Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring between October 25 to 31--
Click Here for violations issued. Click Here for inspection entries.
[Note: There were many more violations issued by DEP than PA Environment Digest can highlight here.]
Enforcement Actions Taken Last Week
So far this year, DEP took these actions as of October 24--
-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 14 conventional, 6 unconventional
-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 4,916 conventional and 1,081 unconventional
-- Enforcements 2025: 355 conventional and 138 unconventional (orders, agreements)
-- Inspections Last Week: 248 conventional and 232 unconventional
-- Year To Date - Inspections: 16,568 conventional and 21,191 unconventional
Attorney General Charges Seneca Resources With 100 Criminal Violations In 8 Counties
On October 31, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against Seneca Resources, LLC, following multiple violations of Pennsylvania’s environmental protection laws in several counties, as recommended by the 48th and 51st Statewide Investigating Grand Juries.
Three separate criminal complaints were filed regarding the natural gas company’s violations related to improper waste management practices and policies.
In all, Seneca is charged with 64 counts of violations of the Solid Waste Management Act and 36 counts of violations of the Clean Streams Law in Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga counties.
[ Charges Part 1, Charges Part 2 and Charges Part 3 totalling 99 pages. For each charge there is a description of the violation by Seneca.] Read more here.
Coterra Energy Shale Gas Well Control Incident In Susquehanna County
At 8:39 a.m. on October 22, 2025, Coterra Energy Inc. notified DEP of a shale gas well control incident during fracking the 12H well on the Lauer pad in Springville Township, Susquehanna County resulting in the release of an unknown quantity of fracking and production fluid and natural gas from the well. Read more here.
The loss of control resulted in the “high pressure gas/mist coming from the annulus wing value in the well cellar” spraying fluids both on and off the well pad. DEP Oct. 22 notification report.
Coterra Energy did not regain control of the well until a second bridge plug was installed on October 24 at 9:37 a.m.-- 49 hours after the initial report. DEP inspection report.
Inspection reports posted later in the week showed DEP staff provided 24-hour coverage into October 24 after the shale gas well was brought under control.
Click Here for links to 16 DEP inspection reports from October 22 to October 31.
DEP Solicits Bids To Plug 26 Abandoned Conventional Wells At Taxpayer Expense
On October 31, the Department of Environmental Protection posted two abandoned well plugging contracts on BidExpress.com soliciting bids to plug 25 abandoned conventional wells in Erie County and one abandoned conventional gas well in Clearfield County.
The Erie County contract is for plugging 25 abandoned conventional wells in Millcreek, Fairview, Girard and Harborcreek Townships that is expected to cost taxpayers between $1 million and $5 million.
The Clearfield County contract is for plugging one conventional gas well in Huston Township that is expected to cost taxpayers between $200,000 and $299,000. Read more here.
CNX Resources Lawsuit Against Capital & Main For Reporting On Health Risks
On October 31, 2025, Capital & Main reported a lawsuit was filed by CNX Resources Corporation accusing the news organization of defamation for quoting sources critical of an industry-written study. Capital & Main said it stands by its reporting and vows to fight the suit.
In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania, CNX accuses Capital & Main of publishing false and defamatory statements in a September 24, 2024 story with the headline “Pennsylvania Gas Driller: Our Operations Pose No Health Risk. You Can’t Be Serious, Activists Say.”
The lawsuit seeks an award of damages, attorneys’ fees and costs and other, unspecified relief from the court.
Publisher Danny Feingold vowed to fight the lawsuit. Read more here.
10 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations
Mary Jane Katchmark
October 22, 2025 inspection of the Flora O. Thomas 3863 conventional well in Center Township, Greene County related to an application to transfer the well to Iron PA Land, LLC found the well abandoned and not plugged. Owner also failed to submit 2024 production, waste generation and well integrity reports. DEP noted Iron PA said the well is projected to be plugged for underground coal mining mine through in 2027. Violations issued. Response requested by November 7. DEP inspection report. Katchmark holds one permit.
Diversified Prod LLC
October 22, 2025 routine inspection of the Col Nat Gas 1 conventional well in Richland Township, Allegheny County found the well abandoned and not plugged. Response requested by November 6. DEP inspection report.
