September 3, 2025
When Tragedy Strikes: A Call to Confront the Ongoing Risks of Oil and Gas Wells
On August 25, 2025, an orphan oil well explosion in Independence Township, Washington County, inside Wayne National Forest, became a devastating reminder of the dangers Ohio communities still face from our oil and gas legacy. Six workers, contractors from Monroe Drilling Operations LLC, who were bravely doing the vital job of plugging an abandoned well, were injured when natural gas and crude oil ignited at the site. Four of them had to be airlifted by helicopter after receiving initial treatment. Our hearts are with these workers and their families, and we are deeply grateful for both their service and the swift, coordinated response of emergency crews and state agencies who prevented further harm.
The Orphan Well Program: Progress and Gaps
Ohio continues to make historic strides in recent years through the Orphan Well Program. Since reforms in 2018, the program grew from a handful of active plugging rigs to more than 16-20 rigs operating weekly. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, in 2024 alone, over 300 orphan wells were plugged and millions of dollars have been invested in contracts to restore land and protect communities.
Yet, the challenge ahead remains immense. There are over 20,000 documented orphan wells in Ohio, and potentially thousands more yet to be identified. Each one is a hidden hazard, capable of leaking methane, contaminating groundwater, and, in rare but catastrophic cases, exploding.
From Cradle to Grave: An Inherently Volatile Industry
The Washington County tragedy is not an isolated event. Earlier this year, an explosion rocked an active well pad in Guernsey County, sending thick smoke into the air. According to reports, Ohio has experienced more than 1400 oil and gas incidents in just the past five years. Nationally, blowouts, fires, and leaks continue to endanger workers, neighborhoods, and ecosystems.
From decades of drilling and fracking to abandonment and eventual capping, oil and gas wells carry risks at every stage of their lifecycle. Even with strong safety protocols, the industry remains volatile, leaving both human health and environmental health perpetually at risk.
A Forest on the Frontlines: Wayne National Forest
Despite this clear pattern, federal officials are moving forward with expanded oil and gas leasing in the Wayne National Forest, Ohio’s only national forest. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently approved additional leasing after conducting environmental assessments. Conservation groups, residents, and environmental justice advocates have raised concerns about the negative impacts on air quality, drinking water, wildlife, and the climate.
The OEC supports remediation projects in Wayne National Forest, including efforts to plug orphan wells and abandoned mines. However, opening more of the forest to drilling runs counter to that progress. It risks compounding the very problems Ohio is now spending hundreds of millions to clean up.
Where We Go from Here
The explosion in Washington County is another wake-up call; protecting people must be the top priority. That means:
- Accelerating orphan well plugging and building a comprehensive, public inventory of wells
- Recognizing that oil and gas remain a volatile and hazardous industry, even under “normal” operations
- Saying no to risky new leasing in the Wayne National Forest, while investing instead in restoration, recreation, and renewable energy
Ohioans deserve safe neighborhoods, clean air and water, and public lands free from hidden industrial hazards. The workers injured this week were doing the challenging work of cleaning up the past. Let us not repeat it for future generations.
