Oil wells, gas wells, water wells, monitoring wells – there are literally hundreds of thousands of wells scattered over the state of Texas. When drilled, all the wells had a purpose. Some are still active. The majority, however, are inactive and often abandoned. They can be found in the middle of nowhere or in someone's backyard. Properly plugging a well at an environmental drilling site is imperative.

What Do Texas Laws Say About Abandoned Wells?

By Texas law, wells are considered abandoned if they have not been used for six consecutive months. The well is not considered abandoned if it has a non-deteriorated casing, pump, and pump column, or if the landowner caps the well.

Abandoned wells are supposed to be restored to operating condition, capped or plugged, once they meet abandonment conditions. Unfortunately, that does not always happen. Open abandoned wells pose a hazard to personal and public health. Children and animals can fall into these open holes. Humans and animals can be harmed if even a limb goes into the well opening. The opening also allows contaminants to enter the groundwater table or aquifers. An open well can also reduce pressure on the aquifer making flowing wells slow down or stop.

The law says the landowner is responsible for capping or plugging all abandoned wells. They are also liable for any injury done to person, animal, or groundwater due to an open abandoned well.

How Do You Plug a Well?

The process for plugging a well is straightforward:

• Assess the well and measure its depth and width.
• Remove debris from the well.
• Disinfect the well.
• Remove as the well casing.
• Fill the well with approved plugging materials. (The choice of plugging material depends on whether it is an above ground or surface completion, and the type of soil involved.)
• Restore the surrounding area.
  
  

Now, landowners can legally plug wells on their own land. Some landowners think that just filling in the hole with dirt is enough. However, when you drill through formations below, the dirt will not hold because it is unconsolidated material. That can open up the potential for contamination.

Who is an expert in Plug and Abandonment in Texas?

It is safer to have an environmental drilling company handle the plug and abandonment. They know how to do the job quickly and efficiently, while meeting all legal and regulatory requirements. They can assess the well and bring in the right materials to plug the well properly. If the well is in the middle of nowhere, the standard choice for plugging the well is above ground while others should have surface completion. Once the environmental drilling company completes the work, it will return the site to pre-assessment condition.

Talon/LPE can handle your plug and abandonment needs. Our experts have over 100 years of drilling and plugging experience, having plugged more than 10,000 wells in the state of Texas. We are fully equipped to handle your plug and abandonment needs. Give us a call today.