Letter to the Editor: Review candidates’ forums, written positions on injection wells
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I am writing as a former ODNR geologist who worked in Washington County from 2003 to 2021. My duties included routine oil and gas inspections, complaint investigations, and all matters involving injection wells. I wrote numerous violations and occasionally recommended fines or stronger action, but enforcement from Columbus was rare. Later I was assigned the orphan well program.
The least favorite part of the job was injection wells. Failures were common--sometimes from poor cement jobs, more often from tubing or packer problems that let pressure drop and brine leave the intended formation. Operators regularly requested higher maximum injection pressures because the wells ran at the top of the allowed range, and ODNR almost always granted the increases.
As early as 2020, ODNR's own consultant found that brine from the Red Bird wells had migrated into Bob Wilson's production wells. Migration has been faster than earlier cases. Faults and fractures, especially along the river, appear to be pathways. Deep Rock's American Growers #1 well near Marietta produced similar damage. Bob Wilson has lost more than 50 wells and Bob Lane has lost more than 30; other producers have similar losses.
In July 2026, ODNR asked the operators of Redbird #4 and #5, American Growers #1, and Nichols #1-A to voluntarily shut down because the wells were suspected of impacting nearby production wells. Pressures are still being monitored on many affected wells. I agree with Dr. David Jeffery of Marietta College that the local geology needs a thorough independent study before any further injection continues.
If operators resume or expand injection without that study, the risk to production wells--and potentially to Marietta's aquifers--remains a matter of when, not if. ODNR should impose a temporary moratorium on injection in Washington County while a geologic study is completed. New permits should not be issued until the results are known. Owners of problem wells should ultimately be responsible for proper plugging.
Voters can act this November by electing candidates who recognize the problem and have a concrete plan. I encourage readers to review the candidates' forums and written positions on injection wells.
Cindy VanDyke
Marietta