From March 1 to 7, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 749 inspection entries. 

Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring  between March 1 to 7--

Click Here for violations issued between March 1 to 7.

Click Here for inspection entries between March 1 to 7

            Enforcement Actions Taken Last Week

So far this year, DEP took these actions as of February 28--

-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 55 conventional, 29 unconventional

-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 363 conventional and 191 unconventional

-- Enforcements 2025: 55 conventional and 16 unconventional (orders, agreements)

-- Inspections Last Week: 348 conventional and 522 unconventional

-- Year To Date - Inspections: 2,864 conventional and 4,741 unconventional

            Attorney General Investigates Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill

A court document filed with the state Environmental Hearing Board confirms the state Office of Attorney General is investigating the oil well wastewater spill that contaminated the Venango Water Company’s Bellows Spring in July 2023 that led to severe drinking water problems for customers in the Village of Reno, Venango County.  Read more here.

            DEP Orders Energy Transfer/Sunoco Pipeline To Provide Clean Water

On March 6, the Department of Environmental Protection issued an order to Energy Transfer/Sunoco to provide water to residents in Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County affected by a leak in Energy Transfer’s 14-inch jet fuel/petroleum products pipeline.  Read more here.

            Diversified Production Abandons Cryptocurrency Facility, Shale Gas Wells

On March 4, the Oil and Gas and Air Quality Programs of DEP did a joint inspection of a Diversified Production LLC cryptocurrency mining facility in Horton Township, Elk County and found it and two shale gas wells had been abandoned.

Three generators used to power the cryptocurrency mining operation at the Langhorn shale gas pad had been removed.

DEP said in its inspection reports the well abandonment violates an August 3, 2023 consent order and agreement with Diversified.

DEP requested Diversified to respond to the violations by March 18.

Diversified has a total of 13 violations for abandoning and not plugging 13 shale gas wells in 2025. 

DEP also issued notices of violation to three EQT-related companies for abandoning and not plugging seven other shale gas wells in Greene and Washington counties.

This week DEP issued 9 violations for shale gas well abandonment bringing the total issued in 2025 to 31. Read more here.

            9 More Abandoned Shale Gas Wells

Diversified Production LLC - Violations: 2 Abandoned Shale Gas Wells, Failed To Comply With Consent Order

March 4, 2025 joint inspection by Oil & Gas and Air Quality Programs of the Longhorn A 590830 [DEP inspection report] and Longhorn A 590835 [DEP inspection report] shale gas wells in Horton Township, Elk County found them abandoned and not plugged.  Three generators used to power cryptocurrency mining operations have been removed as well as production equipment. Wells drilled in 2011.  DEP noted the well abandonments violate an August 3, 2023 consent order and agreement between Diversified Production LLC and DEP.  Violations were issued for abandonment and failure to comply with the order.  Requested the owner to respond to the violations by March 18.

EQT Chap LLC - Violations: 3 Abandoned Shale Gas Wells  (11 Months)

March 3, 2025 inspection of the 3 shale gas wells on the Brunazzi Unit well pad (9H, 10H 11H)   in Deemston Borough, Washington County found the wells abandoned and not plugged. Wells drilled in 2013. Original violations issued on April 17, 2024. EQT had promised to plug the wells in a response to the original violations. Violations continued.  Response requested by March 19. DEP inspection report.

EQT Production Co. - Violations: 3 Abandoned Shale Gas Wells

March 4, 2025 inspection of the 3 shale gas wells on the Pin Oaks 627027 well pad (6H, 8H, 10H) in Carroll Township, Washington County found them abandoned and not plugged. Wells drilled in 2010 and have not produced gas since 2016. Well integrity reports have not been submitted. Inactive status expired in May 2023. Violations issued. Response requested by March 25. [DEP inspection report - 6H; DEP inspection report - 8H; DEP inspection report - 10H;]

Rice Drilling B LLC [EQT] - Violations: Abandoned Shale Gas Well

March 4, 2025 inspection of the Roger Parry 7H shale gas well in Aleppo Township, Greene  County found the well abandoned and not plugged. Well drilled in 2014. There are five shale gas wells on this pad, 3 are listed as active (3H, 5H, 8HA) and one as plugged (9H) Response requested by March 26. DEP Inspection report.

