On October 6, 2026, DEP inspected the Seneca Resources Co LLC Bauer 849 shale gas well pad in response to a notification of three contaminated water spills.
DEP found a fiber optic cable got stuck down a Bauer gas well during an investigation of a “frac hit’from a well originating at the nearby Taft shale gas well pad in the same township.
The pad crew was attempting to remove a section of tubing being used to “fish” out the cable when a valve opened at the end of the tubing and released contaminated water onto the well pad causing two spill incidents.
The third spill occurred after a decision was made to pump fluids down the well bore to “kill the well” after the apparent “frac hit.”
Click Here for the DEP inspection report + photos.
[Note: The Taft well pad is 713 days into the cleanup of a contaminated water release at the pad. Violations were issued on October 23, 2024 and continued since then. Read more here.
[DEP also issued violations to a shale gas well at the Taft pad after evidence was found of continuing casing/cementing failures discovered on Nov. 13, 2024. Violations were issued and continued since then. Read more here.]
On September 23, 2026 a DEP inspection found operations were under way to pump fluids under pressure down a Taft pad shale gas well to reduce the possibility of “communication” with a well being fracked at a third nearby shale gas well pad-- the Chappell pad-- in the same Township. Read more here.
On January 28, 2026, DEP issued violations to Seneca Resources at the Chappell well pad for failing to submit Area of Review Reports to identify possible conflicts with water and other oil and gas wells in the area 30 days prior to the state of drilling or within 30 days of permit issuance.
The Reports were ultimately submitted, but only after drilling had begun. Read more here.
The full picture of the well “communication” issues between these three shale gas well pads is not clear from the inspection reports, however, it is clear the issues are being investigated from several directions.
According to DEP’s Oil & Gas Mapping Tool, the Bauer pad is about 7,400 feet from the Taft pad and the Taft pad is about 10,200 feet from the Chappell pad in almost a straight line (see map).
Well “communication” issues not only cause problems with other shale gas wells, but also can result in contamination of drinking water wells and interference with abandoned and producing conventional oil and gas wells in the area.
Criminal Charges
On October 31, 2025, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced criminal charges against Seneca Resources, LLC, following multiple violations of Pennsylvania’s environmental protection laws in several counties, as recommended by the 48th and 51st Statewide Investigating Grand Juries.
Three separate criminal complaints were filed regarding the natural gas company’s violations related to improper waste management practices and policies.
Prominent in the Attorney General’s announcement of the charges was the fact that DEP repeatedly warned Seneca that their practices were not in line with Pennsylvania law, but those warnings were ignored or disputed. Read more here.
In all, Seneca is charged with 64 counts of violations of the Solid Waste Management Act and 36 counts of violations of the Clean Streams Law in Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga Counties. Read more here.
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.]
-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Snapshot- October 10 to 16
-- DEP: Investigation Of A ‘Frac Hit’ Between 3 Seneca Resources Co Shale Gas Well Pads In Middlebury Twp., Tioga County Leads To Contaminated Water Spill [PaEN]
-- DEP: Routine Inspection Finds Overflowing Contaminated Water Tank At Penn View Exploration Conventional Oil & Gas Well In Clearfield County [PaEN]
-- DEP: Ruptured Underground Gathering Line Releases Crude Oil Near Bull Run Resources Conventional Well In Warren County [PaEN]
[Posted: October 15, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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