Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring between November 23 to 29--
Click Here for violations issued between November 23 to 29.
Click Here for inspection entries between November 23 to 29
Enforcement Actions Taken Last Week
So far this year, DEP took these actions as of November 22--
-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 31 conventional, 13 unconventional
-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 6,968 conventional and 954 unconventional
-- Enforcements 2024: 463 conventional and 123 unconventional (orders, agreements)
-- Inspections Last Week: 279 conventional and 445 unconventional
-- Year To Date - Inspections: 16,220 conventional and 21,866 unconventional
5 Abandoned Conventional Wells
Randy A. Dietterich - Violations - 3 Abandoned Wells
November 25, 2024 follow-up inspections of three conventional wells in Allegheny and Washington counties found them all abandoned and not plugged and with violations for failure to submit production, waste generation, well integrity reports. Well owner did not address all the original violations. Owner not requested to take any action. The wells were Allegheny County, North Fayette Twp.: Rasteeter 1 - Violations 3.8.24 [DEP inspection report] and North Star 3 - Violations 2.13.24 [DEP inspection report]; Washington County, Robinson Twp.: Guy V IDA 1 - Violations 10.17.23 [DEP inspection report]. Dietterich holds 6 conventional oil and gas well permits.
Pin Oak Energy Partners LLC - Violation - 1 Abandoned Well
November 27, 2024 follow-up inspection of the Gustave & Pauline Welz 2 conventional well located in Waterford Township, Erie County found it abandoned and not plugged. Original violation December 5, 2023. In the original 1.18.24 response to violations the owner said they would rectify violations. No actions taken by well owner. No action requested of well owner. DEP inspection report.
Columbia Gas Transmission LLC - Violation - 1 Abandoned Well
November 13, 2024 follow-up inspection of the DR Sample L4109 injection well serving the Donegal Gas Storage Area in Donegal Township, Washington County found it abandoned and leaking gas. Original violations 9.26.24. Temporarily plugged 5.11.23, but plugged failed. Request to respond to violations by December 30. DEP inspection report. [Note: Multiple inspections of Columbia Gas conventional wells serving this gas storage area during November found multiple abandoned well and leaking well violations.]
2 Abandoned Shale Gas Wells
Diversified Production LLC - Violations - 2 Abandoned Shale Gas Wells
November 13, 2024 follow-up inspections of the W. Smith 1 shale gas well in Henry Clay Township, Fayette County [DEP inspection report] and the Keslar 9 shale gas well in Redstone Township, Fayette County [DEP inspection report] found the wells abandoned, one leaking gas and with no emergency plan onsite. Wells drilled in 2009 and 2008. Original violations 9.26.24. Request to respond to violations by December 4.
Abandoned Conventional Wells Unknown Owners
DEP inspected at least 12 conventional oil and gas wells to evaluate their condition for the federal well plugging program--
-- Fayette County, Smithfield Boro: Coode 1
-- McKean County, Bradford City: Kemp 1, 2; Quintuple 1; Nesselson Shaw 11, 27; Nesselson Longfellow 9, 17;
-- McKean County, Foster Twp.: Delo F8, 10;
-- Washington County, North Strabane Twp.: CW Patsch Coal;
-- Westmoreland County, Murrysville Boro: C.R. Haymaker
838 Abandoned Conventional Well, 28 Abandoned Shale Gas Well Violations In 2024
So far in 2024, DEP issued 838 new or continued violations to conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells, more than in all of 2023.
So far in 2024, 32 violations were issued or continued to 12 shale gas well owners [Diversified Prod LLC; Roulette Oil & Gas LLC; Hilcorp Energy Co; Hilcorp Energy Co (3); Hilcorp Energy Co (3); T & F Exploration LP; EQT Production Co. follow-up; 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.
CNX Did Not Stop Pumping Wastewater Thru Punctured Pipeline For 24+ Hours
CNX Gas Company reported to DEP it did not stop pumping shale gas wastewater through a pipeline for 24+ hours after an excavator punctured an “unmarked” wastewater pipeline at the Coarse Coal Refuse Disposal Area 7 in Morris Township, Greene County. Read more here.
On May 21, 2024, CNX notified DEP of a spill related to the McQuay to Morris 2 and 3 shale gas wastewater pipeline, as reported in PA Environment Digest. DEP May 21 inspection report.
The McQuay pipeline is near CNX’s MOR9 shale gas well pad on CONSOL’s underground Bailey Coal Mine surface property.
CNX published notice it would be cleaning up the site under the Act 2 Land Recycling Program. (PA Bulletin, page 7704) Read more here.
