So far this year-- as of February 23--
-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 87 conventional, 3 unconventional
-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 1,214 conventional and 158 unconventional
-- Enforcements 2024: 78 conventional and 13 unconventional
-- Inspections Last Week: 276 conventional and 219 unconventional
-- Year To Date - Inspections: 2,223 conventional and 3,828 unconventional
-- Wells Drilled Last Week: 2 conventional and 4 unconventional
-- Year To Date Wells Drilled: 17 conventional and 63 unconventional
Permit Appeals
On February 15 -20, 2024, appeals were filed by 40 individuals with the Environmental Hearing Board over DEP’s permit for the Catalyst Energy, Inc.’s oil and gas wastewater injection well near Cyclone in Keating Township, McKean County. Read more here.
On February 28, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Appeals Board allows appeal by Protect PT and Three Rivers Waterkeeper of the Penneco Environmental Solutions, LLC oil and gas wastewater injection well in Plum Borough, Allegheny County to move forward. The Board denied a motion by Penneco to dismiss the appeal because it was not filed in a timely manner. Read more here.
CNX Pipeline Permit Withdrawal
On February 26, 2024, DEP notified CNX Midstream Operating Company LLC that its application for the Slickville fracking wastewater and natural gas pipelines project is considered withdrawn because CNX failed to provide the information needed to complete the application within 60 days and start its review. Read more here.
Marsh Creek Spill Update
On February 29, 2024, DEP reported the clay-like material polluting Marsh Creek is not bentonite from the Mariner East Pipeline construction, but a naturally-occurring substance and Sunoco/Energy Transfer has completed its remediation of the stream leading to Marsh Creek State Park in Chester County.
DEP updated the public in response to a question from Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee, at the Senate hearing on DEP’s budget request. Read more here.
11 More Conventional Well Abandonment NOVs
On February 20, 21, 22, 2024, DEP did routine inspections of 7 conventional wells operated by All American Energy Inc. and found all seven wells to be abandoned and not plugged.
The wells a located in--
-- Allegheny County, North Fayette Township: Elliott Bros 1, 15, McClellan Heirs 6, Baldwin 5,
-- Allegheny County, South Fayette Township: School House 1, Scott 10
-- Washington County, Cecil Township: Sterling 40
DEP’s inspection report [Elliott Bros 15 - example] noted violations for abandonment, failure to submit annual production and waste generation and well integrity reports as well as leaking gas in some cases.
DEP requested the operator to submit a written plan by March 20, 2024 on how the wells would be brought into compliance.
On February 23, 2024, DEP did an inspection at the request of the landowner of the Charter 502-2 conventional well operated by Economy Natural Gas, Inc. in Scott Township, Allegheny County and found it to be abandoned and not plugged.
DEP’s inspection report also noted violations for failure to submit annual production and waste generation and well integrity reports.
DEP requested the operator to submit a write plan by March 17, 2024 on how the well will be brought into compliance.
On February 26, 2024, DEP did a routine inspection of Rombold 2 & 3 operated by Gary E. Robinson in New Sewickley Township, Beaver County and found them both to be abandoned and not plugged.
DEP’s inspection report included violations for well abandonment and failure to submit annual production, waste generation and mechanical integrity reports.
The operator was requested to submit a written report by March 17, 2024 on how the wells will be brought into compliance.
On March 1, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Church of God 3 conventional well in Pinegrove Township, Venango County operated by Beverly A. Terry in response to a citizen complaint and found the well to be abandoned and not plugged.
DEP’s inspection report included violations for well abandonment and failure to submit annual production, waste generation and mechanical integrity reports.
No follow-up actions or notification of the operator were noted in the report.
121 Conventional Abandoned Well NOVs
So far in 2024, DEP issued new or continued 121 notices of violation for conventional oil and gas well abandonment.
Failure To Plug Wells Ahead Of Mining
On March 1, 2024, DEP documented the fact Equitrans LP did not respond to notices of violation for failure to plug 5 conventional gas wells ahead of underground coal mining at the Swarts Gas Storage Reservoir in Morris Township, Greene County.
