Healing the Land: Collaborative Effort to Reclaim Orphan Well Sites

The Well Done Foundation (WDF), a national nonprofit dedicated to addressing orphaned oil and gas wells, has partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to restore critical habitats across four National Wildlife Refuges. Backed by a $19.2 million grant, this initiative will target over 110 orphan wells in refuges including Deep Fork and Sequoyah in Oklahoma, Hailstone in Montana, and Baskett Slough in Oregon. These efforts will protect visitors, subsurface and surface waters, wetlands, and sensitive ecosystems, highlighting a groundbreaking commitment to both environmental conservation and public safety.

WDF plans to conduct comprehensive surveys, implement erosion and spill controls, and perform methane and water quality testing before and after plugging wells. Additional activities include soil remediation, site restoration, and annual post-plug monitoring. This collaborative effort also aims to address broader environmental challenges by building partnerships with nonprofits, tribes, and educational institutions for training, workforce development, and volunteer programs, enhancing both public engagement and land stewardship.

The project continues WDF’s proven track record, with the organization plugging over 46 high-priority wells since 2019 and eliminating more than 1.5 million metric tons of methane emissions. By restoring these refuge lands, the collaboration reinforces the balance between natural ecosystems and human development, ensuring safer, healthier habitats for wildlife and visitors alike.