U.S. Wildlife Refuges Begin Cleanup of Abandoned Oil Wells

A major cleanup campaign is gaining momentum across America’s public lands as the Well Done Foundation (WDF), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, works to decommission over 110 orphaned oil and gas wells spread across four National Wildlife Refuges.

WDF recently marked a symbolic milestone: its 50th orphaned well successfully plugged—and its first ever in Oklahoma.

Cleaning Up a Dangerous Legacy

The sites targeted for remediation include the Deep Fork and Sequoyah Refuges in Oklahoma, Hailstone in Montana, and Baskett Slough in Oregon. Each faces unique environmental risks—from methane leaks to soil degradation and public safety hazards.

The initiative is more than just plugging wells—it’s about restoring habitats, stabilizing land, and reducing legacy pollution tied to long-abandoned fossil fuel infrastructure. The program blends federal goals with philanthropic support and a carbon offset model that helps fund the work.

Beyond the Plug: Ensuring Long-Term Restoration

The cleanup doesn’t stop once a well is sealed. WDF removes contaminated surface debris, rehabilitates the land, and commits to long-term site monitoring.

Annual methane checks, water testing, and detailed recovery documentation ensure the land stays restored, in line with evolving best practices in conservation.

Training the Next Generation of Land Stewards

A key aspect of the initiative is workforce development. By partnering with schools, tribal organizations, and nonprofits, WDF is expanding its internship and volunteer programs.

Participants receive hands-on training in remediation, environmental monitoring, and data collection—skills critical for building climate resilience from the ground up.

A Model Worth Scaling

Since its launch in 2019, WDF has plugged over 50 wells across five states, preventing an estimated 1.5 million metric tons of methane from escaping into the atmosphere. Its success is rooted in a carbon offset funding model that invites individuals, businesses, and governments to take part.

With more than 2 million orphaned wells scattered across the U.S., this project offers a replicable blueprint for scaling environmental repair through cross-sector partnerships.

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