Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring between September 20 to 26--
Click Here for violations issued. Click Here for inspection entries.
Enforcement Actions Taken Last Week
So far this year, DEP took these actions as of September 19--
-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 36 conventional, 24 unconventional
-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 4,376 conventional and 965 unconventional
-- Enforcements 2025: 328 conventional and 112 unconventional (orders, agreements)
-- Inspections Last Week: 250 conventional and 334 unconventional
-- Year To Date - Inspections: 14,107 conventional and 18,924 unconventional
Day 128: Shale Gas Wastewater Cleanup Still Not Done, Seeps Continue
On September 18, 2025, a DEP follow-up inspection of the Seneca Resources Vandergrift shale gas well pad in Charleston Township, Tioga County found multiple areas that were still contaminated and wastewater was still seeping out of a fill slope from a large spill discovered during a May 13, 2025 complaint inspection. Read more here.
12 Abandoned Conventional Wells
Amer Natural Resources LLC [69 Months]
September 24, 2025 follow-up inspections of five conventional wells in Allegheny County found the owner failed to comply with an abandoned well plugging orders issue on December 12, 2019 and March 27, 2025 as well as failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Some wells also leaking gas. DEP received no communication from the well owner. No response requested from the owner. DEP compliance evaluation. The wells are in-
-- Aleppo Township: Merle Minick Unit 1
-- Glenfield Borough: John Straka Unit 2
-- Ohio Township: John Lenzner Unit 1, Grove/Grambo Unit 1, Grove/Grambo Unit 2
Ows Acquisition Co LLC [9 Months]
September 22 & 25, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Gibson 2 McBurney 1 and MCIDA 2 conventional wells in Hermitage City, Mercer County found the wells still abandoned and not plugged and leaking gas. Original violations issued April 22, 2025 for first two wells and December 23, 2024 for the MCIDA 2 well. The well owner said in a letter to DEP on May 22, 2025 he intended to bring the wells back into production, but has done nothing. No response requested from well owner. Ows Acquisition holds 1,072 permits, including 1 other abandoned well. Ows Acquisition holed\s 1,072 permits, one other abandoned well.
Randy A. Dietterich [2 Months]
September 18, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Guy V IDA 1 conventional well in Robinson Township, Washington County found the well still abandoned and not plugged. Original violation issued July 10, 2025. Violation continued. Response requested by October 6. Dietterich holds 6 permits.
Prosperity Oil Co. Inc.
September 18, 2025 follow-up inspection of the WB Cooley 5 conventional well in Hanover Township, Beaver County found the well abandoned and not plugged (new violations). Owner also failed to submit production, waste generation, well integrity reports (April 4, 2025 violations). No response requested from owner. Prosperity holds 62 permits, 3 other abandoned wells.
James Hilderbrand
September 24, 2025 routine inspection of the Hilderbrand 1 and Hilderbrand 2 conventional wells in Donegal Township, Butler County found the wells abandoned and not plugged. The owner also failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Written violations sent. Response requested by October 10. Hilderbrand holds 2 permits.
481 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations In 2025
So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 481 violations to 105 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.; Raymond D. Langer; Leechburg Gas Co.; Manufacturers Light & Heat Co; Marco Drilling Inc.; 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.
Conventional Spills/Releases
JJ Bucher Producing Corp
September 18, 2025 administrative inspection of the Hastings 37 conventional well in Sharon Township, Potter County combined inspections from June 26, July 16 and September 16 which found oil was leaking from buried wooden and metal tanks into Horse Run. A Bucher well tender confirmed the tanks were Bucher’s. Violations issued. Response requested by October 3. DEP inspection report. Bucher holds 331 permits, 18 abandoned wells..
Oil & Gas MGMT Inc.
September 18, 2025 inspection of the Brown 2 conventional well in Parks Township, Armstrong County in response to a complaint found an oil spill, bucks and a 55-gallon drum. The owner failed to report the spill and it appeared has not visited the site recently due to deep ruts in the access road. Violations issued for the spill and erosion and sedimentation. Response requested by October 6. DEP inspection report. Oil & Gas MGMT holds 163 permits.
2025 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups
So far in 2025, DEP received or acted on 137 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups. Read more here.
Water Well Contamination Investigation
Jefferson County, Rose Township
On September 11, 2025, DEP inspected the KSM Energy Inc. Russell F Allshouse 3702 conventional well as part of a water well methane contamination investigation and did not find leaks. However, the well owner was advised again to make repairs to the production pipeline and the well.
