California is converting thousands of abandoned oil wells to thermal storage for electrical generation.

https://eepower.com/news/engineers-repurpose-oil-wells-as-so...

California has thousands of abandoned (orphaned) oil and gas wells, with more than 5,500 identified as "likely orphaned" in 2023, and an additional 70,000 economically marginal and idle wells that could become orphaned in the future.

Kern County, California has 75% of the state oil wells, and the largest solar farms. Even after the 70,000 wells are idled, Kern County will continue to produce enough oil to meet all internal demands in California, although the state no longer has the refining capacity or anywhere to lay off the oil.

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-08-06/major-c...