So far this year-- as of the week ending March 1--
-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 90 conventional, 4 unconventional
-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 1,388 conventional and 175 unconventional
-- Enforcements 2024: 91 conventional and 19 unconventional
-- Inspections Last Week: 275 conventional and 383 unconventional
-- Year To Date - Inspections: 2,543 conventional and 4,366 unconventional
-- Wells Drilled Last Week: 0 conventional and 8 unconventional
-- Year To Date Wells Drilled: 17 conventional and 71 unconventional
119 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations
On March 5, 2024, DEP did follow-up administrative inspections of 101 conventional wells operated by Medina Res Dev Co. LLC in Crawford and Erie counties and determined they were all abandoned and not plugged.
The wells included--
-- Crawford County, Cambridge Twp.: Fred Wade 1, Krietz 1, Wade Unit 2, John Clegg 2,
-- Crawford County, Cussewago Twp.: Florek 1,
-- Crawford County, Rockdale Twp.: Larry McDuff 1, Birchard Donachy 1, Hughes 1, RACOP 1, Jack Young 1, Frank Schropp 1, Herrick 4, Herrick 5,
-- Crawford County Venango Twp.: Sanders 1, Hazel Drake 1, Billings 2, Skelton 1, Mongera 2
-- Erie County, Amity Twp.: Hibbard Swan 1, James Swan 1, Weber 1, Glenn Kimmy 1, Estes 1, Everett Fenno 1, Lyle Bisbee 1,
-- Erie County, Greene Twp.: Ira Hinkson 1, Pieri 1, Kaveney 1, Carniewski 1, Kibbe 1, Richard Allgeier 1, James Zimmerly 1, Blass 1, Davitt 1,
-- Erie County, Greenfield Twp.: James Pasierb 1, James Pasierb 2, Orton 1, McNaughton 1, McNaughton 2, Herbert Miller 1, Herbert Miller 2, Herbert Miller 5, Josephine Colt 78-2, Josephine Colt 78-2, Josephine Colt 78-3, Frank Gulczynski 1, Gibbons 1, Gibbons 2
-- Erie County, Harborcreek Twp.: Gem City Gun Club 1, James Kelley 1
-- Erie County, Le Boeuf Twp: Kenneth & Shirley Wise 4, Glenn Troyer Pulakos 1, Achilles Pulakos 1, Roscoe Mitchell 1, Williams 1, John Kelly 1, Barton 1, Stanley Wiater 1, Clifford Brown 1, Clifford Brown 2, Kibbe 2, Kibbe 3 Kibbe 4, Philip Pennsy 1, Delos Port 2, Delos Port 3, Fichthorn 1, Fichthorn 3, Elwood Niemeyer 1, Elwood Niemeyer 3, George Daley 2, Lyell Aldrich 1, Kohmanski 1, James Porter 1, Norman Porter 1, Norman Porter 2, Paul Mickle 1, Paul Mickle 2, Peters 1, El Dicola 1, Robert Harrison 1, Lowell Salmon 1, Edward Payne 1, Hatheway 1, Robert Youngberg 1, Glover 1, Kuebel 1, McLallen 2, Connell 1, Anyzek 1, Silas Coon, Silas Coon 3, McCormick 3, John Crane 2, Van Zandt 1
-- Erie County, McKean Twp.: McDonald 1, Komorek 1, Groenendaal 1
-- Erie County, Millcreek Twp.: Martin 1
-- Erie County, Mill Village Boro: Schweitzer 1, George McLaughlin 1, George McLaughlin 2
On March 4, 2023, DEP did follow-up inspections on five conventional wells operated by Blackrock Enterprises LLC in Fayette County and found no change at the sites-- the wells are all abandoned and not plugged.
The wells included--
-- Fayette County, Georges Twp.: Smith 1, Smith 2, Opperman 1, Murray 1
-- Fayette County, Springhill Twp.: Smiley 1
DEP’s inspection report [example - Smith 1] included violations for abandonment and not submitting annual production, waste generation and well integrity reports.
The operator was requested to submit a written response by April 4, 2024 on how the wells will be brought into compliance.
