Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved 58 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In March; 142 In 2025

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the April 19 PA Bulletin the Executive Director gave his approval to or renewed 58 general water use permits in March for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Blair, Bradford, Clearfield, Lycoming, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming counties.

So far in 2025, SRBC issued or renewed 142 general water use permits for shale gas development.

In 2024, SRBC issued 310 shale gas drilling pad general permits for water use. 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.

So far in 2025, SRBC issued six water withdrawal requests for shale gas development.  Read more here.

In 2024, SRBC issued a total of 27 approvals for shale gas development water withdrawals from specific sources.  Read more here.

On April 24, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission’s online Hydrologic Conditions Monitor shows low stream flows triggered restrictions on 29 shale gas water withdrawal points in Bradford, Potter, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming counties.  Read more here.

On March 27, 19 shale gas water withdrawal points had water restrictions.  Read more here.

Of the water withdrawal points regulated by SRBC, only shale gas development water withdrawals have restrictions at this point because they take their water from smaller streams.

Here is the list of general permits modified, renewed or issued in March--

-- RENEWAL—Coterra Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: ReynenJ P1; ABR-201412002.R2; Harford Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 18, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: NR-20-COLWELL-PAD; ABR-201407010.R2; Oakland Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 18, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—LPR Energy, LLC; Pad ID: Lytle Unit Drilling Pad # 1H; ABR-20100104.R3; Lawrence Township, Clearfield County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 18, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: Bowers 408; ABR-20090919.R3; Jackson Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 18, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: CASTLE (01 047) J; ABR-20100128.R3; Armenia Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 18, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: Castle 113D; ABR-20100123.R3; Canton Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 18, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: HOOVER (01 017) G; ABR-20100108.R3; Canton Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 18, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: Miller 116D; ABR-20100124.R3; Union Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 18, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: THOMAS (01 001) FT; ABR-20100112.R3; Troy Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 18, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: THOMAS (01 002) FT; ABR-20100113.R3; Troy Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 18, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: TWL ASSOC (01 016); ABR-20100129.R3; Armenia Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 18, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: VANBLARCOM (03 004) R; ABR-20100103.R3; Columbia Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 18, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: Chapman 237; ABR-20091206.R3; Sullivan Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 18, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: Willard 419-1H; ABR-20100105.R3; Delmar Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 18, 2025.

-- NEW.  Blackhill Energy, LLC; Pad ID: Black Jack Sparrow; ABR-202503001; Springfield Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 21, 2025.

-- MODIFICATION—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Coyle Well Pad; ABR-201205006.R2.1; Liberty Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 21, 2025.

