Saturday, September 13, 2025

PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Sept. 6 to 12 - Disposing Of 4.6 Million Gallons Of Oil & Gas Wastewater; 18,000 Gallon Drilling Spill; Failure To Restore Pipeline Right-Of-Way - Again

From September 6 to 12,
DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 771 inspection entries and late posted reports from previous weeks.  

Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring  between September 6 to 12--

Click Here for violations issuedClick Here for inspection entries.


Enforcement Actions Taken Last Week


So far this year, DEP took these actions as of September 5--

-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 56 conventional, ZERO unconventional

-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 4,217 conventional and 923 unconventional

-- Enforcements 2025: 316 conventional and 106 unconventional (orders, agreements)

-- Inspections Last Week: 240 conventional and 238 unconventional

-- Year To Date - Inspections: 13,375 conventional and 17,801 unconventional


Eureka Resources Plan To Remove 4.6 Million Gallons Of Oil & Gas Wastewater


On September 12, the Department of Environmental Protection said it was reviewing a memo submitted by Eureka Resources LLC outlining a plan for cleaning up and closing all three of its oil and gas wastewater treatment facilities and safely removing over 4.6 million gallons of untreated waste and wastewater left in the plants.

The August 23 Eureka Resources memo proposes a two-month "clean closure" schedule covering all three facilities that will meet the closure requirements under state Residual Waste Regulations.  Read more here.


Repsol Continues Cleanup From Uncontrolled Release Of Wastewater In July


An August 28 follow-up DEP inspection of the cleanup efforts at the Repsol Oil & Gas USA LLC Broadleaf Holdings shale gas well pad in Troy Township, Bradford County found fluids were still being collected and removed offsite from a well control incident that resulted in a 34-hour uncontrolled wastewater release at the pad on July 13.

Fluids continue to be diverted from the well pad and a seep on the western corner fill slope of the pad into a lined drainage basin for removal. 

Contaminated materials from remediation of areas around the pad had been removed from the site and the storage area was empty at the time of the inspection.  Read more here.


Horizontal Drilling Accident Results In 18,000 Gallon Spill In Bradford County


On September 8, the Department of Environmental Protection was notified by Blackhill Energy of an “inadvertent return” from horizontal drilling during construction of the Brad-Tenn Loop Pipeline in Granville Township, Bradford County.  Blackhill reported they were drilling under Route 6 and Sugar Creek when they had a pressure issue and realized they “lost” 18,000 gallons.  Read more here.


Sept. 15 Meeting On Energy Transfer/Sunoco Pipeline Rupture In Bucks County


Energy Transfer/Sunoco has scheduled a September 15 public meeting to accept comments on an Interim Site Characterization Report related to the rupture of the Twin Oaks to Newark 14-inch petroleum product in Upper Wakefield Township, Bucks County.  Read more here.

The Interim Site Characterization Report describes the nature, extent, direction, rate of movement, volume and composition of regulated substances released from the rupture of the pipeline.

DEP provided an online briefing September 9 on the status of the response to the pipeline rupture.  Read more here.


10 Abandoned Conventional Well


Walker Oil Prod Inc.

September 8 & 9, 2025 inspections of four conventional wells in Butler County found them abandoned and not plugged.  The owner also failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports.  The wells include in Fairview Township: McIntosh 1, Moore 1 and in Parker Township:  Smith 1, Smith 2.  Written violations were issued. Response requested by September 25.  Walker holds 13 permits.


Vessels Coal Gas Inc.

August 28, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Herbert C. Smith 1, Herbert C. Smith 184B, Gergley 1Gary Kosaber 180 conventional wells in Munster Township, Cambria County found them abandoned and not plugged.  The owner also failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Original violations for reporting issued March 21, 2025 or May 13, 2025.  New abandonment violations issued. Response requested by September 24.  Vessels holds 14 permits.


Dorothy Craft

September 10 2925 inspection of the Dorothy Craft 1 conventional well in Harborcreek Township, Erie County found the well abandoned, not plugged and could be heard venting gas 20 yards away from a residential building in a manner hazardous to the public due to casing/cement failure.  Owner also failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Multiple violations issues. No response requested from the owner.  DEP inspection report.  Craft holds 1 permit.


Donald Jeannerett

August 19, 2025 inspection of the State Game Lands L68 Jones BA 33 conventional well in Cranberry Township, Venango County found the well abandoned and not plugged.  Owner also failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports.  DEP inspection report.  Jeannerett holds 5 permits.


