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PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - April 6 to 12 - Rain Causes Multiple Landslides; Ignored Request To Clean Up Spill; Venting Gas

From April 6 to 12, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 802 inspection entries. DEP also caught up posting inspection reports from the previous week.

So far this year-- as of April 5-- DEP took these actions--

-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 28 conventional, 0 unconventional

-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 2,773 conventional and 263 unconventional

-- Enforcements 2024: 165 conventional and 38 unconventional

-- Inspections Last Week: 259 conventional and 322 unconventional

-- Year To Date - Inspections: 4,356 conventional and 6,981 unconventional

-- Wells Drilled Last Week: 5 conventional and 4 unconventional

-- Year To Date Wells Drilled: 30 conventional and 104 unconventional

5 More Conventional Abandoned Well Violations

On April 5, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Ertman 2 and Ingols 1 conventional wells owned by Pin Oak Energy Partners, LLC in Cussewago Township, Crawford County and found them to be abandoned and not plugged.

DEP’s inspection reports [Ertman 2] included violations for well abandonment and requested the owner to submit a written reports by May 3, 2024 on how the wells will be brought into compliance.

On April 8, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Mariah Iams M483 conventional gas well owned by Equitrans LP in Center Township, Greene County and found it to be abandoned, venting gas and improperly plugged.

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

On April 9, 2024, DEP inspected the Fed Distr Co Inc 1 conventional well in the City of Erie, Erie County owned by Fed Distr Co. and found it to be abandoned, not plugged and venting gas.

DEP’s inspection report included violations for abandonment and failure to submit production and waste generation and well integrity reports.

The owner was requested to submit a written plan by May 7, 2024 on how the well will be brought into compliance.

On April 9, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection of the Penn Park Deve & Crest 1 conventional well owned by Baron Crest Energy Co. in Kiskiminetas Township, Armstrong County and found the owner ignored the previous violation and took no action to deal with the well being abandoned and not plugged.

The original violation was issued on February 6, 2024.

DEP’s inspection report did not direct the owner to take any follow-up actions.

420 Conventional Abandoned Well Violations In 2024

So far in 2024, DEP issued 420 new or continued violations to conventional oil and gas well operators for abandoning wells and not plugging them.

Landslides Caused By Wet Weather

Wet weather caused multiple notifications of landslides, slips and soil cracking over the last two weeks impacting shale gas well pads, compressor stations and pipeline rights of way.

DEP and companies are particularly sensitive to landslides that would impact the integrity of gas pipelines causing failures and explosions, as they have in the past.

On April 5, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Deerlick to Iams Pipeline Slope Remediate Site in Morris Township, Greene County in response to a notification from CNX Midstream OPR Co. LLC a landslide had occurred.

The site originally experienced a slope failure in 2022 due to underground longwall coal mining land subsidence. CNX was required to restore the slope failure, and the site was nearing complete restoration at the time of this slope failure.

DEP’s inspection report noted CNX will apply for an emergency Chapter 105 permit to cover the repair work and violations were issued for erosion and sedimentation BMP failures.

A written plan was requested by April 30, 2024 on how the area will be brought into compliance.

On April 4, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the NITMS022/NITMH022 Pipeline Project in response to a notification by EQM Gathering OPCO LLC of a slope failure in Wayne Township, Greene County.

The company took steps to stabilize the site, but permanent stabilization work is needed.

DEP’s inspection report includes violations for erosion control BMP failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 25, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

On April 4, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the NITMS008 Pipeline Project in Wayne Township, Greene County in response to a notification by EQM Gathering OPCO LLC and Equitrans Midstream a slope failure had occurred.

DEP’s inspection report includes violations for erosion control BMP failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 26, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

On April 4, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Basista-Dermotta Shale Gas Well pad in Sewickley Township, Westmoreland County in response to a notification by EQT Chap LLC of multiple erosion control BMP failures.

DEP’s inspection report included violations for the erosion control failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 21, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

On April 4, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Ealy Shale Gas Well Pad in East Finley Township, Washington County in response to a notification by EQT Prod Co. of a slope failure into a sediment pond.

DEP’s inspection report included violations for erosion control failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 23, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

On April 4, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Thos Weir 2016 Shale Gas Well Pad in North Bethlehem Township, Washington County in response to a notification by EQT Prod Co. of a landslide at the well plugging site.

