Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring between August 9 to 15--
Click Here for violations issued. Click Here for inspection entries.
Enforcement Actions Taken Last Week
So far this year, DEP took these actions as of August 8--
-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 43 conventional, 6 unconventional
-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 3,528 conventional and 830 unconventional
-- Enforcements 2025: 284 conventional and 98 unconventional (orders, agreements)
-- Inspections Last Week: 352 conventional and 352 unconventional
-- Year To Date - Inspections: 11,756 conventional and 15,724 unconventional
Conventional Well Owner Illegally Disposed Of 66,780 Gallons Of Waste
On August 12, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection issued a notice of violation to Iron Cumberland LLC for illegal disposing of 66,780 gallons of drilling fluids from conventional well plugging operations at a coal refuse disposal area in Greene County.
The wells involved were the John & Rebecca Lightner 1 and Fannie G. Stewart 2 conventional wells, both in Center Township, Greene County.
DEP said the waste was disposed of at the Emerald Mine No. 1 coal refuse disposal area #2 in Franklin Township, Greene County. Read more here.
Conventional Well Plugging Contaminates Spring
On August 5, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection was notified of a loss of circulation during routine conventional well plugging operation involving the Penn Mech Group, Inc. Emsworth 1 conventional well in Emsworth Borough, Allegheny County.
The DEP inspection found the plugging operation contaminated a nearby spring DEP had previously identified and sampled before plugging started.
This is just one example of the kinds of things that can happen during well plugging. Read more here.
8 Conventional Abandoned Wells
JPS Lawncare & Landscaping [68 Months]
August 6, 2025 inspection of the Edward E. Beener Gas Unit 1 conventional well in Milford Township, Somerset County found the well abandoned and not plugged-- in practical terms. Inactive status of the well expired on December 31, 2018 and no annual production, waste generation or mechanical integrity reports were filed for at least the last 5 years. But, DEP did not say it was abandoned. Original violations issued on May 10, 2023. Violations continued. Response requested by August 23. DEP inspection report. JPS Lawnscare has 1 permit.
Darrel B. Blauser
August 11, 2025 inspection of the Blair 1 and Blair 2 conventional oil wells in Allegheny Township, Butler County found the well abandoned and not plugged. The owner also failed to submit annual production, waste generation and well integrity reports.The owner’s intent is to return the well to production, but there is no production equipment onsite. Violations issued. Response requested by August 26. Blauser holds 2 permits.
Greenway Energy LLC
August 6, 2025 inspection of the Leon Morton 2 conventional gas well in Wayne Township, Erie County found the well abandoned, noticeably venting gas and was not equipped to produce. The landowner said the well was leaking gas for some time. This well had never been inspected since it was given a permit on March 13, 1979. The well was listed as active, but the owner submitted production reports saying the well was plugged. Violations were issued for abandonment, leaking gas and others. DEP notified the well owner the well is being further investigated. DEP inspection report. Greenway holds 289 permits, including 4 abandoned wells (not including this one).
JJ Bucher Producing Corp
August 8, 2025 inspection of the Bethel Dev Corp etal 600425 and DJ Douglas 601871 conventional wells in Bethel Park Borough, Allegheny County found the wells abandoned and not plugged. The Douglas well was also venting gas. Response requested by August 26. Bucher holds 331 permits.
Lyle D. Smith
August 11, 2025 inspection of the W. Rex Smith 1 conventional well in Canal Township, Venango County found the well abandoned and not plugged. This well was never inspected since it was drilled on November 29, 1982. Multiple violations issued. No response deadline to owner. DEP inspection report. Smith holds 1 permit.
Randy A. Dietterich
August 8, 2025 inspection of the Sturgen 1 conventional well in North Fayette Township, Allegheny County found the well abandoned and not plugged. The well was also venting gas, two open top drums containing an oily substance and there was contamination on the ground. Violations issued. Response requested by August 22. DEP inspection report. Dietterich holds 6 permits.