Evidence Of Continuous Conventional Wastewater Release
On November 14, the Department of Environmental Protection discovered evidence of a continuous wastewater release at the Parsons and Warrant 566 conventional oil well sites in Eldred Township, McKean County owned by Charles T. Wandover, Sr. and produced by Charles A. Wandover, Jr., according to DEP.
From DEP’s initial investigation, the wastewater release occurred when a valve connected to a flexible drain line at the plastic tank was left open “allowing any production fluid that entered the poly tank to freely drain out the bottom.”
The flexible drain line was “observed to travel up and out of the containment area in a northeastern direction for approximately 450 feet until terminating in a grassy area.”
On November 20, DEP did meet onsite with Charles Wandover, Jr. to discuss the release of wastewater from the containment area and poly storage tank. Steps were taken to deal with the release by the well owner. DEP inspection report. Read more here.
Conventional Wastewater Pipeline Release
Bull Run Resources LLC - Violations - Wastewater Pipeline Release
November 22, 2024 inspection of the Warrant 5577 T-1 conventional well in Hamilton Township, McKean County in response to a notification from the well owner of a release of production wastewater from a 700 foot plastic, aboveground gathering pipeline. An area 30 by 50 feet was contaminated and excavated prior to the inspection. DEP said “clean up efforts were sufficient.” Violations issued for the release and then closed. Bull Run holds 1,496 conventional well permits, including 1 abandoned well. DEP inspection report.
Conventional Wells Leaking Gas
John P & Pearl E. Nickolich - Violations - Leaking Gas
November 22, 2024 routine inspection of the T.Bickerton 130 convention gas well in Jefferson Hills Borough, Allegheny County found the well leaking gas. Violations issued for leaking gas, failure to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Request to respond to violations by December 18. Nickolich holds 1 conventional well permit. DEP inspection report.
Columbia Gas Transmission LLC - Violations - Gas Storage Wells Leaking Gas
November 13, 2024 follow-up inspections of 5-- Sample L3357, Newman ET UX 1, Wilhelm 12165, Corp 4060, and Corp 3-- conventional injection wells serving the Donegal Gas Storage Area in Donegal Township, Washington County found the wells continued to leak gas. Original violations 9.26.24. DEP inspection report example. [Note: Multiple inspections of Columbia Gas conventional wells serving this gas storage area during November found multiple abandoned well and leaking well violations.]
Columbia Gas Transmission LLC - Violations - Leaking Gas, Failure To Get Permit
November 15, 2024 follow-up inspection of the WS Main 4747 conventional well serving the Donegal Gas Storage Area in Donegal Township, Washington County found leaking gas, failure to obtain a Chapter 105 permit for a stream crossing and erosion and sedimentation violations. Original violations 10.7.24. No response requested of well owner. DEP inspection report.
Apollo Resources LLC - Violations - Gas Leaking From Wastewater Tank
November 9, 2024 inspection of State Game Lands 51B 3 conventional gas well in Dunbar Township, Fayette County found the well leaking gas into the wastewater tank. Response requested by November 29. DEP inspection report.
2024 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups
So far in 2024, DEP received or acted on 262 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups. Read more here.
Catalyst Energy Injection Well Inspection
Catalyst Energy Inc. McKean County Injection Well
November 15, 2024 follow-up inspection of the Lot 580 580-1 oil and gas wastewater injection well site being constructed in Keating Township, McKean County found construction of a containment barrier well and liner is now complete. “There are no current surface concerns associated with the construction phase of development for this injection well.” DEP inspection report. This permit is the subject of an Environmental Hearing Board appeal. Read more here.
Erosion & Sedimentation, Encroachments Violations
Snyder Brothers, Inc. - Violations - Pipeline Right-of-Way Erosion & Sedimentation
November 25, 2024 routine inspection of the Peterson to Rolling Hills Pipeline in East Franklin Township, Armstrong County found sections of the right-of-way have not been restored or stabilized as required by the erosion and sedimentation permit. Violations issued. Owner requested to respond by December 18, 2024. 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-- Randy A. Dietterich one of three abandoned conventional wells; Snyder Brothers, Inc. pipeline right-of-way not restored; John P & Pearl E. Nickolich conventional well leaking gas; Row 2-- Columbia Gas Transmission LLC failure to get stream crossing permit; Apollo Resources LLC conventional well leaking gas into wastewater tank; Charles T. Wandover, Sr. buried wastewater drainline and contaminated area; Row 3-- CNX Gas Company punctured wastewater pipeline, release area, spill area excavation.)
