Environmental risks and opportunities of orphaned oil and gas wells in the United States

Abstract Hundreds of thousands documented and undocumented orphaned oil gas wells exist in the United States (U.S.). These have potential to contaminate water supplies, degrade ecosystems, emit methane other air pollutants. Thus, present risks climate stability environmental human health, which can be reduced by plugging. To quantify opportunities well plugging at national level, we analyze data on 81 857 across U.S. We find that > 4.6 million people live within 1 km a well. 35% are located domestic groundwater well, yet only 8% quality radius. Methane emissions from represent approximately 3%–6% total abandoned wells, but this estimate is based measurements $\lt$?> < 0.03% wells. 91% overlie formations favorable for geologic storage carbon dioxide hydrogen, meaning reduce leakage future projects. Finally, costs exceed $4.7 billion federal funding 30%–80%, emphasizing importance prioritizing spending with large remediation benefits. Overall, monitoring not extensive enough risks, especially those related health. Plugging provide hydrogen geothermal energy development, thereby facilitating efforts transition net-zero systems. Our analysis provides framework used manage millions abroad.