Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring between August 23 to 29--
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 22--
-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 48 conventional, 17 unconventional
-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 3,663 conventional and 883 unconventional
-- Enforcements 2025: 295 conventional and 104 unconventional (orders, agreements)
-- Inspections Last Week: 388 conventional and 343 unconventional
-- Year To Date - Inspections: 12,547 conventional and 16,761 unconventional
Township Declares Disaster Emergency After Residents Without Permanent Water For 3 Years
On June 23, 2025, Freeport Township Supervisors in Greene County took the extraordinary step of declaring a Disaster Emergency after residents impacted by a gas related water contamination event have been without permanent water supplies for three years. Read more here.
Guy Hostutler, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, said, “I'm not blaming anybody for anything that they've done, right, wrong or indifferent.
“It's just the fact that if it's just one resident or 100 residents without drinking water, it's not right.
“In 2025, we should not have residents who can't drink their water. We should be able to have good, clean drinking water, a sustainable water system for them to live off of the rest of their days.
“So that's been my whole purpose for this. It's been a battle.” Read more here.
Griffin Summit Oil Company Issued Violations For 53 Conventional Wells
On August 19, 2025, DEP issued violations to Griffin Summit Oil Company for failing to comply with a Field Order to plug or bring 53 abandoned conventional oil and gas wells into compliance located in Clinton Township, Venango County. Click Here for a list of the wells and links to DEP’s inspection reports. DEP requested a response by September 3. Click Here for one inspection report. Read more here. Griffin Summit Oil Company holds 54 permits, including one other abandoned well.
DEP Closes Violations For Failing To Restore Water Impoundment For 7 Years
On August 25, 2025, DEP closed violations issued to Laurel Mountain Production in April for failing to restore the Stacey Road Freshwater Impoundment in Perry Township, Clarion County after DEP said it was abandoned after more than seven years of not being used.
DEP said the company notified the agency it used the water to frack a shale gas well at the Buffalo Yokel well pad in Parker Township, Butler County on July 31, 2025. Read more here.
DEP Holds Sept. 9 Virtual Update On Energy Transfer/Sunoco Pipeline Rupture
DEP will hold a virtual update September 9 on the Energy Transfer/Sunoco Pipeline rupture cleanup in Upper Wakefield Township, Bucks County from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Read more here.
The Courier Times reported on July 16, 2025, Upper Makefield Township residents and Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) said the Department of Environmental Protection is not doing enough to make Energy Transfer/Sunoco define the extent of a petroleum products pipeline leak and clean it up. Read more here.
70 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations
Ows Acquisition Co LLC [32 Months]
August 18, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Leach Unit 1 conventional well in Quemahoning Township, Somerset County found the well abandoned and not plugged.The owner also failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Original violations issued December 13, 2022. Violations continued. Response requested by September 9. DEP inspection report. Ows holds 1,072 permits, including one other abandoned well.
Oil & Gas MGMT Inc. [21 Months]
August 28, 2025 inspection of the Detwiler Unit 1 conventional well in Springfield Township, Fayette County found the well abandoned, not plugged and leaking gas. Original violations for abandonment issued on November 14, 2023. Violations continued. Response requested by September 15. DEP inspection report. Oil & Gas MGMT holds 163 permits.
Nucomer Energy LLC [15 Months]
August 11, 2025 administrative review of the Paul E. Petruska 2 conventional well in Washington Township, Erie County found the well abandoned and not plugged. Owner is still evaluating whether to put it back in production. DEP inspection report.
August 25, 2025 inspection of the George W. Adolphson 1 (Amity Township), John Lentz 1 (Greenfield Township), and P. Vogel 1 (Venango Township) in Erie County found the wells abandoned and not plugged. Original violations for abandonment date back to May 5, 2024. New violations include failure to contain waste and oil spills. Nucomer holds 40 permits, including one other abandoned well.
[Note: On August 20 & 21, 2025 Nucomer was issued violations for abandoning three other wells in Washington Township, Erie County. Read more here.]