            6 More Abandoned Conventional Wells

Apollo Resources LLC - Violations: Abandoned Conventional Well

February 13, 2025 inspection of the Kovalish 1 conventional well in Derry Township, Westmoreland County found the well abandoned and not plugged.  Original violations for abandoned issued November 15, 2023. Violations continued. Response requested by March 13.  Apollo holds 1,894 permits. DEP inspection report.

Thomas Thurma Jean - Violations: Abandoned Conventional Well Leaking Fluid

February 26, 2025 inspection of the Barnhart 4 conventional well [listed as abandoned on DEP’s report] in Independence Township, Beaver County as a result of a complaint found a wastewater storage tank leaking an unknown fluid. Violations issued.  Response requested by March 11. Thomas Thurma Jean holds 7 permits.  DEP inspection report.

Randy A. Dietterich - Violations: Abandoned Conventional Well

February 27, 2025 inspection of the North Star Coal Co Ida 2 conventional well in North Fayette Township, Allegheny County found the well abandoned and not plugged.  Violations issued. Response requested by March 18. Randy Dietterich holds 6 permits.   DEP inspection report.

Raymond Sawyer - Violations: Abandoned Conventional Well

February 28, 2025 inspection of the Sawyer Farm 1 conventional well in Jefferson Township, Butler County found the well abandoned and not plugged. Failed to submit production, waste generation and well integrity reports. 4,200 gallon wastewater tank not in secondary containment. Drilled in 1800. No record of well ever being inspected.  Violations issued. Response requested by March 18. Raymond Sawyer holds 3 permits.   DEP inspection report.

Vessels Coal Gas Inc. - Violations: Abandoned Conventional Well (7 Months)

March 3, 2025 inspection of the Herbert C.. Smith 184B conventional coal gas well in Munster Township, Cambria County found the well abandoned and not plugged. Drilled in 1991. DEP could not confirm if this well is connected to coal methane flaring operations. Owner failed to submit production, waste general and well integrity reports.  Original violations issued July 26, 2024.  Owner failed to address any of the violations. Response requested by March 23.   DEP inspection report.

Note: DEP declared one other Vessels Coal Gas conventional coal gas well abandoned on the same date and same township in July 2024-- Joseph R. Spinner 187C.  Vessels Coal holds 14 permits.

             Abandoned Gas Storage Area Well

Equitrans LP - Violations: Abandoned, Leaking Gas Storage Area Conventional Wells

February 19, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Johnstown Rod & Gun Club 1 and Peoples Natural Gas 1 conventional wells serving  the Rager Mountain Gas Storage Area in Jackson Township, Cambria County found the wells--

-- Johnstown Rod & Gun Club 1: abandoned, not plugged (since August 23, 2024); Leaking gas in a way that threatens health and the environment (since December 9, 2022);  DEP notes the well is under a consent order agreement with the federal Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Response requested by April 19.  DEP inspection report

-- Peoples Natural Gas 1: Leaking gas in a way that threatens health and the environment (since November 22, 2022). Owner anticipates returning well to service. Violations continued. Response requested by March 19. DEP inspection report.

            Methane Reduction Plugging Grants

Greenway Energy LLC

March 5, 2025 inspection of the Yost 3 conventional well in Venango Township, Erie County related to MERP Well Plugging Grant Program.  Greenway holds 289 permits.

PPP Future Dev Inc.

March 6, 2025 inspections of 3 conventional wells in Columbus, Farmington and Freehold Townships, Warren County related to MERP Well Plugging Grant Program.  PPP Future holds 428 permits.

Shelex Drilling Inc.

March 6, 2025 inspections of 8 conventions wells in Concord and Wayne Townships, Corry City, Erie County related to MERP Well Plugging Grant Program.  Shelex holds 26 permits.