356 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations In 2025
Abandoned Conventional Wells: So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 568 violations to 88 conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells- [3D Resources LLC ; All American Energy Inc.; 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; Blackrock Enterprises LLC; Darrel B. Blauser; JJ Bucher Producing Corp; Chris E. Burke; Consolidated Coal Co.; Edward E. & Frederick J. Craig; Crude A Co - Randy L. Larkin; Dannic Energy Corp.; Harold H. Davis; Paul H. Deeter; Delong Oil Inc.; Developed Resources, Inc.; Randy A. Dietterich; Diversified Production LLC; East Resources Inc.; Eastern Gas Trans & Storage Inc.; Eastern Natural Resources LLC; Equitrans LP; EQT Production Co.; Exotic Oil & Gas LLC; Ex-Treme Oil And Gas LLC; Greenway Energy LLC; Michael Harju; Harry L. King; Howard Drilling Inc.; Iron Pennsylvania Land LLC; JPS Lawncare & Landscaping; Keystone Crude LLC; Raymond J. Kaufman; Kiski Valley Gas Co.; Leechburg Gas Co.; Manufacturers Light & Heat Co; David H. Melat Co; Mid East Oil Co.; MTN Energy; MTN V Oil & Gas Inc.; Charles E. Myers; Myers Gas; Niche Energy LLC; Nucomer 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; Pecora Enterprises; Pencan Explorations Inc.; Penta Oil Corp.; Robert F. Phipps; Pillar Energy PA, LLC; Pin Oak Energy Partners, LLC; The Production Co. LLC; Prosperity Oil Co. Inc.; Red Lion Gas Coop Assn; Reel Resources, Inc; Riyan Farm & Gas LLC; Raymond Sawyer; Rocksauce OPR LLC; 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.; Mervin Troyer; Valley Green Golf & Country Club, Inc.; Vessels Coal Gas Inc.; Washington Energy Co LLC; Ronald Wise; Mary A. Woodring; Woodward Inc.].
Conventional Well Spills/Releases
Martin & Mary Jo Gimbus [11 Months]
August 4, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Iva Ferguson 1 conventional site in Ohioville Borough, Beaver County found the owner failed to complete the clean up of multiple spill areas originally discovered on September 25, 2024. The inspection was to assist the owner in determining the next steps in remediating the site. A cleanup plan was requested to be submitted by August 29. DEP inspection report. The owners hold 1 permit.
Niche Energy LLC
August 6, 2025 routine inspection of the Frank Puckley 1 conventional well in Wayne Township, Erie County found evidence of a wastewater release from a storage tank, the tank was not within a lined secondary containment and pipe on the tank was severely corroded. Multiple violations issued. No deadline set for a response. DEP inspection report. Niche holds 191 permits, including 9 abandoned wells.
2025 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups
So far in 2025, DEP received or acted on 121 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups.
4 Shale Gas Impoundments Not Restored, Unidentified Contents
Pin Oak Energy Partners LLC
On August 5, 2025 DEP inspected four shale gas water impoundments in Brighton Township, Ohioville Borough and South Beaver Township, Beaver County to determine their compliance with DEP regulations. Generally, all the permits for the impoundments expired in 2016--
-- Brighton Township: Jenkins Pad Water Impoundment: The impoundment was not restored, had a siphon hose to drain the impoundment. No violations were issued but the owner was requested to identify the contest of the impoundment, when the last time the impoundment was used and how often the siphon is used to drain the impoundment. DEP inspection report.
-- Ohioville Borough: Paul Bussard Pad A + Frack Wastewater Pond: The impoundment was not restored, multiple erosion and sedimentation violations, no “fluid splashing” was found on this inspection like the last one, a water pump and hose to drain the impoundment was present. No violations were issued but the owner was requested to identify the contents of the impoundment, when the last time the impoundment was used and how often the hose is used to drain the impoundment. DEP inspection report.
-- Ohioville Borough: Ferrebee Water Impoundment: The impoundment was not restored, had a siphon hose to drain the impoundment. No violations were issued but the owner was requested to identify the contest of the impoundment, when the last time the impoundment was used and how often the siphon is used to drain the impoundment. DEP inspection report.
-- South Beaver Township: David L. Thompson Water Impoundement: The impoundment was not restored, had a siphon hose to drain the impoundment. No violations were issued but the owner was requested to identify the contest of the impoundment, when the last time the impoundment was used and how often the siphon is used to drain the impoundment. DEP inspection report.
DEP said the owner is currently negotiating a schedule for bringing the impoundments into compliance.
