DEP previously inspected the McKay 7A well on January 20, 2026 and noted in the report Sandstone had a US Environmental Protection Agency injection well permit for the purpose of injecting wastewater associated with oil and gas production from Sandstone.
The January 20 report noted a wastewater storage tank was located at the injection well, but there was no activity on the site at the time of the inspection.
Comparing the January 20 and May 14 inspection report photos, the well appears to be configured as an injection well on January 20.
The January 20 report did not record any other issues with the well. The report contained no advisories to the well owner or violations.
Injection well owners are required to get a permit from DEP for wastewater injection wells as required by 25 Pa Code 78.18(a), which was effective on Dec. 16, 1994.
The May 14 inspection report said-- “Operator was unaware of this requirement and failed to submit for new permit through the Department for a change of status [from a conventional oil and gas well to an injection well].”
Sandstone does have a permit from the US Environmental Protection Agency issued on September 24, 2025 and effective on October 28, 2025. Read more here.
The EPA permit authorizes the injection of up to 10,500 gallons of wastewater per day.
DEP’s May 14 inspection report requested a response by May 28, 2026. DEP inspection report.
Sandstone Development LLC holds 214 conventional oil and gas well permits from DEP going back to at least 1998.
A permit was issued to drill the McKay 7A conventional well on Dec. 9, 2002 and it was completed on Feb. 12, 2003.
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.
[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.]
[Posted: May 19, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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