State-Certified Well Decommissioning & Abandonment
TDLR-compliant sealing and permanent plugging of abandoned, dry, or hazardous wells to eliminate property liability and protect the aquifer.
Common Signs & Symptoms of Failure
- ⚠ Uncapped open hole or hand-dug well posing severe fall hazard for cattle or children
- ⚠ Dry, collapsed, or obsolete well on property being prepared for sale or development
- ⚠ Contaminated borehole that threatens adjacent active drinking water wells
- ⚠ Official TDLR or Texas Groundwater Conservation District compliance mandate
Technical Execution & Equipment Standards
- ✓ Comprehensive obstruction clearance, equipment extraction, and depth sounding
- ✓ Placement of non-reactive aggregate/gravel pack in permeable water-producing zones
- ✓ High-pressure pressure tremie-pipe pumping of neat cement slurry from bottom to top
- ✓ Cutting casing at least 24 inches below agricultural plow grade
- ✓ Welding heavy steel closure plate and submitting state TDLR plugging reports
Equipment Specifications: Utilizes positive-displacement grout pumps, tremie pipe reels, heavy-gauge steel cap plates, and ASTM C150 Type I/II cement.
Our Step-by-Step Field Process
1. Borehole Sounding & Debris Clearance
We fish out any old drop pipes, windmill sucker rods, or trash, and sound the total depth to accurately calculate cement slurry yardage requirements.
2. Isolation of Permeable Strata
Non-reactive disinfected pea gravel is placed across active freshwater aquifers, followed by impervious bentonite plugs to prevent cross-contamination between formations.
3. Continuous Positive Tremie Cementing
We pump certified neat cement slurry continuously from the bottom of the wellbore to the surface via tremie pipe, eliminating all voids.
4. Casing Cutoff & State TDLR Filing
We cut the steel casing 24 inches below agricultural plow grade, weld a 1/4" steel plate shut, backfill, and file the official State of Texas Plugging Report.
Edwards Aquifer & West Texas Geology
Under Texas law, landowners are legally and financially liable for unplugged abandoned wells on their property. Abandoned wells act as open conduits for pesticides, road runoff, and surface pollutants to contaminate regional Edwards-Trinity groundwater.
Preventative Maintenance Tip for Landowners
Unplugged wells on your property carry severe legal and financial liability under Texas Water Code § 1901.255. Protect your ranch title by plugging unused wells legally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I legally required to plug an unused well on my Texas ranch?
Yes. Under Texas Water Code § 1901.255, landowners must plug or cap abandoned or deteriorated wells within 180 days of learning of their existence to protect public safety and groundwater resources.
Do you handle all state filing paperwork for well abandonment?
Yes. As a TDLR licensed master driller, we complete the entire sealing process to state engineering specifications, file the official State of Texas Plugging Report, and provide you with certified documentation for your deed records.