The wells include Phillips Estate 3791, 3783, 3795, 3796 and 3797.
DEP’s inspection report [example - 3791] noted the violations were originally issued on January 31, 2024 and continued them.
Voluntary Conventional Well Plugging
On February 29, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection on the Warrant 4336 113 conventional gas well operated by Blackhawk Energy LLC in Foster Township, McKean County and found the well had been voluntarily plugged by the operator.
DEP’s inspection report noted the well was part of an ongoing stray gas investigation as a result of a citizen complaint.
On February 29, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Warrant 4336 110 conventional gas well in Foster Township, McKean County operated by US Energy Dev. Corp and found the well had been voluntarily plugged by the operator.
DEP’s inspection report noted the well was part of an ongoing stray gas investigation as a result of a citizen complaint.
Failure To Identify Wetlands At Well Plugging
On February 21, 2024, DEP did a follow-up inspection of the conventional gas storage well Clutter 3778 in Center Township, Greene County operated by Equitrans, Inc. for failure to obtain a permit to disturb multiple wetlands on the site of a well plugging operation.
Representatives of CNX and EQM were also at the site during the inspection.
DEP’s inspection report continued violations originally posted on December 15, 2023 and requested the operator to submit a written report by March 20, 2024 on how the site will be brought into compliance.
Conventional Gas Well Venting Emergency Call
On February 28, 2024, DEP responded to a reported gas leak from Mercer County Emergency and found the Ralph Weaver conventional well on Sugar Grove Township, Mercer County operated by Diamond Energy Partners, LLC to be venting gas.
DEP’s inspection report notes the operator was contacted and that evening performed the necessary repairs to stop the venting of gas.
No Cleanup Progress In Petro Erie Spill Affecting Reno Water Supply
On February 22 & 29, 2024, DEP did follow-up inspections of the Lower Reno 6 conventional oil well site and wastewater storage tanks operated by Petro Erie, Inc. in Sugarcreek Borough, Venango County and found no progress in remediation of the spill that contaminated the Village of Reno water supply in July 2023-- six months ago.
DEP’s inspection reports on February 22 and February 29 noted contaminated areas were still present around the wastewater storage tanks that leaked and in soil leading down slope from the tanks.
The site looks essentially the same as it did at the last inspection on November 13, 2023. Read more here.
No follow-up actions were noted in the latest inspection report.
DEP’s order to Petro Erie, Inc. remains on appeal with the Environmental Hearing Board. Read more here.
Multiple Conventional Well Spills, Leaks
DEP filed additional inspection reports this week for inspections done on February 20, 21 & 22, 2024 on 8 conventional wells operated by Questa Petro Co. in Westmoreland County and found evidence of spills, leaks and releases at these sites--
-- Bell Township: Morton 1
-- East Huntingdon Township: Brodak 2, Fretts 1, Glick Brothers 2, Hacker 1, Hyskell 1, Piper 2
-- South Huntingdon Township: Momyer 3
Spills at two other conventional wells by Questa Petro Co. were described in last week’s report. Read more here.
DEP’s inspections reports [Hacker 1; Hyskell 1; Piper 2 as examples] included multiple violations related to the spills and requested a written report from the operator by dates around March 13, 2024 on how the wells will be brought into compliance.
On February 26, 2024, DEP did an inspection of the Eleanor Morris 1 conventional well in Donegal Township, Westmoreland County in response to a notification by the operator Diversified Production LLC of a wastewater release.
DEP’s inspection report notes multiple areas impacted by the spill of an estimated 210 gallons of wastewater. The operator began excavating the impacted soil.
Violations were issued related to the spill and the operator was requested to submit a written report by March 8, 2024 on how the site would be brought into compliance.
2024 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups
So far in 2024, DEP received or acted on 66 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to 66 oil and gas facility site cleanups.
