By Rachel Nostrant
January 21st, 2026
“I’m fearful the number of orphaned wells will increase as assets mature and economic conditions make it more difficult to stay in business,” said Julie Range, policy manager for Commission Shift, a Texas-based watchdog group.
“Without significant policy reforms that compel companies to prepare for the end of a well’s useful life, we will continue to see companies pocket the profits, walk away, and push costs of plugging their aging assets onto taxpayers,” Range said.
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