when a university researcher discovered methane emissions from several wells on the Briggs’ property.
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, contributes significantly to climate change, demonstrating the broader environmental impact of such leaks.
Overlooked Consequences of the Oil Industry
The story of the Briggs family sheds light on the often-overlooked consequences faced by individuals living in close proximity to oil production sites.
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.
Advocating for Change
The plight of the Bill Wight and the Briggs family stresses the necessity for action to mitigate the hazards of abandoned and unregulated 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 Complex Reality of Rural Living in Oil Regions
Living in the Permian Basin offers a unique perspective on the intersection of natural beauty, agricultural life, and industrial activity.
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.
A Struggle for Solutions
For years, Laura Briggs has persistently contacted the Railroad Commission, seeking assistance with the non-operational wells on her property.
Despite her efforts, the response has been lackluster, with little interest has been shown in addressing the issue of plugging these wells.
Toxic Sulfuric Lake
Located around a few miles east of Briggs’ ranch, is evidence of what can happen when the wells are left unplugged due to the negligence of oil companies.
At the site east of the ranch is a highly toxic, sulfuric lake, which is significantly saltier than the Gulf of Mexico. The lake comes as a direct consequence of leaks from abandoned wells that should have been plugged decades ago.
The Environmental Cost of Neglect
The environmental repercussions of abandoned oil wells extend beyond Laura’s property.
In the same county, an unattended well has led to the formation of a sinkhole large enough to pose a threat to swallow an entire highway, which could cause major disturbances in the region.
The Consequences of the Industry
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.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Despite the obstacles presented by their circumstances, the Briggs family remains committed to their home and lifestyle, hoping that their story will bring attention to the pressing issues surrounding abandoned oil wells.
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.
Why Are These Wells Exploding?
Though many researchers and scientists are trying to find out why many deserted wells are blowing up, the direct cause has yet to be identified and it will require further testing.
Some researchers are under the impression that the wells are exploding because some were used to dispose of water that came from fracking.
Water Moves From Underground Wells to the Permian Basin
These researchers also believe water underneath the ground may be moving from these saltwater injection wells through underground channels.
This theory suggests that water could even be moving toward the site in the Permian Basin that saw the 2022 explosion.
Well Explosions Can Cause Environmental Damage
Many in Texas want these undocumented orphan wells taken care of because they can cause severe environmental damage if they blow up — or if they simply leak.
Therefore, many officials and landowners have felt a newfound urgency to ensure that as many of these undocumented wells are plugged before it’s too late.
Saltwater From the Wells is Toxic to the Surrounding Landscape
Saltwater that leaks or explodes from 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.
Hope For the Future
Many of the landowners in and around the Permian Basin, including Briggs and Wight, hope the Railroad Commission will investigate more of the undocumented wells before it is too late.
The dangers associated with the wells should be enough to warrant a large-scale investigation into the undocumented wells before another major explosion leaves a farmer’s ranch overflowing with toxic saltwater.
