Buying highly questionable land

I had been contacted about buying 5 acres of land that is near me but not attached to my land. About 4 acres is Hickory and Oak.  It is the remaining one acre that I am concerned about.  There was obvious oil well drilling on the property.  The one acre is devoid of plant life.  I would say it has been hit with salt water in the drilling process.  

My initial thought was to offer a low ball price based upon 4 acres.   As I think about it, I really don’t need the land. And I could be placing myself at risk should I attempt to resell it in the future.  My current thought is to pass.

Opinions?

If there was previous oil drilling, is there a oil well?  Or an easement belonging to someone, like the drilling co.or others?

Once someone is given an easement that give that person future rights to do as they please.  Think about wind farms and solar farms.  More oil drilling.

How long ago was the oil drilling?  Has the land recovered from that venture.

More investigation is prudent as there is just not enough info to give you a good answer.

I think your gut is right on this one, John.  If you don't need the land or have a use in mind, pass.  Or at least have the seller indemnify the land for potential environmental contamination.  I worked for a heavy indestrial oil equipment manufacturer.  The company destroy a prime piece of real estate on the outskirts of Houston with the varsol used to coat the threads of the pipes to keep them from rusting.  If you do pursue the sale, send a soil sample (several from random spots) to a lab for analysis.  Don't buy someone else's headache.  

You said it yourself, you don't need it.  So the question would be how much do you want it.  If the answer is "meh" or "kind of" then don't bother.

You mentioned the land is close to your existing property, so there might be value in being able to control what's done on nearby property even if you have no intention of doing anything with it. Put another way, what's the worst thing that could be done with that nearby property, and how much would you pay to avoid that happening?