The Problems:

• I. Gas from oil layers can come to the surface through the well bore and collect in buildings with potentially explosive results.

House explodes from leaking abandoned gas well.

Families flee out-of-control natural-gas leak at eastern Ohio fracking well

Perilous Pathways: How Drilling Near An Abandoned Well Produced a Methane Geyser

Tap Water Torches: How Faulty Gas Drilling Can Lead To Methane Migration

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• II. Methane is also a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change.

Video of Gas bubbling from an abandoned well.

Princeton article on methane leaking from abandoned wells.

Study finds ‘significant’ methane leaking from abandoned wells.

Derelict Oil Wells May Be Major Methane Emitters

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• III. Gas can contaminate drinking water wells.

Article: Report Confirms Oil and Gas Drilling Has Contaminated Well Water

In Northeast Pennsylvania, Methane Migration Means Flammable Puddles And 30-Foot Geysers

Chesapeake to Pay $1.6 Million for Contaminating Water Wells in Bradford County

The Simple Facts on Stray Gas Migration

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• IV. Surface runoff can use the well bore as a conduit to contaminate nearby water wells.

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• VI. Salt brine, oil and gas from the oil bearing layers can use the well bore to reach and pollute fresh water layers or discharge at the surface into nearby streams.

After flowing for days DEP plugged this well in Oil Creek State Park, PA

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• VII. In coal mining areas, well bores allow natural gas, and acidic mine water to reach the surface.

Acid mine water flowing from well casing.

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• VIII. Abandoned wells that collapse inward are a physical threat to outdoor hikers and hunters.

Open hole from collapsed abandoned well.

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The solution to all of these problems is proper plugging of the well.

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