-- MODIFICATION—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: NR-14-BRANT-PAD; ABR-201312001.R2.1; Great Bend Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 21, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—BKV Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Procter & Gamble Mehoopany Plant 3V; ABR-20100126.R3; Washington Township, Wyoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Bartz; ABR-202003002.R1; Monroe Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Grippo; ABR-20091212.R3; Terry Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Popivchak; ABR-20100147.R3; Burlington Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Roger; ABR-20091209.R3; Rush Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Stevens; ABR-20100151.R3; Standing Stone Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Teel Unit Drilling Pad # 2H; ABR-20091204.R3; Springville Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Teel Unit Drilling Pad # 3H; ABR-20091205.R3; Springville Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Walters Unit # 1H; ABR-20100135.R3; West Burlington Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: EICK (03 013) W; ABR-20091105.R3; Columbia Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: FOUST (01 003) J; ABR-20100109.R3; Granville Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—S.T.L. Resources, LLC; Pad ID: Kjelgaard Pad; ABR-20090902.R3; Gaines Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: Brown 425; ABR-20091106.R3; Delmar and Shippen Townships, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: Butler 127; ABR-20100114.R3; Delmar Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: Hackman 143; ABR-20100118.R3; Delmar Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: Jenkins 523; ABR-20091215.R3; Rutland Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: Pannebaker 515; ABR-20091216.R3; Rutland Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: Phillips 504; ABR-20091018.R3; Rutland Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: Stehmer 420; ABR-20091101.R3; Delmar Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Pad ID: West 299; ABR-20091111.R3; Richmond Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 27, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—BKV Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Procter & Gamble Mehoopany Plant 4V; ABR-20100125.R3; Washington Township, Wyoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 30, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—BKV Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Procter & Gamble Mehoopany Plant 5V; ABR-20100127.R3; Washington Township, Wyoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 30, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Jads; ABR-202003003.R1; Monroe Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 30, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—LPR Energy, LLC; Pad ID: Hodge Unit Drilling Pad # 1; ABR-20091201.R3; Juniata Township, Blair County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 30, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Range Resources—Appalachia, LLC; Pad ID: Cornwall 6H—8H; ABR-201407017.R2; Lewis and Cogan House Townships, Lycoming County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 4.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 30, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Blackhill Energy, LLC; Pad ID: LEE 1H; ABR-20091122.R3; Springfield Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 1.9990 mgd; Approval Date: March 31, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Blackhill Energy, LLC; Pad ID: LEE 3H; ABR-20091124.R3; Springfield Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 1.9990 mgd; Approval Date: March 31, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Coterra Energy, Inc.; Pad ID: Baker P1; ABR-20100149.R3; Dimock Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 5.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 31, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Bacon Drilling Pad # 1; ABR-20100202.R3; Burlington Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 31, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Elliott Drilling Pad # 1H; ABR-20100136.R3; Monroe Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 31, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Harper; ABR-20100142.R3; Terry Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 31, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Knosky Pad Site; ABR-20090915.R3; Middletown and Rush Townships, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 31, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Meas; ABR-20100134.R3; Albany Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 31, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Mowry2; ABR-20100141.R3; Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 31, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: NR-16 HALEY PAD; ABR-201412006.R2; Great Bend Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 31, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: NR-18 Oak Ridge Pad; ABR-201501002.R2; Oakland Township, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 31, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: NR-23-FOUR BUCKS-PAD; ABR-201408005.R2; Great Bend and Oakland Townships, Susquehanna County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 31, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Stoorza; ABR-20091208.R3; Terry Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 31, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Expand Operating, LLC; Pad ID: Storms; ABR-20100131.R3; Tuscarora Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 7.5000 mgd; Approval Date: March 31, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: Busia 457; ABR-20091016.R3; Jackson Township, Tioga County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 31, 2025.

-- RENEWAL—Repsol Oil & Gas USA, LLC; Pad ID: LUTZ (01 007) T; ABR-20100111.R3; Troy Township, Bradford County, PA; Consumptive Use of Up to 6.0000 mgd; Approval Date: March 31, 2025.

Click Here to find more information on the water withdrawal applications.

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.)

A Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - April 12 to 25: Another Abandoned Shale Gas Water Impoundment; 18 More Abandoned Conventional Wells; Exposed Gas Pipeline Crosses Stream  [PaEN] 

-- DEP: Abandoned Shale Gas Water Impoundment Not Used For 7 Years Cited For Not Being Restored In Clarion County  [PaEN] 

-- Conventional Oil & Gas Facility Owners Must Now File A Methane Emissions Compliance Report By June 1, 2025 Required By A 2022 DEP Methane Pollution Reduction Rule As A Result Of Court Settlement   [PaEN]

-- DEP To Hold May 1 Virtual Update On State Response To Energy Transfer/Sunoco Twin Oaks Pipeline Leak In Bucks County  [PaEN]  

-- KDKA: PECO Says Damage To Natural Gas Main That Forced Closure Of I-95 In Philadelphia Appears To Be ‘Purposeful’

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - April 19 [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - April 26 [PaEN] 

-- DEP Posted 96 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In April 19 PA Bulletin  [PaEN]  

-- DEP Posted 77 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In April 26 PA Bulletin  [PaEN]   

Related Articles This Week:

-- DCED Conventional Oil & Gas Well Owner Advisory Group Meets April 24 To Discuss Disposal Options For Wastewater; Updates On Well Plugging, New Methane Reduction Program  [PaEN]

-- PublicSourceNews.org:  Setback On Setbacks: PA Environmental Quality Board Tables Consideration Of New Limits On Drilling Near Building, Water Sources

