AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is proud to announce that the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) have successfully plugged the first of six orphaned wells in Baffin Bay as a part of a current Coastal Protection Project. GLO and RRC have determined that four of the six wells to be capped and removed are leaking and pose a threat to the surrounding marine environment.
"As a Texan who grew up along our beautiful coast and as Land Commissioner, I am deeply committed to protecting Texas's coastal waters for the communities and families whose economies and livelihoods depend on healthy marine habitats," said Commissioner Buckingham. Baffin Bay is a world-renowned destination for Texas-style eco-tourism, including trophy-sized redfish and speckled trout fishing, as well as premier duck and dove hunting. Removing the six orphaned wells in Baffin Bay, four of which are leaking and pose a threat to this vital area, will help ensure these coastal waters support Texas communities and businesses for generations to come."
An orphaned well in Baffin Bay
The GLO and RRC began inspecting the six orphan wells in Baffin Bay after hearing concerns from the public that they were leaking. This initial inspection revealed that three of the six wells were leaking. When the wells continued to leak after RRC made repairs, the RRC concluded that the wells needed to be completely plugged and removed.
Crews work on an orphaned well in Baffin Bay
However, RRC funds could only be appropriated to plug and remove the three leaking wells. To avoid the added cost of mobilization and demobilization for the project, GLO agreed to partner with RRC to fund the three non-leaking wells. RRC estimated that each well would cost $1 million to fully plug and remove. The GLO and RRC entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in which the GLO provided $3 million in funding to cap and remove the non-leaking wells.
In 2026, when RRC and a subcontractor began work to secure the valves on the six wells, they discovered that four of the wells were leaking. As such, RRC would fund the removal of these wells, and GLO would fund the removal of the two non-leaking wells. The GLO’s funding intended for the third well will now be used for pipeline removal. In May 2026, plugging and well removal began. The first of the six wells was fully capped at the end of the month. All associated structures will be removed from the water once each well has been plugged.
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Dr. Dawn Buckingham made history in 2022, winning a statewide election to become Texas's first female Land Commissioner. As Land Commissioner, Dr. Dawn Buckingham is committed to helping Texans after a disaster, supporting Texas energy, ensuring that every child in Texas receives a high-quality public education, serving Texas Veterans, and securing the border to keep our communities safe.