464 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations In 2025


So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 464 violations to 103 conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells.

In 2024, DEP issued 860 new or continued violations to conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells.

The violations were issued to these conventional owners in 2025: 3D Resources LLC ; All American Energy Inc.; Amer Natural Resources LLC; WB Anderson; Apex Energy (PA), LLC; Apollo Resources LLC; ARG Resources Inc.; Baird Oil Co.; Carol A. Morrison Baker; Baron Crest Energy Co.; Bialy Gas Production LLC; Blackrock Enterprises LLC; Darrel B. Blauser; JJ Bucher Producing Corp; Chris E. Burke; Consolidated Coal Co.; Dorothy Craft; Edward E. & Frederick J. Craig; Edward E. Craig; Crude A Co - Randy L. Larkin; Dannic Energy Corp.; Harold H. Davis; Lewis E. Davis; Paul H. Deeter; Delong Oil Inc.; Developed Resources, Inc.; Randy A. Dietterich; Diversified Production LLC; East Resources Inc.; Eastern Gas Trans & Storage Inc.; Eastern Natural Resources LLC; Elder Oil & Gas Co; Equitrans LP; EQT Production Co.; Exotic Oil & Gas LLC; Ex-Treme Oil And Gas LLC; Greenway Energy LLC; Michael Harju; Donald S. Kelly; Harry L. King; Howard Drilling Inc.; Robert L. Hunter; Iron Pennsylvania Land LLC; Donald Jeannerett; JPS Lawncare & Landscaping; Keystone Crude LLC; Raymond J. Kaufman; Kiski Valley Gas Co.; Leechburg Gas Co.; Manufacturers Light & Heat Co; David H. Melat Co; Mid East Oil Co.; MTN Energy; MTN V Oil & Gas Inc.; Charles E. Myers; Myers Gas; James J. & Wendelin H. Neff; Charles F. & Rita M. Niederriter; Niche Energy LLC; Nucomer Energy LLC; Ohio Kentucky Oil Corp. ; Oil & Gas MGMT Co. LLC; Old MTN Gas Co. Inc.; OneXXX Prod & Exploration Corp.; Ows Acquisition Co. LLC;  PA Mineral SVCS LLC; Robert Lee Pennington; PBS Coals Inc; Raymond J. Patten; Pecora Enterprises; Pencan Explorations Inc.; Penta Oil Corp.; Robert F. Phipps; Pillar Energy PA, LLC; Pin Oak Energy Partners, LLC; The Production Co. LLC; Prosperity Oil Co. Inc.; Red Lion Gas Coop Assn; Reel Resources, Inc; Riyan Farm & Gas LLC; Raymond Sawyer; Rocksauce OPR LLC; Fred C. Scheel; SK Opr Inc.; Larry A. Shaffer Jr.; FM Sloan Inc.; Lyle D. Smith; Andrew F. Suchko; S R Star O&G LLC ; Steele Molar Holdings LLC; Stockman LLC; Stonehaven Energy MGT Co. LLC; Andrew F. Suchko; Griffin Summit Oil Company; Thomas Thurma Jean; TI Brook Inc.; Timberline Energy, Inc.; Mervin Troyer; Valley Green Golf & Country Club, Inc.; Vessels Coal Gas Inc.; Walker Oil Prod Inc.; Washington Energy Co LLC; Ronald Wise; Mary A. Woodring; Woodward Inc.


Failure To Restore Plugged Well Sites


Robin Energy Inc. [60 Months]

September 8, 2025 routine inspection of the George J. Bab ETUX 2  and Hughes 1 conventional well sites in West Finley Township, Washington County found the owner failed to restore the well site after plugging. The wells were plugged on December 12, 2019 and should have been restored within 9 months. Water was “bubbling”in the Hughes 1 well casing.  Violations issued. Response requested by September 30. 


SK OPR Inc. [2 Years]

September 10, 2025 administrative review of the Louis Yemc 1 conventional well in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County found the owner submitted an incomplete well site restoration report and denied the report.  The well was plugged on December 8, 2023. No response requested from well owner.  DEP inspection report.


The Production Co. LLC [18 Months]

September 11, 2025 compliance evaluation on the Elizabeth Sharpnack 8411 conventional well in German Township, Fayette County found the owner failed to comply with an April 22, 2024 order to plug and restore the well site.  The well was plugged, but the site was never restored. Violation issued. Response requested by September 29. DEP inspection report.


