So far this year-- as of August 25-- DEP issued 4,470 formal notices of violation to conventional operators (158 more since last week) and 884 to unconventional shale gas operators (13 more this week) based on 10,204 inspections of conventional facilities and 15,850 inspections of unconventional shale gas facilities.
Uncontrolled Venting Of Shale Gas Well
At 2:02 a.m. on August 28, 2023, DEP received an emergency notification of an uncontrolled venting of natural gas from shale gas well 9H at the Repsol Oil and Gas USA LLC Cummings Lumber well pad in Troy Township, Bradford County. Read more here.
The natural gas leak resulted in a temporary one-half mile evacuation order around the well pad within Troy Township, according to Bradford County Department of Public Safety. Read more here and as reported by Marcellus Drilling News.
The Troy Area School District also canceled all of its Monday evening activities following the direction of the County 911 Emergency Center to ensure their safety if anything else were to occur. Read more here and as reported by Marcellus Drilling News. Read more here.
Truck Rollover Spills 4,600 Gallons Of Wastewater
On August 30, 2023, DEP received an emergency notification at 7:33 a.m. from EQT ARO LLC a tank truck hauling production wastewater from the COP [DCNR State Forest Land] Tract 551 Pads A&B shale gas well pads rolled over on an access road in McIntyre Township, Lycoming County and released its entire load of over 4,600 gallons of wastewater.
The truck was still overturned when the inspector arrived at 11:00 a.m. and was observed flowing along the gravel access road, through a culvert under the road and onto the adjacent National Fuel Gas Alta Pipeline right of way.
A vacuum truck was at the site sucking up fluid. No streams were observed in the area impacted by the release.
The inspector also inspected the well pads and found no violations.
DEP issued notices of violations for the spill of residual waste and requested a written report from EQT by September 14, 2023 on how the area would be cleaned up. It was recommended Act 2 Land Recycling Program standards be used. [DEP inspection report]
Petro Erie Cleanup Barely Started In Venango County
On August 29, 2023, DEP did a follow up inspection of the Lower Reno 6 conventional oil well and wastewater tanks operated by Petro Erie Inc. in Sugarcreek Borough, Venango County and found “there is no activity onsite and a mini excavator is staged onsite.”
A wastewater release from the tanks contaminated the Village of Reno’s water supply and over 200 community residents and businesses continue to be on emergency water distribution since July 20.
On September 1, Aqua Pennsylvania announced the do not consume water advisory was lifted for the Village. Read more here.
The inspection found Petro Erie had begun some cleanup activity at the site. Contaminated soil had been excavated to a depth of just a few inches to about three feet at the deepest point in some areas, put on piles and covered with a tarp.
“Field screening with a soil conductivity probe indicates that there is still a high level of [wastewater] impacted soil within the excavation.”
Photos in the inspection report show the wastewater tanks are still sitting in a pool of wastewater and no effort was made to deal with the leaking tanks. The earthen dike around the tanks appeared to be holding the wastewater.
The conventional oil well itself was found to be inoperable-- electric was disconnected and the oil production line was disconnected and removed.
DEP noted the cleanup consultant retained by Petro Erie-- Moody and Associates-- did send an initial report on the site dated August 8, 2023.
However, the inspection report says Petro Erie still owes DEP a written report on how it plans to bring the site into compliance. The report was due August 11, 2023.
The inspection report said “cleanup needs to continue at the site.” “The Department requests that the operator continue with the cleanup process and communicate with the Department throughout the process.”
Click Here for a copy of DEP’s inspection report.
Failure To Plug Conventional Wells, Stop Venting Gas
On August 29, 2023, DEP confirmed The Production Co. LLC did not respond to requests by DEP for written reports to bring four conventional gas wells in German and Luzerne Townships, Fayette County into compliance--
Weirton Coal 1 (8.9.23) Luzerne Township originally given notices of violations for abandoning the well without plugging (November 2, 2021), venting natural gas (January 14, 2021), failure to submit mechanical integrity reports (January 14, 2021), failure to submit annual product and waste disposal reports (May 3, 2023) and others.
Horack 1 (8.9.23) German Township originally given notices of violation for abandoning well without plugging (December 11, 2020), venting natural gas (August 9, 2023), failure to submit mechanical integrity reports (December 11, 2020) failure to submit annual production and waste disposal reports (May 1, 2023) and others.
Elizibaeth Sharpnack 8411 (8.9.23) German Township originally given notices of violation for abandoning well (August 9, 2023), failure to submit mechanical integrity reports (December 1, 2020) failure to submit annual production and waste disposal reports (December 1, 2020) and others.
