Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring between November 29 to December 5--
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 28--
-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 11 conventional, 3 unconventional
-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 5,491 conventional and 1,172 unconventional
-- Enforcements 2025: 399 conventional and 153 unconventional (orders, agreements)
-- Inspections Last Week: 179 conventional and 163 unconventional
-- Year To Date - Inspections: 18,852 conventional and 23,771 unconventional
CNX Waited 10 Hours To Notify DEP Of Shale Gas Casing Failure
On November 26, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection received a notification from CNX Gas Co. LLC there was a shale gas well casing failure in one of three wells being zipper fracked simultaneously at the WFN12 well pad in West Finley Township, Washington County. DEP just posted an inspection report dated December 1 on the incident.
CNX reported the incident to DEP at 9:41 p.m., however, the incident actually began at 11:23 a.m. with a pressure failure-- over 10 hours earlier.
The WFN12 well pad is part of the CNX “Radical Transparency” initiative. Read more here.
Repsol Issued Casing/Cement Failure Violations In 4 Gas Wells At Same Well Pad
The Department of Environmental Protection has now issued violations to Repsol Oil & Gas USA LLC for casing/cementing failures in four shale gas wells at the Broadleaf Holdings well pad in Troy Township, Bradford County after one of the wells experienced an uncontrolled release of wastewater in July.
There are a total of eight shale gas wells on the Broadleaf well pad. The four wells with casing/cement failures-- 3H, 5H, 7H and 8H-- all had the same spud date-- February 20, 2025-- the date drilling started.
The other four wells were all drilled in December 2018. Read more here.
Chesapeake Appalachia Issued Casing/Cement Failure Violations In 4 Gas Wells At Same Pad
On November 13, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection issued Chesapeake Appalachia LLC new violations for casing/cementing failures in four shale gas wells at the Linski well pad in Tuscarora Township, Bradford County.
There are 11 shale gas wells on the pad.
Testing on the 4H [DEP inspection report], 24H [DEP inspection report], 25H [DEP inspection report] and 101H [DEP inspection report] shale gas wells found natural gas was detected outside the surface casing or in one case the intermediate casing. Read more here.
MarkWest Loses 329,900 Gallons Of Pipeline Drilling Fluid Into Washington County Mine Voids
On November 25, 2025 and December 1, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection was notified by MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources LLC that horizontal drilling operations on the construction of the shale gas-related Chiarelli to Imperial pipeline resulted in two more incidents of losing drilling fluids into coal mine voids under Mount Pleasant Township, Washington County.
On November 25, 36,000 gallons were lost and on December 1 another 29,000 gallons. The losses occurred when drilling was at about 110 feet deep. No mine subsidence was reported on the pipeline route that is inspected frequently by the company.
DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mines was again notified of the incidents.
MarkWest reported to DEP in a November 26 email that up until that point they had lost a total of 300,900 gallons of drilling fluid into mine voids from this drilling project.
With the December 1 incident that brings the total up to at least 329,900 gallons. Read more here.
DEP: Owners Of 988 Conventional Oil & Gas Wells Failed To File Annual Reports
On December 2, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection issued violations to 13 conventional oil and gas well owners for failing to submit annual production, waste generation/disposal or well integrity reports for the up to 988 wells they own.
Failing to submit these reports is an indication well owners may be going down the road toward abandoning their wells on taxpayers. Read more here.
2 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations
Washington Energy Co LLC [2,171 Days]
November 26, 2025 compliance evaluation of the Eva Wilkinson et al 2 conventional well in Peters Township, Washington County found the well still abandoned and not plugged after DEP issued an order for the well to be plugged. Original abandonment violation issued December 17, 2019. Original violation issued for failing to comply with a DEP order on October 16, 2025. All violations continued. Response requested by Dec. 15. DEP inspection report. Washington Energy holds 118 permits, including six abandoned wells..
Timothy Cignetti [523 Days]
December 1, 2025 follow-up inspection of the WM Martin 1 conventional well in Washington Township, Westmoreland County found the well still abandoned and not plugged. Owner failed to submit production and waste generation reports since 2015 and no well integrity report for 2024. Original abandonment violation issued June 26, 2024. Response requested by December 16. DEP inspection report. Cignetti holds 1 permit.
657 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations In 2025
So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 657 violations to 128 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.; Allegany Resource Dev LLC; 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; Timothy Cignetti; 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; Five Star Investment Group Inc.; Lee Ghere; Glade Resource Developers; Greenway Energy LLC; Harvey E. Gutmo; H & S Gas & Oil; Michael Harju; Donald S. Kelly; Harry L. King; Hyde Park Foundry & Mach Co; Thomas A. Hodge; Horizontal Exploration LLC; Howard Drilling Inc.; Robert L. Hunter; Iron Pennsylvania Land LLC; Donald Jeannerett; JPS Lawncare & Landscaping; K Petroleum Inc.; 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; Lazy Oil Company; 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; Rocky Valley Gas & Oil Corp; 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; West Silas; Ronald Wise; Mary A. Woodring; Woodward Inc.; and Zurn IND LLC.
1 Abandoned Shale Gas Well Violation
West Texas Operating Co LLC [814 Days]
November 7, 2025 inspection of the Hillegass 2H shale gas well in Stonycreek Township, Somerset County found the well continued to be abandoned and not plugged. Original violation issued August 16, 2023 and continued with this inspection. New violations issued for failing to submit monthly production, waste generation/disposal since November 2019 and no well integrity reports since 2016 and failing to have an emergency response sign. The well was drilled in July 2009. Response requested by December 18. DEP inspection report. West Texas holds 2 permits.
68 Abandoned Shale Gas Well Violations In 2025
So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 68 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; 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]; West Texas Operating Co LLC.
