Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved 18 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In November; 292 General Permits So Far In 2024

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the December 28 PA Bulletin the Executive Director gave his approval to or renewed 18 general water use permits in November for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Bradford, Clearfield, Clinton, Lycoming, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming counties.

This brings the total general water permits approved by the SRBC in 2024 to 292.  Read more here.

The approvals were granted under SRBC regulation 18 CFR 806.22(e) and (f) that creates a general permit-type process to grant approval for water use by individual shale gas drilling pads.

Individual uses of this general permit are not subject to public review.

A separate water withdrawal approval is required by SRBC for actually withdrawing water from a specific water source for use by shale gas drilling operations.  Read more here.

SRBC has so far issued a total of 27 approvals for shale gas development water withdrawals from specific sources in 2024.  Read more here.

Here is a list of new general permits renewed or issued--

-- RENEWAL—Coterra Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: Smith P3; ABR-20090554.R3; Springville Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: November 14, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC; Pad ID: James Smith; ABR-20091020.R3; Terry Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: November 25, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC; Pad ID: Jayne; ABR-20091021.R3; Auburn Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: November 25, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC; Pad ID: Roundwood; ABR-201410001.R2; Braintrim Township, Wyoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: November 25, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC; Pad ID: SGL-12 B Drilling Pad; ABR-201410005.R2; Overton Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: November 25, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—Coterra Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: HunsingerA P2; ABR-201908010.R1; Dimock Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: November 25, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—Coterra Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: Teel P1; ABR-20090541.R3; Springville Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: November 25, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—EQT ARO, LLC; Pad ID: COP Tract 653 Pad C; ABR-20090415.R3; Beech Creek Township, Clinton County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: November 25, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: PHC 6H; ABR-20090721.R3; Lawrence Township, Clearfield County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: November 25, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC; Pad ID: Gowan; ABR-20091001.R3; Terry Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: November 27, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC; Pad ID: Harry; ABR-20091017.R3; West Burlington Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: November 27, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—Coterra Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: ButlerL P1; ABR-201405010.R2; Lathrop Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: November 27, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—Coterra Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: Teel P6; ABR-20090543.R3; Springville Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: November 27, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: DCNR 595 Pad D; ABR-20090827.R3; Bloss Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: November 27, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—Coterra Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: BrooksW P2; ABR-201908009.R1; Springville Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: November 29, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—EQT ARO, LLC; Pad ID: COP Tract 289 Pad B; ABR-20090409.R3; McHenry Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: November 29, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—Pennsylvania General Energy Company, LLC; Pad ID: COP Tract 293 Pad-A; ABR-201908004.R1; Cummings Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 2.0000 mgd; Approval Date: November 29, 2024.

-- RENEWAL—Pennsylvania General Energy Company, LLC; Pad ID: COP Tract 729 Pad-A; ABR-201908003.R1; Cummings Township, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 2.0000 mgd; Approval Date: November 29, 2024.

For more information on programs, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website.  Click Here to sign up for SRBC’s newsletter.   Follow SRBC on Twitter, visit them on YouTube.

(Photos: SRBC-approved shale gas drilling water withdrawal point on the Exceptional Value  Loyalsock Creek in Lycoming County under construction.)

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[Posted: December 27, 2024]  PA Environment Digest