PA Environment Digest Blog: DEP: Well Tests Confirm Expand Operating LLC Had New Casing/Cementing Failures In 4 Shale Gas Wells, Continuing Failures In 4 Others In Susquehanna And Wyoming Counties

Shale gas well pressure tests witnessed by the Department of Environmental Protection on August 6 and 13, 2026 at three Expand Operating LLC shale gas well pads in Susquehanna and Wyoming counties confirmed new casing/cementing failures in four shale gas wells.

Tests were also done at two other Expanding shale gas pads with long-term casing/cementing issues in Susquehanna and Wyoming counties that were found to have continuing problems.

DEP inspected a third Expand Operating shale gas well that was recently plugged because of a casing/cementing problem in Susquehanna County.

Poepperling Well Pad

On August 5, 2026, DEP reported pressure tests on shale gas well Poepperlling 104H inNorth Branch Township, Wyoming County confirmed the presence of gas in the annulus indicating a new casting/cementing failure.

The well was drilled in January 2021.

These defects were originally detected in July 2025 when further evaluation of the well was requested.

Violations were issued and a response requested by September 16 on how the owner plans to correct or monitor the defective wells.

Vandemark Well Pad

On August 6, 2026, DEP reported pressure tests on shale gas well Vandemark 2H in Windham Township, Wyoming County confirmed the presence of gas in the annulus indicating a new casing/cementing failure.

The well was drilled in February 2019.

Violations were issued and a response requested by September 14 on how the owner plans to correct or monitor the defective wells.

Cannella Well Pad

On August 13, 2026, DEP reported pressure tests on shale gas wells Cannella 6H and Cannella 24 HC in Auburn Township, Susquehanna County confirmed the presence of gas in the annulus indicating a new casing/cementing failure.

The wells were drilled in July 2018.

These defects were originally detected in August of 2025 and testing was done since then to conform the issues.

Violations were issued and a response requested by August 14 on how the owner plans to correct or monitor the defective wells.

Pads With Continuing Problems

Inspections of these two shale gas well pads found casing/cementing problems continued and monitoring will continue--

-- Koromland Shale Gas Well Pad wells 1H (since November 2022), 4H (since July 2019) and 6H (October 2021) in Auburn Township, Susquehanna County. DEP inspection report.

-- Shaw Shale Gas Well Pad well 2H (since January 2026) in Windham Township, Wyoming County. DEP inspection report.

Plugged Well With Casing Failure

-- Epsilon Blanche Poulsen Shale Gas Well Pad: DEP inspected well 1H in Auburn Township, Susquehanna County that had a casing/cementing failure since November 2021, but was recently plugged by the owner. 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.

[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.]

Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Snapshot:

-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper: DEP Considering ‘Alternative Enforcement Measures’ To Assure Cleanup Of Eureka Resources Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Plants In Lycoming, Bradford Counties [PaEN]

-- DEP - Day 62: Contaminated Water Releases, Polluted Soil At Multiple Locations At Equitrans Water SVC [EQT] Richter Shale Gas Water Impoundment; Little Cleanup Happening In Greene County [PaEN]

-- DEP - Day 41: Remediation, Collection Of Contaminated Water Continues At Loan Asset Issuer Shale Gas Water Pipeline Release Site In Washington County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Well Tests Confirm Expand Operating LLC Had New Casing/Cementing Failures In 4 Shale Gas Wells, Continuing Failures In 4 Others In Susquehanna And Wyoming Counties [PaEN]

-- DEP: Equitrans Water SVC [EQT] Reports 2 Landslides Along Shale Gas Water Pipeline Route In Union Twp., Washington County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Diversified Production LLC Contaminated Water Pipeline Release Pollutes Farm Field In Indiana County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Routine Inspection Finds ‘Significant’ Release Of Contaminated Water From Conventional Oil & Gas Wells Pollutes Hillside In Warren County [PaEN]

-- DEP: Iron Cumberland LLC Conventional Well Plugging Results On Subsurface Release Of Cement Into Hargus Creek In Greene County [PaEN]

-- DEP: K Petroleum Inc. Shale Gas Well Site Had Contaminated Water Flowing Down The Side Of A Storage Tank In Washington County [PaEN]

PA Oil & Gas Industry, Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - August 22 [PaEN]