So far this year, DEP took these actions as of September 27--
-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 53 conventional, 5 unconventional
-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 6,175 conventional and 763 unconventional
-- Enforcements 2024: 390 conventional and 97 unconventional (orders, agreements)
-- Inspections Last Week: 370 conventional and 321 unconventional
-- Year To Date - Inspections: 12,748 conventional and 18,225 unconventional
-- Wells Drilled Last Week: 4 conventional and 5 unconventional
-- Year To Date Wells Drilled: 127 conventional and 226 unconventional
5 Abandoned Diversified Shale Gas Wells
Last week DEP inspected six shale gas wells owned by Diversified Production LLC in Fayette and Westmoreland counties and found five of them abandoned (or continued to be abandoned in one case since 2021) and not plugged. Here are the details--
On September 25 - 26, 2024, DEP inspected three shale gas wells owned by Diversified Prod LLC in Fayette and Westmoreland counties in response to requests for well transfers to Big Dog Energy and found two wells continue to be abandoned and not plugged the third with other violations. The wells include--
-- Pritts Unit 1, Lower Tyrone Twp., Fayette County: Drilled in 2009, Well abandoned, not plugged [original violation April 5, 2023]; failure to have emergency response plan on site, gas leak, failed to get a well transfer permit for sale to Big Dog Energy, LLC in 2023, other violations. Owner requested to submit a response by October 4, 2024. DEP inspection report.
-- Lynn 9, Rostraver Twp, Westmoreland County: Drilled in 2009, Well abandonment, not plugged [original violation issued June 9, 2021], failed to get a well transfer permit for sale to Big Dog Energy, LLC in 2023, other violations. Owner requested to submit a response by October 20, 2024. DEP inspection report.
-- Swiantek 1, Franklin Twp., Fayette County: Failure to fill pits, contain production fluids and remove drilling equipment, well shut in not producing. Owner requested to submit a response by October 4, 2024. DEP inspection report.
FYI-- Big Dog Energy was issued an order by DEP in August to bring five abandoned and unplugged shale gas wells in Clearfield County into compliance. Read more here.
DEP inspections in September found the company did not comply. Read more here.
Big Dog Energy was also issued violations in 2022 by DEP for installing 30 gas-fired generators with a capacity of 10 MW at the Hegarty A shale gas well without permits to support its cryptocurrency mining operations. Read more here.
On October 3, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection of the Smith 21 shale gas well in Salem Township, Westmoreland County owned by Diversified Prod LLC and found the well abandoned and not plugged.
DEP issued the original violation for abandonment on April 18, 2022 and the owner has done nothing since then to address the violation. Well was drilled in 2009.
DEP’s inspection report continues the earlier violations and again requests the owner to submit a plan by November 4, 2024 to bring the well into compliance.
On October 3, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection of the Carr 19A shale gas well in Salem Township, Westmoreland County owned by Diversified Prod LLC and found the well abandoned and not plugged.
DEP issued the original violation for abandonment on May 24, 2022 and the well owner did nothing to correct the violation. Well was drilled in 2009.
As a result of an earlier contact, the well owner told DEP on August 3, 2021-- "If the well is not capable to produce it will be added to the list of wells that require plugging per the Consent Assessment order." Read more here about the order.
DEP’s inspection report continues the earlier violations for abandonment and requests the owner to submit a plan by November 3, 2024 to bring the well into compliance.
On October 3, 2024, DEP did a routine inspection of the Kepple 5 shale gas well in Salem Township, Westmoreland County owned by Diversified Prod LLC and found the well abandoned and not plugged.
Well was drilled in 2009.
DEP’s inspection report includes violations for abandonment and requests the owner to submit a plan by November 3, 2024 to bring the well into compliance.
Water Supply Contamination Complaint Against Plugged Conventional Well
On September 20, 2024, DEP issued a violation to Dallas Energy LLC for failing to notify the agency of a July 8, 2024 water supply contamination complaint related to the Noble J6 conventional well in Blaine Township, Washington County.
DEP regulations require notification within 24-hours of receiving a water supply complaint.
DEP’s Water Supply Resolved Complaints database shows no water supply complaints were resolved in Blaine Township, Washington County on or after July 8, which means DEP may still be investigating this complaint.
DEP inspected this well on June 11, 2024 in response to a notice from Dallas Energy it intended to plug the well and found no violations. DEP said the well was plugged on June 23, 2024 [DEP inspection report].
On September 8, 2024, DEP inspected the site and found the site approaching 70% vegetation coverage required for restoration.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows Dallas Energy holds 218 permits for conventional oil and gas wells.
