From July 1 to 7, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 459 inspection entries that resulted in reporting 12 violations of environmental regulations-- 5 violations by the conventional oil and gas industry and 7 violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry.

So far this year-- as of June 30-- DEP issued 3,323 formal notices of violation to conventional operators (27 more than previous reporting week) and 749 to unconventional shale gas operators (15 more) based on 7,898  inspections of conventional facilities and 12,616 inspections of unconventional shale gas facilities.

New Well Abandonments, Leaking Gas

In response to a citizen complaint, on July 5 DEP inspected two conventional gas wells operated by Randy A. Dietterich-- Brown 4 and Guy V IDA 1 in Robinson Township, Washington and found them to be abandoned without being plugged.

DEP found the Brown 4 well to be leaking natural gas with an “audible hissing sound.”

DEP originally issued a notice of violation for leaking gas at the Brown 4 well on February 24, 2021 when it determined it produced “a hazard to the public health and safety.”

The well operator has also failed to submit production and waste generation and mechanical well integrity reports since February 24, 2021 for both wells.

DEP requested a written report from the operator by July 21, 2023 describing how he will bring the wells into compliance.

DEP inspection reports-- Brown 4 and Guy V IDA 1-- are available.

Conventional Well Plugging

On July 5, DEP issued notices of violation to Keystone Land Resources, Inc. for failing to properly restore a conventional gas well site known as Hazlett 2 in Amwell Township, Washington County to prevent erosion and sedimentation.

The DEP inspection report noted the well appeared to be plugged, but with no marker noting the well location.

DEP requested a written report by July 20, 2023 on how the operator plans to bring the site into compliance.

On July 7, DEP inspected three Dakota Oil & Gas Co. conventional gas wells in Westmoreland County after well plugging was completed-- Weimer UX 1 in Loyalhanna Township and Wilson 2 and 3 in Upper Burrell Township and noted the access road and parking pad remain unrestored.

DEP’s inspection report for Wilson 3 (as an example) noted a landowner restoration waiver was in place because the landowner wanted the road to remain and no violations were noted.

On July 3, DEP inspected the Com of PA 1 conventional well operated by Diversified Prod LLC in Jenner Township, Somerset County and found the well plugged, no gas was leaking and the site was being remediated by the plugging contractor.

On July 6, DEP reported the McDowell 8 conventional gas well operated by Pennfield Energy LLC in Mineral Township, Venango County had a cement plug installed and is awaiting completed plugging operations.

On July 6, DEP reported Cameron Energy Co. received approval to plug two conventional gas wells-- Lot 54 East 54-7 and 54-8-- in Mead Township, Warren County.

Shale Gas Well Plugging

On July 3, DEP inspected shale gas wells Sinay 3H and 9H on the Sinay Pad A operated by EQT Chap LLC in Sewickley Township, Westmoreland County and found the Sinay 9H well partially plugged with cement, but natural gas bubbling continued and additional procedures were to be undertaken at the well after the July 4 holiday to stop the leaking.  DEP’s inspection report.

On July 5, DEP inspected two shale gas wells-- NVE and NVF-- on the Conrhein well pad operated by CNX Gas Co. in Morris Township, Greene County and found them in the process of installing cast iron bridge plugs and preparing to plug the wells with cement.

DEP’s inspection report on NVF is an example of what they found.

On July 5, DEP inspected shale gas wells operated by Anadarko E&P Onshore LLC in Snow Shoe Township, Centre County on the COP Tract 231 Pad and found two of the wells were being plugged.

The inspection report noted there are three other plugged wells on the pad.

DEP’s inspection report had no violations for this site.

Brownfield Remediation

On July 6, Seneca Resources Co LLC notified DEP of a spill of production wastewater at is Covington R shale gas well pad in Covington Township, Tioga County.

The DEP inspection report said a hose leaking for an unknown period of time at a load out area near the frac tank caused the spill which was cleaned up with a vac truck and some of the contaminated soil/gravel was removed. 

DEP noted the spill impact was “exacerbated” by the fact the end of the hose was “draped over the outside edge of [the] containment berm.”  Keystone Clearwater was the contractor conducting fluid control on site.

Notices of violation were issued for the spill.