           45 Abandoned Conventional, 22 Abandoned Shale Gas Well Violations 2025

So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 45 violations to 28 conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells- [WB Anderson; Apollo Resources LLC; Baird Oil Co.; Randy A. Dietterich; Diversified Production LLC; Equitrans LP; EQT Production Co.; Kiski Valley Gas Co. ; Manufacturers Light & Heat Co; MTN Energy; Charles E. Myers; Myers Gas; Oil & Gas MGMT Co. LLC, PA Mineral SVCS LLC; Pillar Energy PA, LLC; Pin Oak Energy Partners, LLC; Red Lion Gas Coop Assn; Reel Resources, Inc; Raymond Sawyer; Fred C. Scheel; SK Opr Inc.; Stonehaven Energy MGT Co. LLC; Andrew F. Suchko; Thomas Thurma Jean; Timberline Energy, Inc.; Vessels Coal Gas Inc.; Washington Energy Co LLC; Ronald Wise; Mary A. Woodring].

In 2024, DEP issued 860 new or continued violations to conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells.

In 2023, DEP issued 512 violations to conventional well owners for abandonment.

So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 31 violations to 7 shale gas drilling companies for abandoning and not plugging their wells-- [Anegada Energy LLC; Diversified Production LLC; Diversified Production LLC, EQT Chap LLC; EQT Production Co.; Rice Drilling B LLC;  Roulette Oil & Gas LLC; Taft Operating LLC].

In 2024, 47 violations were issued or continued to 12 shale gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells. 

In 2023, DEP issued or continued 20 violations to 10 shale gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells.  Read more here.

            Spills & Releases

Repsol Oil & Gas USA LLC - Violations: Shale Gas Wastewater Release

March 3, 2025 inspection of the Harvey D (02-192) shale gas well pad in Covington Township, Tioga County in response to a notification by the owner of a spill of “more than 5 gallons” found fluid leaked out of a containment area around wastewater tanks, down the side slope of the well pad, along an infiltration berm and into an infiltration basin. Repsol had already removed the wastewater tanks and was in the process of removing secondary containment.  The owner planned to excavate and dispose of the contaminated soil along the flow path of the wastewater release. Violations were issued. Response requested by March 18.  DEP inspection report.

Range Resources Appalachia LLC - Violations: Shale Gas Pad Spills

March 4, 2025 inspection of the DMC shale gas well pad in Donegal Township, Washington County found spills identified in an inspection on February 21, 2025 were not remediated and field conductivity testing confirmed the presence of contaminated water in several locations, including adjacent to second containment areas. Previous violations were continued. No requests made of owner. DEP inspection report.

Seneca Resources Co. LLC - Violations: Multiple Releases Contaminated Water

March 5, 2025 inspection of the Butler 127D shale gas well pad in Delmar Township, Tioga County found contaminated water with a multicolored sheen pooling and flowing across the well pad, down the pad side slope and into an erosion channel and past a row of trees at the property line. It was raining during the inspection. Water samples were taken. DEP recommended the source of the pollution entering the water be found and repaired.  Violations issued.  Response requested by March 28.  DEP inspection report..

            2025 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups

So far in 2025, DEP received or acted on 24 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 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-- Diversified Production LLC abandons 2 shale gas wells and cryptocurrency mining operation; EQT Chap LLC abandoned 3 shale gas wells nearly 11 months ago; EQT Production LLC 3 abandoned shale gas wells; Row 2-- Rice Drilling B LLC [EQT] abandoned shale gas well; Vessels Coal Gas Inc.  abandoned conventional coal methane well;  Raymond Sawyer rusting 4,200 gallon conventional wastewater tank not in containment at abandoned well site; Thomas Thurma Jean conventional wastewater tank at abandoned well site leaking unknown fluid; Row 3-- Repsol Oil & Gas USA LLC shale gas wastewater spill; Contaminated water flowing off a Seneca Resources Co. LLC  shale gas well pad.)

