Texas faces growing challenge in plugging abandoned oil wells

Despite receiving federal funds, Texas struggles to keep up with an increasing number of abandoned oil wells; threatening land, water and human health.

James Osborne reports for The Houston Chronicle.

In short:

The Texas Railroad Commission's list of wells to be plugged has grown to nearly 8,200, up 3% since August 2022.
Texas plugged 19,000 wells from 2005 to 2022, but the list of orphan wells increased by 21,000 during the same period.
Federal funding has helped Texas plug 730 wells, the most in any state, but state funding for well plugging has declined.

Key quote:

“The responsibility should bear mostly on the industry, and maybe the rules do need to change. That’s going to be tough in the current political environment. The oil and gas industry is an important part of the economy.”

— Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, chair of House appropriations subcommittee

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