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NPCA: Orphaned Oil And Gas Wells Near National Parks Creating Pollution Problems

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Published Date

June 27, 2021

More than 30,000 orphaned natural gas and oil wells can be found within 30 miles of national parks/NPCA

Thousands of orphaned oil and gas wells can be found within a 30-mile radius of national parks, creating polluted air and groundwater, according to a study conducted by the National Parks and Conservation Association. 

‘Orphaned’ oil and gas wells are disused and abandoned facilities where the original owner is insolvent or there is no owner of record. Abandoned wells that are not properly remediated by their owners can leak methane, a dangerous greenhouse gas, into the air and contaminate groundwater, causing respiratory problems such as asthma, as well as frequent headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.

In total, the NPCA analysis found 214,538 untraceable orphaned wells that require rehabilitation across the country, with 31,737 within 30 miles of a national park site.

Explore the map of orphaned oil and gas wells near national park sites here

“It is shocking to learn how many orphaned oil and gas wells are leaking dangerous pollutants into the air and water, harming not only our national parks but also local communities,” said America Fitzpatrick, NPCA's energy program manager. “This is an urgent problem that needs to be addressed by Congress to protect parks and public health, and prevent oil and gas companies from skipping town without cleaning up after themselves again in future.”

The analysis follows the introduction of two bills to address the problem: HR 2415 The Orphaned Well Cleanup and Jobs Act, led by Representative Leger-Fernandez and S 2177 The Oil and Gas Bonding Reform and Orphaned Well Remediation Act, led by Senator Bennet.

A federal program to remediate orphaned wells in the United States would create as many as 120,000 jobs and strengthen bonding requirements to cover the reclamation costs of these wells.

Many of these jobs would help out-of-work oil and gas workers and ensure that the nation’s transition to cleaner energy sources benefits all communities, including communities that were previously relied upon oil and gas.

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