On June 16, 2025 Pin Oak signed a Consent Order with DEP for the failure to restore 16 other shale gas wells and an impoundment in Beaver County since 2023. Read more here.
3 Conventional Wells Mined Through
Tunnel Ridge LLC
August 11, 2025 file review found the C.K. Sprows 1 (active) well in East Finley Township, Washington County, and the William Stout 1 (inactive) and Conrhein NV99 (active) wells in West Finley Township, Washington County were all mined through by the Tunnel Ridge Mine. Mine owners are required to coordinate mining to avoid conflicts with oil and gas wells in the path of mining and provide for coal pillar protection. Violations issued. Response requested by August 26.
Well Contamination Investigation
Crawford County, Cussewago & Hayfield Townships
On August 4, 2025 conducted inspections of four Pin Oak Energy Partners LLC conventional wells as part of a water well contamination investigation and were found not to be leaking gas. The D.Ford 1 DEP inspection report, about 450 feet east of the complainant’s water well, so you have a rough idea of where the wells are.
Defective Shale Gas Casing/Cementing
Chesapeake Appalachia LLC [65 Months]
August 7, 2025 inspection of the Redbone 2H shale gas well in Wilmot Township, Bradford County as part of regular monitoring after defective casing/cementing was discovered on June 11, 2020. Original violations issued March 23, 2022. Well will continue to be monitored. DEP inspection report.
Failure To Restore Well Site
The Production Co LLC
August 8, 2025 compliance inspection of the Zazado 1 conventional well in Jefferson Township, Fayette County found the owner failed to comply with an Order issued on April 22, 2024 to restore a plugged well site. The well was plugged on August 15, 2023. Violation issued. Response requested by August 29. DEP inspection report.
The Production Co LLC
August 11, 2025 compliance inspection of the Bobak 1 conventional well in Luzerne Township, Fayette County found the owner failed to comply with an Order issued on April 22, 2024 to restore a plugged well site. The well was plugged on April 23, 2021. Violation issued. Response requested by August 29. 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-- Plugging a Penn Mech Group, Inc. abandoned well contaminates spring; Greenway Energy LLC abandoned well venting gas; one of two abandoned JJ Bucher Producing Corp conventional wells leaking gas near a home; Wastewater release on Niche Energy LLC conventional well site; Row 2-- JPS Lawncare & Landscaping violated inactive status for 68 months; Martin & Mary Jo Gimbus failed to finish cleanup of conventional well site for 11 months; One of four Pin Oak Energy Partners LLC impoundments not restored with unidentified contents in Beaver County; Row 3-- Penn Mech Group, Inc. plugging contaminates spring; Pin Oak Energy Partners LLC impoundments not restored with unidentified contents in Beaver County.)
[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 - August 9 to 15 - Illegal Disposal Of 66,780 Gallons Of Conventional Wastewater; 4 Impoundments Not Restored; 3 Conventional Wells Mined Through [PaEN]
-- DEP Issued Violations To Iron Cumberland, LLC For Illegally Disposing Of 66,780 Gallons Of Conventional Well Plugging Wastes At Coal Refuse Disposal Area In Greene County [PaEN]
-- DEP: Conventional Well Plugging Operation Contaminates Spring In Allegheny County [PaEN]
-- The Derrick: PUC Judge Suspends Rhodes Estate Water Companies Litigation Schedule On Future Ownership [Fallout Continues From Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill In Venango County] [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - August 16 [PaEN]
-- DEP Sets Sept. 17 Public Meeting/Hearing On Air Quality Permit For The Proposed 4.5 Gigawatt Natural Gas Power Plant At The Homer City A.I. Data Center Complex In Indiana County [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On Permit For 204 Aboveground Storage Tanks Totaling 1.3 Million Gallons At Proposed Amazon A.I. Data Center In Salem Twp., Luzerne County [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 84 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In August 16 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- In Case You Missed It -- A.I./Data Center Articles & NewClips From Last Week [PaEN]
