PA Environment Digest

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PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Dec. 16 to 22 - 46% More Conventional NOVs; More Abandoned Wells; Conventional Well Fire; Shale Gas Venting, Spills, Plugging Mess

From December 16 to 22, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 534 inspection entries.

This report has an unusual number of incidents because DEP resolved its IT problems that caused an earlier delay in posting inspection results.

Read it carefully, there is a lot here.

The reports give you a good idea of the wide variety of situations DEP inspectors see every week inspecting oil and gas facilities.

Many More Conventional NOVs This Year

DEP issued conventional oil and gas operators 6,586 notices of violation with two weeks left in 2023-- just short of 46% more than in 2021.

In 2022, DEP issued conventional operators 5,416 and 4,514 in 2021.

The unconventional shale gas industry received 1,258 violations so far in 2023, fewer than the 1,360 violations DEP issued them in 2022, and less than the 1,323 in 2021.

So far this year-- as of December 15--

-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 100 conventional, 22 unconventional

-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 6,586 conventional and 1,258 unconventional

-- Inspections Last Week: 300 conventional and 384 unconventional

-- Year To Date - Inspections: 15,697 conventional and 22,269 unconventional

-- Wells Drilled Last Week: 3 conventional and 12 unconventional

-- Year To Date Wells Drilled: 176 conventional and 406 unconventional

8 Abandoned Conventional Wells

On December 18, 2023, DEP inspected the Walter Gulcznaki 1 conventional well operated by PPP Future Dev. Inc. in Greenfield Township, Erie County and found it to be abandoned and not plugged.

The original notice of abandonment was issued on November 17, 2023.

No follow up action was indicated in DEP’s inspection report.

On December 12, 2023, DEP inspected the Joseph N. & Mildred Majerik 1 in Waterford Borough and Peter George 1, Paul Serwinski1, Louis & Ralph Bizzaro 2 and the Legion Swab 1 conventional wells in Waterford Township, Erie County operated by Timberline Energy, Inc. and found them to be abandoned and not plugged.

DEP also issued violations for failing to submit production and waste generation and well integrity reports.

DEP’s inspection report (Legion Swab 1) requested a written report by January 12, 2024 on how the operator would bring the wells into compliance.

On December 1, 2023, DEP inspected the Charter 502-2 conventional well in Scott Township, Allegheny County operated by Economy Natural Gas, Inc. and found it to be abandoned and not plugged.

The well was inspected after receiving a request from the landowner.

“The well is fenced in and locked within a parking lot at a medical center. [The] Department was unable to complete a full inspection without access to fenced in area.”

Violations were also issued for failing to submit production and waste generation and mechanical integrity reports.

DEP’s inspection report requested the operator submit a written report by January 8, 2024 on how the well will be brought into compliance.

On December 14, 2023, DEP inspected the Turner 1 conventional well operated by OWS Acquisition Co. LLC in Pine Township, Mercer County and found it to be abandoned and not plugged.

The original violation for abandonment was issued on September 15, 2023 along with other violations for not filing production and waste generation or mechanical integrity reports and for a corroded fluid storage tank and other equipment.

DEP’s inspection report requests the operator submit a written report by January 4, 2024 on how it will bring the well into compliance.

DEP issued or continued 508 notices of violation for abandoning conventional oil and gas wells without plugging them so far in 2023. Read more here.

Conventional Well Gas Leak At Plum Borough Elementary School

On December 6, 2023, DEP responded to a complaint about a natural gas odor at the Pivik Elementary School 2 conventional gas well in Plum Borough, Allegheny County operated by Penneco Oil Co. Inc.

Pivik Elementary School is located at 151 School Road, Pittsburgh.

“The well is located on elementary school grounds behind the the school next to sports a field. A leak was detected on the well head and immediately fixed by operator personnel on site.”

DEP’s inspection report does not indicate any follow up actions.

In 2009, leaking natural gas lines at the Pivik School forced the school to close temporarily and activities were canceled. Read more here.

On December 5, 2023, students at the Plum Middle School were evacuated after reports of a natural gas-type odor at the school. The order turned out to be from a sewer pipe outside a classroom. Read more here.

Plum Borough was the site of a home explosion in August that killed six people. Read more here.

Fire At Conventional Oil Well Tanks

On December 19, 2023, DEP inspected the Dutter 235 conventional oil well in Wetmore Township, McKean County in response to a notification from the well operator MSL Oil & Gas Corp. a fire occurred at the well earlier in the day.

