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PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Feb. 15 to 21 -- Shale Gas Wells Seismic Investigation; Conventional Well Spill Cost Water Co. Customers $900,000 So Far; Oil & Gas Waste Plant Fails To Report Wastewater

From February 15 to 21, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 497 inspection entries.

Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring between February 15 to 21--

Click Here for violations issued between February 15 to 21. [2 violations]

Click Here for inspection entries between February 15 to 21.

Enforcement Actions Taken Last Week

So far this year, DEP took these actions as of February 14--

-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 11 conventional, 0 unconventional

-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 243 conventional and 99 unconventional

-- Enforcements 2025: 44 conventional and 11 unconventional (orders, agreements)

-- Inspections Last Week: 244 conventional and 385 unconventional

-- Year To Date - Inspections: 2,096 conventional and 3,533 unconventional

Shale Gas Well Pad Seismic Investigation

Olympus Energy LLC - Seismic Investigation - Westmoreland County

On February 20, 2025 DEP conducted a “stimulation” [fracking] inspection of the Hephaestus shale gas well pad and six gas wells in Upper Burrell Township, Westmoreland County “due to recent observations of seismic activity within the vicinity of the well” pad. Fracking on wells 1, 3 and 5 was completed on February 9. Fracking began on wells 7, 9 and 11 on February 9. “No pressure anomalies noted on the wells being monitored on/off pad” by the well owner representatives. No violations issued. DEP inspection report. [same for all 6 wells]

Conventional Wastewater Spill Costs Water Customers $900,000+

Petro Erie, Inc. - Violations: Wastewater Spill, Cleanup Order

On February 22, 2025, The Derrick reported Aqua Pennsylvania said operating the Venango Water Company in Venango County has cost $1,103,000 since it was ordered by the Public Utility Commission to act as a Receiver for the company in August 2023. Read more here.

The PUC ordered Aqua to take over as Receiver after a Petro Erie, Inc. conventional oil well wastewater spill in July 2023 contaminated Bellow Spring, one of the springs supplying water to Venango Water Company customers.

The gap between the costs incurred by Aqua and the revenue now from Venango Water Company ratepayers is more than an estimated $900,000, according to the numbers provided by Aqua Pennsylvania.

DEP’s August 16, 2023 order requires the company to not only clean up the wastewater spill but to also reimburse the Venango Water Company and Aqua Pennsylvania for any temporary and permanent increased operating and maintenance costs caused by the spill.

However, Petro Erie Inc. appealed the order to the Environmental Hearing Board in September 2023 and the case is still pending. [EHB Docket 2023075] Read more here.

Oil & Gas Waste Plant Fails To Report Wastewater Volumes

GCI Water Solutions - Violations: Failure To Report Wastewater To Titusville

On February 22, 2025, The Derrick reported GCI Water Solutions, an oil and gas wastewater treatment facility is not reporting how much wastewater it is sending to the Titusville, Crawford County wastewater plant for treatment. Read more here.

Titusville City Manager Neil Fratus told City Council “there was a fine put in place” for the violation and the city is “waiting on a plan and a response from them,” according to The Derrick.

City Council member Gary Thomas expressed concerns about the lack of reporting saying the City's monthly reports to DEP on its wastewater plant will not be accurate if GCI Water Solutions is not providing their reports.

Thomas also said the oil and gas wastewater is highly corrosive to metal, which is a primary component in the city facility.

“The problem is not letting the city know how much of what they’re putting in there,” he said. “That saltwater just attacks metal. And, this is the only place in the area that still takes this stuff.” Read more here.

1 Abandoned Conventional Well NOV

EQT Production Co. - Violations: Abandoned Well, Not Plugged

February 14, 2025 DEP file review of the CS Day Lot B conventional well in Morris Township, Washington County found the well abandoned and not plugged. Violation issued. DEP inspection report not online.

35 Abandoned Conventional, 11 Abandoned Shale Gas Well Violations 2025

So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 35 violations to 19 conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells- [WB Anderson; Baird Oil Co.; Diversified Production LLC; EQT Production Co.; Kiski Valley Gas Co. ; Manufacturers Light & Heat Co; MTN Energy; Oil & Gas MGMT Co. LLC, Pillar Energy PA, LLC; Pin Oak Energy Partners, LLC; Reel Resources, Inc; Fred C. Scheel; SK Opr Inc.; Stonehaven Energy MGT Co. LLC; Andrew F. Suchko; Timberline Energy, Inc.; Washington Energy Co LLC; Ronald Wise; Mary A. Woodring].

So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 11 violations to two shale gas drilling companies for abandoning and not plugging their wells-- [Diversified Production LLC, Roulette Oil & Gas LLC].

Conventional Plugging Site Restoration Denied

EQT Production Co. - Violations: Failed To Restore Well Site

February 6, 2025 inspection of the JW Wall B38 conventional well site in Forward Township, Allegheny County found the well owner failed to restore the well site after completing plugging the well on March 28, 2024 and multiple erosion and sedimentation violations. The site restoration request was denied. Violations issued for erosion, failure to restore site and failure to remove equipment. Response requested by February 20. DEP inspection report & response from EQT.

Unknown Conventional Well Owners

DEP inspected 12 conventional wells in Bradford Township, McKean County as part of an orphan well survey to evaluate wells for plugging.

Methane Reduction Plugging Grants

Wilmoth Interests Inc.

February 18, 2025 inspections of 4 conventional wells related to MERP Grant Program for plugging in Toby Township, Clarion County and Montgomery, North Mahoning, Rayne Townships, Indiana County MERP Grant Info. [This federal funding at risk due to President’s funding freeze.]

