Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring between November 8 to 14--
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 November 7--
-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 184 conventional, 9 unconventional
-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 5,226 conventional and 1,125 unconventional
-- Enforcements 2025: 384 conventional and 143 unconventional (orders, agreements)
-- Inspections Last Week: 502 conventional and 375 unconventional
-- Year To Date - Inspections: 17,546 conventional and 22,306 unconventional
Rock Oil Resources LLC Issued Violations For 36 Abandoned Conventional Wells
On November 6 & 7, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection inspected 36 conventional oil and gas wells owned by Rock Oil Resources LLC and found them continued to be abandoned and not plugged in Allegheny Township, Venango County for 639 days and counting. The original violations for abandonment and failing to submit annual production, waste generation/disposal and well integrity reports were issued on February 5, 6 & 7, 2024. Read more here.
4 More Abandoned Conventional Well Violations
Marco Drilling Inc. [63 Days]
November 13, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Josephine Tuche ET VIR 4 conventional well in Indiana Township, Allegheny County found the well still abandoned and not plugged. No action taken to deal with violations. Original violation issued September 11, 2025. Violations continued. Response requested by December 1. DEP inspection report. Marco holds 35 permits.Kriebel Natural Gas Co LLC
November 12, 2025 routine inspection of the SH Bollinger 1 conventional well in Kiskiminetas Township, Armstrong County found the well abandoned and not plugged. The owner failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Response requested by November 28. DEP inspection report. Kriebel Natural Gas holds 1,680 permits.
Ronald D. Meyer
November 13, 2025 routine inspection of the Rowland 2 2 conventional well in Le Boeuf Township, Erie County found the well abandoned and not plugged. The owner failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Response requested by December 11. DEP inspection report. Ronald Meyer holds 1 permit.
Norbert J. Cross
October 31, 2025 routine inspection of the Norbert & Nancy Cross 3 conventional well in Waterford Township, Erie County found the well abandoned and not plugged. The well was never inspected. Failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Research found the owner passed away in 2008 as well as his brothers and the wells have not been tended since their passing. DEP inspection report. Norbert Cross held 3 permits.
592 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations In 2025
So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 592 violations to 120 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; Norbert J. Cross; 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; Glade Resource Developers; Greenway Energy LLC; H & S Gas & Oil; Michael Harju; Donald S. Kelly; Harry L. King; Thomas A. Hodge; Horizontal Exploration LLC; 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.; Kriebel Natural Gas Co LLC; 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.; Ronald D. Meyer; 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; PPP Future Dev Inc.; 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; Rock Oil Resources, LLC; 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.
Shale Gas Spills/Releases
Diversified Prod LLC [498 Days]
October 28, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Cowden 9H plugged shale gas well in Hopewell Township, Washington County found continued evidence of ground contamination around the wellhead and remediation efforts observed during a July 10 inspection, including an uncovered stockpile of contaminated soil, was still in the same condition. Original violations were issued on January 15, 2025. A June 17, 2024 inspection of the plugged well found it was leaking gas and the contamination on the ground around the wellhead was first identified. Violations were continued. DEP recommended remediation continue. DEP inspection report.
2025 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups
So far in 2025, DEP received or acted on 161 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups. Read more here.
Shale Gas Casing/Cementing Failures
Chesapeake Appalachia LLC [3,797 Days]
November 6, 2025 follow-up inspection and pressure testing of the Jack 1H shale gas well in Windham Township, Wyoming County as part of regular monitoring of casing/cementing failure at this well originally issued violations on June 15, 2015. Well drilled in August 2010. Venting of the well to continue along with quarterly monitoring. Violations continued. DEP inspection report.
Chesapeake Appalachia LLC [2,590 Days]
November 6, 2025 follow-up inspection and pressure testing of the Evelyn 2H and Evelyn 4H shale gas wells in Windham Township, Wyoming County as part of regular monitoring of casing/cementing failures at these wells originally discovered on October 4, 2018. Well drilled in January 2017. Original violations issued May 27, 2021. Monitoring to continue quarterly. Violations continued. No further response requested of well owner.