Consolidated Coal Co.
October 15, 2025 routine inspection of six conventional wells in Cumberland Township, Greene County found them all abandoned and not plugged and owner failed to submit annual production, waste generation and well integrity reports. The wells included Franklin L. Hart 1, Franklin L. Hart 2, Franklin L. Hart 4, Franklin L. Hart 5, Edwin F. Luse 1 and Edwin F. Luse 3. Violations issued. Response requested by November 10.
Cohen IND Inc.
October 30, 2025 inspection of the Cohn 1 conventional well in City of Erie, Erie County found the well abandoned and not plugged and owner failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports for at least 10 years. Well is located in a business parking lot inside a wooden structure. Violations issued. Response requested by Dec. 4 DEP inspection report. Cohen holds one permit.
Zurn IND LLC
October 30, 2025 routine inspection of the Zurn Cast Metals Div 1 conventional well in the City of Erie, Erie County found the well abandoned and not plugged. Owner failed to submit annual production, waste generation and well integrity report. Violations issued. Response requested by December 4. DEP inspection report. Zurn IND holds 2 permits.
Timberline Energy Inc.
October 15, 2025 inspection of 14 conventional wells in Cranberry Township, Venango County found the owner failed to restore the well sites and remove storage tanks and other equipment after plugging. Wells included Ostroske 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 17, 20, 21, 22. Owner was notified and said he would take care of it. Violations issued. No response requested. Links to inspection reports.
529 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations In 2025
So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 529 violations to 113 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; Cohen IND Inc.; 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; H & S Gas & Oil; 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; Mary Jane Katchmark; Keystone Crude LLC; Raymond J. Kaufman; Kiski Valley Gas Co.; Claudia A. & John P. Lampman; Raymond D. Langer; Leechburg Gas Co.; Manufacturers Light & Heat Co; Calvin & Julia McCutcheon; 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; Stone Ridge Energy 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.; and Zurn IND LLC.
Conventional Well Spills/Release
Deitz Gas & Oil Inc. [228 Days]
October 27, 2025 inspection of the Mahle M12 conventional well in Highland Township, Clarion County found oil continues to leak from a storage tank contaminating soil around the tank. Original violations issued March 13, 2025. Owner responded on March 19 by email saying he would complete a cleanup, however, “there has been no attempt to cleanup.” “All violations issued on this well are continued, penalties for these violations will increase until clean-up is completed and waste manifests/receipts for disposal of contaminated soil are received.” No response requested from owner. DEP inspection report. Deitz Gas holds 326 permits, including 3 abandoned wells.
Oil & Gas MGMT Inc. [1,364 Days]
October 22, 2025 inspection of the Kiskiminetas Springs School Well 6 in Loyalhanna Township, Westmoreland County found the well site “unchanged since the time of” an April 17, 2025 inspection and has not been in compliance with a February 10, 2023 DEP order to complete spill cleanup on the site since November 12, 2024. DEP issued original violations for multiple spills on the site on January 27, 2022. Remedial Action Report on the site was not approved in 2023 due to technical deficiencies and never resubmitted. Violation continued for not complying with DEP order. DEP Oct. 22 inspection report. Oil & Gas MGMT holds 163 permits.
BB Mulvaney [547 Days]
October 22, 2025 compliance inspection of the Wilford M. Chambers 1 conventional well in Richhill Township, Greene County found the well was still audibly venting gas at a high rate and spills and standing fluids around the storage tank had not been cleaned up. Owner is not in compliance with a May 17, 2024 DEP order to clean up this mess. Original violations issued on April 23, 2024 when the well was classified as abandoned. Response requested by November 7. DEP inspection report. BB Mulvaney holds 2 permits.
