DEP Plugs Orphan Wells Across Pennsylvania

Over 500 abandoned oil and gas wells have been plugged statewide since state funding began, including 82 in Butler County.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Oil and Gas

DEP Plugs Orphan Wells Across Pennsylvania

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Should Pennsylvania spend more to plug abandoned gas wells near homes?

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection celebrated its 500th plugged orphan well on Oct. 21. Orphan wells are abandoned sites with no known owner or records, and the state oversees their plugging through contracted companies.

Why it matters

Orphan wells can leak methane and other contaminants, posing environmental and safety risks to nearby communities. The program's expansion reflects state efforts to address legacy oil and gas infrastructure that no responsible party remains to clean up.

The DEP has overseen the plugging of 82 orphan wells in Butler County, and over 500 wells have been plugged statewide since funding began. Keystone Wireline alone has plugged about 200 orphan wells in the area, though the total number still needing plugging was not reported.

The players

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

The state agency responsible for environmental regulation, including oversight of orphan well plugging and water quality protection.

Keystone Wireline

A contracting company that has plugged about 200 orphan wells in the Butler County area and was awarded the Adelman Fields bid.

The details

The DEP bundles orphan wells into packages that companies bid on for plugging, and before creating a package it sends an oil and gas inspector and a water quality specialist to assess conditions. Keystone Wireline was awarded the bid to plug the Adelman Fields well, which has been leaking methane and sits near a youth baseball field.

Oct. 21: The 500th orphan well plugged in Pennsylvania was celebrated.
Late October: Eagle staff were invited to observe a well-plugging operation.

Legacy Cleanup

The milestone marks cumulative progress under Pennsylvania's state-funded orphan well program, which targets abandoned oil and gas sites that no responsible operator remains to plug. Each completed package reduces the backlog of legacy wells that continue to leak methane into the state's landscape.

Residents near abandoned wells, including those living close to Butler County sites, may see crews and inspections as plugging work proceeds. Priority goes to wells in residential areas, so nearby households are more likely to see the work completed sooner.

The takeaway

Abandoned wells can keep leaking for years after operations end, so prioritizing sites near homes and schools is a practical way to reduce exposure. Residents who notice a suspected leaking well can report it to the DEP so it can be assessed.