Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring between September 27 to October 3--
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 September 26--
-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 65 conventional, 6 unconventional
-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 4,458 conventional and 1,004 unconventional
-- Enforcements 2025: 336 conventional and 117 unconventional (orders, agreements)
-- Inspections Last Week: 260 conventional and 380 unconventional
-- Year To Date - Inspections: 14,453 conventional and 19,474 unconventional
EQT Challenges DEP Investigation Of 940,000 Gallon Wastewater Spill
On July 3, 2024, the Department of Environmental Protection issued an order to EQT Production Company in its most recent attempt to get the company to produce records as part of the agency’s ongoing investigation into the release of up to an estimated 940,000 gallons of wastewater at the Brova shale gas well pad in North Bethlehem Township, Washington County and similar failures at at least six other EQT well pads.
EQT has repeatedly challenged DEP’s authority to request information and records during this investigation, including this Order and a previous subpoena, over incidents that began in December 2021. Read more here.
DEP Orders Stonehaven Energy To Cease Conventional Oil & Gas Production At 551 Wells
On April 23, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection issued an Order to Stonehaven Energy Management Company, LLC and Jeremy Graham, individually, to “immediately cease and desist producing, extracting, or injecting as, petroleum or any other liquid related to oil and gas production or storage, including brine or other produced fluids” from 551 conventional oil and gas wells located in Clarion, Clearfield, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, McKean, Venango and Warren counties.
The Order specifically required the company to plug the abandoned Latshaw 9 oil and gas wastewater injection well in Cranberry Township, Venango County by September 30, 2025 and listed other violations at that well. Read more here.
DEP: Timberline Energy Ordered To Report Abandonment Status Of 475 Conventional Wells
On May 28, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection issued an Order to Timberline Energy, Inc. requiring the company to submit annual production, waste generation/disposal and well integrity reports for 475 conventional oil and gas wells in Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Erie, Venango and Warren counties. Inspections of 40 wells after the Order shows many are abandoned. Read more here.
Conventional Gas Well Owner Uses Wastewater To Water Freshly Seeded Well Site
The Department of Environmental Protection was prompted by a public complaint to inspect the newly drilled and fracked John D. Branch Brown 1 conventional natural gas well in Pleasant Township, Warren County on September 29, 2025 and found a hose was being used to drain wastewater from a storage tank battery to water a freshly seeded and mulched area of the well site. Excess wastewater then ran about 35 feet across the well site to a ditch that connected to a storm sewer along Crestview Boulevard. Read more here.
Blackhill Energy Has 2nd Horizontal Drilling Spill In Bradford County
On September 29, 2025, Blackhill Energy LLC notified DEP of a second inadvertent return of bentonite drilling mud from horizontal drilling of the Brad-Tenn Loop Pipeline this time in West Burlington Township, Bradford County. Read more here.
DEP Moves To Dismiss Appeal Of Challenge To Road Dumping Wastewater Ban
On September 25, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection filed a motion with the Environmental Hearing Board to dismiss the appeal of a DEP letter advising BCD Properties, Inc. the documentation it submitted does not comply with Residual Waste Coproduct Regulations allowing the disposal of its oil and gas wastewater by road dumping. EHB Docket# 2025066 Read more here.
21 Abandoned Conventional Wells
Thomas A. Hodge
September 29, 2025 inspection of the G. Reemsnyder 15501 conventional well in Washington Township, Erie County found the well abandoned and not plugged. This well was not inspected in last 10 years. Owner also failed to submit annual production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Response requested by October 29. DEP inspection report. Hodge holds one permit, this one.
PA Mineral SVCS LLC
October 1, 2025 inspection of the Burkett Harriger 6 and Burkett Harriger 7 conventional wells in Knox Township, Jefferson County found the wells were abandoned and not plugged. Violations issued. Response requested by November 5. PA Mineral holds 761 permits, including 12 abandoned wells.