Stonehaven Energy MGT Co LLC [13 Months]
August 26, 2025 inspection of the Shaffer Nancy 2 conventional well in Brady Township, Clearfield County found the well abandoned and not plugged. The owner also failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Original abandonment violation issued on July 16, 2024. DEP unable to contact Stonehaven. DEP inspection report. Stonehaven holds 552 permits, including 6 other abandoned wells
Edward E. Craig
August 19, 2025 inspection of the Edward & Hazel Witt 1 and Edward & Hazel Witt 4 conventional wells in Oakland Township, Butler County found them abandoned and not plugged. The owner also failed to submit annual production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Multiple violations issued. No response requested from owner. Craig holds 8 permits.
James J. & Wendelin H. Neff
August 19, 2025 inspection of the Edward & Hazel Witt 4 Witt conventional well in Oakland Township, Butler County in response to a complaint found the well abandoned, not plugged and venting gas. The owner also failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Multiple violations issued. Response requested by September 9. DEP inspection report. Neff holds 7 permits.
Charles F. & Rita M. Niederriter
August 11, 2025 inspection of the Charles Niederriter N1 conventional well in Washington Township, Erie County found the well abandoned and not plugged. The owner also failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Response requested by September 2. DEP inspection report. Niederriter holds 2 permits.
Robert L. Hunter
August 26, 2025 inspection of the Robert L. Hunter 5 and Robert L. Hunter 7 conventional wells in Eau Claire Borough, Butler County found the wells abandoned and not plugged. The owner also failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Written notice of violation issued. Response requested by September 11. Hunter holds 6 permits. [Note: “Eau Claire” means “Clear Water.”]
Elder Oil & Gas Co
August 26, 2025 inspection of the Martin 1 conventional well in Cherry Valley Borough, Butler County found the well abandoned and not plugged, abandoned stock tank and plastic chemical tote. Written notice of violation issued. Response requested by September 11. DEP inspection report. Elder holds 106 permits, including 7 other abandoned wells.
Lewis E. Davis
August 26, 2025 inspection of the Virgil V. Frantz Jr. 1 conventional well in Allegheny Township, Butler County was found abandoned and not plugged. The owner also failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Multiple violations issued. Response requested by September 11. DEP inspection report. Davis holds 1 permit.
TI Brook Inc.
August 26, 2025 inspection of the TI Brooks Inc. ACB1 conventional well in Allegheny Township, Butler County found the well abandoned and not plugged.The owner also failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Violations issued. No response requested from well owner. DEP inspection report. Brook holds 1 permit.
Steele Molar Holdings LLC
August 20, 2025 inspection of the John R. Steele 1 conventional well in Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County found the well abandoned and not plugged. The owner also failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Violations issued. Response requested by September 10. DEP inspection report. Steele Molar holds 1 permit.
437 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations In 2025
So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 437 violations to 97 conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells.
In 2024, DEP issued 860 new or continued violations to conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells.
The violations were issued to these conventional owners in 2025: 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; Edward E. Craig; Crude A Co - Randy L. Larkin; Dannic Energy Corp.; Harold H. Davis; Lewis E. 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; Elder Oil & Gas Co; 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.; Robert L. Hunter; 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; James J. & Wendelin H. Neff; Charles F. & Rita M. Niederriter; 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.; Lyle D. Smith; Andrew F. Suchko; S R Star O&G LLC ; Steele Molar Holdings LLC; Stockman LLC; Stonehaven Energy MGT Co. LLC; Andrew F. Suchko; Griffin Summit Oil Company; Thomas Thurma Jean; TI Brook Inc.; 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..
Spills/Releases - Shale Gas
Seneca Resources Co. LLC [8 Months]
August 26, 2025 inspection of the Taft 851 shale gas well pad in Middlebury Township, Tioga County again found contaminated water on the well pad, along the pad berms and entering a sediment basin on the north site of the pad during drilling operations. Violations for contaminated water on the well pad, failure to notify DEP of spills and related infractions were originally issued on October 23, 2024. DEP continues to recommend the owner continue to monitor pad conditions and prevent contaminated fluids from leaving the facility. Violations continued. DEP inspection report.