DEP’s inspection report included violations for erosion control failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 23, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

On April 4, 2024, DEP inspected the Chambers Phelan Shale Gas Well Pad in Amwell Township, Washington County in response to a notification from Range Resources Appalachia LLC of a slope failure.

DEP’s inspection report included violations for erosion control failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 23, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

On April 5, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Revolution Gas Pipeline in Center Township, Beaver County in response to a notification by ETC Northeast Pipeline, LLC of a slope and erosion control failure at STA 1112+50.

DEP’s inspection report included violations for erosion control failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 12, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

On April 5, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Revolution Gas Pipeline in Independence Township, Beaver County in response to a notification by ETC Northeast Pipeline, LLC of an erosion control failure at STA 1681+00.

DEP’s inspection report included violations for erosion control failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 23, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

On April 5, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Revolution Gas Pipeline in Findlay Township, Beaver County in response to a notification by ETC Northeast Pipeline, LLC of an erosion control failure at STA 1681+25.

DEP’s inspection report included violations for erosion control failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 25, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

On April 5, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Barley Win Shale Gas Well Pad in Jackson Township, Greene County in response to a notification by EQT Prod Co. of a slope failure along an access road.

DEP’s inspection report included violations for erosion control failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 26, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

On April 8, 2024, DEP inspected the Revolution Gas Pipeline in Center Township, Beaver County in response to a notification by ETC Northeast Pipeline, LLC of a slope failure within a “few feet” of the pipeline at STA 1777+25.

ETC said there was “no current threat to pipeline integrity.”

DEP’s inspection report included violations for erosion control failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 25, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

Other Landslides: ETC Northeast Pipeline, LLC reported three other incidents of land slides along the Revolution Gas Pipeline route-- Center Township, STA 1123+50; Center Township, STA 1117+50; and Center Township STA 2045+00.

On April 8, 2024, DEP inspected the Holt Shale Gas Well Pad in Gilmore Township, Greene County owned by EQT Prod. Co. in response to a notification of multiple landslides.

Once onsite, DEP found more landslides around the well pad which was under construction.

Previous violations were issued for erosion control failures at the site on February 8 and March 25.

DEP’s inspection report included continued and new violations for erosion control failures, but did not request further action from the owner.

On April 8, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Throckmorton to Stattler Road to Mac water and gas pipelines in Franklin Township, Greene County owned by EQM Gathering OPCO LLC in response to a notification of a landslide on April 6 at STA 136+00..

DEP’s inspection report included violations for erosion control failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 30, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

On April 9, 2024, DEP inspected the Battle Phrog Shale Gas Well Pad in Whiteley Township, Greene County owned by EQT Prod Co. in response to a notification of a landslide close to the access road.

DEP’s inspection report included violations for erosion control failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 27, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

On April 10, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Brova to Shotski Pipeline Compressor Site in Somerset Township, Washington County owned by EQM Gathering OPCO LLC in response to a notification of a landslide.

DEP’s inspection report included violations for erosion control failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 26, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

On April 10, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Lumber to Aurora Interconnect Pipeline in Freeport Township, Greene County owned by EQM Gathering OPCO LLC in response to a notification by Equitrans Midstream of a landslide.

DEP’s inspection report included violations for erosion control failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 26, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

On April 10, 2024, DEP inspected the Herminie North Freshwater Pipeline Project in Sewickley Township, Westmoreland County owned by Equitrans Water Svc (PA) LLC in response to a notification of an erosion and sedimentation control failure next to Little Sewickley Creek.

DEP’s inspection report noted the failure had been repaired, but included violations for those failures. No further action was indicated.

On April 10, 2024, DEP inspected the Porter to Canestrale Gas Pipeline Project in Luzerne Township, Fayette County in response to a notification from owner Laurel Mtn Midstream OPR LLC of a landslide.

DEP noted violations were issued at the same location for an exposed pipeline crossing.

DEP’s inspection report included violations for erosion control failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 15, 2024 on how the area will be brought into compliance.

On April 11, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the NIDBS006-NIDBH006 & Beacon Dehy Interconnect Pipeline Project in Gilmore Township, Greene County owned by EQM Gathering OPCO LLC in response to a notification of a landslide.

