PA Environment Digest Blog: What’s That Pink Stuff Spilled At Apex Energy Shale Gas Well Pad In Salem Twp., Westmoreland County?

On January 25, 2024, DEP did a routine inspection of the Fatur shale gas well pad operated by Apex Energy (PA) LLC in Salem Township, Westmoreland County and found multiple sites of contamination of an unknown pink fluid with elevated conductivity readings at the pad.

The DEP inspector found the pink fluid had elevated conductivity readings in some areas, which often indicates drilling wastewater of some kind.

“Upon inspecting the additional production equipment onsite, there appeared to be oil based matter being absorbed by cloths beneath the compressor.”

“Upon inspection of the area mentioned by an OGI [Oil & Gas Inspector] to have a pink oily matter on the ground, it appeared that a majority of the substance may have been washed away by recent rain as only small spots of a pink colored matter was observed on the ground surrounding a production tank next to the compressor.”

“The Department recommends the operator assess the red tinted fluid observed on the ground near the GPU as well as inside of the containment and remediate any spills in accordance with Department standards."

“The Department recommends the operator ensure the structural integrity of the all production equipment is sound and properly contain and dispose of any production related fluid in the proper manner to prevent any future pollution events.’

“The Department requests clarification on what the red tinted fluid observed on the ground is and how much was released within 10 days of receiving this report.”

“Based on today’s inspection, violations are being issued for the release observed near the GPU, failure to have the gear lubricant in proper secondary containment, and the secondary containment for the production tank near the compressor failing to meet proper storage capacity.

“Additional violations may be forthcoming pending receipt and review of operator response.”

DEP’s inspection report requested a written report by February 5, 2024 on how the operator will bring the site into compliance.

What do you think the pink stuff is? Email your answer to: PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com.

PA Weekly Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Jan. 20 to 26 - 15 More Abandoned Conventional Wells; Plugging Abandoned Shale Gas Wells; Revolution Pipeline Land Slip; Brief Compressor Fire; Crypto Mining? What's That Pink Stuff? [PaEN]

-- 5 Months Later, Roulette Oil & Gas Still Has Not Resolved Violations For Abandoning A Shale Gas Well Without Plugging It In Potter County [PaEN]

-- XTO Energy Begins Plugging First Of 4 Abandoned Shale Gas Wells At Butler County Well Pad [PaEN]

-- 66 Months Later, DEP Worked With Conventional Well Owner, But Multiple Spills At A Well Site Have Still Not Been Cleaned Up; No Protections In Place For Operators Or Taxpayers [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - January 27 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 84 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In January 27 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

2023 Oil & Gas Compliance Reports:

-- DEP Issued At Least 512 Violations To 95 Conventional Oil & Gas Operators For Abandoning Wells Without Plugging Them In 2023; 10 Shale Gas Operators Were Issued NOVs For Abandoning Wells [PaEN]