Diversified Prod LLC [1 Month]
August 25, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Hosler 8 shale gas spill site in Jefferson Township, Fayette County found the owner had not removed contaminated soil within the 15 days required by regulations. On July 25, 2025 a release of an unknown quantity of wastewater from a storage tank flowed across the pad, down a slope, across the access road and into an adjacent field. Field measurements on August 25 found areas the well owner said were remediated were still showing high conductivity indicating it was still contaminated. Other cleanup work on the site was incomplete. The owner shutdown operations at the site until it could be assessed by environmental personnel. All violations were continued. DEP inspection report. DEP compliance assessment.
Chesapeake Appalachia LLC
August 28, 2025 inspection of the Cahill Realty Business Unit shale gas well pad in Overton Township, Bradford County in response to an August 27 notification of an underground wastewater pipeline leak found on the pad. A routine check with a FLIR camera on August 22 discovered natural gas emitting from the well pad surface that came from a production line leak for the 2H well. The owner checked for wastewater leaks on the pad fill slope and did not see any stressed vegetation. Trenches were dug about 3 feet deep and 90 feet long to find the leak. The owner plans to replace all the production lines between the wells with above ground pipe. Violations issued. Response requested by September 15. DEP inspection report.
Spills/Releases - Conventional
Worldwide Oil & Gas Corp [20 Months]
August 5, 2025 inspection of the T.Dermit 2 and A.Jackson 5 conventional wells in Penn Hills Township, Allegheny County found spills and releases at the well sites have not been addressed. Original violations for failure to restore well sites were issued October 18, 2022. Original spill violations date back to January 24, 2023. No response from well owner to violations. Violations continued. Response requested by September 1.
Niche Energy LLC [3 Months]
August 11, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Richard Stutzman 1 conventional well in Wayne Township, Erie County found areas of spills and releases still not cleaned up. Multiple violations issued on May 15, 2025. Violations continued. No response requested from well owner. DEP inspection report.
Diversified Prod LLC
August 26, 2025 inspection of the Benjamin F. Budd 4265 conventional well in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County during preparations for well plugging found multiple erosion and sedimentation violations and waste fluid tanks not within secondary containment. Multiple violations issued. Response requested by September 11. DEP inspection report.
Diversified Prod LLC
August 21, 2025 inspection of the E.Williams 2 conventional well in Green Township, Indiana County in response to a complaint about a wastewater release. A leak was found and the well owner “plans on adding clean fill to the site and removing the impacted soil. Violation issued. Response requested by September 8. DEP inspection report.
2025 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups
So far in 2025, DEP received or acted on 125 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups. Read more here.
Casing/Cement Failure - Shale Gas
Coterra Energy Inc. [71 Months]
August 21, 2025 inspection of the Powers 2H, Powers 8H, Power 12H shale gas wells in Auburn Township, Susquehanna County as part of monitoring casing/cement failure. Original violations on October 18, 2019. Violations continued. Monitoring to continue.
Chesapeake Appalachia LLC [33 Months]
August 21, 2025 inspection of the Amburke 21H, Amburke 22H shale gas wells in Auburn Township, Susquehanna County as part of monitoring casing/cement failure. 22H original violation November 9, 2022. 21H original violations June 20, 2024. Violations continued. Monitoring to continue.
Casing/Cement Failure - Conventional
Danken-Sammar LLC [10 Months]
August 21, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Green Glen Corp 4 observation conventional well associated with the Povlik #1 oil and wastewater injection well in Huston Township, Clearfield County found the well continues to vent gas around the wellhead. Original violation issued October 1, 2024. Violations continued. No response requested from well owner. DEP inspection report.
