Orphaned Oil Well Cleanup Expands on Federal Public Lands

A large-scale environmental remediation effort is underway through a public-private initiative. The Well Done Foundation (WDF), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is working to decommission more than 110 orphaned oil and gas wells across four National Wildlife Refuges. As part of this collaboration, WDF recently marked a major milestone: the successful plugging of its 50th orphaned well nationwide—and its first in Oklahoma. 

Multi-State Restoration Effort Supports Federal Land Stewardship Goals

The partnership targets orphan wells located in the Deep Fork and Sequoyah Refuges in Oklahoma, Hailstone in Montana, and Baskett Slough in Oregon. Each refuge faces specific site challenges, ranging from degraded soil and methane leakage to visitor safety concerns.

A broad-based strategy supports habitat restoration efforts while directly addressing environmental liabilities tied to aging fossil fuel infrastructure. The effort also underscores how charitable donations and the use of carbon offsets can fund critical remediation work.

Long-Term Monitoring and Site Recovery Measures

In addition to well plugging, the project places emphasis on long-term outcomes. WDF will remove contaminated surface materials, rehabilitate land surfaces, and conduct ongoing post-restoration monitoring.

With annual methane and water quality checks, verification of surface recovery progress and maintenance of detailed site remediation records, the long-term steps ensure restoration success beyond immediate plugging efforts, aligning with evolving best practices in land management and conservation.

Scaling Workforce Development Through Community Engagement

This initiative also strengthens WDF’s commitment to workforce development and education. In collaboration with academic institutions, nonprofit partners, and local tribal organizations, the foundation plans to expand internship and volunteer programs related to land restoration and environmental science.

Key workforce initiatives include:

• Hands-on field training in well remediation techniques
• Environmental monitoring and data collection skill-building
• Public engagement to raise awareness of legacy well impacts

By focusing on community-based participation, the program not only addresses environmental concerns but also contributes to regional economic resilience.

Track Record of Impact Positions Project for Broader Replication

Since 2019, WDF has plugged over 50 orphaned wells across five states, preventing an estimated 1.5 million metric tons of methane from entering the atmosphere. This measurable climate benefit positions the organization as a proven contributor to national restoration priorities.

WDF’s funding model, which leverages carbon credits to support its operations, has played a key role in making these achievements possible. These offsets provide scalable, verifiable, and transparent climate action, inviting participation from individuals, corporations, and small businesses alike.

With more than 2 million orphaned wells estimated across the U.S., this new collaboration may serve as a scalable model for future public-private remediation partnerships. It aligns with increasing demand for cross-sector solutions that reduce emissions, restore ecosystems, and meet federal land stewardship objectives.