Well Done Foundation Plugs 50th Orphan Well Nationwide, Marks First in Oklahoma in Collaboration with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Milestone highlights the power of carbon credits in driving environmental restoration, climate action and resource protection

OKMULGEE, Okla., April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Well Done Foundation (WDF), a national nonprofit committed to plugging orphaned oil and gas wells across the United States, is celebrating a major milestone: the successful plugging of its 50th well nationwide, and their first-ever plugging in Oklahoma, as part of its ongoing collaboration with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). This achievement underscores the power of charitable donations, the critical role of carbon credits in financing environmental cleanup projects and strategic collaborations to make a difference, One Well At A Time!

“Reaching our 50th plugged orphan well is a testament to the dedication and innovation of our team, donors and partners,” said Curtis Shuck, Founder and Chairman of the Board at WDF. “This is not just another number—it’s a powerful reminder that we can tackle orphan wells at scale and make a tangible impact on the environment. We’re especially proud that our first plugging in Oklahoma is in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge, protecting local communities, wildlife habitats, ensuring a healthier future and protecting our critical oil and gas resources for generations to come, by properly plugging and abandoning orphan wells.”

Building on a historic effort to plug more than 110 orphan wells across multiple National Wildlife Refuges, WDF and USFWS are working together to ensure that these orphan wells are sealed properly. This process safeguards communities and wildlife by reducing methane emissions, preserves critical habitats, preserves oil and gas resources all while creating good paying American jobs.

The Complex Role of Carbon Credits

In 2020, WDF sponsored the first of its kind methodology for orphan oil and gas well plugging to help fund tackling this huge problem at scale, long before orphan wells were cool or there were Federal Funds available. Now, a significant portion of WDF’s funding comes from companies and individuals looking to offset their own carbon emissions through investments in orphan well-plugging initiatives. These credits or offsets help facilitate:

• Scalable Climate Action: Each well plugged helps reduce methane emissions—one of the most potent greenhouse gases—contributing directly to global emissions reduction targets.
• Transparency and Accountability: WDF’s monitoring and certification ensure that every offset purchased corresponds to verifiable methane mitigation and environmental improvement.
• Expanded Participation: Small businesses, large corporations, and individual donors can all play a part in financing well-plugging operations, which on average costs around $65,000 per well, reinforcing the collective impact of carbon offset programs.

About Well Done Foundation

Formed in 2019, the Well Done Foundation’s mission is to fight climate change by plugging the estimated 2.15 million orphaned oil and gas wells in the United States. WDF works with farmers and landowners, local and state government, corporations, and other nonprofits to locate orphaned wells, measure and document methane and CO2 emissions, plug the wells, and restore the surface areas to their original state. Since 2019, WDF has plugged high-priority orphan wells in five states, cumulatively preventing more than 1.5 million metric tons of methane emissions. For more information or to learn about investing in carbon offsets through WDF, visit welldonefoundation.org.

Media Contact:
Interdependence PR
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SOURCE Well Done Foundation