If you are concerned about your water supply, you can locate this well using DEP’s Oil and Gas Mapping Tool using the Latitude 40.179445 Longitude -80.384312 from DEP’s June 11, 2024 inspection report on this well.
Abandoned Conventional Well/Stray Gas Investigation
On October 2, 2024, DEP inspected the Ida Allshouse 3492 conventional gas well in Knox Township, Jefferson County owned by Diversified Prod LLC as part of a contaminated water supply investigation.
DEP originally issued violations for well abandonment and leaking gas on May 6, 2024 because the well exhibited signs of compromised integrity.
This well is located about 525 feet southwest of the complainant’s contaminated water well.
DEP’s inspection found the well owner was actively plugging the well.
DEP inspected the complaint’s water well and found the “reading is significantly lower than previous observations of the Department signifying a dramatic reduction of combustible gas entering the complainant’s water well.”
DEP’s inspection report included no follow-up actions, but did continue the earlier violations.
Abandoned Wells, Unknown Owners
Last week DEP inspected at least 25 abandoned conventional wells sites with Unknown owners to confirm their location and condition--
-- Allegheny County, Ross Twp: Nocklyn 1, Jacks Run 2
-- Allegheny County, Sewickley Heights Borough: Gravel Path 1
-- Beaver County, Greene Twp.: Surface Owner 1
-- Clarion County, Perry Twp.: Miles 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
-- Fayette County, Georges Twp.: Max Kampckik 1 (Duquesne Natural Gas Co.), abandoned, leaking gas
-- Erie County, Erie City: 1755 Buffalo Rd 1
-- McKean County, Otto Twp.: Wakertown Rd 1 & 2, Wiltsie Lease 34, 35, 36, 37, 38
-- Venango County, Cranberry Twp: Kerrs Sweet Corn 12
-- Venango County, President Twp.: Lerner Blaho 16
-- Westmoreland County, Murrysville Borough: Howard 1, Wallisch 1, FM Sloan 8
763 Abandoned Conventional Well, 26 Abandoned Shale Gas Well Violations In 2024
So far in 2024, DEP issued 763 new or continued violations to conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging wells.
So far in 2024, 26 violations were issued or continued to 10 shale gas well owners [Diversified Prod LLC; Big Dog Energy LLC follow-up; Big Dog Energy LLC; 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.
Multiple Spills, Leaks On Shale Gas Well Pads
On September 26, 2024, DEP did a routine inspection of the Delta Well Pad in Lycoming Township, Lycoming County owned by Beech Resources, LLC and found multiple spill areas and pooled wastewater.
At least one frack tank was not in secondary containment.
The owner began cleanup while the DEP inspector was onsite.
DEP’s inspection report included multiple violations related to the spills and containment and requested the pad owner to submit a plan by October 21, 2024 on how the well pad will be brought into compliance.
On September 30, 2024, DEP conducted a routine inspection of the Donna BRA shale gas well pad in Terry Township, Bradford County owned by Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC and found 3 pools of contaminated water near a wastewater storage tank onsite.
Elevated conductivity readings were found in the water and samples were taken by DEP.
DEP’s inspection report includes a violation for the apparent wastewater leak and request to the well pad owner to submit a plan by October 21, 2024 to bring the pad into compliance.
On October 1 and 2, 2024, Coterra Energy Inc. notified DEP of spills at two of its shale gas well pads two days in a row in Susquehanna County.
Coterra Energy discovered a spill at the Blaisure Joseph Pad in Jessup Township on October 1 resulting from holes in the secondary containment liner under fracking tanks and other equipment.
DEP’s inspection report recorded the notification and included no violations or follow-up requests of the well owner.
Coterra reported there was a spill at the Lewis D Pad in Bridgewater Township on October 2 around and in secondary containment for fracking tanks and other equipment.
DEP’s inspection report recorded the notification and included no violations or follow-up requests of the well owner.
On October 3, 2024, DEP did a routine inspection of the DCNR Tract 726D shale gas well pad in Plunketts Creek Township, Lycoming County owned by PA General Energy Co LLC and found multiple areas of contaminated water near fracking tanks.
Measurements showed it had elevated conductivity.
DEP said- “Due to the unknown volume, origin, and time of the release, it is strongly recommended that remediation be completed under Act 2 requirements. Additional screening should also be performed on and around the pad to determine the extent of potential additional impacts.”
DEP’s inspection report included a violation for the spills and requested the owner to submit a plan by October 24, 2024 on how the pad will be brought into compliance.