The fire occurred at three 5,880 tanks containing crude oil and a subsurface production wastewater tank.

"The evening prior to the incident, two of the tanks were full and being heated to prepare for crude oil pick up. The third tank contained approximately 1.6 ft of crude oil.

"The two tanks that were being heated have an open pipe constructed through the bottom of the tanks which allows for an open flame to heat the oil.

"It is speculated that the vapors and crude oil from the partially filled tank that was not being heated, caught fire due to the open flame heating set up on one of the adjacent tanks.

"All 3 tanks are intact but will be fully assessed for structural integrity."

"The well tender, of MSL, spotted the fire and reported the incident to the local fire department. Responding personnel and evidence at the site indicated the fire was contained within the secondary containment.

“Foaming agents were utilized to extinguish the fire. The wells plumbed to this tank battery were not involved in the fire.

“Fire foam remains within the secondary containment and will be taken off site and disposed of appropriately.

“The site lacked sufficient evidence of crude oil discharge, therefore, there were no violations cited as a result of this incident.”

DEP’s inspection report [with photos] did not indicate follow up actions by the operator, however, “follow up inspections will occur to ensure the complete resolution of the incident.”

[Note: Fire fighting foam can contain PFAS ‘forever chemicals.’ It would seem to be a wise precaution to sample for PFAS contamination at the fire site.]

Equitrans Rager Mountain Gas Storage Area

On December 11, 12 and 13, 2023, DEP inspected the George Reade 1 conventional gas well serving the Rager Mountain Gas Storage Area in Jackson Township, Cambria County operated by Equitrans, LP and found it was still not in compliance.

The failure of the Reade well was the source of the uncontrolled venting of 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas in November 2022. Read more here.

DEP has been trying to resolve ground and surface water pollution violations at the Reade well caused by efforts to kill and plug the well to stop the natural gas venting.

The most recent violations were issued November 16, 2023 for water pollution at the site.

The December inspections were part of an ongoing water sampling initiative using 10 monitoring wells around the Reade well to document groundwater conditions.

In addition, this inspections found a “rotten egg odor” from one of the monitoring wells which usually indicates the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas.

The inspection reports concluded “Violations shall remain outstanding as Equitrans has not yet demonstrated to the Department that groundwater impacts have been resolved.”

The DEP inspection reports were all similar for each inspection day. [DEP inspection report example]

Conventional Well Spills

On December 12, 2023, DEP did a follow up inspection of the Keeno 2 conventional oil well operated by Apollo Resources, LLC in Derry Township, Westmoreland County and found it was still leaking fluid from the wellhead.

DEP originally found the leak during an inspection on November 2, 2023 and the operator has done nothing to stop the leak or clean it up.

DEP’s inspection report requested a written report by December 30, 2023 describing how the operator would bring the well into compliance.

On December 12, 2023, DEP responded to a report by CNX Gas Co. of a December 11, 2023 leak of production wastewater at the CONSOL PA Coal Co. GH5 conventional well in Center Township, Greene County.

DEP issued violations for the release, which CNX was in the process of cleaning up.

DEP’s inspection report requested a written report by December 29, 2023 on how the site would be cleaned up and brought into compliance.

Conventional Gas Well Venting/Leaking

On December 5, 2023, DEP inspected the J.Walker 4 conventional gas well in North Fayette Township, Allegheny County operated by Rocksauce OPR, LLC and found it to be venting gas.

DEP’s inspection report said the well was “audibly leaking gas from the stuffing box” and requested the operator to submit a written report by January 8, 2024 on how the well was to be brought into compliance.

On December 12, 2023, DEP did a follow up inspection of the Kennedy 4 conventional gas well in Georges Township, Fayette County operated by Diversified Prod LLC and found it was still venting gas to the atmosphere producing a hazard to public health and safety.

DEP originally issued a violation for the venting on October 25, 2023.

DEP’s inspection report requested a written report by December 21, 2023 on how the operator would bring the well into compliance.

On December 19, 2023, DEP conducted an inspection of the HD Petersen 9, 16, and 17 conventional gas wells in response to a complaint about gas migration into a private water well. The gas wells are operated by Bailey & Holden Energy LLC in Pleasant Township, Warren County.

The inspector detected methane in slam bar holes at the HD Petersen 9 well which was located about 2,090 feet from the complaint address.

DEP did not issue any violations at this time, but is requesting the operator conduct an investigation into the possible source of methane and bring the well into compliance.

