Saturday, July 5, 2025

PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - June 28 to July 4 - 30+ Days Of Cleanup Continues At Shale Gas Pad; Failure To Comply With Plugging Order For 67 Months; Failure To Install E&S Controls For 68 Months

From June 28 to July 4,
DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 502 inspection entries and posted inspection reports for prior dates.  

Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring  between June 28 to July 4--

Click Here for violations issuedClick Here for inspection entries.


Enforcement Actions Taken Last Week


So far this year, DEP took these actions as of June 27--

-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 17 conventional, 2 unconventional

-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 3,085 conventional and 674 unconventional

-- Enforcements 2025: 262 conventional and 79 unconventional (orders, agreements)

-- Inspections Last Week: 171 conventional and 219 unconventional

-- Year To Date - Inspections: 9,830 conventional and 12,507 unconventional


Seneca Resources Continuing 30+ Days Of Spill Cleanup In Tioga County


The Department of Environmental Protection reports active remediation efforts have continued for more than 30 days after a large wastewater spill was discovered at the Seneca Resources Co. LLC Vandergrift 290 shale gas well pad on May 13 in Charleston Township, Tioga County.

A May 13 DEP inspection, prompted by a complaint, found two large areas of distressed vegetation with evidence of a wastewater release in one area 50 feet wide extending downslope about 120 feet and another area 20 feet wide and stretching 65-70 feet down slope.

A June 10 DEP inspection of the well pad found extensive remediation efforts were continuing to collect fluids that were still accumulating. Seneca had excavated sumps around each of the wells approximately 6 feet deep where fluid was collecting.  

A vac truck driver said he had collected 16,800 gallons from the sumps just that day and the water was recycled back as frack water.  Read more here.


12 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations


Amer Natural Resources LLC - Violations: Failure To Comply With Order To Plug 6 Conventional Wells (67  Months)

June 23-24, 30, 2025 followup inspections of 6 conventional wells in Allegheny County found the owner failed to comply with DEP orders to plug the abandoned wells issued on December 12, 2019 and another order on March 27, 2025. Owner failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Violations continued. Owner requested to respond by July 21.  Amer Natural Resources holds 49 permits.

The wells include--

-- Aleppo Twp.: Merle Minnic Unit 1, Merle Minnic Unit 2

-- Glenfield Boro: John Straka Unit 2

-- Ohio Twp.: Grove/Grambo Unit 1, Grove/Grambo Unit 2, John Lenzner Unit 1


Baron Crest Energy Co. - Violations: Failure To Comply With Order To Plug Conventional Well (14 Months)

July 1, 2025 inspection of the Cunningham 1 conventional well in Pinegrove Township, Venango County found the well abandoned and not plugged. Owner signed a Consent Order & Agreement with the owner May 21, 2024 to plug the well and the owner failed to comply. New violation issued for failure to comply. No requests made of well owner.  DEP inspection report.  Baron Crest holds 72 permits.  Baron Crest was also issued a violation June 9 for abandoning and not plugging a well in Armstrong County for 14 months.


Exotic Oil & Gas LLC - Violations: Abandoned Conventional Well (3 Months)

June 30, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Loretta Parkins Et al 3 conventional well in Murrysville Borough, Westmoreland County found the well continued to be abandoned, not plugged and venting gas. The well is located in Pleasant Valley Park along Hanks Trail.  Original violations issued April 2, 2025-- owner failed to address violations. Violations continued. Response requested by July 30. DEP inspection report.   Exotic Oil holds 318 permits.


Iron Pennsylvania Land LLC - Violations: Failure To Comply With Plugging Order

June 26, 2025 follow-up inspection of the OO Grimes 3603 conventional well in Jackson Township, Greene County found the site being prepared for well plugging operations. Owner was issued an order to plug the well by March 31, 2025. Original violations issued April 9, 2025 for failure to comply with an order. Violations continued. Response requested by July 15.  DEP inspection report.  Iron Pennsylvania holds 84 permits.