Hillman Coal 1 (8.9.23) Luzerne Township originally given notices of violation for abandoning well without plugging (August 8, 2023), venting natural gas (August 9, 2023), failure to submit mechanical integrity reports (January 6, 2021) failure to submit annual production and waste disposal reports (January 6, 2021) and others.
Other wells given NOVs for abandonment at this same time operated by The Production Co. LLC were: Alicia Land 1, Luzerne Township, Fayette County and the Menallen Coke Company 8 well in Menallen Township, Fayette County.
No indication what follow up actions will be taken in the August 29 inspection reports.
Conventional Wastewater Spill McKean County
On August 30, 2023, in response to a complaint, DEP inspected a battery of production wastewater tanks near the Adams 1 conventional well in Bradford City, McKean County operated by Willard M. Cline.
An earlier inspection showed evidence of prior wastewater fluid discharge at the site and DEP set up a meeting with Cline on August 30 at the site..
Cline said the release of wastewater from the truck pick up point caused the release during the loading process on August 21. The quantity of fluid released was not known but was likely greater than 15 gallons.
“It is evident that the production water exited the shoulder and ran down over the bank, continuing for another 75 feet towards this well site.”
Cline said he would excavate the contaminated soil “as able given the presence of the city street [Lehigh Street]” next week, if possible. DEP is planning a followup inspection.
The complaint also said there were odors coming from the site, but DEP said there were not on August 30. They did request hatches on the tanks be closed and the seals improved.
Notices of violation were issued for the spill and the operator was requested to file a written report with DEP by September 18, 2023 on how he will bring the site into compliance.
Click Here for a copy of DEP’s inspection report.
Conventional Oil Well Leak Cleaned Up
On August 30, 2023 in response to a complaint about accumulated oil around a well, DEP inspected the Johnson 6 oil well operated by Coopeerhead Enterprises LLC in Lafayette Township, McKean County.
DEP found the oil and contaminated soil around the well head had been removed and field screening indicated the remediation effort was sufficient. The disturbed portion of the well site was seeded and mulched.
Notices of violation were issued for the spill. [DEP inspection report with photos]
Hebron Natural Gas Storage Area
On August 28, 2023, DEP did a series of inspections on 49 conventional gas wells serving the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., LLC underground Hebron Natural Gas Storage Facility in Hebron Township, Potter County and found no violations.
Well Plugging Project Inspections
DEP continued its inspection of federally-funded conventional well plugging projects in Armstrong, Clarion, McKean, Venango and Washington counties.
Susquehanna County Inspections
DEP did a series of Coterra Energy Inc. shale gas well pad inspections in Susquehanna County, no doubt related to the enforcement settlement signed in December again allowing drilling in the Dimock area. Read more here.
Project To Prevent Mining Damage To Pipeline
On August 30, 2023, DEP inspectors attended a pre-construction meeting with Markwest Liberty Midstream & Resources, LLC and Range Resources to discuss the beginning of a project to excavate portions of the Hunter to Greaves Natural Gas pipeline to prevent damage from underground longwall mining.
“Portions of the pipeline will be opened, strain gauges will be installed on the line and will be monitored during mining. Once mining activity is completed, the pipeline and right of way will be restored.”
The project is located in Donegal Township, Washington County and is known as the Hunter Longwall Mining Panels 1 & 2 Project. [DEP inspection report.]
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: top- Repsol Oil and Gas USA LLC Cummings Lumber well pad; Willard M. Cline conventional wastewater release; middle- EQT ARO LLC wastewater truck rollover and spill; bottom- Petro Erie, Inc. Lower Reno 6 wastewater spill site.)