2024 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups
So far in 2024, DEP received or acted on 215 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups. Read more here.
Shale Gas Well Owners Failed To Submit List Of Fracking Chemicals
Last week DEP issued violations against Chesapeake Appalachia LLC and STL Resources for failure to provide a list of chemicals used in fracking claiming the chemicals were “proprietary” information.
In the last month, DEP has issued violations to four other shale gas drillers for not submitting lists of fracking chemicals to Apex Energy (PA) LLC covering 37 shale gas wells in Westmoreland County [Read more here]; EQT Production Company for 8 shale gas wells in Greene County [Read more here]; Range Resources-Appalachia, LLC for one well in Washington County [Read more here]; and Greylock Production LLC for an unknown number of wells in an unknown location [Read more here].
DEP’s Compliance Reporting Database webpage and search by the date and shale gas driller name to find these violations.
Here are the details from last week--
On October 1, 2024, DEP issued a notice of violation to Chesapeake Appalachia LLC for failure to provide a list of chemicals used in fracking claiming the chemicals were “proprietary” information.
The violation was not available online, so the shale gas wells, their location and the dates of the violation are unknown.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows Chesapeake Appalachia holds 1,507 permits for shale gas wells and related infrastructure.
On October 1, 2024, DEP issued a notice of violation to STL Resources for failure to provide a list of chemicals used in fracking claiming the chemicals were “proprietary” information.
The violation was not available online, so the shale gas wells, their location and the dates of the violation are unknown.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows STL Resources holds 35 DEP permits for shale gas wells and related gas infrastructure.
7 Shale Gas Well Owners Fail To Submit Production, Waste Reports
Last week, DEP issued violations to seven shale gas drilling companies for failing to submit monthly gas production and waste generation and disposal reports-- one company for the last three years.
The companies include Baker Gas, Inc., Diversified Prod LLC, Inflection Energy (PA) LLC, John E. McCool, Medina Res Dev Co LLC, Nucomer Energy LLC, and Ows Energy LLC.
None of the NOVs identified the shale gas wells or their locations.
Here are the details available--
On October 2, 2024, DEP issued a notice of violation to Ows Energy LLC for failure to submit monthly gas production and waste generation and disposal reports for shale gas well(s) it owns for-- January through December 2022; January through December 2023; and January through July 2024.
The report(s) have not been submitted to DEP as of October 3, 2024.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows Ows Energy LLC holds 2,623 DEP permits for most conventional oil and gas wells and an unknown number of shale gas wells.
On October 2, 2024, DEP issued a notice of violation to Nucomer Energy LLC for failure to submit monthly gas production and waste generation and disposal reports for shale gas well(s) it owns for April, May, June and July 2024.
The report(s) have not been submitted to DEP as of October 3, 2024.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows Nucomer holds 49 DEP permits for conventional oil and gas wells-- including 1 abandoned well in Erie County-- and an unknown number of shale gas wells.
On October 2, 2024, DEP issued a notice of violation to Baker Gas, Inc. for failure to submit monthly gas production and waste generation and disposal reports for shale gas wells it owns for June and July 2024.
DEP noted in the Oil & Gas Compliance Database the reports were submitted.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows Baker Gas holds 217 permits for both shale gas and mostly conventional oil and gas wells.
On October 2, 2024, DEP issued a notice of violation to Diversified Prod LLC for failure to submit monthly gas production and waste generation and disposal reports for shale gas wells it owns for July 2024.
DEP noted in the Oil & Gas Compliance Database the reports were submitted.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows Diversified Prod LLC holds permits for 21,696 mostly conventional oil and gas wells which require annual reports, but some shale gas wells which require monthly reports.
On October 2, 2024, DEP issued a notice of violation to Inflection Energy (PA) LLC for failure to submit monthly gas production and waste generation and disposal reports for shale gas wells it owns for July 2024.
The report(s) have been submitted to DEP as of October 3, 2024.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows Inflection Energy holds 60 permits for shale gas well pads, related pipelines and other infrastructure.
On October 2, 2024, DEP issued a notice of violation to John E. McCool for failure to submit monthly gas production and waste generation and disposal reports for shale gas well(s) he owns for July.
The report(s) have not been submitted to DEP as of October 3, 2024.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows McCool holds 461 permits from DEP for mostly conventional oil and gas wells-- including 4 abandoned wells in McKean County and 1 abandoned well in Warren County-- and an unknown number of shale gas wells.
On October 2, 2024, DEP issued a notice of violation to Medina Res Dev Co LLC for failure to submit monthly gas production and waste generation and disposal reports for shale gas well(s) it owns for July.