Dannic Energy Corp. - Violations: Abandoning, Not Plugging 3 Conventional Wells (No Response)

July 2, 2025 inspection of 3 conventional wells in Venango Township, Erie County-- D.Waite Unit 1, L. Paris Unit 1 and L. Berg 1-- found them all abandoned and not plugged.  Original violations issued May 30, 2025 and owner failed to give a response to the violations.  No requests made of well owner.  Dannic Energy holds 836 permits.


293 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations 2025


Abandoned Conventional Wells: So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 293 violations to 68 conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells- [3D Resources LLC ; Amer Natural Resources LLC; WB Anderson; Apex Energy (PA), LLC; Apollo Resources LLC; ARG Resources Inc.; Baird Oil Co.; Baron Crest Energy Co.; Bialy Gas Production LLC; Chris E. Burke; Edward E. & Frederick J. Craig; Crude A Co - Randy L. Larkin; Dannic Energy Corp.; Paul H. Deeter; Delong Oil Inc.; Developed Resources, Inc.; Randy A. Dietterich; Diversified Production LLC; East Resources Inc.; Eastern Natural Resources LLC; Equitrans LP; EQT Production Co.; Exotic Oil & Gas LLC; Ex-Treme Oil And Gas LLC; Harry L. King; Iron Pennsylvania Land LLC; Keystone Crude LLC; Kiski Valley Gas Co.; Leechburg Gas Co.; Manufacturers Light & Heat Co; Mid East Oil Co.; MTN Energy; MTN V Oil & Gas Inc.; Charles E. Myers; Myers Gas; Niche Energy LLC; Ohio Kentucky Oil Corp. ; Oil & Gas MGMT Co. LLC; Old MTN Gas Co. Inc.; OneXXX Prod & Exploration Corp.; Ows Acquisition Co. LLC;  PA Mineral SVCS LLC; PBS Coals Inc; Raymond J. Patten; Pencan Explorations Inc.; Penta Oil Corp.; Robert F. Phipps; Pillar Energy PA, LLC; Pin Oak Energy Partners, LLC; Prosperity Oil Co. Inc.; Red Lion Gas Coop Assn; Reel Resources, Inc; Raymond Sawyer; Fred C. Scheel; SK Opr Inc.; Larry A. Shaffer Jr.; FM Sloan Inc.; Andrew F. Suchko; S R Star O&G LLC ; Stockman LLC; Stonehaven Energy MGT Co. LLC; Andrew F. Suchko; Thomas Thurma Jean; Timberline Energy, Inc.; Valley Green Golf & Country Club, Inc.; Vessels Coal Gas Inc.; Washington Energy Co LLC; Ronald Wise; Mary A. Woodring].


1 Abandoned Shale Gas Well Violation


STL Resources LLC - Violations: Abandoned Shale Gas Well

June 2, 2025 inspection of the Marshlands Unit 2 shale gas well in  Gaines Township, Tioga County found the well abandoned and not plugged. Methane detected at lower explosion limit. Inactive status expired on April 19, 2024. Notice of Intent to Plug the well expired May 2024. Violations issued. Response requested by July 11.  DEP inspection report.  STL Resources holds 35 permits.


59 Abandoned Shale Gas Well Violations 2025


Abandoned Shale Gas Wells: So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 58 violations to 22 shale gas drilling companies for abandoning and not plugging their wells-- [Anegada Energy LLC; Apex Energy (PA) LLC; Big Dog Energy LLC; Big Dog Energy LLCBlackhill Energy LLC; Diversified Prod LLC;   Diversified Production LLC; Diversified Production LLC; EQT ARO LLC; EQT Chap LLC;  EQT Chap LLC; EQT Production Co.; EQT Production Co.; Frontier Natural Resources; Hilcorp Energy Co.; LPR Energy LLCLPR Energy LLC;  Rice Drilling B LLC [EQT]; Rice Drillling B LLC [EQT];  Roulette Oil & Gas LLC; STL Resources LLC;  Taft Operating LLC].