Casing/Cement Failure - Shale Gas Wells
Chesapeake Appalachia LLC [New]
September 9, 2025 routine inspection of the Clarke 2H, 4H, 5H, and 104H shale gas wells in Overton Township, Bradford County found evidence of well casing/cement failure. The owner failed to notify DEP. New violations issued. A plan to correct the defect must be submitted within 30 days. Initial response due October 12. DEP inspection report (example).
Chesapeake Appalachia LLC [New]
September 10, 2025 routine inspection of the Yonkin 2HC, 5HC, 6HC, 21HC, 22HC, and 23HC shale gas wells in Cherry Township, Sullivan County found evidence of wells casing/cement failure. The owner failed to notify DEP. New violations issued. A plan to correct the defect must be submitted within 30 days. Initial response due October 12. DEP inspection report [example).
Conventional Well Leaking Gas
Danken-Sammar LLC
September 18, 2025 inspection of the Green Glen Corp 4 conventional monitoring well in Huston Township, Clearfield County associated with the Povlik #1 oil and gas wastewater injection well found now new violations. Violations continued for failure of casing/cementing issued originally on October 1, 2024. No requests made of well owner. Danken-Sammar holds 3 permits.
Conventional Well Owner Ignored Advice, Built Well Pads Illegally
Trinity Mineral Partners, LLC
September 18, 2025 inspection of the Akins Lease Akins 3 and Akins Lease Akins 4 conventional wells in Sugar Grove Township, Warren County failed to comply with setbacks from streams and wetlands. DEP said the owner “opted to ignore advice” the inspector gave during two meetings on August 4 and August 26 to legally construct the well pads with the appropriate setback distances. The Akins 3 well pad was constructed on top of a tributary to Jackson Run and a pit was excavated for the disposal of drill cuttings. Akins 4 failed to maintain setbacks from the tributary and wetlands and shallow groundwater was evident in the disposal pit. Violations issued. Response requested by October 9. Trinity Mineral holds 153 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 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-- One of two abandoned conventional wells owned by James Hilderbrand; Buried wooden oil separator tank leaking crude oil into stream at JJ Bucher Producing Corp conventional well site; Oil & Gas MGMT Inc. conventional well site oil spill; Row 2-- Trinity Mineral Partners, LLC illegally constructed conventional well pads on or too close to streams- diversion ditch, shallow groundwater in disposal pit; Seneca Resources fails to stop shale gas wastewater seeps from May.)
[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. 20 to 26 - 128 Days Of Cleanup - Not Done Yet; 481 Abandoned Conventional Wells; Conventional Owner Builds 2 Illegal Well Pads [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - September 27 [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 58 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In September 27 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- Part I - 500 Feet Isn’t Enough: Michelle Stonemark Tells What It’s Really Like Living Next To A Shale Gas Well Pad - Nosebleeds, Headaches, Nausea, Air Pollution, Vibrating House, Sleepless Nights, Anxiety - In Cecil Twp., Washington County [PaEN]
-- Part II - 500 Feet Isn’t Enough: 42 Scientific Studies, 20+ Years Of Experience With Shale Gas Drilling In PA; A State Grand Jury Report; Criminal Convictions; Public Complaints; Lawsuits; Media Reports All Document The Need To Increase Setbacks From Shale Gas Wells [PaEN]
-- DEP: Day 128 - Seneca Resources Failed To Stop Wastewater Seeps, Cleanup Contamination From A May Spill At The Vandergrift Shale Gas Well Pad In Charleston Twp., Tioga County [PaEN]
-- Observer-Reporter: Study Shows Probable Link Between Freeport Twp. Water Well Contamination And Fracking In Greene County [PDF of Article]
-- EPA Issues Sandstone Development Permit For Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well Permit In Cyclone, McKean County [PaEN]
-- Gov. Shapiro: PJM Electric Grid Operator Is 'Not Working Anymore,' 'I Won't Stand For A Status Quo That Perpetuates Slowdowns And Rising Costs’ [PaEN]
