Some Oklahoma oil companies demand refunds from a fund meant to clean up orphan wells

Oklahoma’s oil industry contributes to a voluntary fund for cleaning up abandoned oil wells, but many major companies are requesting refunds, diverting millions of dollars from crucial environmental efforts.

Mark Olalde reports for ProPublica and Nick Bowlin reports for Capital & Main.

In short:

• Oklahoma oil companies pay into a voluntary fund to clean up orphan wells, but major companies like Ovintiv and Chesapeake Energy are opting out, receiving more than $11 million in refunds in the last seven years.
• Refunds have significantly reduced the funds available for well restoration, preventing cleanup of an estimated 1,500 additional orphan sites that pose environmental risks.
• Industry groups are negotiating legislative changes that might further undermine the fund, potentially leading to fewer resources for cleanup efforts across the state.

Key quote:

“Once it’s paid in, it ought to be there permanently.”

— Don Scott, Oklahoma farmer

Why this matters:

Who ultimately pays the price for the oil industry’s leftovers, and what happens when industry commitments don't match the scale of the problem? Read more: What happens if the largest owner of oil and gas wells in the US goes bankrupt?