The report(s) have not been submitted to DEP as of October 3, 2024.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows Medina holds 486 DEP permits for conventional oil and gas wells-- including 66 abandoned conventional wells-- and an unknown number of shale gas wells.
Lawnmower Damaged Conventional Gas Pipeline
On October 2, 2024, DEP inspected three conventional gas wells as a result of a notification from the City of Warren Fire Department in Warren County of a gas leak on September 30 where a lawnmower damaged a gas pipeline serving BJS, LLC Deluxe conventional wells 1, 2 and 3.
Both wells are located in the same parking lot in Warren with no vehicle or other barriers preventing damage to exposed piping or the wells, according to DEP inspection photos.
The Fire Department “expressed concerns regarding emergency contact posting at the well site, which resulted in delayed response time in mitigating the gas release.”
DEP’s inspection reports-- Deluxe 1 [DEP inspection report], Deluxe 2 [DEP inspection report] and Deluxe 3 [DEP inspection report] included violations for not complying with well site posting requirements and requested the well owner to submit a plan by October 18, 2024 on how the violations will be corrected.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows BJS LLC holds 15 permits for conventional oil and gas wells, all active.
Conventional Well Gas Leak Not Fixed For 35 Days And Counting
On October 1, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection of the MA Richey 2 conventional gas well in Centerville Borough, Washington County after being notified by Diversified Prod LLC the gas leak had been fixed.
“An odor of gas was observed upon approach to the well, and gas was detected leaking from various portions of the wellhead at the time of inspection. It did not appear that any repairs to the well head had taken place since the previous inspection.”
The original violation was issued on August 27, 2024 for failure to construct and operate a well to ensure health, safety, environment and property are protected.
DEP’s inspection report continued the violation, but checked the box on the inspection form saying “no further response required at this time” from the well owner.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows Diversified Prod LLC holds permits for 21,696 mostly conventional oil and gas, but some shale gas wells in Pennsylvania.
Conventional Well Draining Wastewater On Ground
On September 25, 2024, DEP did a routine inspection of the Iva Ferguson 1 conventional well in Ohioville Borough, Beaver County owned by Martin & Mary Jo Gimbus and found a tank allegedly draining wastewater on the ground and had multiple other spill areas.
DEP’s inspection report includes multiple violations for the spills and releases, failure to notify DEP of the spills and others.
The well owner was requested to submit a plan by October 14, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows the Gimbus’ hold one permit for a conventional well.
Conventional Wells Fail To Submit Waste, Integrity Reports
On September 25 & 27, 2024, DEP issued violations against Fawnwood Energy, Inc. for failing to submit annual production, waste generation and mechanical integrity reports for seven conventional wells-- Knox 36, 38, 39, 40, Game Commission 1, Bear Creek 16, 49-- in Parker Township, Butler County.
DEP’s inspection reports [example] request the well owner to submit a plan by October 17, 2024 on how the wells will be brought into compliance.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows Fawnwood Energy holds 105 conventional oil and gas well permits, including one abandoned well.
On September 27, 2024, DEP issued violations against B & K Partnership for failing to submit annual production, waste generation and mechanical integrity reports for three conventional wells-- Bruch & Keven Smith 8, 9, 10-- in Parker Township, Butler County.
DEP’s inspection reports [example] requested the well owner to submit a plan by October 22, 2024 on how the wells will be brought into compliance.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows B & K Partnership holds NO permits from DEP, but has had previous violations for not submitting conventional well annual reports.
On September 27, 2024, DEP issued violations against Karl J. Rottman, Jr. for failing to submit annual production, waste generation and mechanical integrity reports for the Bruce & Kevin Smith 6 conventional well in Parker Township, Butler County.
DEP’s inspection report requests the well owner to submit a plan by October 22, 2024 to bring the well into compliance.
DEP’s eFACTS database shows Rottman holds 25 conventional oil and gas well permits.
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.
Use DEP’s Oil and Gas Mapping Tool to find if there are oil and gas wells near or on your property and to find wells using latitude and longitude on well inspection reports.
(Photos: Row 1-- Water supply contamination complaint filed against Dallas Energy LLC recently plugged conventional well (before, after plugging); Two BJS, LLC “Deluxe” conventional gas wells where gas pipeline damaged by lawnmower; Fawnwood Energy, Inc. failed to submit well integrity reports for 7 conventional wells; Martin & Mary Jo Gimbus allegedly drain conventional wastewater to the ground; Row 2-- Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC contaminated water by shale gas wastewater storage tank; Diversified Prod LLC 4 of 5 abandoned shale gas well sites; Row 3-- Beech Resources, LLC shale gas pad spills; Diversified Prod LLC leaking conventional well not fixed for 35 days and counting; PA General Energy Co LLC shale gas pad spill.)
