Oil & Gas Extraction

historic black and white photo of over a dozen wooden oil derricks in the Saratoga Oil Field.
Saratoga Oilfield in 1908

H.P. Meissner / Library of Congress

Environmental Considerations

Continued oil and gas exploration and production within the preserve today carries its own environmental considerations. Spills can contaminate waters and soils; air quality can be affected by accidental releases of volatile chemicals; vehicle traffic and new roads can compact soils and change natural drainage patterns; wildlife movements and feeding and nesting activities can be disrupted; and vegetation must be cut or cleared along seismic survey lines and pipelines and where drilling pads are placed. Visitor experience and natural quiet can also be negatively affected by oil and gas activities within the preserve. All of this must be considered as National Park Service (NPS) staff work diligently to protect the resources, visitor uses, and human health and safety so that the preserve lands can be enjoyed now and by future generations.

With nearly all the oil and gas resources under the preserve being "owned" by non-federal mineral rights, Big Thicket continues to get requests for drilling down to and accessing those oil and gas resources. The use of best management practices like horizontal directional drilling from lands outside the preserve for both well development and pipeline placement is one tool used to minimize the impacts to the preserve. Per 36 CFR Part 9, Subpart B, all oil and gas activities in the preserve require a permit.

 
 

Oil & Gas Remediation

Work is ongoing to clean up legacy pollution at abandoned oil and gas sites in Big Thicket National Preserve with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Signed on November 15, 2021, the BIL authorizes $250 million for plugging, reclaiming, and remediating orphaned oil and gas wells on federal lands.

Big Thicket National Preserve received funding under the BIL for fiscal year 2022 to plug three wells and remediate six oil and gas sites throughout the preserve. As of April 2024, all but one 2022 projects have been completed. In addition, the preserve received fiscal year 2023 funding to plug and remediate two more oil and gas sites. Work will commence on these sites in the coming months as project details are finalized and environmental compliance is completed.

Through partnership with the Railroad Commission of Texas and the National Park Service, often overlooked yet vitally important project work removed equipment, hazardous materials and contaminates that affect not only staff and visitor safety but greatly impacts the health of park resources.

Before and After

The photos below show abandoned oil and gas sites in the Jack Gore Baygall Unit before and after clean-up in early 2024.

 
a chainlink fence in front on abandoned oil pumping equipment in an overgrown field on the edge of a forest. a chainlink fence in front on abandoned oil pumping equipment in an overgrown field on the edge of a forest.

Left image
Before: Abandoned equipment in the Jack Gore Baygall Unit
Credit: NPS Photo / Andrew Bennett

Right image
After removal in 2024
Credit: NPS Photo / Andrew Bennett

 
2 large red rusty tanks and 1 large yellow rusty tank with a ladder surrounded by a chainlink fence and forest. 2 large red rusty tanks and 1 large yellow rusty tank with a ladder surrounded by a chainlink fence and forest.

Left image
Before: Abandoned oil tanks in the Jack Gore Baygall Unit
Credit: NPS Photo / Andrew Bennett

Right image
After removal in 2024
Credit: NPS Photo / Andrew Bennett

 
abandoned oil machinery and tanks surrounded by a chainlink fence and overgrown vegetation abandoned oil machinery and tanks surrounded by a chainlink fence and overgrown vegetation

Left image
Before: Abandoned equipment in the Jack Gore Baygall Unit
Credit: NPS Photo / Andrew Bennett

Right image
After removal in 2024
Credit: NPS Photo / Andrew Bennett

 

Remediation Updates

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    old photo of man leaning on machinery on oil derrick
    Oil worker

    Lamar University Archives and Special Collections

    Oil & Gas Industry History

    Oil booms in the early 1900s brought thousands of people and new technology to southeast Texas. Drill deeper into the history of southeast Texas oil booms »

    Last updated: July 31, 2024

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