DEP Issued New Oil & Gas Permits To These Companies With Abandoned Wells


This is a list of companies issued conventional oil and gas and shale gas well permits from June 28 to July 4 that own abandoned wells--

Armstrong

-- East Franklin Township: Snyder Brothers Inc. - 4- Unconventional shale gas

    Snyder Brothers owns 1 abandoned well

Forest

-- Howe Township: Scorpio Energy Inc. - 4- Conventional oil & gas

    Scorpio Energy owns 1 abandoned well

Greene

-- Jackson Township: EQT Prod Co. - 1-Unconventional oil & gas renewal

    EQT Prod Co owns 107 abandoned wells

Warren

-- Mead Township: Wilmoth Interests Inc. - 6- Conventional oil & gas

    Wilmoth Interests owns 2 abandoned wells

Washington

-- Donegal Township: Columbia Gas Trans LLC - 1- Conventional oil & Gas

   Columbia Gas Trans owns 3 abandoned wells

Click Here to find oil and gas well permits recently issued near you


Spills & Releases


First American Energy Inc. - Violations: Failed To Comply With Cleanup Order (17 Months)

June 4, 2025 inspection of the Warrant 4917 conventional well in Foster Township, McKean County found the owner failed to take action to cleanup multiple spills at the well site as required by an October 28, 2024 DEP order. The original violations issued January 3, 2024. Violations issued.  Response requested by June 23.  DEP inspection report.

On June 4, 2025, DEP also continued violations to First American Energy for not restoring 3 conventional well sites that were never developed in Mead Township, Warren County-- Papco 1435, Papco 1438 and Papco 1441.  Original violations issued January 14, 2025.  Response requested by June 23. 


Frank L. Washbaugh Oil Producers: Violations: Failed To Comply With Order To Cleanup Conventional Wastewater Release (7 Months)

June 25, 2025 follow-up inspection of the William M. Johnson 1 conventional well site in Cross Creek Township, Washington County found the owner failed to take any action to cleanup multiple releases and spills at the site and remove barrels and other equipment.  Original violations issued December 26, 2024. DEP issued a cleanup order on June 16, 2025 and the owner failed to comply. Owner told DEP he was in the process of retaining a cleanup firm, but needs to get a loan to pay for cleanup. Violations continued and new violation issued for failure to comply with a DEP order.  Response requested by July 7.  DEP inspection reportDEP inspection report (photos).  Frank Washbaugh holds 5 permits.


Diversified Prod LLC - Violations: Failed To Clean Up Conventional Release (50 Days)

July 2, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Thomas Wimer 2 conventional well in Limestone Township, Clarion County found the owner failed to clean up a release of wastewater from a storage tank reported on May 12, 2025. Contaminated soil was piled and covered onsite. Hole made by removing soil filled with rainwater.  Violations continued. No requests made of well owner. DEP inspection report.


Diversified Prod LLC - Violations: Wastewater Spill Cleanup Not Complete (17 Days)

June 23, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Harriet C. McClure et al 603 conventional well in Gaskill Township, Jefferson County found much of the work to remediate a 500+ gallon spill of wastewater from June 6 was completed, but not entirely. Violations will remain open until complete.  DEP inspection report.


Chesapeake Appalachia LLC - Violations: Failed To Clean Up Shale Gas Wastewater Release (20 Days)

June 24, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Kerrick Shale Gas Well Pad in Asylum Township, Bradford County found the owner failed to completely clean up the wastewater spill reported on June 5.  Contaminated soil not removed.  Violations continued. No requests made of owner.  DEP inspection report.


EQT ARO LLC - Violations: Shale Gas Wastewater Release

June 30, 2025 inspection of the Mallory Shale Gas Well Pad in Plunketts Creek Township, Lycoming County in response to a notification of a release of production wastewater found two areas of contamination from a release from secondary containment and remediation was underway. Contaminated area extended 50 feet off the well pad.  Seven dumpsters of contaminated soil were in the process of being disposed of. Violations issued. Response requested by July 25.  DEP inspection report.