In 2024, 47 violations were issued or continued to 12 shale gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells.
Shale Gas Spills/Releases
Range Resources Appalachia LLC [78 Days]
November 24, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Bigger Thomas shale gas well pad in Robinson Township, Washington County found the owner failed to clean up residual contamination left from a fracking fluid chemicals spill on the pad reported to DEP on September 9, 2025 during fracking operations.
In an October 2, 2025 response to the original violations, the owner said the spill was cleaned up in accordance with DEP regulations.
However, DEP’s November 24 inspection found elevated levels of conductivity at multiple areas on the pad indicating contamination remains at the site.
DEP said, “...it appears residual impact remains on site in the approximate spill location where the release impacted the well pad under the matting.”
The inspector recommended the owner “reassess the spill area for residual impact and remove any remaining impacted material.”
DEP requested a written response by December 19. DEP Nov. 24 inspection report.
2025 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups
So far in 2025, DEP received or acted on 168 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups. Read more here.
Shale Gas Casing/Cement Failures
Chesapeake Appalachia LLC [2,155 Days]
November 13, 2025 inspection of the Hunter well pad in Meshoppen Township, Wyoming County for the purpose of monitoring casing/cement failures in multiple wells at the pad. Gas was detected in the annulus and/or surface casing of the 5H, 6H, 21H and 22H shale gas wells on December 20, 2019. Pressure testing of the 5H and 22H wells continues to find gas detected. In addition to the testing and monitoring, there is an active gas migration investigation underway to determine impacts of nearby water supplies. Violations are continued. Monitoring and testing will continue. DEP inspection report [22H]
Chesapeake Appalachia LLC [1,149 Days]
December 4, 2025 inspection of the Molly J 1HC shale gas well in Monroe Township, Bradford County as part of regular monitoring for casing/cement failure found no new issues. Original violations issued on October 12, 2022. Monitoring will continue, violations will continue. 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-- West Texas Operating Co. LLC abandoned shale gas well; Timothy Cignetti abandoned conventional well; One of Washington Energy Co LLC’s now seven abandoned conventional wells: Row 2-- MarkWest Liberty Midstream loses 329,900 gallons of pipeline drilling fluid into mine voids under Washington County; Eight new casing/cement failures at CNX Gas Co. LLC, Repsol Oil & Gas and Chesapeake Appalachia LLC shale gas well pads.)
[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:
-- DEP: CNX Gas Suffers Shale Gas Well Casing Failure While Zipper Fracking 3 Wells In West Finley Twp., Washington County; CNX Waited Over 10 Hours To Notify DEP [PaEN]
-- DEP Issued Violations To Repsol Oil & Gas For Casing/Cementing Failures In 4 Shale Gas Wells After A 34-Hour Uncontrolled Wastewater Release At The Broadleaf Well Pad In Bradford County [PaEN]
-- DEP Issued Violations To Chesapeake Appalachia For Casing/Cementing Failures In 4 Shale Gas Wells At The Linski Well Pad In Bradford County [PaEN]
-- DEP: MarkWest Liberty Midstream Pipeline Construction Results In 36,000 And 29,000 Gallon Spills Into Coal Mine Voids Under Washington County; Total Of 329,900 Gallons Lost So Far On This Project [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - December 6 [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On Revised Oil & Gas Erosion & Sedimentation, Stormwater Management Technical Guidance [PaEN]
-- DEP Accepting Comments On Air Quality Permit For Hill Top Energy Center Natural Gas Power Plant In Greene County To Feed A.I. Data Centers [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On Air Permit To Uprate 3 Natural Gas Turbines At Hummel Station Power Plant In Snyder County To Feed A.I. Data Centers [PaEN]
-- DEP Proposes To Renew Air Quality Permit For Constellation Energy Oil-Fired Falls Generation Station In Bucks County [PaEN]
-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved 76 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In September & October; 398 In 2025 [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 75 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In December 6 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Article This Week:
-- Registration Open! PA League Of Women Voters, Duquesne University Host Shale Gas & Public Health Conference Feb. 19 In Pittsburgh, Online [PaEN]
-- PA Trout Unlimited, Keystone Trails Assn., Responsible Drilling Alliance Request DEP To Hold Hearing On Permit For PA General Energy 3.9 Mile Shale Gas Access Road/Staging Area In Loyalsock State Forest, Lycoming County [PaEN]
-- EPA's Delay Of Oil & Gas Industry Methane Emissions Reductions Harms Pennsylvanians; Reactions From PA, Related Groups [PaEN]
-- Independent Fiscal Office: Quarterly PA Natural Gas Production Up 5.1% From Last Year; Natural Gas Price Up 51.4% [PaEN]
-- PUC Approves Reduced Columbia Gas Rate Hike Of 6.05%, And A Per Month Residential Customer Charge Increase Of 33% [PaEN]
-- In Case You Missed It: A.I./Data Center Articles - NewClips From Last Week - December 8 [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- PA Capital-Star: Watchdog For PJM Electric Grid Wants A Pause On A.I. Data Centers
-- Reuters Opinion: High And Rising Natural Gas Costs May Spur Fresh Climb In US Coal Use
-- Bloomberg: There’s Too Much Oil: Who Are The Winners And Losers?
-- Broad & Liberty Guest Essay: Pennsylvania Needs More Energy And Sensible Regulation To Lure A.I. Data Centers - Gordon Tomb, Commonwealth Foundation [PA Is Already Flooded With Proposals, Electric Bills, Natural Gas Bills Surging As A Result]
-- The Allegheny Front: Ohio Landfills Take Shale Gas Drilling Waste, But Don’t Track Or Test Much Of It [PA Info Included]
[Posted: December 7, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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