A Story of Restoration, Reduction, and Respect
When most people hear the term “oil well,” they think of active rigs, black gold, and the hustle of industrial energy. But what happens when the oil stops flowing? When the pressure drops, the assets age, and the field gets quiet?
For tens of thousands of legacy wells across the United States, the end of production has often meant abandonment, decay, and dangerous emissions. Left untreated, these wells can leak methane—a greenhouse gas 80+ times more potent than CO₂—and pose long-term risks to ecosystems, water tables, and nearby communities.
At Last Mile Production, we see things differently.
We focus on long-lived legacy wells at the end of their operational life—because that’s where the greatest transformation happens.
Our job isn’t just to close wells.
It’s to restore the land, eliminate emissions, rebuild community trust, and ensure that every final step serves a higher purpose.
Here’s what really happens when a well is decommissioned responsibly—and how it transforms not just the environment, but the legacy of American energy.
- Site Assessment and Risk Evaluation
Every successful well retirement starts with good information.
At Last Mile, we begin with a comprehensive site evaluation. Using historic drilling records, geological maps, and AI-powered modeling, we assess the specific risks and structure of the well. We identify potential gas leaks, subsurface pressures, and any contaminants that may pose a threat to the environment.
This isn’t guesswork.
It’s science—and it ensures that every decision is tailored to the unique geology and conditions of the site.
We also evaluate the surrounding land and community impact—because true remediation requires more than just sealing the hole. It requires understanding the full picture.
- Plugging the Well—Permanently
Next comes the plugging phase—the technical heart of the process.
Unlike traditional abandonments that use minimal sealing to meet the lowest regulatory standard, Last Mile exceeds federal and state requirements by up to 5X. That means:
- Multiple layers of engineered seals
- Precision placement based on pressure and geology
- Redundant cement plugs verified for long-term durability
- Final cap installations that resist corrosion and seismic shifts
Each plug is pressure tested, digitally documented, and monitored with sensors to ensure airtight performance. Our field crews—backed by more than 40 years of West Texas experience—understand that plugging a well isn’t a task. It’s a trust.
Because when we close a well, we don’t want it to stay sealed for a year.
We want it to stay sealed for generations.
- Emissions Elimination and Carbon Credit Creation
Once the well is sealed, our technology gets to work.
Using SCADA systems, on-site methane monitors, and satellite imaging, we measure the actual emissions reductionsachieved. This data is run through our proprietary AI system, which calculates the precise climate benefit and carbon value of the intervention.
These numbers don’t sit in a spreadsheet.
They form the foundation of a blockchain-verified carbon credit—a unit of real, measurable, insured environmental impact.
Every credit is third-party verified, listed on a public registry, and often insured through our partner BluClarity to give buyers maximum confidence in its durability and integrity.
This isn’t an estimate.
It’s a deterministic, auditable proof of climate performance.
- Land Restoration and Environmental Rebirth
Once the underground work is done, we turn our attention to the surface.
Many legacy wells sit on land that’s been scarred by years of heavy equipment, traffic, and drilling byproducts. Some have disrupted natural water flows or wildlife patterns.
At Last Mile, restoration isn’t optional—it’s essential.
We clear and remove debris.
We rebuild natural contours.
We test and, if necessary, remediate soil and groundwater.
We reintroduce native vegetation to support biodiversity and long-term soil health.
In some cases, we partner with local stakeholders to repurpose the land for agriculture, conservation, or community development—giving the site a second life beyond oil.
Because for us, “decommissioning” means more than sealing the past.
It means cultivating the future.
- Community Stewardship and Veteran Support
We don’t just work in energy fields—we work in communities.
Many of the wells we decommission are located in regions that helped power America’s growth for over a century. These towns, families, and ranchers deserve more than a sealed cap—they deserve to be part of a mission-driven renewal.
That’s why Last Mile commits to local hiring, transparent communication, and philanthropic investment in every basin where we operate.
And it doesn’t stop there.
For every project we complete, we contribute to organizations that support veteran and first responder families—including the Gary Sinise Foundation and the Medal of Honor Museum.
Our founder, Zach Wagner, continues to honor service through commissioned artwork that celebrates the legacy of SEAL Team 6 heroes—proving that well retirement can also carry deep personal meaning.
In short: We retire wells—but we elevate people.
- Operating Across America’s Energy Heartlands
Our work takes place in the places that built American energy—but we bring them a new chapter.
🔹 Permian Basin
Once the epicenter of oil booms, the Permian is now home to thousands of aging wells. We work with precision and speed to decommission safely, using advanced sealing and restoration in some of the harshest drilling environments in the country.
🔹 Wyoming
In the heart of the Rockies, where terrain and weather challenge even the most experienced crews, our teams bring rugged know-how and remote monitoring systems to get the job done—and return the land to nature’s care.
🔹 Fort Worth Basin
Right in our backyard, we serve Texas communities with a deep respect for tradition and a bold vision for transition. These legacy fields deserve a legacy approach—and that’s what Last Mile delivers.
Our approach is local, respectful, and regionally intelligent—but it’s always powered by the same core values: precision, accountability, and purpose.
- Why Responsible Decommissioning Matters
When wells are left unmanaged, their impact continues.
- Methane leaks silently worsen climate change
- Toxic byproducts can contaminate soil and water
- Land values decline, and community trust erodes
But when a well is decommissioned the Last Mile way, the opposite happens.
- Methane stops leaking—reducing emissions immediately
- The land begins to heal—making room for new growth
- Carbon credits are issued—funding further environmental impact
- Veterans and families are honored—ensuring legacy beyond the well
In the end, responsible well closure is not an end. It’s a beginning.
It’s a transition from depletion to restoration.
From legacy pollution to climate solution.
From forgotten fields to remembered heroes.
Conclusion: Closing the Right Way, for the Right Reasons
At Last Mile Production, we know that wells have lifespans—but legacies last forever.
That’s why we bring the best science, the best people, and the strongest mission to every site we touch. We plug more than just holes—we seal stories, protect futures, and restore what’s been left behind.
If you believe carbon credits should mean more…
If you believe communities deserve better…
If you believe legacy is earned one mile at a time…
Then you believe in what we’re building.
This is the Last Mile—and we’re just getting started