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Homeowner Complaint Results In DEP Emergency Plugging Of A Penn Resources, Inc. Conventional Oil Well Leaking Gas, Oil, Wastewater In McKean County

On September 9, 2024, the Department of Environmental Protection began an emergency contract to plug a conventional oil well leaking oil, wastewater and gas in the front yard of a home in Lafayette Township, McKean County.

The well-- Lewis Run Hudson Lease 2 OP 2-- is owned by Penn Resources, Inc. with a business address in the Philadelphia Main Line community of Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County.

DEP’s eFACTS database shows Penn Resources holds 13 permits for conventional oil and gas wells, all but three are listed as “inactive,” including the well being plugged.

Conventional well owners often put their wells in “inactive” status on the road to abandoning them.

DEP records show none of the 13 conventional wells were issued permits by DEP and that this well was not inspected prior to April 26, 2024.

Only one other well owned by Penn Resources-- Dent 215-- was inspected by DEP before-- on August 22, 1995 (violations for unpermitted discharge of wastewater, drill cuttings, oil spills) and January 2, 1997 (violation for improperly drill cutting disposal).

The well problems at Lewis Run Hudson Lease 2 OP 2 were first identified on April 26, 2024 when DEP did an inspection of the Lewis Run conventional well in response to a homeowner complaint of oil and gas leaking from the well. [DEP 4/26/24 inspection report]

DEP confirmed the well was leaking oil and water around in the casing in the front yard of the complainant’s home and “stressing” the vegetation.

On June 6, 2024, DEP returned to the property at the landowner’s request to discuss the condition of the well. [DEP 6/6/24 inspection report]

DEP noted the area of distressed vegetation had expanded noticeably and the well was “actively leaking” gas, oil and wastewater.

“The landowner also expressed concerns over the effects this well will have on the neighbor's yard. The smell of oil and gas is present inside the landowner's home.”

At some point after the June inspection, DEP made the decision that the problems with the well were serious enough to plug it using taxpayer funds.

On September 9, 2024, DEP began the emergency plugging operation with Cline Plugging and Well Services LLC to plug the well. [DEP 9.9.24 inspection report]

As of September 17, 2024, DEP’s contractor is still drilling through the concrete plug in the well and is at a depth of 30 feet. [DEP 9/17/24 inspection report]

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.

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.

(Photos: Row 1-- Well as it looked on initial inspection; Well impact area expanded six weeks later; Row 2-- Emergency well plugging begins with digging out around the well (2); Drill cuttings shown in hand; Drill rig and equipment on the site.)

Upcoming Event

-- September 24-- Center For Coalfield Justice Hosts Program In Washington County On Increasing Setbacks From Oil & Gas Infrastructure

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Sept. 14 to 20 - Seeing Conventional Wastewater Spill From Google Earth; Emergency Well Plugging; Abandoned Shale Gas Wells; Leaking Gas Well Next To Baseball Field [PaEN]

-- Homeowner Complaint Results In DEP Emergency Plugging Of A Penn Resources, Inc. Conventional Oil Well Leaking Gas, Oil, Wastewater In McKean County [PaEN]

-- DEP Discovers Wastewater Spill From Conventional Oil/Gas Well That Could Be Seen From Google Earth In Armstrong County As A Result Of A Complaint [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - September 21 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 77 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In September 21 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week - Gas:

-- Exploding Water Well Shed Triggers DEP Investigation Of 59+ Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells In Cyclone, McKean County; Highlights Limits On Providing Temporary Water For Well Owners Impacted [PaEN]

-- Cecil Township, Washington County Posts Proposed Ordinance Increasing Setbacks From Shale Gas Well Pads Of 2,500 Feet From Homes, Businesses; 5,000 Feet From Schools, Hospitals; Nov. 4 Hearing, Meeting Set [PaEN]

-- Environmental Health Project: State Dept. Of Health Progress On Implementing Recommendations After Pitt Health Studies Show Impacts From Shale Gas Development ‘Extremely Limited’ [PaEN]