orphaned wells

Suit claims ExxonMobil and others underreported debts by $194 million, calling it “a playbook” for how companies dump old wells and expenses on states.

A fresh lawsuit filed Monday by a coalition of conservation groups is accusing the state of New Mexico of failing to hold oil and gas operators responsible for thousands of abandoned fossil fuel wells across the state.

A recent report says abandoned oil infrastructure could cost the state up to $1.6 billion in coming years. This is how.