So far this year, DEP took these actions as of August 16--
-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 41 conventional, 16 unconventional
-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 5,536 conventional and 685 unconventional
-- Enforcements 2024: 340 conventional and 86 unconventional
-- Inspections Last Week: 265 conventional and 351 unconventional
-- Year To Date - Inspections: 10,683 conventional and 15,309 unconventional
-- Wells Drilled Last Week: 7 conventional and 4 unconventional
-- Year To Date Wells Drilled: 103 conventional and 206 unconventional
Eureka Resources Shuts 1 Wastewater Treatment Facility, To Close/Sell 2 More
On August 19, the Department of Environmental Protection inspected the Eureka Resources Standing Stone oil and gas wastewater treatment plant in Standing Stone Township, Bradford County and found the plant shut down and all the workers were laid off in July.
The telephone number at the plant has been disconnected.
DEP’s Waste Management inspection report included violations for unresolved wastewater leaks at the plant dating back to February 2023 and violations for other problems.
On August 23, Marcellus Drilling News reported Eureka Resources plans to close or sell its two oil and gas wastewater treatment plants in Williamsport and hopes to reopen its Standing Stone Treatment Facility sometime in the fall. Read more here.
Eureka Resources CEO Dan Ertel said the closures were necessary because there wasn’t enough oil and gas wastewater to keep all three facilities open.
We now also know closing the Standing Stone Plant came at the same time Eureka Resources submitted a request to DEP on July 15 to terminate the water quality permit for a new oil and gas wastewater plant in Dimock, Susquehanna County.
Eureka cited “commercial factors” for terminating the permit. DEP granted the request on July 24. Read more here.
Related Articles:
-- Eureka Resources Shuts Down Standing Stone Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Facility; DEP Wastewater, Waste Violations Continued From Feb. 2023 [PaEN]
-- Marcellus Drilling News: Eureka Resources Plans To Close/Sell 2 Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Plants In Williamsport: Not Enough Wastewater Volume To Keep Plants Open [PaEN]
10 + 30 Abandoned Conventional Wells
On June 24, 2024, DEP inspected the Frank Craign L4075 conventional injection/withdrawal well at the Donegal Gas Storage Reservoir in Donegal Township, Washington County owned by Columbia Gas Transmission LLC and found it was abandoned, unplugged and leaking gas.
DEP’s inspection report included multiple violations and requested the owner to submit a plan by July 24, 2024 on how the well will be brought into compliance.
On August 13, 2024, DEP inspected four conventional wells in Victory Township, Venango County owned by Myers Gas and found them abandoned and not plugged.
The wells included Danner 1, 2, 3 and TJ Danner 1.
DEP’s inspection reports [Danner 2 as an example] included violations for abandonment and failure to submit annual production, waste disposal and well integrity reports and requested the owner to submit a plan by September 6, 2024 on how the wells will be brought into compliance.
On August 14, 2025, DEP inspected four conventional wells in Brady Township, Clearfield County owned by Stonehaven Energy MGT Co. LLC and found them all abandoned and not plugged.
The wells included Gray 1, Matko 1, and Matson Timber 1 and 3.
In addition, the owner failed to submit production, waste disposal and well integrity reports.
DEP’s inspection reports [Gray 1 as an example] included new violations for these infractions, but did not request any specific follow-up action by the owner.
This is the third week in a row Stonehaven was issued violations for abandoning conventional wells, but no follow-up actions are requested.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows Stonehaven holds 727 conventional well permits, six other wells are listed as abandoned.
On August 22, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection of the Paul Toplovich 4 conventional well in Columbus Township, Warren County owned by PPP Future Dev Inc. and found it to be abandoned and not plugged.
The original violation for abandonment was issued on March 28, 2024 and the well owner failed to do anything to address the violation in the last five months.
DEP’s inspection report continued the violation, but did not include any follow-up actions by the owner.
