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.

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In this episode:

Texas Railroad Commission responsibilities
Hawk Dunlap’s international oilfield career
Zombie wells and leaking abandoned wells
Produced-water injection and earthquakes
Groundwater and surface-water contamination
The growing orphan-well crisis
Protecting Texas farmers, ranchers, and landowners
Recycling produced water for industrial use
Accountability within the oil and gas industry
The future of Texas energy production

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#TheRealRural #HawkDunlap #TexasOilAndGas #RailroadCommission #TexasRanching #RuralAmerica #Oilfield #Agriculture #TexasPolitics #Groundwater #ProducedWater #ZombieWells

Federal land issues affect more Americans than you realize. Margaret Byfield joins The Real Rule to clarify how current regulations impact your property rights and daily life.Many citizens are unaware of the scope of federal land management and how it influences local autonomy. In this conversation, we examine the complexities of how government agencies oversee vast territories and the legal precedents that shape these policies. This discussion is essential for anyone trying to understand the intersection of federal authority and private ownership.Margaret Byfield, a recognized expert in the field, breaks down the current landscape of federal land policy. You will gain a clearer understanding of the challenges facing landholders today and the broader implications for individual liberty. We focus on the practical realities of these regulations rather than abstract theory.

Join us as Charlie Crawford discusses rodeo, the ultimate sport of rural America, and its deep cultural significance. We explore how this tradition, intrinsically linked to the western lifestyle, continues to shape our communities. This conversation highlights the enduring spirit of the cowboy and the role of horses in this cherished sport.

On this episode of The Real Rural, Lindsey Rosser-Sumpter shares how Premier Women’s Rodeo is opening new doors for female athletes across the country and why women are becoming one of the driving forces behind the future of rodeo. From growing payouts and national exposure to the push for better representation, better opportunities, and bigger stages, this is a powerful conversation about where the sport is headed and who is helping lead it there.

Lindsey also talks about her family’s deep rodeo roots, her work in agriculture and education at Otero College, and the mission behind building a platform for the 97 percent of women in rodeo who may never take the traditional road but still deserve a real shot to compete, be seen, and win big. If you care about rodeo, rural America, women in sports, or the future of the western way of life, this is an episode you do not want to miss.

William Perry Pendley is one of the most revered attorney's in the private property rights as well as Federal Land uses in the country.

Arguing, and winning, many cases in front of the Supreme Court. An advocate for the Every Day American's rights regarding access to Federal Lands, Fed Land Constitutionality, Private Property Right, and how the Constitution protects and prescribes each.

He's served under the Reagan & first Trump Administration in pivotal roles on these subjects.

William Perry Pendley.

A serious conversation about the potential impact of the new world screwworm moving into Texas, and how this could affect everyone. We discuss the significant economic effects this could have, particularly on food prices and meat prices, emphasizing that the cost of beef could rise dramatically. This isn't just about cattle, it's about the broader economy and our grocery bills.

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A deadly parasitic fly is moving toward Texas — and Susan Rubio says almost nobody understands how serious it really is. In this episode, we break down the New World screwworm threat, why it is not just a livestock issue but a danger to wildlife, pets, horses, and even humans, and why Susan believes bureaucracy is slowing down solutions that could help stop a full-blown disaster before it reaches Texas.

We also dive into the economic fallout this could trigger for ranchers, hunters, horse owners, and the entire food supply if action is delayed. From mobile sterile-fly units and government roadblocks to the future of beef prices, wildlife, and legacy ranches, this is a hard-hitting conversation about a crisis Susan says is closer than most people realize.

What if the future of ranching isn’t just raising cattle — but getting paid to be a good steward of the land? In this episode, Jame Clement breaks down the new frontier of agriculture: regenerative ranching, soil health, carbon markets, ag tech, and why this shift could change the future of working lands in America. He also shares how his work at Earth Optics sits at the crossroads of ranchers, farmers, technology, and emerging land-based markets. We also dive into the hard truth facing agriculture right now: the average operator is getting older, the industry has to recruit a new generation, and the old way of thinking about ranching is changing fast. From King Ranch to ecosystem service markets, this conversation is packed with big ideas about food, water, soil, stewardship, and the future of the American rancher. Follow on social media: ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠@therealrural Youtube: @TheRealRural Spotify : TheRealRuralhttps://www.claredunn.com/

James Clement III of King Ranch and Beggs Cattle Co. heritages, shares new insights on how Ranchers can use tech to help keep their ranches going, as well as exposes the Myth that is Cattle Methane and more.
An 18 year career enlisted Marine and continues to serve on The Reserves, James is a true testament to the service oriented hearts of millions in Rural America.
Follow us on Instagram @therealrural and follow our host @claredunnmusic on all social media platforms.

Jacob & Sadie Schweers of Hondo, TX are a prime example of how you can know where every cent goes in your farming operation, and still the math doesn't math.

For many decades our Farmers have been vilified in the media. Take a listen to this American couple, working several other jobs, just to try to keep their heritage family farm. Unfortunately, they're not the except on that front, they're the rule.

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