25,000 Texas oil and gas wells could soon fail and become ‘zombie wells,' watchdog group warns

Analysis by Future Heist watchdog group identifies 25,000 high-risk "zombie wells" and hundreds with leaks threatening groundwater and communities.

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A curious driver gets a closer look as a high-profile zombie well erupted Wednesday, Oct.

(Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer) A new analysis of Texas oil and gas well data has identified 25,000 plugged wells at critical risk of failure, threatening communities across the state.

The interactive map , created by the new watchdog group Future Heist, is just the latest effort to quantify the problem.

The group estimates the number of potential "zombie wells" - plugged wells that spring back to life - is roughly 50 times higher than previously reported.

Leaking zombie wells have become a scourge on Texas oil fields as the state contends with two overlapping issues: mounting pressure underground from oil and gas wastewater disposal and a growing number of decades-old well plugs unable to hold up against the pressure.

When plugged wells fail, the industry's toxic wastewater can flow up the well to the surface , contaminating aquifers along the way .

Skip to main Home News Finance Sports More Mail Search the web Advertisement Advertisement Return to Homepage Top Stories: Bank of America penalized Kimberly Guilfoyle resigns 2026 midterm initiatives Feds search Ilhan Omar's home Social Security's 2027 COLA Who'll win the House?

South Carolina Senate debate Judge halts Trump ads Russia strikes power plant Follow 25,000 Texas oil and gas wells could soon fail and become ‘zombie wells,' watchdog group warns Amanda Drane Thu, August 20, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC 4 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.

A curious driver gets a closer look as a high-profile zombie well erupted Wednesday, Oct.

(Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer) A new analysis of Texas oil and gas well data has identified 25,000 plugged wells at critical risk of failure, threatening communities across the state.

The interactive map , created by the new watchdog group Future Heist, is just the latest effort to quantify the problem.

The group estimates the number of potential "zombie wells" - plugged wells that spring back to life - is roughly 50 times higher than previously reported.