From August 20 to 23, 2024, DEP inspected these 27 conventional wells in three counties that appear to be abandoned and fall within the Environmental Defense Fund Project criteria so no violations were issued, but could be in the future. The wells include--
-- Clarion County, Perry Twp.: Eastern Natural Resources LLC - Sweitzer 3
-- Clarion County, Perry Twp: Ellwood Energy LLC - Datesman 1
-- Clarion County, Richland Twp.: Ed McGivern - Alice VanZandt 1 and 2
-- McKean County, Hamlin Twp.: National Fuel Gas Supply Corp - Elisha K. Kane 1147
-- McKean County, Sergeant Twp.: National Fuel Gas Supply Corp - Seneca Resources 1186
-- McKean County, Sergeant Twp.: Seneca Resources Co. LLC - Manor Real Estate 1198 and 4235
-- Venango County, President Twp.: Airdale Oil & Gas LLC - Sabella 1, 6, 7, and 9
-- Venango County, President Twp.: PA General Energy Corp - McCalmont 4Q
-- Venango County, President Twp.: President Oil Co - NW Pine Grove Wolf Den
-- Venango County, President Twp.: Quaker State Corp - McCalmont 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 25; President Oil 1
On August 19 & 20, 2024, DEP inspected three conventional wells abandoned wells to confirm their status and no violations were issued--
-- Fayette County, Franklin Twp: R. Taylor Mosier - R. Taylor Mosier 1, Mildred M. Thomas 1
-- Fayette County, Perry Twp.: Mike Kubina - Michael Kubina 1
Failed Attempts At Plugging Abandoned Shale Gas Well
On August 19, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection at the WM Phoenix shale gas well pad and Well 590796 in Duncan Township, Tioga County owned by EQT Production Co. and found the previously plugged well still leaking gas, over four years after the original violations.
DEP first issued violations related to well abandonment on July 31, 2020 when the owner failed to plug the well to stop the flow of fluids and gas in the well bore.
The well was originally plugged in 2016 and a plan was received from the owner on September 11, 2020 on replugging the well.
Follow-up inspections on July 10, 2023 and September 9, 2023 found gas still leaking from the well.
DEP’s current inspection report continued the previous violations, but did not request any specific follow-up actions by the owner.
711 Conventional, 14 Shale Gas Abandoned Well Violations In 2024
So far in 2024, DEP issued 711 new or continued violations to conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging wells.
So far in 2024, 14 violations were issued or continued to eight shale gas well owners [EQT Production Co.; Diversified Prod LLC; Chesapeake Appalachia LLC, Atlas Resources, LLC; Atlas Resources, LLC (follow-up inspection)’ Repsol Oil & Gas, EQT Chap LLC; M4 Energy; M4 Energy (follow-up inspection); EQT (Rice Drilling B LLC); and Roulette Oil & Gas LLC; Roulette Oil & Gas LLC (follow-up inspection)] for abandoning wells and not plugging wells.
Failure Of Well Casing During Fracking Operations
On August 13, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Augustine George 6H shale gas well in Cecil Township, Washington County in response to a notification on August 12, 2024 by well owner Range Resources Appalachia LLC of the failure of production casing during fracking operations.
The owner reported that on August 9, 2024 there were “anomalously low pressures” in the well. The owner flushed the well and placed two kill plugs in the production casing at 6531 and 6426 feet.
The owner said the low pressure issue seemed to be above the kill plugs and a well log would be run to determine the location of the production casing failure.
DEP’s inspection report included violations for failing to notify the agency immediately of anomalous pressures and failure to construct the well to insure well integrity.
The owner was requested to provide the well log and a plan by September 4, 2024 on how the well will be brought into compliance.
Replugging Leaking Shale Gas Well
On August 22, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection at the Epsilon Blanche Poulsen 1H and 2H shale gas wells in Auburn Township, Susquehanna County owned by Chesapeake Appalachia LLC and found efforts underway to replug the 2H well, nearly three years after the original violations.
The original violations for defective well casing and/or cementing were issued on November 18, 2021 after pressure testing revealed gas leaks in the wells.
The pressure tests were required as part of an investigation of a water supply contamination complaint near the well pad.
The wells were plugged at some point after that, but gas continued to leak from the wells.