On March 6, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection of the Penn Park Deve & Crest 1 conventional well operated by Baron Crest Energy Co. in Kiskiminetas Township, Armstrong County and found there was no change at the site-- the well is abandoned and not plugged.
No follow-up actions were requested of the operator. [DEP inspection report]
On March 6, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection of the Maude Mountain 1 conventional gas well in Springfield Township, Fayette County operated by Diversified Prod LLC and found it to be still venting gas.
DEP’s inspection report continued violations issued on January 31, 2024 for abandonment of the well without plugging and for venting gas, but no follow-up was requested from the operator.
On March 7, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection of the Clyde Swank 1 conventional gas well in Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County operated by Reel Resources, Inc. and found the well was still abandoned and unplugged-- as it was in September 7, 2022.
DEP’s inspection report also continued violations for “heavy gas leaking” and failure to submit annual production, waste generation and well integrity reports originally issued in 2022.
The operator was requested to submit a written report by March 14, 2024 on how the well would be brought into compliance.
Equitrans: 10 Abandoned Wells At Gas Storage Areas
On March 2, 2024, DEP issued a formal notice of violation to Equitrans Midstream LP for a total of 10 conventional gas wells serving the Hunters Cave Gas Storage Area (2) and the Swarts Gas Storage Field (8) in Center, Franklin, Morris and Washington Townships, Greene County.
The wells were cited for being abandoned and not plugged.
The Swarts Storage Field wells include Moninger 3786, Phillips Estate 3790, 3791, 2793, 3795, 3796, 3797 and 3798.
The Hunters Cave Storage Area wells include Pierce 2 and Conklin 2681.
The violation notice gave the operator until March 22, 2024 to provide a written response on how the wells will be brought into compliance. [DEP notice of violation]
Timberline Energy Plugging Wells
On March 4, 6 & 7, 2024 DEP did follow-up inspections of the Ostroske 12 conventional well that is in the process of being plugged by Timberline Energy, Inc. in Cranberry Township, Venango County and found the service rig is over the well and working to plug.
DEP’s inspection report for March 7 provides a more details summary of plugging.
Timberline has been plugged several wells over the last few months, including the Ostroske 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 conventional wells.
In 2023, the company received 16 violations for abandoning wells without plugging them. Read more here.
DEP’s most recent information reported Timberline received abandoned well violations for these wells in Waterford Township, Erie County-- Serwinski 1; Bizzaro 2; Daley 1; George 1; Lumber Co 1; Majerik 1; and Zywiec 2. Read more here.
Timberline Energy, Inc. operates 730 oil and gas wells-- 16 are listed as abandoned and more are listed as inactive, according to DEP’s eFACTS database.
240 Conventional Abandoned Well Violations In 2024
So far in 2024, DEP issued 240 new or continued violations for conventional oil and gas well abandonment.
More Land Slips Along Revolution Gas Pipeline
On March 5 & 6, 2024, DEP did follow-up inspections at a location along the Revolution Natural Gas Pipeline operated by ETC Northeast Pipeline LLC in Center Township, Beaver County in response to a notification on March 4 of land slips.
DEP’s inspection report noted a plan submitted by ETC “failed to implement measures to prevent potential pollution to Raccoon Creek and accelerated E&S.”
DEP requested ETC to submit a revised plan that includes “what assessments have been done to assess if there is any potential threat to human health and safety as it relates to the integrity of the active Revolution Pipeline since March 4, 2024.”
DEP requested the response by March 7, 2024.
DEP March 5 inspection report. DEP March 6 inspection report.
CNX NV110 Well Pad Water Supply Compliant Investigation
On March 6, 2024, DEP did a second inspection at the NV110 shale gas well pad in East Finley Township, Washington County operated by CNX Gas Co. LLC in connection with a water supply contamination complaint DEP received on February 15.
On February 21, DEP did a complaint inspection at the well pad and found “no evidence of large spills” on the pad or around the equipment.
DEP’s February 21 inspection report said water samples were collected at the site of the water supply complaint to be analyzed by DEP’s Lab for chemicals usually associated with shale gas wastewater as well as for methane, ethane and propane.