-- Shapiro Administration: PJM Regional Electric Grid Operator Passed Over Qualified Candidates Suggested By A Bipartisan Coalition Of Governors To Fill Vacant Board Seats [PaEN]
-- PA House Energy Committee Sets Hearings On Regulating A.I. Data Centers, Warehouse Solar, Electric School Buses, Small Modular Nuclear Reactors [PaEN]
-- In Case You Missed It: A.I./Data Center Articles & NewClips From Last Week - September 29 [PaEN]
-- Inside Climate News: Shale Gas Was Supposed To Lower PA Electric Bills, Instead They’re Higher Than Ever And About To Get Worse [Due To LNG Gas Exports, A.I. Data Center Demand]
-- Inside Climate News: Natural Gas Was Pitched As A Stopgap Between Other Fossil Fuels And Renewables, Instead It Has Derailed Pennsylvania’s Transition To Clean Energy
NewsClips:
-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: Gov. Shapiro Don’t Sell Pennsylvania Out To Polluters - Public Facing Health Challenges From Oil & Gas Industry, Methane, A.I. Data Centers - By Josephine Gingerich, Physicians For Social Responsibility PA
-- TribLive: Using Drones To Find Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells In Allegheny County [Conventional Well Owners Abandon More Wells Every Week - 469 Violations So Far In 2025]
-- The Center Square: Physicians For Social Responsibility PA Speak Out Against Governor’s Proposed RESET Energy Siting Bill To Override Local Land Use Controls [House Bill 502]
-- The Derrick: PA Assn. Of Township Supervisors Briefs Clarion County Leaders On Its Opposition To HB 502 RESET Energy Facility Siting Legislation [PDF of Article]
-- The Derrick: PA Assn. Of Township Supervisors Updates Venango County Townships On Its Opposition To House Bill 502 Overriding Local Land Use Controls On Energy Facility Siting [PDF of Article]
-- Post-Gazette Editorial: How Will Brunot Island In The Ohio River Be Redeveloped After 50-Year-Old Gas Power Plant Shuts Down? Could Be A ‘Crown Jewel’ Of Pittsburgh
-- WHYY- Susan Phillips: Philadelphia Gas Works Spends Millions To Promote Natural Gas, Advocates Accuse The Utility Of ‘Greenwashing’
-- PennLive Guest Essay: Your Electric Bill Is Subsidizing Big Tech’s A.I. Data Center Dreams - By Rep. Mandy Steele (D-Allegheny), Bill McKibben, author of Here Comes The Sun, Joe Morinville, EIS Solar
-- PennLive Guest Essay: Politicians Should Keep Their Hands Off PJM Power Grid - By Todd Snitchler, Electric Power Generators. [High Prices Are ‘Essential Market Signals’]
-- SpotlightPA/Inside Climate News: The Natural Gas Boom In PA Was Supposed To Lower Energy Bills Here, Why Didn’t That Happen?
-- PA Capital-Star/Inside Climate News: Shale Gas Was Supposed To Lower Pennsylvanians’ Electric Bills, Instead, They’re About To Get Worse
-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: PJM Grid Operator Eyes Reliability Amid A.I. Data Center Boom, But Advocates Say Cost Concerns Remain
-- Post-Gazette: Gov. Shapiro Pummels PJM Regional Grid Operator In Call For Reforms
-- WHYY - Sophia Schmidt: Pennsylvania Leaving PJM Regional Electricity Grid Is Still On The Table, Shapiro Says
-- Bloomberg: Pennsylvania Threatens To Go ‘Own Way’ If PJM Regional Electric Grid Operator Won’t Change
-- The Center Square: Shapiro: States In PJM Need More Power In PJM Regional Grid Management
-- PA Capital-Star: PA Gov. Shapiro Said Electric Grid Operator PJM Needs Reform To Put Consumers First
-- Bloomberg: Spiraling Power Costs Are Now A Major Political Issue In The US [Gov. Shapiro]
-- Reuters Commentary: US LNG Gas Export Industry Build Out Poised To Create ‘Huge Global Supply Glut’
-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: CNX’s Firebrand CEO Nick DeIuliss To Retire
-- CNX Resources Announces Alan Shepard As Next CEO
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: CNX Resources Shale Gas Driller CEO Nick Deluliis To Retire, Alan Shepard To Take Helm [PDF of Article]
-- Observer-Reporter: CNX Shale Gas Driller Proposes To Install Bat Boxes As Homes For Bats In Waynesburg, Greene County [PDF of Article]
-- Financial Times: US Shale Drilling Bosses Decry ‘Chaos’ In President’s Administration’s Energy Policy In Dallas Fed Energy Survey
-- Reuters: Oil/Gas Execs Dour In Dallas Fed Energy Survey: ‘Right Now We Are Bleeding’
[Posted: September 27, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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