DEP’s inspection report said a contractor was in the process of trying to replug the 2H well at the time of the inspection and continued the previous violations.
Shale Gas Well Owner Fails To Notify DEP Of Water Complaint For 46 Days
On August 24, 2024, DEP issued a violation to Clean Energy Exploration & Production LLC for failing to notify the agency of a drinking water well complaint for 46 days.
The violation involved the Whispering Pines shale gas well pad located in Delmar Township, Tioga County.
The water supply owner notified the company of water supply contamination on May 28, 2024.
Clean Energy requested information from DEP on July 12, 2024 “on what is required when receiving a water supply complaint in addition to testing the water.”
Clean Energy then notified DEP on July 13, 2024 of the water supply complaint.
During a DEP inspection on December 27, 2023, DEP found evidence of what it said was a “large,” unknown volume of wastewater spilled on the Whispering Pines well pad. Read more here.
Spills were also documented on January 16, 2024 and June 18, 2024. Read more here.
DEP’s inspection report notes well owners are required to notify DEP within 24 hours after receiving a complaint.
DEP requested the owner to submit a response to the violation by September 16, 2024.
Shale Gas Water Supply Complaint Investigation
On August 22, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Brova 1H shale gas well in North Bethlehem Township, Washington County owned by EQT Prod Co. in response to a water supply contamination complaint.
DEP’s inspection report said samples were taken at the well pad for analysis.
Conventional Well Owners Fail To Cleanup Spills
On August 13, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection of the Gaut 2 conventional well in South Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County owned by MTN V Oil & Gas Inc. and found spills have still not been cleaned up three months after the initial violations..
DEP originally issued violations for spills at the site on May 15, 2024 and some steps were taken to remove a leaking wastewater storage tank, but the cleanup isn’t finished.
DEP’s inspection report again requested the well owner to submit a plan by September 7, 2024 on how the well site will be brought into compliance.
On August 19, 2024, DEP did follow-up inspections on three conventional wells in Washington Township, Jefferson County owned by Farrington & Hepler Gas & Oil Inc. and found the cleanups of spills at the sites discovered on May 16, 2024 were not yet complete three months later.
The Wheeler 11 inspection report continued the violations related to the spill due to incomplete documentation on where contaminated soil was disposed.
The Wheeler W12 inspection report continued the violations related to the spill due to incomplete documentation on where contaminated soil was disposed.
The Wheeler 33 inspection report continued the violations related to the spill due to incomplete documentation on where contaminated soil was disposed.
DEP did not request any new follow-up actions by the well owner.
On August 19, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection of the State Game Lands 51B 1 conventional well in Dunbar Borough, Fayette County owned by Apollo Resources LLC and found the owner failed to clean up spills discovered earlier in August.
DEP originally issued violations for several spills on August 1, 2024.
In addition, a hose was found to be draining a storage tank containment area onto the ground, storage tanks were rusted and had cracked lids that were half open, barrels of unknown liquid substances were being stored on-site along with other conditions that have or could calls more releases at the site..
DEP’s inspection report continued the previous violations and again requested the owner to submit a plan by August 28, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.
Leaking Gas Storage Facility Wells
On August 8, 2024, DEP inspected the Gene Sheller L4111 conventional injection/withdrawal well at Donegal Gas Storage Reservoir in Donegal Township, Washington County owned by Columbia Gas Transmission LLC and found it was still leaking gas.
DEP issued the original violation for leaking gas on June 24, 2024 and the owner failed to fix it.
DEP’s inspection report requested the owner to submit a plan-- again-- by September 9, 2024 on how the well will be brought into compliance.
On June 24, 2024, DEP inspected the WM Patterson L4090 conventional injection/withdrawal well also at Donegal Gas Storage Reservoir and found it leaking gas and with no current well integrity report.
DEP’s inspection report did not include any requests to the well owner.
Multiple Spills At Shale Gas Well Pad
On August 21, 2024, DEP inspected the Crain shale gas well pad in Rome Township, Bradford County owned by Chesapeake Appalachia LLC and found multiple areas of pooled and spilled wastewater on the pad.
