PA Environment Digest Blog: Environmental Hearing Board Issues Temporary Supersedeas To Stop The Opening Of Catalyst Energy, Inc. Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well In McKean County Until Hearing On Full Supersedeas

On November 12, the Environmental Hearing Board issued a temporary supersedeas to stop the opening of the Catalyst Energy, Inc. oil and gas wastewater injection well near the town of Cyclone in Keating Township, McKean County until the Board can hold a hearing on the full supersedeas request by appealants.

The order prohibits the company from disposing of fluids at the well and it may not engage in any earth disturbance activities.

The company may “proceed with onsite activities at the well site solely related to preparing for injection under the UIC well permit at issue in this appeal.”

A hearing on the full supersedeas is expected to be scheduled in December.

Click Here for a copy of the temporary supersedeas order. [EHB Docket# 2024016.]

DEP’s Last Inspection

DEP’s last inspected the Catalyst Energy, Inc. injection well site on October 23, 2024 and found site construction was nearly complete, with the exception of several items, specifically a portion of the containment barrier wall and liner were not finished, according to DEP’s inspection report.

“It is expected that the layout and integrity of the containment area will be built per site design plans prior to the commencement of operations at this site,” DEP said in its report.

DEP requested that “pictures of the aforementioned sections of the containment structure are provided once all work is completed.”

On October 22, 2024, a DEP inspection report noted a seismic monitoring station was installed at the Sweeley 1 conventional well used for monitoring the injection well operation.

No further inspection reports have been posted by DEP since October 23.

Background

In February, approximately 40 individuals appealed the injection well permit issued by DEP to Catalyst Energy, Inc. in January, 2024. Read more here.

Residents said both DEP and the US Environmental Protection Agency ignored the history of significant conventional oil and gas well drilling in the area, pointing to more than 100 wells around the proposed injection well site they felt would not provide a secure disposal area for the wastewater. Read more here.

Residents are concerned about potential impacts to their water supplies and many other issues. Read more here.

In October, the Bradford Era did a seven-part series on the concerns the residents of Cyclone have with the injection well and its potential impacts to water supplies and their health. Read more here.

An example of the potential impacts was a major investigation started by DEP in May in response to an incident where a resident of Keating Township within 2,500 feet of the injection well had her water well catch on fire as a result of contamination by conventional oil and gas wells. Read more here.

Visit DEP’s Underground Injection Control Wells webpage for background documents on the Catalyst Energy, Inc. injection well.

(Photos: Top-- Unfinished containment area; Injection well site generally; Bottom-- Injection well receiving area; Seismic monitor at nearby conventional well-- from DEP inspection reports; Original conventional well site.)

Resource Links:

-- Bradford Era: 7-Part Series Details Concerns Residents Of Cyclone, McKean County Have With Catalyst Energy Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well [PaEN]

-- Exploding Water Well Shed Triggers DEP Investigation Of 59+ Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells In Cyclone, McKean County; Highlights Limits On Providing Temporary Water For Well Owners Impacted [PaEN]

-- 40 Individuals File Appeals, Most Handwritten, Of DEP’s Permit For Catalyst Energy Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well In McKean County [PaEN]

-- Guest Essay: DEP Ignored Abandoned Wells During Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well Permitting Process [PaEN]

-- Marcellus Drilling News: DEP Approves Catalyst Energy Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well In McKean County [Jan. 26 Inspection Found Gas Bubbling From Well] [PaEN]

-- DEP Discovers Wastewater Release At Bear Lake Properties Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well In Warren County During Routine Inspection [PaEN]

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Nov. 9 to 15 - Failed Well Pluggings; Leaking Gas Storage Area Wells; More Abandoned Conventional, Shale Gas Wells [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - November 16 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 60 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In November 16 PA Bulletin [PaEN]