DEP Issues Final Guidance On Underground Coal Mining Adjacent To Unconventional Gas Wells

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 28 PA Bulletin of final technical guidance on Chain Pillar Development and Longwall Mining Adjacent to Unconventional Oil and Gas Wells.  (formal notice)

These guidelines facilitate appropriate unconventional well inactivation and re-entry procedures in advance of and subsequent to longwall panel removal that will allow for continuous isolation of gas from workable coal seams, protection of mining personnel and prevention of pollution of the waters of this Commonwealth, consistent with applicable law.

These guidelines were published as an interim final TGD at 47 Pa.B. 7645 (December 16, 2017), with a 30-day public comment period. 

The Department has been implementing the interim final TGD since 2017 and has incorporated changes to the final TGD based on that field experience.

Click Here for the final technical guidance (DEP ID: 800-0810-004).  Questions should be directed to Seth Pelepko at mipelepko@pa.gov or 717-772-0220.

Visit DEP’s Oil and Gas Management webpage for more on this program.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter, sign up for DEP Connects events, sign up for DEP’s eNotice, visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

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[Posted: August 27, 2021]  PA Environment Digest