PA Environment Digest Blog: DEP: Seneca Resources Failed To Notify DEP Of Casing/Cementing Failures In 6 Shale Gas Wells For 15 Years In Delmar Twp., Tioga County

On June 18, 2026, the Department of Environmental Protection issued violations to Seneca Resources Co LLC for failing to notify DEP of casing/cementing failures and for the failures themselves in six shale gas wells at the Erickson well pad in Delmar Township, Tioga County .

DEP inspection reports said prior samples since May and June 2011 confirmed the presence of combustible gas in well annular spaces of well 1H, well 2H, well 3H, well 4H, well 5H and well 6H which “is a violation of the Department’s regulations.”

The wells were drilled in September 2010.

The June 18 inspections also documented the results of a 72-hour buildup test of the six wells and the collection of gas samples for isotopic analysis.

DEP quoted its regulations saying-- “If the defect cannot be corrected or an alternate method is not approved by the Department, the well shall be plugged.”

DEP requested a written response by August 3 on how Seneca intends to comply with the regulations.

Large portions of Delmar Township in Tioga County are in Tioga State Forest.

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: well 1H, well 2H, well 3H, well 4H, well 5H and well 6H.)

[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.]

Resource Links - Seneca Resources:

-- 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]

-- No One Warned A Cameron County Family Their Water Well Was Contaminated By A Seneca Resources Shale Gas Wastewater Pipeline Rupture [PaEN]

-- DEP: Seneca Resources Failed To Notify DEP Of Casing/Cementing Failures In 6 Shale Gas Wells For 15 Years In Delmar Twp., Tioga County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Day 609 - Sample Results Confirm Continued Wastewater Releases At Seneca Resources Taft Shale Gas Well Pad In Middlebury Twp., Tioga County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Day 587 And Counting: Seneca Resources Continues To Release Wastewater, Frack New Shale Gas Wells At Taft Well Pad In Middlebury Twp., Tioga County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Day 545 And Counting: Seneca Resources Continues To Release Wastewater, Frack New Shale Gas Wells At Taft Well Pad In Middlebury Twp., Tioga County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Seneca Resources Still Experiencing Spills, Releases While New Well Development Continues At Taft Shale Gas Well Pad In Middlebury Twp., Tioga County For 426 Days And Counting [PaEN]

-- DEP: Spills, Releases Continue At Seneca Resources Taft Shale Gas Well Pad In Middlebury Twp., Tioga County For 373 Days And Counting [PaEN]

-- DEP Day 239: Seneca Resources Wastewater Cleanup, Monitoring Efforts Continue At Vandergrift Shale Gas Well Pad In Charleston Twp., Tioga County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Day 155 - Contaminated Water Still Flowing From Seneca Resources Vandergrift Shale Gas Wells, Well Pad; Cleanup Continues In Charleston Twp., Tioga County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Seneca Resources Ignores NOVs On DCNR Shale Gas Well Pad Cleanup For 7 Months & Counting; Citizen Complaint Finds Homeowner Well Venting Gas; Multiple Tanker Truck Spills [PaEN]