Up First from NPR When the Oil Runs Dry
44 snips
Sep 7, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, NPR correspondent Camila Domonoske, who covers the life cycle of oil wells, unpacks the complexities of America’s aging oil infrastructure. She highlights the staggering number of abandoned wells and the environmental risks they pose, particularly in relation to methane emissions. Domonoske also addresses the economic challenges of properly sealing these orphan wells and the pressing need for stronger regulations to tackle these hidden hazards. Her insights offer a critical look at America's energy dependency and its impact on our future.
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Most Wells Are Low Producers
- Most U.S. oil wells produce very little oil while a small number produce the bulk of output.
- Understanding this split explains why millions of low-producing wells persist across the country.
Why Plugging Wells Matters
- Wells must be filled with cement from bottom to top when retired to prevent leaks.
- Unplugged wells can release toxic substances and methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Three Barrels A Day Still Worth Keeping
- NPR visited an Oklahoma field where a 1920s well still produces about three barrels a day.
- Owner Scott Rabinowitz keeps dozens of such marginal wells active because they still generate revenue.
