Climate warning
Image of Oxy

Oxy

Climate warning

Oil companies spill millions of liters of toxic wastewater in Texas

Over the last ten years, oil and gas companies have spilled nearly 150 million gallons of toxic wastewater in Texas, according to an investigation by Inside Climate News. The Pulitzer Prize-winning news organization has conducted the first-ever public analysis of produced water spills in Texas, working from data provided in response to open records requests to the Railroad Commission. The analysis found that from 2013 to 2022, oil and gas companies reported more than 10,000 individual spills totaling more than 148 million gallons of produced water. That’s equivalent to 560 million liters. On top of the polluters' list is Occidental Petroleum, which reported 997 spills over this period, followed by Pioneer Natural Resources (596 spills), and XTO Energy (589).
XTO Energy is a subsidiary of ExxonMobil. Pioneer Natural Resources was acquired by ExxonMobil 2023. Nineteen of the reported spills exceeded 500,000 gallons, or 1,9 million liters. Some of the most damaging incidents took place when produced water was spilled directly into streams, rivers or lakes.  The polluted and highly saline water can render land barren for years. Residents have filed lawsuits detailing damages from contaminated well water to poisoned cattle. This investigation by Inside Climate News is the fourth in a great series about how Texas’ environmental regulators enable Big Oil and other polluters. Learn more:



Photo by Zbynek Burival un Unsplash
Photo by Zbynek Burival un Unsplash



Do you agree?

43 more agrees trigger social media ads

  • Kevin

    65 w

    All oil companies need to be held to account for their role in climate destruction

    3
    • Esther Wanjiku

      65 w

      This is a very sad state of affairs

      3
      • George Kariuki

        65 w

        It is time for the oil and gas industry and the Railroad Commission of Texas to put the health of Texas' environment and its residents first.

        2
        • We Don't Have Time

          65 w

          Dear Markus Lutteman Your climate warning has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to Oxy by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time

          1
          • mercy nduta

            65 w

            Oil companies are always the worst.

            1
            • Sarah Chabane

              65 w

              We need ecocide 💪

              3
              • Elizabeth Gathigia

                65 w

                This is very dangerous, strict actions should be taken against oxy and be held accountable for the damage caused

                4
                • Tabitha Kimani

                  65 w

                  This is not acceptable. Legal actions should be taken against Oxy.

                  3
                  • Rukia Ahmed Abdi

                    65 w

                    The findings of nearly 150 million gallons of toxic wastewater spills by oil and gas companies in Texas over the last decade are deeply concerning. It highlights the urgent need for stricter environmental regulations and greater accountability in the industry. These spills have devastating consequences for the environment, including polluted water sources and damaged land. It's crucial that measures are taken to prevent such incidents in the future. #EnvironmentalProtection 🌍

                    2
                    • CHRIS NGATIA

                      65 w

                      Strict measures need to be put in place ... These oil companies need to be held accountable for their harmful doing to our planet

                      4
                      • Rotich Kim

                        65 w

                        Policies should be implemented and such industry should be closed with immediate effect

                        6
                        • Joseph Githinji

                          65 w

                          Oil companies must take responsibility for their dangerous actions. They must heed to this warning and take a turning point.

                          14
                          • Munene Mugambi

                            65 w

                            This is such a shame. Time masses came together to put a stop to such pollution

                            6
                            • Grace Njeri

                              65 w

                              They deserve a stern warning for their ruthless harmful contribution.

                              16

                              Watch all the Davos Hub content!

                              Broadcasts

                              Re-watch all our COP29 broadcasts

                              We need to stop methane and #BuyMoreTime