Outsider Takes On Railroad Commission: Hawk Dunlap's Oil Industry Challenge

What happens when abandoned oil wells come back to life—and who is responsible when they begin leaking oil, gas, and toxic saltwater across Texas ranches?In this episode of The Real Rural, we sit down with oilfield expert and Texas Railroad Commission candidate Hawk Dunlap to discuss the growing problem of “zombie wells,” produced-water injection, groundwater contamination, orphan wells, and the future of the Texas oil and gas industry.Hawk shares how a summer job on a workover rig launched a 27-year international career that took him to more than 100 countries, working on well fires, blowouts, and wild-well control. He also explains how an unexpected return to Texas led him to investigate a 22,000-acre West Texas ranch where 150 wells were found to be leaking oil, gas, or produced water.This conversation examines the difficult balance between protecting Texas landowners, preserving groundwater, supporting oil and gas production, and holding operators and regulators accountable. Hawk also lays out his proposed solutions for recycling produced water, funding the plugging of orphan wells, strengthening enforcement, and restoring trust between landowners, energy companies, and the Railroad Commission.Follow The Real Rural:Instagram: @therealruralYouTube: @TheRealRuralListen on all major podcast platforms by searching “The Real Rural.”Shop Support Ag merchandise at:https://claredunn.comClick “Store” to shop.In this episode:Texas Railroad Commission responsibilitiesHawk Dunlap’s international oilfield careerZombie wells and leaking abandoned wellsProduced-water injection and earthquakesGroundwater and surface-water contaminationThe growing orphan-well crisisProtecting Texas farmers, ranchers, and landownersRecycling produced water for industrial useAccountability within the oil and gas industryThe future of Texas energy productionSubscribe to The Real Rural for honest conversations with the people working, building, farming, ranching, and fighting for rural America.#TheRealRural #HawkDunlap #TexasOilAndGas #RailroadCommission #TexasRanching #RuralAmerica #Oilfield #Agriculture #TexasPolitics #Groundwater #ProducedWater #ZombieWells