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DEP Finds 2 More Petro Erie, Inc. Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Tanks With A Pipe Leading To A Discharge Area In A Ditch In Sugarcreek Boro, Venango County

On August 21, 2023, DEP did a detailed inspection of conventional oil well wastewater tanks near the Lower Reno 1 well operated by Petro Erie, Inc. in Sugarcreek Borough, Venango County and found a pipe running from wastewater tanks into a ditch with a visible impact area from past discharges.

The Lower Reno 1 wastewater tanks are in the same area as the Lower Reno 6 wastewater tanks that discharged wastewater that contaminated the Village of Reno water supply. Read more here.

The August 21 DEP inspection found two 4,200 gallon fiberglass wastewater tanks that were connected together with piping. DEP’s report said there “does not appear to be a way to empty either tank by means of a water truck hose connection without altering the plumbing of the tanks.”

There were four other 4,200 gallon steel tanks at the location and across a dirt road that “appear to be full of oil.”

DEP’s report said, “[A] 2" black poly line that runs from the hillside from the wells on the lease and ties into the brine [wastewater] tanks has a "T" fitting and a valve to discharge produced fluid to the ground via a ditch from a cross-culvert of the access road.

“The 2" valve on the black poly pipeline is closed and plugged. The pipe was not actively discharging or leaking.

“However, there is a visible impact area within the ditch of the cross-culvert [in which] the black poly line is laid. Soil conductivity readings indicate that a brine discharge has occurred at the site.

“The impacted area inside the ditch extends approximately 80' [feet] downslope from the access road culvert and ending just before a second culvert for another old access road. The width on average of the ditch is about 5' [feet].

“The amount of the discharged produced fluid is unknown.”

DEP issued new notices of violation for these discharge of wastewater, failure to protect groundwater and disposing of waste on the ground.

DEP’s inspection report requested Petro Erie, Inc to provide a written report by September 8, 2023 on how they will bring the wastewater tanks into compliance.

[Petro Appeals Cleanup Order]

[On August 18, Petro Erie, Inc. filed an appeal with the Environmental Hearing Board of the field order DEP issued on July 21, 2023 ordering the company to cleanup the conventional oil well wastewater spill that contaminated the Village of Reno’s water supply in Venango County near the Lower Leno 6 well. [Docket No. 2023063] Read more here.]

Visit DEP’s Northwest Regional Office Venango Water Company/ Petro Erie, Inc. Investigation webpage for more information.

Aqua Pennsylvania has set up a dedicated Venango webpage to provide updates to residents about its emergency management of the Venango Water Company.

(Photos: Two wastewater tanks near Leno 1 well; tanks plumbed together with piping; t-fitting going to wastewater tanks; pipe going through the woods down to a ditch; pipe in ditch impact area.)

NewsClips This Week - Petro Erie:

-- The Derrick - Makayla Keating: DEP Cites Petro Erie With 5 Additional Violations [For More Leaking Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Tanks In Sugarcreek Boro, Venango County, Near Contaminated Reno Water Supply] [PDF of article]

-- The Derrick: No Word Yet On When Do Not Consume Water Advisory Will Be Lifted For The Village Of Reno Water Supply Contaminated By Conventional Oil Well Wastewater In Venango County [PDF of article]

-- The Derrick: DEP Opens Webpage For Updates On Village Of Reno Water Supply, Venango County; Actions Related To Petro Erie, Inc. Conventional Oil Driller Who Contaminated The Water [PDF of article]

-- The Derrick - Letter To Editor: Disappointed In Lack Of Involvement In Sen. Hutchinson, Rep. James To Resolve Village Of Reno Water Contamination Issue In Venango County [Polluted By Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill] [PDF of Article]

DEP Environmental Justice Proposal:

-- New DEP Interim Final Environmental Justice Policy, Definition Of Environmental Justice Areas Effective Sept. 16; Public Comments Accepted Thru Oct. 29 [PaEN]

Related Articles - Natural Gas Harm:

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Who Pays For Natural Gas Development’s Harm? Pennsylvania Should Acknowledge The Clear Fact That Fracking Has Hurt People, Specifically Children [PaEN]

PA Environment Digest:

-- Oil & Gas Industrial Facility Impacts In PA

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - August 19 to 25 - More Abandoned Conventional Wells; Gas Frack-Out; More Leaking Wastewater Tanks; Equitrans Cleanup Continues [PaEN]

-- DEP Finds 2 More Petro Erie, Inc. Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Tanks With A Pipe Leading To A Discharge Area In A Ditch In Sugarcreek Boro, Venango County [PaEN]