Spills/Releases - Conventional


Frank L. Washabaugh Oil Producers [3 Months]

September 11, 2025 compliance inspection of the William M. Johnson 1 conventional well in Cross Creek Township, Washington County found one or more production tanks still leaking fluid and the owner failed to contain and start remediation of the releases that were the subject of an order issued on June 16, 2025.  DEP said the owner notified them the releases were stopped.  Violations for failure to comply with an order were issued on June 24, 2025 and re-issued on July 23, 2025 were continued. DEP had a conversation with the well owner about complying with the order.  DEP inspection report.  Washabaugh holds 20 permits.


Trinity Mineral Partners LLC

September 5, 2025 inspection of the Loomis B Lease Loomis 7 conventional well and related storage tank battery in Sugar Grove Township, Warren County found evidence of spills from improperly placed drain lines into a subsurface wastewater tank. There was stressed vegetation indicating wastewater may also be soaking into the soil. Wastewater was leaking at an estimated rate of one gallon a minute during the inspection.The owner did not indicate who removed wastewater from the tanks at the site. Multiple violations issued. Response requested by September 26.  DEP inspection report.  Trinity holds 153 permits.


Diversified Prod LLC

September 9, 2025 routine inspection of the Blose Fee AM-600 130 conventional well in Bell Township, Clearfield County found a 35 foot long area of disturbed soil contaminated by a wastewater spill at the site. There was evidence a pipe was replaced at the head of the spill. Violations issued. Response requested by September 30.  DEP inspection report.


2025 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups


So far in 2025, DEP received or acted on 132 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups.  Read more here.


Gas Leaking From Conventional Wells


Cameron Energy Co [Leaks, No Violations]

September 9, 2025 complaint inspection of the Lot 9-P-22, Lot 9x12, Lot 9 D30, Lot 9 20 14, and  Lot 8 E2 conventional gas wells found them all leaking gas. DEP notified the owner who said they would do their own field test to verify the leak location and develop a solution.  No violations issued.  Cameron holds 2,032 permits.


Failed To Restore Pipeline Right-Of-Way, Gas Leak


MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources LLC

September 9, 2025 inspection of the Pawlosky to Fulton Pipeline in Chartiers Township, Washington County in response to a notice to terminate the Erosion and Sedimentation Permit found the owner failed to comply with multiple provisions of the permit.  In addition, there was a "strong gas-like odor" observed by the Department just after crossing Westland Run at approximately STA 44+00, where a natural gas gathering pipeline crossed the right-of-way, which was forwarded to another DEP office for follow-up.  The inspector documented the violations in a four-part inspection report with lots of photos-- Part I, Part II, Part III and Part IV.  Fresh violations issued. Response requested by September 29, 2025.

Last week, MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources LLC was issued violations for failure to restore the right-of-way for the Timber Lake Pipeline in Blaine Township, Washington County. Read more here.


Casing/Cement Failure


BKV OPR LLC [106 Months]

September 8, 2025 inspection of the Frystack East 8H shale gas well in Bridgewater Township, Susquehanna County as part of a monitoring program for failed casing/cement found no new violations.  Original violations issued November 10, 2016. Monitoring to continue.  DEP inspection report.


Chesapeake Appalachia LLC

August 20, 2025 inspection of the Hattie 3H shale gas well in Tuscarora Township, Bradford County as part of a monitoring program for failed casing/cement found no new violations.  Original violations issued October 13, 2022. Violations continued.  Monitoring to continue.  DEP inspection report.


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 and Inspection Reports Viewer webpages to search their compliance records by date and owner.

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--  Blackhill Energy 18,000 gallon spill at horizontal drilling site;  Diversified Prod LLC had 35 foot long spill at conventional well site; Conventional well owned by Dorothy Craft audibly venting gas 20 yards from a home; Row 2-- Leaking wastewater tank at Trinity Mineral Partners LLC conventional well site; Repsol Oil & Gas USA LLC shale gas well pad cleanup continues from July; Eureka Resources cleanup continues in Williamsport.)