[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 Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - November 30 [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 87 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In November 30 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- Shell Falcon Pipeline LP Pleads No Contest To Criminal Charges For Violating The State Clean Streams Law In Allegheny, Beaver, Washington Counties; Will Pay $300,000 In Penalties [PaEN]
-- DEP Determines Rulemaking Petition Submitted By Environmental, Health Groups To Adopt More Protective Setbacks From Shale Gas Wells Is An Action The Environmental Quality Board Has Statutory Authority To Take [PaEN]
-- CNX Gas Company Reports It Did Not Stop Pumping Shale Gas Wastewater Through A Punctured Pipeline For 24+ Hours During An Incident In Morris Township, Greene County In May [PaEN]
-- DEP Discovers Evidence Of Continuous Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Release At McKean County Well Site During Routine Inspection [PaEN]
-- Public Citizen: LNG Gas Exports Could Cost Pennsylvanians Up To $16 Billion More In Energy Costs [PaEN]
-- PUC Invites Stakeholder Comments On The Issue Of The Adequacy Of Electricity Supplies In Pennsylvania [PaEN]
-- PUC Encourages Consumers To Prepare For Dec. 1 Electricity Price Changes; Rates Will Vary From 8.4% Decrease To 31.2% Increase [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Marcellus Drilling News: PA DEP Aids Efforts By Antis To Establish 3,000+ Foot Setbacks From Shale Gas Well Pads [PDF of Article]
-- Observer-Reporter: Shell Pipeline Company Pleads No Contest To Criminal Charges For Discharges During Falcon Pipeline Construction [PDF of Article]
-- WTAE: Shell Falcon Pipeline LP Convicted Of Criminal Charges After Violating PA Clean Streams Law
-- Marcellus Drilling News: BIG Mistake: Shell Falcon Pipeline Pleads Guilty To Criminal Charges [PDF of Article]
-- Marcellus Drilling News: FERC Approves Rover Pipeline Connection To Energy Transfer Revolution Natural Gas Liquids Cryogenic Processing Facility In Washington County [PDF of Article]
-- Financial Times: Oil/Gas Producers Warn 25% Republican Tariffs On Canada Will Push Up Prices For American Motorists, Natural Gas Users [United Refining Refinery In Warren Uses Oil From Canada As Feedstock]
-- AP: Republican Administration Threatens To Impose New 25% Tariffs On All Canadian Imports To US [United Refining Refinery In Warren Uses Oil From Canada As Feedstock]
-- Reuters: How Proposed Republican Tariffs Might Affect Commodities And Energy
-- E&E News/Politico: What Republican Tariffs Could Mean For America Energy
-- Reuters: Exxon: US Oil/Gas Firms Unlikely To Go ‘Drill, Baby, Drill’ Under Republican Administration
-- Reuters: Exclusive: Republican Administration Prepares Wide-Ranging Energy Plan To Boost Natural Gas Exports, Oil Drilling, Sources Say [PDF of Article]
-- Public Source.org: Pittsburgh-Based EQT’s ‘Bulldog’ Has D.C. In His Grip, With Profits And Maybe Higher Gas Bills On The Horizon
-- Scranton Times: UGI Gas Customers To See Nearly 9% Increase In Natural Gas Costs For Non-Shopping Customers Dec. 1
-- WVIA: Heating Bills To Rise 8.7% For UGI Gas Customers Starting Dec. 1
-- AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $3.06 Ohio- $3.03 PA- $3.24
-- Reuters: US Oil Output Fell In September By The Most Since January, EIA Says
-- Baker Hughes: PA Natural Gas Drilling Rigs Same As Last Week At 15; Aug. 23 Was 21
-- The Energy Age Blog: New Fortress Energy, Leader Of LNG Gas Export Growth Bubble, Facing Bankruptcy
-- Marcellus Drilling News: EPA Set To Bestow WV With CO2 Class VI Injection Well Primacy [PDF of Article]
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: EPA Plans To Approve West Virginia Underground Injection Control Program, Here’s What That Means For PA [PDF of Article]
-- Marcellus Drilling News: EPA Set To Bestow WV With CO2 Class VI Injection Well Primacy [PDF of Article]
-- Public News Service: PA Environmental, Free Speech Advocates Worry Over ‘Anti-Terror’ Law Moving In Congress
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: How EQT Gas Company Is Tackling Ambitious Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals
-- The Center Square: Federal Court To Hear American Gas Assn. Challenge Against Natural Gas Furnace Efficiency Rules
-- Utility Dive: EPA Proposes Tightening NOx Limits For New Natural Gas-Fired Power Plants
-- Bloomberg: European Natural Gas Prices Rise On Cold Weather Forecast, Supply Risk
-- Reuters: Republican Nod To LNG Gas Export Facility Project Could Boost Supply Starting In 2027, Goldman Says
[Posted: November 30, 2024] PA Environment Digest