DEP’s inspection report did not set a deadline for reporting or action by the operator.

On December 19, 2023, DEP conducted inspections of US Forest Service conventional gas wells 24, 26 and 27 in response to a complaint about gas migration into a private water well.

The gas wells are operated by Gas & Oil Management Assn., Inc. in Mead Township, Warren County.

DEP detected methane in slam bar holes at the #26 well which was about 2,500 feet from the complaint address.

The #26 well was plugged on June 17, 2015.

DEP did not issue any violations at this time, but is requesting the operator conduct an investigation into the possible source of methane and bring the well into compliance.

DEP’s inspection report did not set a deadline for reporting or action by the operator.

On December 21, 2023, DEP conducted inspections of the Phillips 26, 29 and 30 conventional gas wells in response to a complaint about gas migration into a private water well.

The gas wells are operated by Russ Holden Well Svc in Pleasant Township, Warren County.

The operator had ground around the wells excavated and slam bar holes placed around the wells did not result in any methane being detected.

DEP’s inspection reports said these actions satisfied the Department’s requests.

Shale Gas Wastewater Pipeline Leak

On December 15, 2023, DEP did an inspection of the drilling wastewater pipeline project in Springhill Township, Greene County operated by EQM Gathering OPCO LLC in response to a notification from the company of a spill on December 14, 2023.

An estimated 1,000 gallons of production wastewater was released from the Soles Well Site. The water was being used to frack a shale gas well on the EQT Lumber Shale Gas Well Pad.

On November 29, DEP allowed fracking on the Lumber well pad after an alleged frack-out occurred in Springhill Township affecting the water supplies of neighboring homeowners. Read more here.

This is the second release EQM Gathering had from a pipeline in Greene County. The last one was on December 1. Read more here.

Notices of violation were issued on this latest leak and DEP’s inspection report requested a written report by January 8, 2024 on how the operator will clean up and bring the area into compliance.

Multiple E&S Violations Shale Gas Gathering Pipeline

On December 19, 2023, three DEP inspectors inspected the length of the Taft Pipelines being constructed between the Bauer and Taft shale gas well pad in Middlebury Township, Tioga County by NFG Midstream Covington, LLC.

Two natural gas pipelines-- one 12-inch and one 16-inch-- are being installed along a right-of-way that crosses multiple streams, wetlands and roads traveling up and down slopes.

DEP issued violations for breaches in the erosion and sedimentation measures, for sediment escaping outside the limit of permitted disturbance area and failure to maintain erosion and sedimentation measures.

DEP’s inspection report [with photos] requested a written report by January 15, 2024 on how the operator would bring the pipeline construction right-of-way into compliance.

Leatherwood Shale Gas Pad Multiple Violations/Underlain By Coal

On December 15, 2023, DEP inspected the WL Hopkins shale gas well pad operated by Leatherwood LLC in Morris Township, Greene County and found multiple violations.

One set of violations resulted from the aftermath of a well killing operation involving multiple spills.

DEP was informed the operator had added production wastewater to try to kill a gas well on the pad on November 15, 2023.

DEP issued multiple violations for the spills, failure to develop Pollution Prevention Contingency Plan and an Emergency Response Plan, failure to install secondary containment to contain spills and failure to report the spills to DEP.

DEP’s inspection report requested a written report by January 8, 2024 on how the operator would bring the well pad into compliance.

Another violation was issued for failing to notify DEP the well pad site was underlain by coal and failure to plug the well involved within 30 days.

DEP’s inspection report requested a written report by January 5, 2024 on how the operator would bring the well pad into compliance.

Shale Gas Leak Violations

On December 11, 2023, DEP did a follow up inspection of the Hunter shale gas well pad operated by Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC in Meshoppen Township, Wyoming County as part of an active natural gas migration investigation.

DEP issued notices of violation for defective casing and/or cementing of wells on the Hunter pad on December 19, 2019 when gas was detected leaking from several wells.

DEP was onsite to witness a pressure test on several wells on the pad as part of a remediation plan.

DEP’s inspection report continued the violations issued in 2019.

On December 12, 2023, DEP inspected the Sturgis South shale gas well pad operated by STL Resources, LLC in Grugan Township, Clinton County and found the operator failed to report defective casing or cementing resulting in venting natural gas.

A new violation was issued on top of a violation for the same thing issued on July 11, 2023.