DEP’s March 6 inspection report said water samples were collected again and split with Moody and Associates, a consultant hired by CNX to investigate the water supply complaint.
DEP’s report said Moody also plans to “scope the well with a camera to see any there are any issues with the well-bore. The well was purged and readings were taken prior.”
The shale gas well on the pad was drilled in February 2023 and fracked in June 2023.
The CNX well pad NV110 is one of two shale gas well pads participating in the Shapiro Administration-CNX “Radial Transparency” partnership created in November to disclose chemical use, air and water monitoring results. Read more here. Read more here.
Spills At 7 Conventional Wells
On March 4 & 6, 2024, DEP did routine inspections of 6 conventional wells in South Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County operated by Questra Petro Co and found multiple violations for spills and releases at these wells--
-- Eastern Associated Coal 4: DEP’s inspection report found the wellhead “actively dripping,” a hole in the production wastewater tank and evidence of leaking, evidence of wastewater spills at other locations and trash and waste tires at the site. Multiple violations were included related to the spills and releases.
-- Eastern Associated Coal 5: DEP’s inspection report for well #5 also found the wellhead “actively dripping” and evidence of wastewater spill.
-- And additional violations at these other wells-- Hough 3, George Williams 5, William Yezek 1, Louis Bompiani 1
The operator was requested to submit a written response by March 20, 2024 on how the wells will be brought into compliance.
On March 6, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection of the Molinaro 1 conventional gas well in Penn Hills Township, Allegheny County operated by Kriebel Acquisition Co. LLC and found the well still actively “bubbling” gas at the wellhead.
DEP’s inspection report also noted continued violations for failure of erosion and sedimentation BMP originally issued on February 8, 2022 and February 16, 2023. There was no violation for the gas leak.
DEP requested the operator to submit a written plan by March 25, 2024 on how the well will be brought into compliance.
2024 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups
So far in 2024, DEP received or acted on 67 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to 67 oil and gas facility site cleanups.
Conventional Well Venting Gas
On March 6, 2024, DEP inspected the Terrence Shaffer 1 conventional gas well operated by Harper Crosby Holdings LLC in Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County in response to a citizen complaint.
DEP’s inspector detected an odor of gas onsite and “hissing and bubbling was observed coming from the well head.” Wastewater was also flowing out of a valve that was stuffed with “a cotton-like substance.”
DEP’s inspection report included violations for the leaking wastewater tank and erosion and sedimentation infractions, but not for the venting gas.
The operator was requested to provide a written report by March 25, 2024 on how the well would be brought into compliance.
Conventional Operator Ignored 2021 Order To Restore Well Site
On March 8, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection of the Rell Corporation 1 conventiona well site in Franklin Township, Fayette County operated by The Production Co LLC and found the well plugged, but the operator ignored a December 29, 2021 order to restore the well site.
DEP’s inspection report continues violations for failure to operate a well without a permit and failure to restore the site and access road, but did not include any specific follow-up actions by the operator.
EPA Appeal Notice For Penneco Injection Well
On March 7, 2024, US Environmental Protection Agency Region III Underground Injection Well Program issued formal notice by email with instructions on appealing the Penneco Environmental Solutions, LLC oil and gas wastewater injection well in Plum Borough, Allegheny County.
A petition for review must be filed with the EPA Environmental Appeals Board within 30 days of this notice.
The notice was issued in compliance with an EPA Environmental Appeals Board decision saying Region III did not provide proper public notice of appeal procedures to commenters on the permit. Read more here.
Click Here for a copy of the EPA notice.
Report Violations
To report oil and gas violations or any environmental emergency or complaint, visit DEP’s Environmental Complaint webpage.
Check These Resources
Visit DEP’s Compliance Reporting Database webpage to search their compliance records by date and operator and the Inspection Reports Viewer.
Sign up for DEP’s eNOTICE service which sends you information on oil and gas and other permits submitted to DEP for review in your community.
