Project at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Camp eliminates environmental and public safety threat near children, wetlands, and waterways, and is the 12th Pennsylvania orphan well plugged by WDF
VOLANT, Pa. – [August 18, 2026] – The Well Done Foundation (WDF) is plugging its 12th orphaned legacy oil and gas well in the state of Pennsylvania, located on the grounds of an active youth camp in Lawrence County, eliminating a longstanding environmental and public safety threat to the children, staff, and visitors who use the site.
The Camp Elliot 1 well, located adjacent to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Camp and Retreat Center in Volant, was identified and registered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). The well sits adjacent to camp facilities and activity areas routinely accessed by children, and in close proximity to a high priority stream and wetlands. Field observations identified intermittent gas emissions and hydrocarbon staining at the water surface within the wellbore, posing a significant threat to the environment and public health.
WDF adopted the well in 2023 and spent years coordinating with camp leadership and securing the necessary funding and permits before mobilizing to the site this month. As part of site preparation, WDF installed a new permanent stream crossing that will serve the camp long after plugging operations are complete.
The leadership at PADEP deserves significant credit for identifying and prioritizing this well given its location at an active youth camp, where children are regularly present and surface water features are nearby. PADEP’s continued collaboration with WDF has been instrumental in moving this project forward, and is a model example of how public private partnerships can work. To date, the work performed by WDF in the state of Pennsylvania, plugging legacy orphan and abandoned oil and gas wells, has saved the tax payers more than $1 Million and has resulted in more orphan wells getting plugged more quickly.
“We are extremely grateful for the amazing work of the Well Done Foundation and the great communication throughout the entire process,” said Jeff Hand, director of operations of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Camp and Retreat Center. “Putting this methane emitter to rest gives us the assurance that the water we drink and the air we breathe at our camp is better now.”
Hand also noted the value of the permanent stream crossing WDF installed as part of the project: “It’s extremely exciting and opens up new possibilities for us accessing that part of our property long after plugging operations are complete.”
Site preparation is now complete, the rig is up, well control is established, and crews are working to clean out the wellbore and reach total depth. Upon completion, the well will be permanently sealed with cement in accordance with PADEP regulations, and the site will be restored to pre-existing conditions.
WDF is executing the project in partnership with Penn Mechanical Group, Inc. and PVEDI, with continued support from PADEP.
“When we’re all done, we’ll leave the area better than we found it,” said Curtis Shuck, founder of the Well Done Foundation. “This well has been a potential threat to the kids and environment at this camp for years. We’re excited about the supporters and partnerships that have allowed us to finally get this important work done. ”
Following commencement of plugging activities, operations are anticipated to be completed within approximately three to four weeks.
About the Well Done Foundation: Founded in 2019, the Well Done Foundation mitigates the threat posed by the estimated 3.5 million orphaned oil and gas wells across the United States. WDF locates, measures, plugs, and restores these sites in partnership with landowners, government agencies, corporations, and nonprofits. To date, WDF has plugged more than 120 wells, eliminating over 5 million metric tons of CO₂e emissions. Learn more at welldonefoundation.org.
Media Contact: Dave Tragethon, Communications Director, Well Done Foundation, 503.680.2685 / dave@welldonefoundation.org