Venting Gas
John P. & Pearl E. Nickolich [9 Months]
August 22, 2025 follow-up inspection of the T. Bickerton 130 conventional well in Jefferson Hills Borough, Allegheny County found the well still venting as by the side of a road. The owner failed to submit annual production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Original violations issued November 22, 2024. Violations continued. Response requested by September 9. DEP inspection report.
Failure To Restore Well Sites - Conventional
Diversified Prod LLC
August 13, 2025 inspections of the Trump Unit 8, Yelenick 2 and Diamond 3 conventional wells in Nicholson Township, Fayette County found the owner failed to restore the well within 9 months after drilling was completed. Violations issued. Response requested by September 4.
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: Left- Shale gas well laterals in Freeport Township, Greene County related to water well Declaration of Disaster Emergency; Top Right-- Diversified Prod LLC well plugging with multiple erosion and sedimentation violations and waste fluid tank not in secondary containment; Chesapeake Appalachia LLC shale gas production line wastewater leak; Bottom Right-- One of 53 Griffin Summit Oil Company abandoned conventional well; Worldwide Oil & Gas Corp failed to cleanup spills at 2 conventional well sites for 20 months.)
[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 23 to 29 - Township Declares Disaster Emergency Over Polluted Water Wells; 70 More Abandoned Conventional Well Violations [PaEN]
-- DEP: Griffin Summit Oil Co. Violated Order To Plug Or Bring 53 Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells Into Compliance In Venango County; 437 Abandoned Conventional Well NOVs In 2025 [PaEN]
-- DEP Closes Violations For Failing To Restore Shale Gas Water Impoundment For 7 Years In Clarion County After Owner Reports Using It To Frack A Well; On July 31 [PaEN]
-- DEP To Hold Sept. 9 Virtual Update On Energy Transfer/Sunoco Pipeline Rupture In Upper Wakefield Twp., Bucks County [PaEN]
-- DEP Plugs 2 Conventional Gas Wells Abandoned By Their Owners And Venting Gas In Erie County [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - August 30 [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments Stormwater Permit For The Hyperion Midstream 2 Mile Long Titan To Athena Loop Natural Gas Pipeline Project In Westmoreland County [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 66 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In August 30 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
-- DEP To Hold Oct. 1 Hearing On Title V Air Quality Permit For Vitro Meadville Flat Glass In Crawford County [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- Freeport Township Declares Disaster Emergency After Residents Impacted By A Gas Related Water Contamination Event Have Been Without Permanent Water Supplies For 3 Years-- We’re Not Blaming Anybody, We Just Want Good, Clean Drinking Water [PaEN]
-- Inside Climate News: Pennsylvania Towns Push Back To Stop Proposed LNG Gas Export Terminals, As President Pushes LNG Exports
-- Environmental Quality Board Meets Sept. 9 To Consider 2 Petitions From Oil & Gas Industry; Air Quality; Laboratory; Drinking Water; Water Quality; Radiation Protection Regulations [PaEN]
-- Independent Fiscal Office: Residential Electricity Bills ‘Begin Surge:’ Natural Gas Prices Up 71%, PJM Prices Up Due To A.I. Data Center Demand [PaEN]
-- US DOE Orders Eddystone Generating Station To Remain In Operation For 90 More Days In Delaware County [PaEN]
-- In Case You Missed It -- A.I./Data Center Articles & NewClips From Last Week - August 31 [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Williamsport Sun: DEP Assesses Eureka Resources Oil & Gas Wastewater Spill In Williamsport, Orders Company To Take Corrective Measures [PDF of Article]
-- The Center Square: Republican Rep. Ortitay Wants To Expand Natural Gas Drilling On State Land, Raise Other Revenue To Replace School Property Taxes
-- YourErie.com: DEP Plugs Conventional Gas Wells Abandoned By Their Owners And Venting Gas In Erie Residential Area
-- Utility Dive: EIA Projects Record Residential, Commercial Natural Gas Consumption To Offset Decreases In Power Generation [Underappreciated Risks To Gas Use By A.I. Data Center Customers]
[Posted: August 30, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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