Seventy years ago the Illinois Basin Oil Fields were abandoned due to declining production and the low price of crude oil. Unfortunately, some of the wells were decommissioned improperly, and now pose a threat to the local groundwater and the environment in general. Region IV and the ERT have stepped in to evaluate the situation and plug the wells. The equipment used to determine the well conditions and the local stratigraphy are detailed and the techniques used to plug the 500-600ft. deep wells are described. Running time is 7 minutes. [click for more]