Failed To Restore Shale Gas Well Pad
CNX Gas Co LLC
November 5, 2025 inspection of the Herminie shale gas well pad in Sewickley Township, Westmoreland County in response to a post-drilling report found the site did not have required vegetative cover at multiple locations on the pad. The last well was drilled on the pad January 30, 2025. Violations issued for failure to restore pad within 9 months after the drilling was completed. Response requested by November 26. DEP inspection report.
Natural Gas Storage Areas
DEP has been devoting staff time to inspecting underground natural gas storage areas as they do this time of year.
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 cleanup shale gas well spill; Rock Oil Resources LLC abandoned 36 conventional wells, did nothing for 639 days; Row 2-- CNX Gas Co LLC failed to restore shale gas well pad after drilling completed; Ronald D. Meyer abandoned conventional well; Norbert J. Cross abandoned conventional well; Kriebel Natural Gas Co LLC abandoned conventional well.)
[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 - Nov. 8 to 14 - One Owner Abandons 36 Conventional Wells; Failed To Cleanup Shale Gas Spill For 498 Days [PaEN]
-- DEP Issues Violations To Rock Oil Resources LLC For Abandoning, Not Plugging 36 Conventional Oil & Gas Wells For 639 Days And Counting In Venango County [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - November 15 [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On Air Quality Permit For 176 - 3.25 MW Backup Diesel Generators For A.I. Data Center In Former LSC Communication East Facility, City Of Lancaster [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 41 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In November 15 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- 500 Feet Isn’t Enough: House Environmental Committee To Hold Nov. 17 Hearing On Bill To Increase Setbacks From Unconventional Shale Gas Wells From 500 Feet To 2,500 Feet From Homes, 5,000 Feet From Schools, Hospitals [PaEN]
-- Penn State Research: Conventional Oil & Gas Wells Abandoned By Their Owners In Allegheny National Forest Leak Arsenic, Methane Into Aquifer [PA To Spend $400 Million In Federal Taxpayer Money To Plug Wells Abandoned By Their Owners] [PaEN]
-- State Budget Agreement Mixed Bag For Environment: RGGI Gone; $156 Million Solar For All Money OK’d; PUC Review Of Load Forecasts; $15 Million For Oil & Gas Regulation; More Cuts To Special Funds Coming [PaEN]
-- Environmental Justice: What Happens When A.I. Data Centers Come To Town? -- Environmental, Economic, Grid Impacts [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- US EIA: Natural Gas Prices To Increase 16% In 2026, Driven By LNG Gas Exports
-- Post-Gazette: 3,200 Acre Homer City A.I. Data Center Campus Seeks To Become A Natural Gas-Fueled Powerhouse In Indiana County
-- Ohio River Valley Institute Blog: Why A.I. Data Centers Will Be Economic Development Duds In Pennsylvania
-- WHYY - Susan Phillips: Chester County Compressor Station Could Be Expanded Under Plans To Revive PA to New York Northeast Supply Enhancement Gas Pipeline [Compressor Project Has DEP Water Quality Permits]
-- Beaver Times Guest Essay: Health Factors Should Be Considered In Review Of Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County - By Alison Steele, Environmental Health Project [PDF of Article]
-- PennLive Guest Essay: Stop Enabling Petrochemical Companies - Our Health Is At Risk - By Rachel Meyer, Beaver County Resident Near Shell Petrochemical Plant
-- Beaver Times Guest Essay: Air Quality Certification For Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County Warrants Closer Review - By Hilary Starcher-O’Toole, Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Committee
-- Bloomberg: Signs Are Emerging Increasing Risk Of Polar Vortex Conditions, Higher Winter Power Bills From US To Europe
-- Bloomberg: Germany Cuts Huge Plan To Build Gas-Fired Power Plants In Half In Favor Of Clean Energy, Storage, Energy Efficiency
[Posted: November 15, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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