Eastern Gas Transmission was constructing a 20-inch natural gas pipeline between two gas storage facilities when excavation uncovered a conventional oil and gas drilling disposal pit for drill cuttings near a conventional well owned by Eastern Gas Transmission on September 23.
Dark gray matter and pieces of liner were found in the excavation area.
[Conventional oil and gas well owners are allowed by DEP to dispose of drill cuttings in lined pits at the site of well drilling rather than take them to a waste disposal facility.]
Near the top of the excavation area, the DEP also observed water seeping out of the upslope hill side, into the excavation area and a pump at the bottom of the excavation area pumping water into a frac tank for disposal.
Contaminated soil and drilling cuttings from the excavation area were being stockpiled on a plastic liner and contaminated material was also being loaded into two roll-off boxes.
DEP did field testing and took soil samples from the site as well as water samples from Beaver Run downslope from the excavation.
Multiple violations were issued for exposing a drill cuttings disposal area and DEP requested a response by October 13.
Click Here for the DEP inspection report + photos.
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-- Drill cuttings disposal pit excavation; Row 2- Pump for contaminated water in pit; Drill cuttings in excavator bucket.)
[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.]
Related Articles This Week:
-- DEP: Equipment Failure At Catalyst Energy Injection Well Results In Contaminated Water Discharges In Keating Twp., McKean County [PaEN]
-- DEP - Day 202: Ows Acquisition Co Conventional Well Site Still Discharging Contaminated Water In the City Of Hermitage, Mercer County [PaEN]
-- DEP: Pipeline Excavation Hits Conventional Oil & Gas Well Drill Cuttings Disposal Area At Eastern Gas Transmission Oakford Gas Storage Area In Westmoreland County [PaEN]
-- Marcellus Drilling News: 2 EQT Shale Gas Subsidiaries Lose Bid To Toss West Virginia Kids Health Lawsuit From Federal Court [PaEN]
[Posted: September 30, 2026] PA Environment Digest
No comments :
Post a Comment