[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 Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Sept. 6 to 12 - Disposing Of 4.6 Million Gallons Of Oil & Gas Wastewater; 18,000 Gallon Drilling Spill; Failure To Restore Pipeline Right-Of-Way - Again  [PaEN] 

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - September 13 [PaEN] 

-- DEP Posted 82 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In September 13 PA Bulletin  [PaEN]  

Related Articles This Week:

-- Environmental Quality Board Adjourns Without Discussing Or Acting On Any Of 3 Pending Oil & Gas Rulemaking Petitions  [PaEN] 

-- Center For Coalfield Justice To Host 500 Feet From Fracking Tour Sept. 20 In Washington County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP: Eureka Resources Submits Plan To Cleanup, Close All 3 Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Facilities, Remove 4.6 Million Gallons Of Wastewater Left In Lycoming & Bradford County Facilities  [PaEN] 

-- DEP: Cleanup Continues At Repsol Shale Gas Well Pad After A Well Control Incident In July Caused A 34-Hour Uncontrolled Wastewater Release In Bradford County  [PaEN]  

-- DEP: Blackhill Energy Pipeline Horizontal Drilling Accident Results In 18,000 Gallon Spill In Granville Twp., Bradford County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Provides Update On Energy Transfer/Sunoco Petroleum Pipeline Rupture Cleanup In Upper Makefield Twp., Bucks County On Sept. 9

-- Energy Transfer/Sunoco To Host Sept. 15 Public Meeting To Accept Comments On Interim Site Characterization Report For Pipeline Rupture In Upper Makefield Twp., Bucks County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Releases Companies, Individuals Receiving $7.24 Million In Federal Funds To Plug 329 Conventional Gas Wells In 13 Counties  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Low Flow Water Conditions Trigger Water Withdrawal Restrictions On 39 Shale Gas Water Withdrawal Points In PA, 20 More In Caution  [PaEN] 

-- Delaware River Basin Commission Approves Extension Of Permit For Proposed Docks At Gibbstown LNG Gas Export Terminal In NJ  [PaEN]

-- PUC Approves 6.7% Increase In UGI Gas Monthly Bills Effective Oct. 28  [PaEN] 

-- US Energy Information Administration Expects Nearly 48% Increase In Natural Gas Prices Into Next Year Due To Flat Gas Production, Increased LNG Gas Exports

-- PUC Finalized Plan To Accelerate Replacement Of Older At-Risk Plastic Pipe And Components In Natural Gas Distribution Systems  [PaEN] 

-- PUC Electric Power Outlook: Risks To Adequate Electricity Supplies May Emerge In PJM By 2033; Extreme Cold Constraints On Natural Gas Availability Could Risk Outages As Early As 2026  [PaEN] 

-- AP: US Electric Grids Under Pressure From Energy-Hungry A.I. Data Centers Are Changing Strategy - Bumping Data Centers Off Grids During Power Emergencies  [PJM Included] 

-- The Center Square: Report - PA Electric Companies Struggle With Outages

-- In Case You Missed It -- A.I./Data Center Articles & NewClips From Last Week -  September 15  [PaEN]

-- EPA To Allow Construction Of Power Plants, Industrial Facilities Before Air Quality Permits Are In-Hand [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Observer Reporter: 2 Townships In Greene County Declare Disaster Emergencies Over Contaminated Water Wells  [PDF of Article

-- WTAE: 2 Greene County Townships Issue Emergency Declarations 3 Years After Water Well Contamination From Fracking 

-- Inside Climate News - Jon Hurdle: Two Greene County Townships Declare Disaster Emergencies, Seek Public Funding For Drinking Water Systems Amid Claims That Shale Gas Industry Contaminated Wells 

-- PA Capital-Star/Inside Climate News: Two Greene County Townships Declare Disaster Emergencies, Seek Public Funding For Water Systems Amid Claims The Gas Industry Contaminated Water Wells

-- Delaware Currents: DRBC Grants 5-Year Extension For Gibbstown, NJ LNG Gas Export Facility Dock Project

-- The Derrick: Aqua Pennsylvania Issues Boil Water Advisory For Village Of Reno In Venango County Due To Bacteria In Water Hauled To The System To Make Up For Water Contaminated By Conventional Oil Well Spill In July 2023  [PDF of Article]

-- The Derrick: Boil Water Advisory Lifted For Village Of Reno In Venango County; Aqua PA Still Hauling Water To Make Up For Lost Supplies After Conventional Oil Well Spill In 2023

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: PUC Orders PA Natural Gas Utilities To Catalog Older Plastic Pipes For Safety Concerns [PDF of Article]

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: The Risk And Reward Of Having A.I. Data Centers As Electric, Water Utility Customers

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: EQT CEO Urges Rapid Energy Development To Fuel A.I. Race Against China

-- Bloomberg: Natural Gas Markets Brace For Glut With No Sign Of China Demand Rebound

-- Reuters Guest Essay: Europe Succumbs To US ‘Energy Dominance’ At Its Own Risk

[Posted: September 13, 2025]  PA Environment Digest

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