-- Senate Hearing: To Communities Facing Rapid A.I. Data Center Development: Review Your Zoning Ordinance NOW, Before It's Too Late To Have Meaningful Siting, Mitigation Conversations [PaEN]
-- Senate Hearing: DEP Primer: Recurring Challenges Of A.I. Data Centers: Frequent Site Plan Changes, Inconsistent Zoning, Outdated Sewage Facilities, Limited Community Outreach [PaEN]
-- Senate Hearing: Susquehanna River Basin Commission - A.I. Data Centers Have A Dramatic Demand For Water, And The Potential To Be Among The Largest Water Consumers In The Basin [PaEN]
-- PJM Announces Fast-Track Stakeholder Process To Seek Solutions For Connecting Large-Load A.I. Data Centers To The Electric Grid; Aug. 18 Workshop [PaEN]
-- PJM Interconnection Issues Hot Weather Alert For Aug. 17 In Entire Service Area; 22 Hot Weather Alert Days So Far This Summer [PaEN]
-- Green Building Alliance To Provide Green Professional Operations & Maintenance Training To Pre-K To 12 School Facility Teams [PaEN]
-- Green Building Innovation Expo Set for Sept. 2 In Pittsburgh; Free Exhibit Hall [PaEN]
-- Explosion At US Steel Clairton Coke [Coal] Works Kills 2, 10 Injured; Search For Answers Beings At 109-Year-Old Plant With A History Of Fatal Fires, Air Pollution Violations [PaEN] [Compilation Of Articles]
-- Rep. Vitali: PA House Environmental Committee Examines Costs And Environmental Impacts Of Burning Waste Coal In PA
NewsClips:
-- Courier Times: Energy Transfer/Sunoco Making More Pipeline Repairs In Upper Makefield Twp. Where A Previous Leak Contaminated Water Wells; Township Says It Didn’t Know [PDF of Article]
-- Pipeline Safety Trust: Federal Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Quietly Weakens Safety Rules
-- Environmental Health Project Blog: The Health And Safety Risks Of Natural Gas, Natural Gas Liquids Pipelines
-- ABC27: Project To Upgrade Several Natural Gas Pipelines Underway
-- PUC Highlights National 8-1-1 Day To Promote Safe Excavation, Worker Safety
-- Observer-Reporter Guest Essay: PA Has A Chance To Reduce Pollution, Save Lives By Reducing Oil & Gas Facility Air Pollution - By Talor Musil, Environmental Health Project [PDF of Article]
-- Spotlight PA: More PA Government Agencies Turning To A.I. - Critics Say That’s Risky [Possible DEP Pilot For Permit Reviews]
-- WHYY: Electricity Bills Are Going Up In The Philly Region; Who’s In Charge Of The Grid, Anyway?
-- York Dispatch: Sen. Keefer (R) Wants Data Center Applicants To Show Their Energy, Water Needs: ‘Electric Bills Will Go Up Due To Supply. Why Would We Subsidize That To Lure Them In?’ [PDF of Article]
-- Scranton Times - Chris Kelly Opinion: The Pros And Con Artists Of A.I. Data Centers; 3-Hour Senate Hearing Like A 'Sales Seminar For Oceanfront Condos In Oklahoma' [PDF of Article]
-- Republican Herald - Chris Kelly: If Ya Can’t Buy ‘Em, Threaten ‘Em [A.I. Data Centers] [PDF of Article]
-- Kleinman Center For Energy Policy Blog: Americans Just Got Scammed On Their Electricity Bills; President Promised To Cut Electricity Prices By Half Within 12 Months On Campaign Trail - By Elea Castiglione, Research Assistant
-- NYT: Big Tech’s A.I. Data Centers Are Driving Up Electricity Bills For Everyone
-- Post-Gazette/WPost: Electricity Prices Are Surging, Opening Up New Line Of Attacks Against Republicans
-- PUC Hearings On Proposed Rate Increase For Wellsboro Electric (22%), Valley Energy Gas (19%), Citizen Electric (11%)
-- TribLive Letter: PJM Electricity Capacity Auction Proves Markets Work - By Glen Thomas, Fmr Chair, PUC
-- US EIA: Natural Gas Prices To Increase 34% From $3.20 to $4.30 Next Year Due To Increase In LNG Gas Exports
-- Bloomberg: BKV Corp. CEO: Increase In LNG Gas Exports Will Drive Natural Gas Prices Up
-- Utility Dive - Commentary: Why Utilities Must Rethink Natural Gas Procurement For A High-Demand Future
[Posted: August 16, 2025] PA Environment Digest
No comments :
Post a Comment