[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:
-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Aug. 26 to Sept. 1-- Uncontrolled Venting Of Shale Gas Well; 4,600 Gallon Spill Of Shale Gas Wastewater; Cleanup Of Conventional Oil Wastewater Spill Barely Begins [PaEN]
-- DEP Responds To Emergency Notification Of Uncontrolled Venting Of Natural Gas For Over 10.5 Hours From A Repsol Oil Shale Gas Well; Temporary Evacuation Order Issued In Bradford County [PaEN]
-- EQT Shale Gas Wastewater Truck Rolls Over Spilling More Than 4,600 Gallons Of Wastewater In Lycoming County [PaEN]
-- Do Not Consume Water Advisory Lifted In Village Of Reno; Petro Erie, Inc. Barely Begins Cleanup Of Conventional Oil Wastewater Spill Site That Contaminated The Water Supply In Venango County [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - September 2 [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 62 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In September 2 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
NewsClips This Week:
-- The Derrick - Makayla Keating: Reno Water Advisory Lifted [PDF of article]
-- The Derrick: 6 Weeks After Water Supply Contaminated By Conventional Oil Well Wastewater, Emergency Water Supply Distributions Continue In Village Of Reno, Venango County [PDF of article]
-- Warren Times: Natural Gas Well Setbacks Questioned After Health Impact Studies
-- PA Capital-Star: PA Residents Call For Action After Health Studies Link Natural Gas Development To Asthma, Lymphoma
-- Observer-Reporter: Flaws In University Of Pittsburgh’s School Of Public Health’s Studies Of Natural Gas Development’s Impact On Public Health - By David Callahan, President & Lobbyist For Marcellus Shale Gas Industry
-- Marcellus Shale Gas Industry Coalition: University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health’s Studies Of Natural Gas Development’s Impact On Public Health Has Methodological Flaws
-- Delco Times: Chester Bankruptcy Receiver Warns Of Projects That Could Handcuff City Finances And Negatively Impact Residents’ Health On Heels Of Hearing On Proposed LNG Natural Gas Export Project In The City [PDF of article]
-- PA Manufacturers Assn: Anti-LNG Natural Gas Export Facility Groups Fail To Realize Local Benefits, Global Implications [Here’s the other side]
-- PennLive Guest Essay: LNG Natural Gas Export Facility Key To Pennsylvania’s Energy Infrastructure - By Marcellus Shale Gas Industry & PA Building Trades Unions [Here’s the other side]
-- PennLive Guest Essay: PA Needs More Pipelines, LNG Natural Gas Export Facilities - By T.J. Rooney, Industry Lobbyist [Here’s the other side]
-- Forbes Survey Lists Best Employers By State: No Natural Gas Companies Are On The List Of Top 97 Companies In PA; Sheetz Is #20
-- TribLive: PA Physicians For Social Responsibility Offers Gas Imaging Camera To Plum Boro Residents Affected By Home Explosion
-- Observer-Reporter: Coastal Drilling East LLC, Coastal Well Service LLC Must Pay More Than $80,000 To Former Employee Who Suffered Racial Abuse At Company’s Greene County Site
-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: Report: Natural Gas Production Plateauing In Appalachian Basin
-- WTAE: 4.0 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Part Of Ohio, May Have Been Felt In Pittsburgh Area [Earthquakes have been tied to shale gas drilling, injection wells in Ohio, PA ]
-- KDKA: 3rd Earthquake Hits Northeast Ohio In Past Week Shaking Traffic Cameras
Related Articles:
-- Between The Lines Podcast: Pediatrician Dr. Ned Ketyer Explains The Results Of New Studies Of The Health Impacts Of Natural Gas Development On Children And Adults [PaEN]
-- DEP Responds To Emergency Notification Of Uncontrolled Venting Of Natural Gas For Over 10.5 Hours From A Repsol Oil Shale Gas Well; Temporary Evacuation Order Issued In Bradford County [PaEN]
-- EQT Shale Gas Wastewater Truck Rolls Over Spilling More Than 4,600 Gallons Of Wastewater In Lycoming County [PaEN]
-- Do Not Consume Water Advisory Lifted In Village Of Reno; Petro Erie, Inc. Barely Begins Cleanup Of Conventional Oil Wastewater Spill Site That Contaminated The Water Supply In Venango County [PaEN]
-- DEP Expands Environmental Justice Protections With Updated Policy, Improved Mapping Tool; Enhanced Permit Reviews Start Sept. 16 [PaEN]
-- Scranton Times Editorial: Give Teeth To DEP Environmental Justice Policy [PaEN]
-- DEP Oil & Gas Advisory Board Meets Sept. 5 On Proposed Permit Fee Changes; Well Plugging Financial Assurances To Prevent Abandonments; Environmental Justice Policy; Injection Well Primacy [PaEN]
-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council Meets Sept. 12 On Environmental Justice Policy; DEP Customer Service Initiatives; Risks With Carbon Capture, Sequestration [PaEN]
-- PJM Interconnection Hears Testimony On Making Electricity Market Reforms To Address Nonperformance Of Natural Gas And Other Generators During Winter Storm Elliot; Transition To Clean Energy [PaEN]
-- PUC Safety Division Continues Investigation Into Deadly House Explosion In Plum Borough, Allegheny County [PaEN]
[Posted: September 2, 2023] PA Environment Digest
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