2025 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups


So far in 2025, DEP received or acted on 96 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups. Read more here.


Venting Gas


Keystone Land Resources Inc. - Violations: Venting Gas

June 26, 2025 inspection of the A. Kuhn 3 conventional well in Springhill Township, Greene County discovered the well was venting gas. Violation issued. Response requested by July 21.   DEP inspection report.


Land Slumps, Erosion & Sedimentation Failures


Coterra Energy, Inc. - Violations: Failure To Install Post-Construction E&S BMPs (68 Months)

June 5, 2025 inspection of the Hordis shale gas well pad in Lathrop Township, Susquehanna County found the owner has still not started installing post-construction stormwater management BMPs as required nor submitted a permit application to cover the BMPs. Original violations issued September 19, 2019.  Violations continued. Response requested by June 16.  DEP inspection report.


EQT ARO LLC - Violations: Erosion & Sedimentation BMP Failures

July 1, 2025 inspection of the Hemlock Shale Gas Well Pad and access road under construction in McNett Township, Lycoming County in response to a June 30 notification found a storm event caused a series of significant erosion and sedimentation control measure failures, including several blowouts.  Violations issued. Response requested by July 24.  DEP inspection report.


EQT Prod Co. - Violations: Recurring Erosion & Sedimentation Failures

June 23, 2025 inspection of the Ealy shale gas well pad in East Finley Township, Washington County after notification of recurring erosion and sedimentation violations first reported on June 9. Continuing violations occurring, this time with sediment polluting a stream. Violations continued and new ones issued.  No specific response requested.  DEP inspection report.


Equitrans Water SVC (PA), LLC - Violations: Failed To Correct Multiple Pipeline E&S, Slope Failures (43 Days)

June 24, 2025 follow-up inspection of the NIMCH006 Water Pipeline in Union Township, Washington County found no action was taken to address multiple pipeline and access road erosion and sedimentation control failures and slope failures since the original violations were issued May 12, 2025.  Violations continued, new violation issued for failure to maintain pipeline. Response requested by July 16.  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-- Diversified Prod LLC failed to clean up conventional well wastewater release for 50 days; EQT ARO LLC removing contaminated soil from shale gas wastewater release;  EQT ARO LLC erosion & sedimentation control failures caused by storm event at shale gas pad and access road under construction;   Row 2-- Exotic Oil & Gas LLC failed to address abandoned conventional well venting gas in a public park; Cleanup not finished on Diversified Prod LLC 500+ gallon conventional well wastewater spill; Equitrans Water SVC (PA), LLC failed to correct multiple pipeline E&S, slope failures; Frank L. Washbaugh Oil Producers failed to clean up multiple spills at conventional site for 7 months; STL Resources LLC abandoned shale gas well;  Row 3-- Seneca Resources Co. LLC continues active remediation of shale gas wastewater spill for 30+ days - 2 photos; Coterra Energy, Inc. failed to install post-construction BMPs for 68 months, so far.)


[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 Weekly Compliance Dashboard - June 28 to July 4 - 30+ Days Of Cleanup Continues At Shale Gas Pad;  Failure To Comply With Plugging Order For 67 Months;  Failure To Install E&S Controls For 68 Months  [PaEN] 

-- DEP: Active Wastewater Spill Remediation Efforts Have Continued For 30+ Days At The Seneca Resources Vandergrift Shale Gas Well Pad In Charleston Twp., Tioga County [PaEN] 

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - July 5 [PaEN]  

-- DEP Posted 65 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In July 5 PA Bulletin  [PaEN]  

Related Articles This Week:

-- Environmental Hearing Board Denies Request To End Appeal Of Catalyst Energy, Inc. Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well Permit In McKean County  [PaEN] 

-- CNX Resources Challenges Environmental Hearing Board Authority To Add Conditions To Permits For Shale Gas Wells At The Drakulic Well Pad In Penn Twp., Westmoreland County  [PaEN] 

