Lawsuit Alleges Abandoned Oil Wells Leak Toxic Gases and Wastewater

Chevron holds leases on thousands of abandoned oil wells in Texas. A ranch owner, Ashley Watt, sued in Texas district court against Chevron and other oil companies. The lawsuit alleges that they failed to properly plug the wells on her property, contaminating groundwater with toxic wastewater and fouling the air with methane and other toxic gases. 

Inside Climate News reports that Watt’s suit aims to force Chevron to re-plug and remediate the wells. “This is a colossal liability that’s going to have to be borne by somebody,” she says. “Whether it’s the companies—or, if they pass the buck—the taxpayers of the state of Texas.”

Many of the 300-plus wells on the ranch were initially drilled by Gulf Oil in the 1940s and ‘50s. Standard Oil Company of California purchased Gulf in 1984 and rebranded it as Chevron. It took over the oil wells on Watt’s ranch and plugged them according to a process that is supposed to be leak-proof.

However, many demonstrably leak crude oil, methane, and salty, toxic wastewater laced with heavy metals, including arsenic, radium-226, radium-228, ethylbenzene, and xylenes.

Daniel Charest, with Burns Charest LLP of Dallas, represents Watt. “This is one ranch, one part of Texas,” says Charest, but the scope of this problem is mind-boggling.” He claims there are ranches all over Texas with the same issues but lacks his client’s resources. 

Chevron public affairs advisor Catie Matthews says the company has successfully re-plugged wells on Watt’s ranch without requiring any lawsuit or court orders. “Chevron will continue to coordinate with the Texas Railroad Commission and respond appropriately to any potential concerns,” she says.

Matthew declined to comment on the litigation. A trial will likely begin in mid-2025.