Northwestern Well SVC Inc. [31 Months]
September 30, 2025 inspection of 6 conventional wells-- the Allegheny National Forest Warrant 3182 2, ANF Warrant 3182 3, ANF Warrant 3182 4, ANF Warrant 3182 5, ANF Warrant 3182 7 and ANF Warrant 3182 8-- in Jenks Township, Forest County found the wells abandoned and not plugged. Original violations for abandoned issued February 16, 2023. Condition of the wells has not changed since 2023. No request made of well owner. Northwestern Well holds 47 permits.
EQT Production Co.
September 26, 2025 follow-up inspection of the WE Minor M303 conventional well in Greene Township, Greene County found the well continues to be abandoned and not plugged. Original violation issued August 28, 2025. Well owner “intends” to add the well to the plugging schedule in 2026. No response requested. DEP inspection report.
Carol A. Morrison Baker
September 25, 2025 inspections of 10 conventional wells in Cranberry Township, Venango County found them all abandoned and not plugged on State Game Lands. Owner failed to submit annual production, waste and well integrity reports. These wells were never inspected before. DEP has been unable to contact the well owner. No response requested from owner. Click Here for a list of DEP inspection reports and links. On August 19, 2025 issued violations to this well owner for abandoning two other conventional wells on State Game Lands. Baker Morrison holds 217 permits, including 43 abandoned wells.
Diversified Production LLC
September 19, 2025 inspection of the DICE 3 conventional well in Georges Township, Fayette County found the well abandoned and not plugged. Natural gas bubbling heard from the wastewater storage tank. Multiple violations issued. Response requested by October 19. DEP inspection report.
502 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations In 2025
So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 502 violations to 107 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.; Carol A. Morrison Baker; Baron Crest Energy Co.; Bialy Gas Production LLC; Blackrock Enterprises LLC; Darrel B. Blauser; JJ Bucher Producing Corp; Chris E. Burke; Consolidated Coal Co.; Dorothy Craft; 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; Donald S. Kelly; Harry L. King; Thomas A. Hodge; Howard Drilling Inc.; Robert L. Hunter; Iron Pennsylvania Land LLC; Donald Jeannerett; JPS Lawncare & Landscaping; Keystone Crude LLC; Raymond J. Kaufman; Kiski Valley Gas Co.; Raymond D. Langer; Leechburg Gas Co.; Manufacturers Light & Heat Co; Marco Drilling Inc.; 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; Northwestern Well SVC Inc.; 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; Robert Lee Pennington; 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.; Walker Oil Prod Inc.; Washington Energy Co LLC; Ronald Wise; Mary A. Woodring; Woodward Inc.
2 Abandoned Shale Gas Wells
LPR Energy LLC [47 Months]
September 23, 2025 inspection of the PMG Baird 1H shale gas well in Lower Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County found it is still abandoned and not plugged and has an open well head venting lots of natural gas to the atmosphere. DEP said “bubbling can be seen and heard inside the well.” The owner continues to be in violation of an August 31, 2021 Consent Order and Agreement to plug this and other shale gas wells [Read more here]. Original violations for failing to comply with DEP Order issued on March 7, 2025, May 28, 2025 and again on September 5, 2025 for this well. The September 5 inspection report noted the well was partially plugged, but not yet completed. No response requested of well owner. DEP Sept. 23 inspection report. LPR Energy holds 42 permits.
EQT Production Co.
September 25, 2025 post-plugging inspection of the Phoenix 590796 shale gas well in Duncan Township, Tioga County found this abandoned well was no longer leaking gas. This well was originally plugged in 2016, but failed to contain gas and found venting again in 2020. Owner tried again, but a follow-up inspection on July 10, 2023 found the well still leaking as. Replugging was performed on this well from October 2, 2024 to September 2, 2025. A July 31, 2020 violation for abandonment is continued and the owner will be monitoring the well for 30 days. DEP inspection report. EQT Production Co. holds 15 permits, including this one. EQT Prod Co. holds 2,078 permits, including 107 abandoned wells.
