Most people are aware of the negative effects of drilling for fossil fuels. Still, some may not be aware of the number of abandoned or “orphaned” oil and gas wells across the United States. Research from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests there are more than 3 million abandoned oil and gas wells in the country.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), crude oil is used to make petroleum products that fuel airplanes, cars and trucks, power homes, and even make medicines or plastics. Finding, producing and transporting crude oil has negative ecological impacts.
Here are 10 reasons why something needs to be done about abandoned oil and gas wells.
1. Emissions From Oil and Gas Wells Fuel Climate Change
When oil or gas wells are abandoned, steel piping and cement corrode and allow poisonous gasses to reach the surface. Methane, the main component of natural gas, is a highly toxic greenhouse gas (GHG) 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
2. Oil and Gas Wells Contribute to Poor Air Quality
Toxic chemicals that enter the atmosphere can worsen air quality in a given area. It’s widely known that poor indoor air quality causes negative health symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing, congestion and nosebleeds.
Poor outdoor air quality caused by the enhanced greenhouse effect also causes dehydration, lung problems and starvation.
3. Oil and Gas Development Ruins Wildlands
Much of the damage caused by developing oil and gas extraction sites is irreversible. According to The Wilderness Society, over 12 million acres of land are used for fossil fuel production. This figure is equivalent to six Yellowstone National Parks.
Removing these big chunks of land negatively impacts the natural environment, people and animals.
4. Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells Can Impact Local Tourism
While a poor aesthetic may not be as serious as negative health conditions, abandoned oil and gas wells are eyesores. Outdoor recreation and tourism help fuel the economy. Visitors may be less inclined to visit outdoor areas riddled with abandoned wells.
For example, visitors to national parks spend around $21 billion on trips, and that money is also used to fund 341,000 jobs.
5. Drilling Can Disrupt Wildlife and Their Habitats
Oil and gas extraction serves as a major disruption in a habitat full of different animal species. It takes a lot of human involvement to produce fossil fuels. Loud noises and vehicle traffic can impact wildlife communication, nesting and breeding habits.
Additionally, powerlines, fences and well pads can take up a lot of space in a natural habitat.
6. Oil and Gas Drilling Can Result in Spills
In 2010, an explosion at the BP Deepwater Horizon oil site released 130 million gallons of crude oil, resulting in 11 human lives lost and millions of marine species suffering. The negative effects of this historical disaster are still lingering a decade later.
7. People Living Near Abandoned Wells Experience Health Problems
Stanford researchers found in a 14-year study that a high level of air pollutants exists in areas within 2.5 miles of oil and gas wells. This contamination can impact the health of nearby residents, which are often marginalized groups, such as Black and Latinx communities.
It was reported in Stanford’s study that at least 2 million Californians live within one mile of these abandoned fossil fuel production sites.
8. Toxins From Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells Leach Into Groundwater
States such as Texas, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, New York and Colorado have all reported polluted drinking water due to abandoned wells.
This has caused communities across the U.S. to retrofit their water filtration systems to account for these gas leaks. A few missteps or changes in conditions can render water undrinkable.
9. Cleaning up Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells Supports Job Creation
The Department of the Interior announced President Biden’s infrastructure plan, which included $1.15 billion in funding to create jobs cleaning up abandoned wells across the country.
Using the issue of the abandoned wells as an opportunity for job creation is yet another reason why state and federal governments should fund solutions.
10. Cleaning Hazardous Sites Can Spark Economic Growth and Revitalization
Hiring American workers to clean up abandoned wells can help reduce unemployment rates and spark economic growth. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, over 10,000 North Dakota residents working in the oil and gas industry lost their jobs.
Plugging abandoned wells is a step toward transitioning to renewables, so more job opportunities could open up in the new energy sector.
Plugging Abandoned Wells Is a Step in the Right Direction
Generally speaking, more needs to be done to protect the planet, people and wildlife. Reducing fossil fuel production and plugging abandoned wells can guarantee a safe environment for future generations.