Niche Energy LLC [119 Days]
October 22, 2025 follow-up inspections of the Dennis Bliley 1 conventional well in Waterford Township, Erie County and the Frank Puckley 1 and Richard Stutzman 1 conventional wells in Wayne Township, Erie County found the owner failed to stop or clean up wastewater storage tank releases at each of the three wells discovered at the Dennis Bliley well on June 25, 2025 [119 days and counting], the Frank Puckley well on August 6, 2025 [77 days and counting] and the Richard Stutzman well on August 11, 2025 [72 days and counting]. No requests made of well owner. Niche Energy holds 191 permits, including 9 abandoned wells.
Wilmoth Interests Inc.
October 23, 2025 inspection of the Allegheny National Forest 194-49 conventional well in Sheffield Township, Warren County in response to a notification by the owner of a release found evidence of a crude oil spill. Due to an equipment malfunction, pressure built up in the well and sprayed crude oil and wastewater into the air for a distance of about 200 feet in every direction from the wellhead. Three to four inches of oil and wastewater were present on the pad and flowing down the access road. Remediation began after the spill was discovered. Violations issued. Response requested by November 12. DEP inspection report. Wilmoth holds 332 permits, including 2 abandoned wells.
Apollo Resources LLC
October 15, 2025 inspection of the Tom 9 conventional well in Nicholson Township, Fayette County found the well venting gas through corroded casing and black residue and other evidence of spills at the site. Production report submitted for 2024, but it is unclear how production is being reported since meter chart is no longer in use. Response requested by November 5. DEP inspection report. Apollo holds 1,896 permits, including 2 abandoned wells.
Ows Energy LLC
October 20, 2025 routine inspection of the Jewell Allen 1 conventional well in Wayne Township, Crawford County found the wellhead “hissing” with an odor “typically associated with production wastewater.” The owner was notified. Violation issued for creating a public nuisance. No response requested. DEP inspection report. Ows Energy holds 2,623 permits, including 1 abandoned well.
2025 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups
So far in 2025, DEP received or acted on 151 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups. Read more here.
Failed Shale Gas Casing/Cementing
XTO Energy Inc. [4,793 Days]
October 29, 2025 inspection of the Buck Unit A 1H shale gas well in Franklin Township, Lycoming County as part of ongoing monitoring of a casing/cementing failure first documented on September 13, 2012. Well pressure was unreadable at the time of the inspection. Violations continued. DEP inspection report.
Shale Gas-Related Slope Failure, E&S Violations
Markwest Liberty Midstream & Resources LLC [169 Days]
October 22, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Hunter Longwall Mining Project to expose 4 natural gas pipelines in Donegal Township, Washington County ahead of underground coal mining found the owner failed to correct violations from May 6, 2025 for slope failure and multiple erosion and sedimentation control failures. A damaged township road was being repaired by the township, but Markwest plans to stabilize the right of way in spring 2026.. A geotechnical report was requested to determine the cause of the slide. Response requested by November 11. DEP inspection report.
Expand OPER LLC
October 20, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Depue shale gas well pad in Franklin Township, Susquehanna County found a rock-lined channel constructed by the owner is directing sediment-laden water from the pad access road into a stream tributary. Original violations issued February 20, 2024 and nothing has changed in five DEP inspections of the site. Expand refutes the violations saying it’s the landowner’s fault. Response requested by November 7. DEP inspection report.
Coterra Energy Inc.
October 10, 2025 inspection of the Wright shale gas pad in Bridgewater Township, Susquehanna County in response to a notification by the owner of a major erosion and sedimentation control measures failure during reclamation of part of the well pad. Earthwork to reclaim the storage tank pad at the site resulted in breaching a sedimentation basin. A rain event that evening blew out a 32-inch filter sock and allowed sediment laden water to enter a nearby stream 200 feet downhill. Violations issued. Response requested by October 27. 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: Attorney General Sunday block of photos related to criminal charges against Seneca Resources shale gas waste dumping in 8 counties; Row 1 Right- related to Coterra Energy 49-hour shale gas well control incident; Row 2 Right - Wilmoth Interests Inc. conventional well blew crude oil, wastewater 200 feet in all directions around the well; Niche Energy LLC failed to fix storage tank leaks at 3 conventional well sites for 119 days and counting.)