-- Warren Times Editorial: Pennsylvania Needs A New Plan For Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells; Increasing Bond Amounts Only Part Of Solution  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Adds McKean County Workshop To Promote $100/Well Bounty To Find Previously Unknown Conventional Oil & Gas Wells Abandoned By Their Owners; Workshops Set In Clarion, Crawford, Mercer Counties  [PaEN]

-- Guest Essay: The Real Story Behind The Act 13 Shale Gas Drilling Impact Fee - It's Not Funding, It's Cleanup Money - By Mary Jo Simmen-Gray, Hempfield, Westmoreland County Resident  [PaEN] 

-- Environmental Integrity Project: DEP Made Changes To Permit For MarkWest Harmon Creek Natural Gas Processing Plant In Washington County To Reduce Air Emissions, Improve Accountability  [PaEN]  

-- Environmental Health Project To Launch Compounds Of Concern Online Tool During July 16 Webinar  [PaEN] 

-- PA Interfaith Power & Light Launches New Faith & Fossil Fuels Initiative; Invites Congregations, Individuals To Share Your Lived Experiences With Pollution  [PaEN]

-- PUC Approves $750,000 Penalty Against UGI Utilities For 2020 Natural Gas Main Eruption In Monroe County Killing 1 Person  [PaEN] 

-- PUC Seeks $395,000 Penalty Against UGI Utilities For 2022 Natural Gas House Explosion In Suburban Harrisburg; $50,000 Penalty Against Contractor  [PaEN] 

-- PJM Interconnection Grid Operator Issues Hot Weather Alert For July 6 In Its Western Region, July 7 In Its Mid-Atlantic & Southern Regions, Including Areas In PA  [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: Commonwealth Court Rules Elizabeth Twp., In Allegheny County Violated Its Own Zoning Ordinance To Allow Shale Gas Well Pad, Pipeline To Be Built In A Residential Area 

-- TribLive: Residents Ask Upper Burrell Twp. To Adopt More Stringent Rules For Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Wells In Westmoreland County

-- Observer-Reporter: EQT Shale Gas Driller Sues Morgan Twp., Greene County In Federal Court Over Limits On Heavy Equipment Hauling On Local Roads To Prevent Damage  [PDF of Article

-- WNEP: Lithium On Oil & Gas Wastewater Gives Legislators Hope For Another ‘Boom’ In Susquehanna County’s Economy

-- PennLive: PUC Files Complaints Against UGI, Plumber For 2022 Dauphin County House Explosion

-- MCall - Anthony Salamone: UGI Fined For Christmas Day 2020 Natural Gas Leak That Killed 1 Person

-- KYW: Deadly Explosion In Philadelphia’s Nicetown Neighborhood Could Be Natural Gas-Fueled, Source Says 

-- Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader: Natural Gas Leak Results In Power Being Cut To Much Of Downtown Wilkes-Barre, Turning Off Street Lights Throughout The City

-- WHYY: PUC Judge Denies Philadelphia Gas Works Request For Internal Emails, Texts, Memos From Climate Groups Participating In Its Rate Case, It Would Violate The First Amendment 

-- Spotlight PA: Costs Of Amazon’s $20 Billion Promise To Build Data Centers In PA Unknown: Impact On Electricity Supply, Power Costs To Consumers, Tax Revenue Forfeit 

-- TribLive Guest Essay: Summer’s Triple Threat - Energy Bills Rising, Grids Straining, Help Shrinking - By Destenie Nock, Peoples Energy Analytics  

-- EPA To Open Public Comment Docket, Host Listening Sessions On Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Implementation  

-- Reuters: US Energy Firms Eye New Northeast Natural Gas Pipelines, Buoyed By President, Demand Outlook

-- Bloomberg: Electronic Warfare During Iran Strikes Crashes Global Shipping’s Navigation System, Including Oil, LNG Natural Gas Ships

[Posted: July 5, 2025]  PA Environment Digest

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