65 Abandoned Shale Gas Well Violations In 2025
Abandoned Shale Gas Wells: So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 65 violations to 21 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 LLC; Big Dog Energy LLC; Blackhill Energy LLC; CNX Gas Co. 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.; EQT Production Co.; Frontier Natural Resources; Hilcorp Energy Co.; Hilcorp Energy Co.; LPR Energy LLC; LPR Energy LLC; LPR Energy LLC; LPR Energy LLC; Rice Drilling B LLC [EQT]; MTN V Oil & Gas Inc.; Rice Drilling B LLC [EQT]; Roulette Oil & Gas LLC; STL Resources LLC; Taft Operating LLC].
Water Supply Contamination Investigation
Indiana County, Young Township
September 28 to October 3, 2025, DEP inspected 28 US Energy Exploration Corp conventional wells as part of a water supply contamination investigation and found no wells were leaking gas. Bruner 2 DEP inspection report example.
Spills/Releases Conventional Wells
K Petroleum Inc.
October 2, 2025 inspection of the Patterson 1-P117 conventional well in Nottingham Township, Washington County found “orange sheeny substance” dripping from wastewater storage tank and staining the ground. Violations issued. Response requested by October 18. DEP inspection report.
Diamond Energy Partners LLC
September 19, 2025 inspection of the Ralph Weaver 1 conventional well in Sugar Grove Township, Mercer County was prompted by a notification the well was leaking both oil and gas. The Greenville Borough Fire Department and Hempfield Township Policy both responded to the site. A well tender for the owner said the flow line to the wastewater storage tank had ruptured 6 months ago and they tried to fix it 3-4 times. The most recent repair was 30 days ago and there was evidence of an excavated area. The emergency number at the well site was not operating. Violations issued. Response requested by October 17. DEP inspection report.
Spills/Releases Shale Gas Wells
EQT Production Co.
September 17, 2025 inspection of the Harden Farms shale gas well pad in Morris Township, Greene County in response to a spill notification found evidence of a biocide and wastewater spill giving off an extremely strong odor. The site also did have appropriate secondary containment and no Emergency Response Plan. Multiple violations issued. Response requested by October 3. DEP inspection report.
2025 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups
So far in 2025, DEP received or acted on 140 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups. Read more here.
Failure To Restore Shale Gas Well Pad
Range Resources Appalachia LLC
September 23, 2025 inspection of the Schwotzer Arthur shale gas well pad in Blaine Township, Washington County for compliance with well pad restoration requirements and found the site did not meet the requirements. The request was denied because of a lack of vegetative growth, and needed maintenance on the access road. DEP also requested the owner to evaluate soil cracking at the top of the well pad cutslope to determine if it threatens site stability. Response requested by October 14. DEP inspection report.
Failed Shale Gas Casing/Cementing
Chesapeake Appalachia LLC [46 Months]
September 29, 2025 inspection of the Epsilon Blanche Poulsen 1-2H shale gas well in Auburn Township, Susquehanna County as part of monitoring failed casing/cementing. Original violation issued November 18, 2021. This well was plugged and violation will be closed when certificate of plugging has been received. DEP inspection report.
No Shale Gas Well Pad Emergency Response Plan
Range Resources Appalachia LLC
September 23, 2025 inspection of the Harmon Creek D shale gas well pad in Smith Township, Washington County in response to a complaint found there was no Emergency Response Plan available on the well pad with seven wells.Violation issued. Response requested by October 14. 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-- Partially plugged LPR Energy LLC shale gas well open to atmosphere and venting gas; One of 6 abandoned Northwestern Well SVC Inc. conventional wells in the Allegheny National Forest that haven’t changed in 31 months; K Petroleum Inc. conventional well wastewater tank leaking orange stuff; Gas bubbling inside Diversified Production LLC conventional wastewater storage tank; Row 2-- EQT Production Co. 940,000 gallon wastewater spill; Row 3-- Stonehaven Energy Management Company issued cease production order covering 551 conventional wells; Timberline Energy, Inc. issued order to require 475 conventional wells submit annual reports, many appear to be abandoned in recent inspections; Row 4-- Blackhill Energy LLC ‘inadvertent’ horizontal pipeline drilling return; John D. Branch conventional well site draining wastewater from tank with hose.)
