oil and gas

The U.S. has millions of old gas and oil wells. Here’s what it takes to plug them up

There was a circle in Maria Burns' yard where grass wouldn't grow and trees died. She knew what it was: An old natural gas well, plugged when she was a little girl, starting to leak again.

Defunct oil wells are a national problem. Finding them is the first step

There could be about a million 'orphan' oil and gas wells across the U.S. As they age, they can leak greenhouse gases or unhealthy chemicals.