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-- All American Energy, Inc. abandoned conventional well inside tank; Economy Natural Gas Inc. abandoned conventional well; Equitrans, Inc. failure to obtain permit to disturb wetlands; Blackhawk Energy Inc. voluntarily plugged conventional well;
Row 2- Diversified Production, LLC conventional wastewater spill traveled down slope from tank; Gary E. Robinson abandoned conventional well; Questa Petro, Inc. conventional wastewater tank with hole; Questa Petro, Inc. hole in 2nd conventional wastewater tank
[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. 24 to March 1 - 11 More Abandoned Conventional Wells; Field Of Leaking Wells; Voluntary Plugging; No Cleanup Progress In Reno Spill [PaEN]
-- Latest DEP Inspection Shows No Progress By Petro Erie In Cleaning Up The Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill That Contaminated The Village Of Reno’s Water Supply In Venango County 6 Months Ago [PaEN]
-- DEP: Clay-Like Material Polluting Marsh Creek Is Not Bentonite From Mariner East Pipeline Construction, But Naturally Occuring; Sunoco Cleanup Operation Finished [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - March 2 [PaEN]
-- 40 Individuals File Appeals, Most Handwritten, Of DEP’s Permit For Catalyst Energy Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well In McKean County [PaEN]
-- EPA Appeals Board Allows Protect PT, Three Rivers Waterkeeper Appeal Of Penneco Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well Permit In Allegheny County To Move Forward [PaEN]
-- Incomplete Application For CNX Midstream Slickville Fracking Wastewater, Natural Gas Pipelines Project In Westmoreland County Withdrawn By DEP [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 64 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In March 2 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week - Gas:
-- PA Utility Law Project March 15 Webinar On Impacts Of LNG Gas Exports On Energy Costs For Pennsylvania Families; LNG Export Capacity To Double, Even With Permit Pause [PaEN]
-- Bloomberg: Gov. Shapiro Calls On Biden To Keep Pause On Permits For New LNG Gas Export Facilities Short [PaEN]
-- PA Environmental Groups: New PUC Rules, DEP Guidance Victory For Increased Safety In Pipeline Construction And Operation [PaEN]
-- Chemstream Chemical Maker Agrees To Disclose Information About Its Proprietary Chemicals Used In Natural Gas Drilling [PaEN]
-- IFO Reports 2023 PA Natural Gas Production Up 1.0% Over 2022, Thanks To Strong Q4 Production; Fewest New Wells Drilled In Last Decade [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Spotlight PA: Federal Money Supercharged PA’s Plugging Of Dangerous Conventional Oil & Gas Wells, But Critics Want More Oversight
-- Guest Essay: The Conventional Oil And Gas Industry Isn't Taking Responsibility For Their Wells - By Rep. Greg Vitali, Majority Chair, House Environmental Committee [PaEN]
-- Q/A With House Environmental Committee Majority Chair Greg Vitali
-- Q/A With Senate Environmental Committee Majority Chair Gene Yaw
-- WESA: Republican US Senate Candidate Says Less Red Tape, More Natural Gas Are Key To PA’s Economic Future
-- The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: Permit Application For CNX Pipeline Project In Westmoreland County Withdrawn, Lacked Wildlife Permits
-- PA Business Report: Chemstream Announces Radical Transparency Fracking Chemical Compliance Initiative
-- MCall: Gas Leak Reported In Hellertown, Northampton County Prompting Evacuations
-- PUC Reminder Of Opportunities To Comment On Proposed 18.7% Peoples Natural Gas Rate Increase
-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Panel: Washington County State Of The Economy Explores Impacts Of ARCH2 Hydrogen Projects
-- Reuters: European Union Receives Bids For Nearly 3 Times The Volume Of Gas They Need
-- Bloomberg: Qatar Has Eyes On More Long-Term Deals As It Bets Big On LNG Gas
-- Financial Times: Oil And Gas Industry Profits Triple Under Biden, Even As Industry Decries Him
[Posted: March 2, 2024] PA Environment Digest
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