California has long been one of the nation’s most active regions for oil production. With nearly 300,000 oil wells statewide, the legacy of oil exploration is embedded in our communities, sometimes quite literally in our backyards. But behind the economic and industrial boom lies a growing public health and environmental crisis: abandoned and idle oil wells leaking dangerous gases and chemicals into nearby neighborhoods.
What is an Oil Well—and What Happens When It Goes Idle?
An oil well is a structure drilled deep into the ground to extract crude oil or gas. When an oil well has not produced oil for twenty-four consecutive months, it becomes what regulators call “idle.” When a well has not produce oil and lacks a solvent operator, it becomes an “orphaned” well. These oil wells are supposed to be sealed through a process known as plugging and abandonment, but too often they are left improperly capped—posing long-term dangers to nearby residents and ecosystems.
There are over 40,000 idle wells under the jurisdiction of California’s Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM). Many are located in close proximity to homes, schools, and hospitals, including densely populated urban areas like Los Angeles and Kern County.
Leaking Methane and Toxic Air Pollutants
When oil wells go unplugged, they do not just sit dormant—they leak. In Bakersfield, for instance, an idle well just four hundred feet from a residential area was discovered leaking methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Residents reported dizziness, headaches, and fatigue, classic symptoms of toxic gas exposure.
Recent investigations in the Arvin-Lamont area revealed that 40% of wells tested were leaking, with some located just a few hundred feet from schools. These leaks often contained dangerous chemicals such as:
- Methane – Highly explosive and a major contributor to climate change.
- Benzene – A known carcinogen linked to leukemia and other blood cancers.
- Hydrogen sulfide, arsenic, and other VOCs (volatile organic compounds) – Toxic to both humans and wildlife.
The Human Health Toll
Over two million Californians live within one mile of an operating or idle oil well. Scientific studies have linked proximity to wells with numerous health issues, including:
- Asthma and respiratory illnesses: People living near active and idle wells show reduced lung function, chronic wheezing, and more frequent hospitalizations.
- Birth defects and developmental issues: A wide body of perinatal studies found increased risks of low birth weight and preterm birth within 1km of drilling sites.
- Cancer: Children living near oil development areas were up to four times more likely to develop acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Enivronmental Damage and Legal Responses
These wells do not just pose health threats, they also contaminate groundwater, damage soil quality, and reduce property values. Studies have found wells leaking directly into water tables, sometimes causing such severe contamination that entire communities are advised to avoid drinking local water supplies. Cases like McEvoy v. Diversified Energy Company show that landowners are starting to fight back in court, alleging trespass, nuisance, and negligence over the presence of leaking and hazardous idle oil wells on their property.
While California Senate Bill 1137 now restricts drilling within 3,200 feet of sensitive areas like schools and homes, enforcement and clean-up efforts still lag behind. Oil giants like Shell and ExxonMobil have sold thousands of wells to other companies, often transferring liability along with them—raising concerns about whether proper clean-up will ever be done. Although Congress has allocated $4.7 billion for plugging orphaned wells nationwide, experts agree that this sum is likely not enough to address the full scope of the problem, with millions of wells still posing a threat.
Our Responsibility to the Environment
At McCune Law Group, our environmental justice lawyers are committed to holding polluters accountable and fighting for communities affected by oil and gas negligence. If you or your family live near an oil well and are experiencing unexplained health issues, diminished property values, or environmental damage, you may have legal options.
Contact us today for a free evaluation and learn how we can help you seek justice.