[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:
-- DEP Issues Violations To 7 Shale Gas Drillers For Failure To Submit Monthly Waste Generation, Disposal, Production Reports - 1 Company For 3 Years; 2 More Drillers Fail To Disclose Fracking Chemicals [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - October 5 [PaEN]
-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Sets Oct. 30 Hearing On The Proposed 2025 Fee Schedule; Water Withdrawal Requests, Including 4 Supporting Shale Gas Development [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 72 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In October 5 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- DEP Begins Accepting Grant Applications Oct. 9 To Plug Orphan Conventional Oil & Gas Wells Abandoned By Their Owners [PaEN]
-- State Fire Commissioner Now Accepting Applications From Local Fire, Emergency Services For Training, Equipment To Respond To Shale Gas Infrastructure Fires, Emergencies [PaEN]
-- Center For Coalfield Justice Hosts Oct. 16 In-Person Program In Waynesburg, Greene County On Protecting Public Health, Resources From Shale Gas Development [PaEN]
-- PennFuture: Lawmakers Move Bill To Require Clean Solar Energy Facilities To Have Bonds; But Fail To Have Adequate Plugging Bonds For Dirty Oil & Gas Wells Leaving Taxpayers To Pick Up The Cost [PaEN]
-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council Meets Oct. 8 On Hydrogen Hubs, Data Centers, Food Processing Residuals, PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Regulation [PaEN]
-- No Decision Posted Yet From DEP On Whether Flare Gas Chemical Makeup, Volume At Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County Is Confidential Business Information [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- WHYY - Susan Phillips: Fracking In Pennsylvania Hasn’t Gone As Well As Some May Think
-- The Allegheny Front - Susan Phillips: Fracking In Pennsylvania Hasn’t Gone As Well As Some May Think
-- LancasterOnline Letter: Remembering The Reality Of Fracking - Doing It Safely Or The Wild West - Not For Or Against - By Bruce Riefenstahl, Mount Joy
-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Ad Crable: Pennsylvania Factions Spar Over Treating Roads With Drilling Wastewater
-- Olean Times Herald (NY): Marine Vet In McKean County Deals With Fracking Wastewater Injection Well Next Door: ‘I Regret Purchasing This Home’
-- Marcellus Drilling News: Work On Shale Gas Wastewater Injection Well In McKean County Progresses [PDF of Article]
-- The Energy Age Blog: Update: Emergency DEP Conventional Well Plugging Continues In Allegheny County
-- PennLive - John Beauge: Construction Of PA General Energy Natural Gas Pipelines In Lycoming County Can Begin Despite Concerns For Trail, Wild Trout Streams [Read more here ]
-- Federal Pipeline Safety Agency Increases Grants To State With Pipeline, Underground Gas Safety Programs [PA PUC Receive $2.6 Million In Base Grant In 2023]
-- Senate Passes Sen. Baker’s Extension Of PA One Call Program For Underground Utility Safety
-- The Allegheny Front - Kara Holsopple: New Guidelines Center On The Needs Of People With Disabilities During Petrochemical Disasters
-- Marcellus Drilling News: Federal Court Certifies Class Action Lawsuit Against Range Resources For Potentially 204 Landowners Over Lease/Royalty Issues [PDF of Article ]
-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: EQT Natural Gas Driller Announces Plan To Cut 15% Of Its Workforce-- About 250 Employees
-- Reuters: Natural Gas Producer EQT To Lay Off 15% Of Workforce
-- Baker Hughes: PA Natural Gas Rigs Up 1 To 15 From Last Week [Down 28% Since Aug. 23]
-- Observer-Reporter: Marcellus Shale Has Wealth Of Natural Gas And More [Royalty Payments, Act 13 Drilling Impact Fees] [PDF of Article] [Part 3]
-- The Guardian: LNG Gas Has Far Worse Climate Emissions Than Coal, Cornell Study Finds
-- Bloomberg: LNG Gas Traders Choose To Pay Penalties For Not Shipping Gas To Germany To Chase Higher Profits In Asia
-- Bloomberg: LNG Gas Exporter New Fortress Energy Stock Plunges After Delaying Dividend Payment [Proposing Gas Export Facilities In PA]
[Posted: October 5, 2024] PA Environment Digest
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