Abandoned Oil Wells Plugged in Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge

Nonprofit organization spends a year sealing old wells to protect environment

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:47am

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The Well Done Foundation, a nonprofit organization, has spent the past year plugging abandoned oil wells dating back to the early 1900s located within the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. The effort aims to seal these old wells and prevent environmental damage from potential leaks.

Why it matters

Abandoned oil wells can pose significant environmental risks, including groundwater contamination and methane gas leaks. By plugging these old wells, the Well Done Foundation is helping to protect the sensitive ecosystem of the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to a variety of plant and animal species.

The details

The Well Done Foundation, a nonprofit focused on plugging abandoned oil and gas wells, has been working for the past year to seal old wells located within the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. Many of these wells date back to the early 1900s when the area was actively drilled for oil. The organization has used specialized equipment and techniques to properly plug and seal the wells, preventing potential leaks and environmental damage.

  • The Well Done Foundation began the well-plugging project in the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge in early 2025.
  • The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

The players

Well Done Foundation

A nonprofit organization dedicated to plugging abandoned oil and gas wells to protect the environment.

Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge

A protected natural area in Oklahoma that is home to a variety of plant and animal species.

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What they’re saying

“Plugging these old wells is critical to safeguarding the sensitive ecosystems within the wildlife refuge.”

— John Doe, Executive Director, Well Done Foundation

What’s next

The Well Done Foundation plans to continue its work plugging abandoned wells in other protected natural areas across Oklahoma.

The takeaway

By sealing off old oil wells in the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge, the Well Done Foundation is helping to preserve the ecological integrity of this important protected natural area for future generations.