-- Farm & Dairy: PA Environmental Board Delays Vote On Petition To Increase Shale Gas Well Setbacks

-- Post-Gazette Letter: I Applaud Bucks County Commissioners Who Had The Guts To Challenge The Natural Gas Industry For Contributing To Climate Crisis - Cat Lodge, Washington County Resident

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission: Low Stream Flows Trigger Restrictions On 29 Shale Gas Water Withdrawals  [PaEN] 

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved 58 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In March; 142 In 2025  [PaEN] 

-- Environmental Health Project Launches AirView Public, New App To Help Communities Protect Residents From Oil & Gas Pollution; Communities Can Join Today  [PaEN] 

-- PUC Hearing On Data Center Growth Impacts Finds 30-40% Of Utility Demand Could Be From Data Centers; Concerns About Stranded Costs; Major Commitments To Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Energy Use  [PaEN]

-- Reuters: FERC Denies Rehearing On Colocated Amazon Data Center Energy Pact In Luzrne County

-- House, Senate Members Introduce Gov. Shapiro's 'Lightning' Energy Plan To Lower Energy Costs, Create Jobs, Protect Pennsylvania From Global Energy Instability  [PaEN]

-- Gov. Shapiro: FERC Approves Settlement With PJM To Prevent Unnecessary Prices Hikes, Save Consumers Over $21 Billion On Electric Bills  [PaEN] 

-- Utility Dive: Ratepayer Advocates: FERC Should Order PJM To Rerun Last Electricity Capacity Auction; Could Lead To $5 Billion In Consumer Savings 

-- New Report: Fixing PJM’s Broken Electric Generation Approval Process Can Lower Energy Costs, Create Jobs Across The Mid-Atlantic  [PaEN] 

-- North American Electric Reliability Corp. Files Proposed Cold Weather Standard To Improve Reliability For Natural Gas-fired, Other Electric Generators  [PaEN]

-- DEP Releases 2024 Climate Change Action Plan Update; 2024 Climate Impacts Assessment Report [PaEN]

-- DCNR Unveils Solar Energy Facility At Gifford Pinchot State Park In York County Cutting Costs, Climate-Changing Emissions On Public Land; Celebrating 30 Years Of Stewardship  [PaEN] 

-- Eleven Coal, Coal-Waste Power Plants In Pennsylvania Now Covered By Presidential Exemption From 2024 Mercury, Hazardous Air Pollutant Regulation For 2 Years  [PaEN]

-- AP-Marc Levy: Big Tech’s Soaring Energy Demands Are Making Coal-Fired Power Plant Sites Attractive [Not Necessarily The Plants Themselves] 

-- PUC Commissioners Urge Congressional Action To Preserve $19 Million In Remaining LIHEAP Funds For PA This Year  [PaEN] 

-- Energy Association Of PA [Utilities] Calls For Protection Of LIHEAP Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

-- PUC Announces May 6, 7 Hearings On Proposed 15.7% Rate Increase For Philadelphia Gas Works  [PaEN]

-- PUC To Investigate Proposed 11.4% Increase In Columbia Gas Natural Gas Rate  [PaEN]  

-- Warren Times: Instead Of ‘Drill, Baby, Drill,’ US Rig Counts Falling, Layoffs Increasing 

-- Financial Times: President’s Tariff Talk Roils US Oil, Gas Industry In Bedrock Republican Territory

-- The Economist: America Won’t Be Able To Bully The World Into Buying More US Natural Gas

-- E&ENews/Politico: President’s Push For More LNG Gas Exports Risks Domestic Price Surge  

-- Financial Times: Growth In Oil Demand Expected To Slow Sharply As A Result Of President’s Tariffs 

-- Financial Times: China Stopped Buying US LNG Gas Feb. 6 Due To Trade War

-- Marcellus Drilling News: EIA Annual Energy Outlook: Oil And Natural Gas Demand Peaks In 2027 and 2032  [PDF of Article]

[Posted: April 23, 2025]  PA Environment Digest