Jason S. Moore

February 20, 2025 inspection of 2 conventional wells-- Stasiowski 29 & 30-- for plugging in Sugar Grove Township, Warren County as part of the MERP Grant program.

Gas Storage Area Leak Investigation

Eastern Gas Trans & Storage Inc. - Oakford Gas Storage Reservoir

February 20, 2025 inspected 5 conventional gas wells serving the Oakford Gas Storage Reservoir in Penn and Salem Townships, Westmoreland County as a result of a complaint and found gas in the soil at various points around the JM Keenan 0 conventional well (Salem Twp.). DEP requested the well owner to take isotopic samples of the gas to determine its origin and excavate around the well to determine if there are leaks. No violations issued. DEP inspection report.

Spills And Releases

SWN Prod. Co. LLC - Violations: Release Of Wastewater

February 12, 2025 inspection of the Knosky shale gas well pad in Rush Township, Susquehanna County found what appeared to be a release of fluid in and out of the secondary containment around the wastewater storage tanks. The owner said the release occurred the night before when workers were trying to thaw out a waterline from the tanks. Violations issued. Well owner asked to answer questions about the spill at a later time. DEP inspection report.

Pennhills Resources LLC - Violations: Release Of Crude Oil

February 13, 2025 inspection of the WT 2850 Lot 9 24 conventional oil well in Howe Township, Forest County in response to a notification from the well owner found a leak had occurred from broken piping near the wellhead. Leaking oil traveled 25 yards southwest of the well and 50 yards northwest of the well. Booms and absorbent material was installed to stop the material from getting into Bald Hill Run (High Quality). Violations issued. Request to respond by March 7. DEP inspection report.

2025 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups

So far in 2025, DEP received or acted on 20 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups. Read more here.

Erosion & Sedimentation

Archaea CCS LLC - Violations: Erosion & Sedimentation

February 4, 2025 inspection of the Phoebe Snow 1 conventional carbon sequestration well in Throop Borough, Lackawanna County found multiple erosion and sedimentation violations related to the construction of the well pad, access road and bridge leading to the site. Some BMPs do not match permit plans or site contours. Violations were issued. Corrective measures were undertaken. “The Department acknowledges the prompt response and appreciates the communication with follow up photos and discussion.” No further response requested from well owner. DEP inspection report.

CNX Gas Co LLC - Violations: Erosion, Sedimentation

February 10, 2025 inspection of the Kiski River to BP6 Water Pipeline in Bell Township, Westmoreland County as a result of a complaint found erosion channels and sedimentation on and next to the pipeline right-of-way and access road at several locations. Violations were issued. Response requested by March 3, 2025. DEP inspection report.

Columbia Gas Trans LLC - Violations: Erosion, Encroachment Without Permit

February 13, 2025 inspection of conventional well WS Main 4757 injection well serving the Donegal Gas Storage Reservoir in Donegal Township, Washington County found erosion, sedimentation and failure to get stream encroachment permit. Original violations issued October 7, 2021 and September 19, 2022. Violations continued. No request made of well owner. DEP inspection report.

EQT Production Co. - Violations: Unreported Slope Failure

February 10, 2025 inspection of the Heart shale gas well pad in Wayne Township, Greene County found an unreported slope failure and failure to comply with Chapter 102 erosion permit. Violations issued. Response requested by March 3. DEP inspection report.

EQT Production Co. - Violations: Accelerated Erosion, Failure To Maintain BMPs

February 12, 2025 inspection of the Trust shale gas well pad in Wayne Township, Greene County found instances of accelerated erosion and failure to maintain erosion and sedimentation BMPs. Violations were issued. Response requested by March 7. DEP 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 and Inspection Reports Viewer webpages to search their compliance records by date and owner.

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- CNX Gas Co LLC pipeline right-of-way erosion channels, sedimentation; EQT Production Co. shale gas well pad unreported slope failure; SWN Prod. Co. LLC shale gas well pad wastewater release; Row 2- Archaea CCS LLC carbon injection conventional well site construction erosion violations; Eastern Gas Trans & Storage Inc. - Oakford Gas Storage Reservoir gas well leak investigation; Pennhills Resources LLC conventional oil well release.)

[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 - Feb. 15 to 21 -- Shale Gas Wells Seismic Investigation; Conventional Well Spill Cost Water Co. Customers $900,000 So Far; Oil & Gas Waste Plant Fails To Report Wastewater [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - February 22 [PaEN]

-- Environmental Integrity Project: President Orders Hundreds Of Energy Emergency Reviews Of US Army Corps Of Engineers Project Permits, Including Dozens In PA [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 97 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In February 22 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week:

-- The Derrick: Aqua PA Spells Out Venango Water Co. Expenses Since Its PUC-Ordered Emergency Role [Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill Cost Water Customers $900,000, So Far, In Venango County] [PaEN]

-- The Derrick: GCI Water Solutions Fails To Report How Much Oil & Gas Wastewater It Is Treating Thru Titusville's Wastewater Plant In Crawford County [PaEN]

-- Part I - Environmental Impacts: State Dept. Of Health, Penn State Medical Webinars On Caring For Persons Living & Working In Communities With Oil & Natural Gas Extraction [PaEN]

-- Part II - Health Impacts: State Dept. Of Health, Penn State Medical Webinars On Caring For Persons Living & Working In Communities With Oil & Natural Gas Extraction [PaEN]

-- DEP Soliciting Proposals For 6 Professional Services Related To Plugging Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells; Federal Funding At Risk [PaEN]

-- Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance, Black Appalachian Coalition, PennFuture, Partners Host March 4 Webinar -- Why Is My Electricity Bill So High? And Going Higher? [PaEN]