The DEP inspector recommended Seneca pursue an Act 2 Land Recycling Program cleanup since the spill was over one barrel and requested a written report by July 21, 2023 on how the company was going to bring the site into compliance.

On July 3, DEP made a compliance determination that resolved violations for a spill and cleanup at the shale gas well operated by Repsol Oil & Gas USA LLC known as DCNR 587 02-003 in Ward Township, Tioga County.

DEP approved an Act 2 Land Recycling Final Report on the remediation of a spill which was the subject of notices of violation on February 1, 2023.  DEP inspection report.

On July 3, DEP made a compliance determination that resolved violations from a spill and cleanup at the shale gas well operated by Chesapeake Appalachia LLC known as State Game Lands Unit 5 H in Leroy Township, Bradford County by approving the Act 2 Land Recycling Final Report submitted by the operator..

On July 5, DEP was notified by EQT ARO LLC of a small spill at its COP Tract 551 shale gas well pad in McIntyre Township, Lycoming County.  The DEP inspector visited the site and cited the company with a violation, but noted they had already cleaned it up.

Federal Well Plugging Inspections

DEP continued inspections of federally funded well plugging contract projects in Allegheny County (Moon & Ross Townships); McKean County (Eldred Township-2); Potter County (Abbott Township); Venango County (Cranberry Township-2).

Susquehanna County Inspections

DEP continued its focus on doing inspections of Coterra Energy Inc. shale gas wells in Susquehanna County in Dimock Township and surrounding areas.

The inspections included well pads, tank farms and other facilities in Bridgewater Township- 1; Dimock Township- 6; Gibson Township- 1; Harford Township- 5; Middletown Township- 1

Homer City Power Plant Well Inspections

On July 3, DEP inspected two shale gas wells-- 8421H and 8422H on the Homer City Coal-Fired Power Plant Site operated by XTO Energy Inc. in Center Township, Indiana County and found them outfitted for production.  DEP inspection report - 8421H

Report Violations

To report oil and gas violations or any environmental emergency or complaint, visit DEP’s Environmental Complaint webpage.

Check These Resources

Visit DEP’s Compliance Reporting Database webpage to search their compliance records by date and operator.

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.

(Photos: Randy A. Dietterich Brown 4 (leaking) and Guy V IDA 1 newly abandoned conventional wells in Washington County; Repsol Oil & Gas USA LLC spill at DCNR 587 02-003 in Tioga County. bottom- XTO Energy Inc. shale gas well on Homer City Power Plant site, Indiana County; CNX Gas Co. Conrhein well pad in Greene County; Anadarko E&P Onshore LLC shale gas well plugging on COP Tract 231 Pad in Centre County.)

[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 Public Notice Dashboards:

-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - July 1 to 7; New Brownfield Cleanups; Shale Gas Well Plugging Picks Up; New Conventional Well Abandonments  [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - July 8; New Brownfield Cleanups Increase  [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 69 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In July 8 PA Bulletin  [PaEN] 

Related Articles This Week:

--  DEP Rejects MarkWest Act 2 Cleanup Notification For 10,000 Gallon Natural Gas Condensate Spill At Compressor Station In Robinson Twp., Washington County; Notice Is Re-sent   [PaEN]

-- Community Demands Accountability From EQT Natural Gas On 1-Year Anniversary Of Greene County Frack-Out Incident; Families Still Without Clean Water; No DEP Investigation Results  [PaEN]

-- KDKA Investigations: Washington County Family Says Energy Transfer/MarkWest Natural Gas Processing Plants Turned Peaceful Farm Into Nightmare  - Part I & II  [PaEN]

-- KDKA Investigations: Environmental Group Says DEP Is Stonewalling It Amid Search For Answers About Energy Transfer Natural Gas Plant Explosion Christmas Day In Washington County - Part II

-- DEP Invites Comments On Draft Shale Gas Well Emergency Response, Pollution Prevention Contingency Plan Guidance  [PaEN]

-- DEP Sets Aug. 23 Hearing On Title V Air Quality Permit Revisions For Artemas Natural Gas Compressor Station In Bedford County  [PaEN]

[Posted: July 8, 2023]

7/10/2023