Temporary steps had been taken by the owner to try and stabilize the slide.

DEP’s inspection report included violations for erosion control failures and requested the owner to submit a written report by April 30, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

Ignored Request To Clean Up Spill

On April 1, 2024, did a follow-up inspection of the State Game Lands 51B 1 conventional well owned by Apollo Resources, LLC in Dunbar Borough, Fayette County and found the owner ignored a request to remediate a wastewater spill discovered on October 18, 2023.

Photos in the inspection report show a plastic pipe draining the secondary containment area surrounding the wastewater storage tank causing soil contamination.

DEP’s inspection report again requested the owner to remediate the site and submit a written plan by April 18, 2024 on how the well will be brought into compliance.

Leaking Conventional Wells

On April 8, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection as a result of a complaint about the Redclyffe 82 conventional well in Barnett Township, Forest County owned by Deitz Gas & Oil Inc. and found the well had not been repaired and is still leaking.

DEP’s eFACTS database shows Deitz owns 326 conventional wells, many in the Allegheny National Forest.

The owner said he will not be able to address the leak until the access road to the well is fixed and due to health concerns. “They will keep the Department updated and provide their plan of action to address the problem.”

DEP’s inspection report included violations related to the leaking wellhead and requested the operator to submit a written plan by May 3, 2024 to bring the well into compliance.

On April 8, 2024, DEP inspected the Tutelo 2 conventional oil well in Upper Burrell Township, Westmoreland County owned by Penneco Oil Co. Inc. in response to a notification of spills at the site.

“Heavy oil staining was observed on the ground around the wellhead” and a sheen was observed upstream of the access road culvert.

DEP’s inspection report included violations related to the spill and requested the owner to submit a written plan by April 29, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.

2024 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups

So far in 2024, DEP received or acted on 101 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups. 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 webpage to search their compliance records by date and owner 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- Apollo Resources, LLC plastic pipe draining containment area around conventional wastewater tank causing contamination on State Game Lands; CNX Midstream OPR Co. LLC slope failure on pipeline right-of-way; EQT Chap LLC erosion control failures at shale gas site; EQM Gathering OPCO LLC landslide onto gas pipeline right-of-way; Row 2- EQT Prod Co. slope failure at shale gas well pad into a sediment pond; Pin Oak Energy Partners, LLC abandoned conventional well; Deitz Gas & Oil Inc. leaking conventional well; Fed Distr Co. abandoned, venting conventional well inside building; Laurel Mtn Midstream OPR LLC exposed pipeline crossing stream; Penneco Oil Co. Inc.Penneco Oil Co. Inc. leaking conventional oil well; Row 3-- EQT Prod Co. slope failure along access road to shale gas well pad; Equitrans LP improperly plugged conventional well venting gas; Equitrans Water SVC (PA) LLC erosion control failure along freshwater pipeline route.)

[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 - April 6 to 12 - Rain Causes Multiple Landslides; Ignored Request To Clean Up Spill; Venting Gas [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - April 13 [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Proposed CNX Midstream Double 24-Inch, 14 Mile Long Gas Pipelines In Westmoreland County [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 63 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In April 13 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week - Gas:

-- DEP Issues $1.1 Million Civil Penalty To Equitrans For Violations Related To The Uncontrolled Venting Of 1.1 Billion Cubic Feet Of Gas From The Rager Mountain Gas Storage Area In Cambria County [PaEN]

-- New Penn State Study Shows Continuous Radioactive Radium Exposure From Oil & Gas Wastewater Poses A Threat To Aquatic, Human Health As It Accumulates In Aquatic Species [PaEN]

-- Westmoreland County-Based Protect PT Calls For Ban On Road Dumping Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater; CAC Member Asks For DEP Response [PaEN]

-- Environmental Hearing Board Allows 2nd Appeal Of Tri-County Landfill Permit To Move Forward Over Threats Posed By Birds, Radioactive Oil & Gas Waste [PaEN]

-- Better Path Coalition Hosts April 19 Virtual Brown Bag Briefing With Justin Nobel On His New Book About Radioactive Waste From The Oil & Gas Industry [PaEN]

-- The Derrick: State Intervenes In Venango Water Case [Fallout Continues From Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill] [PaEN]