[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 - March 1 to 7:  Cryptocurrency Facility, 9 More Shale Gas Wells Abandoned; Attorney General Investigates Conventional Wastewater Spill; Pipeline Ordered To Provide Clean Water  [PaEN]

-- DEP:  Diversified Production LLC Abandons Shale Gas Powered Cryptocurrency Facility In Elk County; 9 More Violations For Abandoned Shale Gas Wells This Week  [PaEN]

-- DEP Orders Energy Transfer/Sunoco To Install Water Treatment Systems In Over 200 Homes Impacted By Petroleum Products Pipeline Leak In Bucks County  [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - March 8 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 92 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In March 8 PA Bulletin  [PaEN] 

Shale Gas & Public Health Conference:

-- Shale Gas & Public Health Conference: Dr. Pouné Saberi, MD Speaks On How Healthcare Providers Can Better Serve Individuals Exposed To Health Threats From Shale Gas Development  [PaEN]

-- Shale Gas & Public Health Conference: Alison Steele, Environmental Health Project - The Science Is In, Shale Gas Development Harming Public Health - Arming People To Prevent, Reduce Harm  [PaEN]

-- Shale Gas & Public Health Conference: Lois Bower-Bjornson - What Its Like Living In Frackland - Residents Talk About Dealing With The Health, Environmental Impacts Of Shale Gas  [PaEN]

-- Shale Gas & Public Health Conference: Bob Donnan - 15 Years Of Shale Gas Development Through Aerial Photos - Hiding In Plain Sight  [PaEN]

-- Shale Gas & Public Health Conference: Gillian Graber, Protect PT -- We Need To Work Together, Pool Our Knowledge To Push Back Against This Industry That's Harming Our Communities [PaEN] 

Related Articles This Week:

-- The Derrick: State Attorney General Launches Criminal Investigation Into Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill That Contaminated Venango Water Company Spring  [PaEN]

-- Oil & Gas Advisory Board To Hear DEP Update On Water, Wastewater Shale Gas Well Development Pipelines; Methane Migration; Guidance On Dewatering Impoundments March 20  [PaEN]

-- Evangelical Environmental Network: Proposed Bipartisan Abandoned Well Remediation Act Reintroduced In Congress To Identify, Plug Abandoned Oil & Gas Wells  [PaEN]

-- PUC House Budget Hearing: We Aren’t Going To Build Our Way Out Of Electric Generation Shortfalls On PJM Grid; We Need To Diversify Our Generation Sources  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- The Center Square: Chester, Delaware County Leads The Fight For Environmental Justice [LNG Gas Export Facility] 

-- TribLive: Plum Boro, Allegheny County Residents Raise Objections To 2nd Proposed Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well

-- Observer-Reporter: EQT Production Co., EQM Gathering OPCO LLC Sue Union Twp., Washington County Over Permitting Fees For Pipelines  [PDF of Article]

-- River Reporter: Local Congressmen, EPA Reopen  Fracking Conversation In Delaware River Basin In NE PA

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Energy Transfer/Sunoco Ordered To Supply Homes With Bottled Water, Filtration Systems In Wake Of Pipeline Spill

-- Courier Times: PA DEP Says Energy Transfer/Sunoco Petroleum Products Pipeline Leak In Bucks County Violated State Law

-- Courier Times: Bucks County Residents Demand Answers On Energy Transfer/Sunoco Pipeline Inspection Report For 2023 Flash Flood

-- AP - Marc Levy: In A Reversal, Plans For US Natural Gas Power Grow, Complicating Progress On Climate [PA Natural Gas]

-- AP - Marc Levy: Facing Competition From Big Tech, States Dangle Incentives, Loosen Laws To Attract Power Plants  [PA Highlighted]

-- Guest Essay: Significant Electricity Load Growth Can Be Accommodated Without A Stampede To New Natural Gas Generation Just By Increasing Efficiency At Existing Power Plants - By John Quigley, Senior Fellow, Kleinman Center For Energy Policy  [PaEN] 

-- NextPittsburgh: FracTracker Alliance Mapping Oil & Gas Impacts In Pennsylvania And Beyond

-- TribLive: Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County Could Be Sold As Shell Looks To Offload Chemical Assets 

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Shell Considers Selling US, European Petrochemical Plants, Including Beaver County Facility

-- Reuters: US Natural Gas Prices Jump 8% On Record LNG Gas Flows To US Export Plants 

-- Ohio River Valley Institute: 27 Appalachian Groups Call On DOE To Assess Full Impact Of Appalachian Hydrogen Hub Proposal, Suspend ARCH2 Funding

[Posted: March 8, 2025]

3/10/2025