[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 - Oct. 25 to 31 - 100 Criminal Charges Filed; 49-Hour Uncontrolled Shale Gas Well; Failed To Clean Up Conventional Well Spills For 1,364 Days And Counting [PaEN]
-- [Read Carefully!] PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - November 1 [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On Chapter 105 Permit For 3.9 Mile Shale Gas Well Pad Development Access Road, Staging Area In Loyalsock State Forest, Lycoming County [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On First Title V Air Quality Permit For the Calpine Mid-Merit II 1,449 MW Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant In York County; To Supply Power To Data Center Project [PaEN]
-- DEP Sets Dec. 1 Hearing On Revised Title V Air Quality Permit For The Monroe Energy LLC Trainer Refinery In Delaware County [PaEN]
-- [Read Carefully! An Unusual Number Of Hearings, Big Permits] DEP Posted 77 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In November 1 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- Attorney General Sunday: Criminal Charges Filed Against Seneca Resources For 64 Counts Of Illegal Dumping Of Shale Gas Waste In Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga Counties [PaEN]
-- Capital & Main: Pennsylvania Gas Producer [CNX Resources] Sues Capital & Main Over Its Reporting On Health Risks [Trying To Silence Its Reporting] [PaEN]
-- House Environmental Committee To Hold Nov. 5 Hearing On Impacts Of Proposed LNG Natural Gas Export Terminal In Southeast PA [PaEN]
-- 500 Feet Isn't Enough: Environmental Groups Urge Environmental Quality Board To Accept Rulemaking Petition For Study Increasing Setbacks From Shale Gas Wells [PaEN]
-- DEP: Coterra Energy 49-Hour Shale Gas Well Control Incident While Fracking Resulting In Spraying Production Fluids Over Well Pad, Releasing Natural Gas In Susquehanna County [PaEN]
-- DEP Solicits Bids On 2 Contracts To Plug 25 Abandoned Conventional Wells In Erie County At Taxpayer Expense; 1 Conventional Well In Clearfield County Expected To Cost $200,000+ To Plug [PaEN]
-- DEP Air Quality Advisory Committee Meets Nov. 6 To Hear Presentations On VOC Emissions Reporting From Conventional Oil & Gas/Shale Gas Wells And Air Pollution From A.I. Data Centers [PaEN]
-- Inside Climate News: Gov. Shapiro Joins 3 Other Governors In A Proposal To Give Priority To A.I. Data Centers That Bring Their Own Electric Generation To The Grid [PaEN]
-- Gov. Shapiro, Oklahoma Gov. Stitt Lead Bipartisan National Governors Assn. Group Recommending Energy Facility Permitting Reform To Address Nation’s Energy Crisis [PaEN]
-- In Case You Missed It: A.I./Data Center Articles - NewClips From Last Week - November 3 [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- WHYY - Susan Phillips: PA Attorney General Files Criminal Charges Against Seneca Resources Shale Gas Driller For Illegal Waste Disposal In 8 PA Counties; Company Says It’s ‘An Industry Leader’
-- Bradford Era: Seneca Resources Shale Gas Driller Charged For Wastewater Dumping
-- ExploreJeffersonPA.com: Seneca Resources Faces 114 Criminal Charges For Illegal Waste Disposal Throughout Region
-- Spotlight PA - Stephen Caruso: All Major Players In PA’s Budget Impasse Met In Person This Week, Will A Deal Follow? [RGGI, Permit, Regulatory Changes In Play]
-- PennLive Guest Essay: PA Needs Every Tool, Every MW To Meet Growing Energy Demand - By Andrew Tubbs, Energy Utility Association Of PA
-- LancasterOnline Editorial: PA Residents Shouldn’t Pay The Price For A.I. Data Center-Spiked Electricity Rates [PDF of Article]
-- PennLive Guest Essay: The Energy Utility Association Of PA Proposes To Place Risk Of Increasing Electric Generation On Ratepayers - By Nora Brownell, Former PA PUC Commissioner
-- WHYY: Republican Lawmakers From PA, NJ, VA, MD Weigh Solutions To Rising Electricity Bills Driven By A.I. Data Centers - Faster Permitting, Ending Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative In PA [That Was Never Implemented]
[Posted: November 2, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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