(Photos: Row 1-- Blackrock Enterprises LLC tree fell on abandoned conventional gas well; Land Slip near ETC Northeast Pipeline LLC Revolution Pipeline right-of-way; Questa Petro Co. leaking conventional wellhead; Row 2-- Timberline Energy, Inc. plugging conventional well; Harper Crosby Holdings LLC leaking conventional well wastewater tank valve; Reel Resources, Inc. ‘heavy gas leaking’ from conventional well; Questra Petro Co leaking conventional well; Row 3-- Medina Res Dev. Co. LLC abandoned conventional wells.)
[Note: If you believe your company was listed in error, contact DEP’s Oil and Gas Program.]
[Note: These may not be all the NOVs issued to oil and gas companies during this time period. Additional inspection reports may be added to DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database.]
PA Weekly Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - March 9 [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 69 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In March 9 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week - Gas:
-- DEP Imposed $422,365 In Penalties On 14 Conventional Oil & Gas Well Operators In 2023 For Abandoning Wells, Spills, Venting Gas; 93 Operators Cited For Abandoning 271 Wells [PaEN]
-- DEP Declares 101 Medina Res Dev Co. LLC Conventional Oil & Gas Wells Abandoned, Not Plugged In Crawford, Erie Counties On March 5 [PaEN]
-- New Reporting On The Uncontrolled Impacts Of Shale Gas Industry: The ‘Poisons Are Still Going Through My System;’ Roar, Fire From Gas Flares; Nothing Has Changed In 15 Years [PaEN]
-- Marcellus Drilling News: ‘Selling Oil And Natural Gas To China?’ ‘It Simply Should Not Happen, Period’ [PaEN]
-- Stars and Stripes Guest Essay: Pause On Permits For New LNG Gas Export Facilities Right Move For National Security - Rivals Like China Are Using US LNG To Build Influence - By Steve Anderson, US Army Brigadier General - Retired [PaEN]
-- EPA Region III Issues Formal Notice With Instructions On Appealing Penneco Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well In Allegheny County [PaEN]
-- DEP Reports Progress On Permitting Reform; Reduces Permit Backlog By 41% [PaEN]
NewsClips This Week - Gas:
-- WTAE: Concerns Over Flaring, Fracking In Cecil Twp., Washington County
-- The Energy Age Blog: What Flaring At A Shale Gas Well Pad Looks Like From Your Bedroom Window, Same As It Did 15 Years Ago [Welcome To Washington County]
-- WTAE: Concerns Mounting Over Gas Leaks In Cecil Twp. Columbia Gas System In Washington County
-- Reading Eagle: Kutztown Post Office Evacuated After Gas Leak
-- Warren Times: Company Confirms Malfunction At United Refinery Releases ‘Silica Material’ Coating Homes, Vehicles
-- Erie News Now: United Refining Release Of Silica Dust Causes Concern In Warren [Video]
-- The Allegheny Front/PublicSource: Pittsburgh-Based EQT Gas Drilling Expansion In WV Sent 4 Families Reeling, While State Regulators Trusted The Company To Answer Their Complaints
-- Reuters: Pittsburgh-based EQT To Reduce Gas Production Through March On Low Prices
-- Bloomberg: Natural Gas Prices Jump As EQT Slashes Output To Fight Glut
-- LancasterOnline: Why UGI Gas Rates Going Down - Glut Of Gas, Mild Winter Lowering International Gas Prices
-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Hearing Begin On Proposed Peoples Natural Gas Rate Increase Of Up To 21.4%
-- Post-Gazette Guest Essay: A Rescue Plan For American Energy And The Environment- Unleash Gas Production, Expand LNG Exports - By Dave McCormick, Republican US Senate Candidate [No Support For Limiting LNG Exports To China ]
-- Williamsport Sun Guest Essay: Pennsylvania Needs To ‘Get Smarter’ About Natural Gas Production - PA Making Times Tougher On Natural Gas, Coal Industries - By Rep. Joe Hamm (R)
-- Williamsport Sun Guest Essay: State Legislators Need To Become Better Informed About All Energy Issues - By Ralph Kisberg, Responsible Drilling Alliance
[Posted: March 9, 2024] PA Environment Digest
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