Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells Pollute the Environment Across Louisiana

Abandoned oil and gas wells dot the landscape in Louisiana, often polluting the environment and putting nearby residents at risk. These wells, known as orphan wells, are drilled by companies who then abandon them, leaving states and taxpayers to clean them up. Roby Chavez has been reporting on this issue from Louisiana and joins Stephanie Sy to discuss the dangers of these wells and what’s being done about them.

Orphan wells are a problem across the United States, with tens of thousands of them dotting the landscape. They pose significant dangers to nearby residents and the environment after being ignored or forgotten by the companies who drilled them. When these wells are not properly plugged and abandoned, they can leak pollutants into the air and water.

In Louisiana, the issue of orphan wells has gained attention in recent years as the state has struggled to clean up thousands of abandoned wells. The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources estimates that there are more than 4,600 abandoned oil and gas wells in the state. Many of these wells were drilled decades ago and have not been properly maintained.

The state has been working to plug and abandon these wells, but the process is costly and time-consuming. In the meantime, residents who live near these wells continue to be at risk of exposure to pollutants.

If you live in Louisiana and have an abandoned well on your property, you can contact the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources for assistance. Orphan wells can be a hazard to your health and the environment, so it’s important to get them cleaned up as soon as possible.

How can we help clean up these orphaned wells?

Royalty Well Service has been solely focused on plugging wells since 1988. We are committed to doing our part in plugging these wells properly and protecting the environment for our future generations. If you live near an orphaned oil or gas well, you can help by reporting it to the appropriate authorities. If you are not sure who that is, we are here to help. Send us an email (info@royaltywellservice.com) and we will make sure we help to identify the regulatory agency that oversees the orphan well. You can also help by spreading the word about this problem and encouraging others to do their part in solving it.