DEP collected samples and took conductivity measurements at several locations.
DEP’s inspection report included a violation for a spill, but noted “additional violations may be cited” based on the results of sampling.
The owner was requested to submit a plan by September 6, 2024 on how the well pad will be brought into compliance.
2024 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups
So far in 2024, DEP received or acted on 198 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups. Read more here.
Report Violations
To report oil and gas violations or any environmental emergency or complaint, visit DEP’s Environmental Complaint webpage.
Text photos and the location of abandoned wells to 717-788-8990.
Check These Resources
Visit DEP’s Compliance Reporting Database webpage to search their compliance records by date and owner 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-- Farrington & Hepler Gas & Oil Inc. conventional well spill area; EQT Production Co. still leaking plugged shale gas well after 8 years; Myers Gas abandoned conventional well covered by 55-gallon drum; Columbia Gas Transmission LLC leaking, abandoned conventional gas storage area well; Row 2-- MTN V Oil & Gas Inc. failed to cleanup a conventional well spill for 3 months; Apollo Resources LLC conventional well tank containment nearly overflowing; Routine inspection finds multiple spill areas at Chesapeake Appalachia LLC shale gas well pad; Row 3- Wastewater pools, leaks at closed Eureka Resources Standing Stone Treatment Plant.)
[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 Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - August 24 [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 70 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In August 24 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- Eureka Resources Shuts Down Standing Stone Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Facility; DEP Wastewater, Waste Violations Continue From Feb. 2023 [PaEN]
-- Marcellus Drilling News: Eureka Resources Plans To Close/Sell 2 Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Plants In Williamsport: Not Enough Wastewater Volume To Keep Plants Open [PaEN]
-- Eureka Resources Request To Terminate Its Water Quality Permit For A Proposed Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Facility In Dimock, Susquehanna County Approved By DEP [PaEN]
-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Meets Sept. 12 On Water Withdrawal Requests - Including 8 Shale Gas Development, Gas Power Plant; Budget; Procurement Regulations [PaEN]
-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved, Renewed 33 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In July; 188 General Permits So Far In 2024 [PaEN]
NewsClips This Week:
-- Times West Virginian: EPA OKs $3.1 Million, More Time To Clean Up Abandoned Fairmont, WV Oil & Gas Wastewater Plant; Radioactive Materials Confirmed Present [ EPA Response Webpage ]
-- TribLive Letter: Restrictive Natural Gas Regulatory Policies Hurt Pennsylvania [EQT, PA Shale Gas Says We Have A ‘Duty’ To Sell More Gas To China Our Economic, Military Competitor]
-- The Energy Age Blog: CNX ‘Glowing’ Analysis Of Natural Gas Development Safety Based On Very Limited Air Quality Monitoring
-- Post-Gazette/Inside Climate News: After Partnering With PA To Monitor Itself, CNX Declares Its Fracking Operations ‘Safe’
-- Marcellus Shale Gas Coalition: CNX Data Confirms Natural Gas Development Not Public Health Risk
-- We’ve Heard This Before: ‘We’re Providing Jobs - Stopping Pollution Threatens Jobs’ - A Brief Review Of Pennsylvania’s Conservation History
-- Marcellus Drilling News/WV Gazette Mail: Diversified Energy Plugs Its Own Conventional Orphan Oil & Gas Wells
-- WSJ: A Natural Gas Glut Is Forcing Drillers To Dial Back - Again; Oversupply Persists Despite Hot Weather
-- Bloomberg Podcast: Rising Tide Of LNG Gas Exports May Become Glut; Role Of China, US In How LNG Moves Around The Globe
-- Bloomberg: European Natural Gas Swings As Futures Remain Near Overbought Levels
-- Reuters: NextDecade Withdraws Carbon Capture Project Application At FERC Related To Texas LNG Gas Export Facility
-- The Guardian: Group Of Republican Attorneys General Blocking Climate Laws Funded By Oil Firms, Dark Money
[Posted: August 24, 2024] PA Environment Digest
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