[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 Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - October 4 [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On Air Quality Permit For 77 Emergency Power Generators At The Amazon Data Center In Salem Twp., Luzerne County [PaEN]
-- DEP To Hold Nov. 14 Hearing On Renewal Of An Air Quality Permit For The Coal, Natural Gas-Fired Brunner Island Power Plant In York County [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On An Air Quality Permit For The Tenaska PA Partners, LLC Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant In Westmoreland County [PaEN]
-- DEP Accepting Comments On The Renewal Of An Air Quality Permit For The Wolf Run Energy, LLC Natural Gas Power Plant In Bradford County [PaEN]
-- DEP: Comments Now Being Accepted For An Air Quality Permit For The Hunterstown Power, LLC Peaking Electric Generation Facility In Adams County [PaEN]
-- DEP Sets 3 Hearings On Air Quality Standards For Plastics Resin Manufacturers Shell Chemical Appalachia, Rohm & Haas Co. Multi Plastics Extrusions [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 74 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In October 4 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- DEP Names Seth Pelepko, P.G. Deputy Secretary For Oil & Gas Management [PaEN]
-- DEP Orders Timberline Energy, Inc. To Submit Production, Waste, Well Integrity Reports For 475 Conventional Oil, Gas Wells In 6 Counties; Recent Inspections Show Many Wells Appear Abandoned [PaEN]
-- DEP: Blackhill Energy LLC 2nd ‘Inadvertent Return’ During Horizontal Drilling Of Brad-Tenn Loop Pipeline In Bradford County [PaEN]
-- DEP Moves To Dismiss BCD Properties Appeal Challenging A DEP Letter Advising It Does Not Comply With Waste Regulations Allowing The Disposal Of Its Oil And Gas Wastewater By Road Dumping [PaEN]
-- Inside Climate News - Kyle Bagenstose: Appeal Could Make It Easy For Conventional Oil & Gas Well Owners To Dispose Of Their Wastewater By Road Dumping
NewsClips:
-- TribLive Letter: Pollution Coming To Creeks Near You, New Shale Gas Drilling Permits Filed With DEP In Affecting 4 Townships In Allegheny, Butler Counties - By Eric Greisinger, Forest Steward Of Greisinger Family Tree Farm
-- The Derrick: Drake Energy Security Forum Returns To Oil City Oct. 13-14 Bringing Officials, Industry Leaders And Experts From Around The Globe [PDF of Article] [Drake Forum website]
-- Wyoming County Press Examiner: Oil & Gas Landowner Alliance To Hold Town Hall Meeting Oct. 2 At Montrose VFW
-- Mass Transit/Centre Daily Times: Centre Area Transportation Authority Switch To Renewable Natural Gas Seen As An ‘Important Milestone’
-- Beaver Times Guest Essay: Shell Petrochemical Plant Amplifies Misleading Claims About Beaver County Population Growth [And Other Misleading Statements] - By Daniel Rossi-Keen, RiverWise [PDF of Article]
-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Is There Opportunity For Population Growth In Pittsburgh’s Outlying Counties? [Shell Petrochemical Plant Increases In Jobs, Gross Domestic Product ‘Do Not Yet Appear In The Data’]
-- The Center Square Guest Essay: The Shale Gas Solution, Protecting National Security With Domestic Energy Supply - By Lauren Jessop
-- Broad & Liberty Guest Essay: Natural Gas Pipeline Expansion Touted As Key To US Energy Dominance - By Lauren Jessop
-- PUC Seeking Nominations For PA OneCall Damage Prevention Committee
[Posted: October 5, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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