Stop Orphaned Wells Act

This bill changes federal rules for oil and gas leases on federal and Indian land so that operators pay to plug and clean up wells. It ends nationwide bonds, sets minimum bonds of $200,000 per lease or $650,000 per state, adjusts them for inflation, and requires a full-cost bond when half or more of an operator's wells are idle. It limits how long wells can stay temporarily abandoned or shut-in, and it keeps former lease holders responsible for cleanup duties that arose before a transfer. Lease transfers would need approval from the Secretary of the Interior after public comment, with required denial in some cases, such as bankruptcy or lack of an investment grade credit rating. Companies would also need to be certified as fit to operate, with $30 million per year authorized for fiscal years 2028 through 2032.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Yassamin Ansari Democrat sponsor
• 6 cosponsors