DEP’s inspection report did not indicate any followup.

Well Plugging Site Mess

On December 15, 2023, DEP inspected the IJ Clutter 3778 conventional well site operated by Equitrans, Inc. in Center Township, Greene County and found multiple violations involving improper disposal of drill cuttings, erosion and sedimentation issues and multiple spills and releases on the site.

The inspector said the operator was in the process of plugging the well.

Multiple violations were issued and a written report requested by January 8, 2024 on how the operator would bring the site into compliance. [DEP inspection report]

Failure To Submit Annual Reports

On December 18, 2023, DEP did reviews of conventional wells operated by River Ridge Gravel Co. in Cranberry Township, Venango County and issued violations for failing to submit annual production and waste generation and well integrity reports.

The conventional wells included: River Ridge 1R, 6R, 8R, 4, 123, 125, 126, 128, 129 and 132.

These violations were first issued on November 15, 2022. Compliance with the reporting requirements was included in a DEP order issued to River Ridge on June 23, 2022.

No followup action indicated. [DEP inspection report - example]

The production and waste report is critical to understanding how much wastewater and other waste those wells generated and where it was disposed of.

The annual integrity report is critical because it helps ensure the operator is taking the steps needed to prevent natural gas, oil or contaminated water leaks from oil and gas wells.

Coterra Energy/Federal Well Plugging

DEP again did focused inspections on Coterra Energy shale gas facilities in the Dimock area of Susquehanna County.

On December 6, 2023, DEP inspected the Lewis D. shale gas well pad in Bridgewater Township, Susquehanna County operated by Coterra Energy, Inc. in response to a notification of a December 5, 2023 spill of an unknown quantity of diesel oil-based drilling mud to the well pad surface.

The spill impacted a small area of the pad and contaminated material was being excavated and samples taken by a cleanup contractor.

DEP’s inspection report requested a written report by January 5, 2024 on how the operator would bring the well pad into compliance.

[Note: This report was just posted because of earlier IT problems DEP experienced.]

DEP also continued to conduct inspections of federally-funded conventional oil and gas well projects in Armstrong, McKean, Venango and Washington counties.

No violations were found this past week.

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 and the Inspection Reports Viewer.

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: Row 1- CNX Gas Co. conventional spill impact area; Diversified Prod LLC conventional well venting gas dangerously; Russ Holden Well Svc conventional well gas migration investigation; MSL Oil & Gas Corp. crude oil well storage tanks on fire; Row 2- Equitrans, Inc. improper disposal of drill cuttings; NFG Midstream Covington, LLC natural gas pipeline construction site; PPP Future Dev. Inc. abandoned conventional well; Bailey & Holden Energy LLC conventional well leaking methane; Row 3-- Equitrans, LP Rager Mountain Gas Storage Area monitoring well sampling; Leatherwood LLC shale gas well killing mess; Penneco Oil Co. Inc. conventional well leaking gas near elementary school; Gas & Oil Management Assn., Inc. plugged conventional well leaking as; Row 4- Coterra Energy, Inc. shale gas well pad spill; Economy Natural Gas, Inc. fenced in abandoned conventional well; OWS Acquisition Co. LLC abandoned conventional well; Rocksauce OPR, LLC conventional well audibly leaking gas)

[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 Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Dec. 16 to 22 - 46% More Conventional NOVs; More Abandoned Wells; Conventional Well Fire; Venting Gas, Spills, Plugging Mess [PaEN]

-- Conventional Oil Well Storage Tanks Burn In McKean County, 6 Local Fire Companies Respond [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industry Compliance So Far In 2023 - It Isn’t Pretty [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - December 23 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 56 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In Dec. 23 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week:

-- AP: Drilling Under Pennsylvania's 'Gasland' Town Has Been Banned Since 2010, It's Coming Back [PaEN]

-- CNX Resources Begins Disclosing General Information On Fracking Chemicals, Air Monitoring Results Online At 2 Shale Gas Well Pads [PaEN]

-- Oil & Gas Facilities Self-Reported 13,432,713 Tons Of Air Pollution In PA In 2022; 101,741,616 Tons Total Since 2012 [PaEN]

-- US DOE, Treasury Release Proposed Regulations Implementing Clean Hydrogen Production Credit Setting A Sliding Scale For Credits [PaEN]

-- CNX Ends Coordination On West Virginia Adams Fork Ammonia Energy Project, Anchor Of ARCH2 Hydrogen Hub Application [PaEN]