Reduce orphan gas, oil wells in Texas

PROGRESSIVE VIEWS

Texas has a growing number of orphan wells that have not been properly abandoned and are sometimes leaking, causing contamination of ground water and the land around the well.

Orphan wells are non-producing wells where the owner cannot be found. Oil and gas companies pay permit fees meant to cover Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) administrative costs and some funds for orphan wells, but those funds are inadequate.