PA Environment Digest Blog: PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - July 19 to 25

Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring between July 19 to 25–

Click Here for violations issued. Click Here for inspection entries.

Enforcement Actions Taken Last Week

So far this year, DEP took these actions as of July 18—

— NOVs Issued In Last Week: 22 conventional, 15 unconventional

— Year To Date – NOVs Issued: 3,256 conventional and 767 unconventional

— Enforcements 2025: 270 conventional and 92 unconventional (orders, agreements)

— Inspections Last Week: 210 conventional and 249 unconventional

— Year To Date – Inspections: 10,671 conventional and 13,905 unconventional

Attorney General Files Criminal Charges Against Equitrans For Gas Storage Area Uncontrolled Gas Venting

On July 24, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced criminal charges against Equitrans, LP, regarding the energy company’s failures to maintain a well that leaked 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas in 2022 across southern Pennsylvania and into several states, while also contaminating nearby ground and waters. Read more here.

Equitrans was charged Thursday with 14 counts of unlawful conduct, prohibition against discharge of industrial wastes, and prohibition against other pollutions from its Rager Mountain Gas Storage Area in Jackson Township, Cambria County.

[Bloomberg News called the Rager Mountain gas leak the worst US climate disaster in 2022. Read more here.]

Repsol Continues Cleanup Of Uncontrolled Release Of Wastewater

On July 21, the Department of Environmental Protection did a follow-up inspection of the Repsol Broadleaf Holdings shale gas well pad in Troy Township, Bradford County to assess continuing cleanup efforts after a well control problem on July 13 caused a major uncontrolled release of wastewater for more than 34 hours. Read more here.

Repsol has excavated a large pit around the 7H shale gas well to remove contaminated material and to facilitate the reconstruction of the wellhead.

The extent of contamination at the western corner of the well pad and downslope have been delineated by a consultant.

DEP Samples Confirm Seneca Resources Contaminated Wastewater Went Off Well Pad

On July 24, the Department of Environmental Protection reported sample results confirm contaminated water from a wastewater spill during well plugging operations polluted areas adjacent to the Seneca Resources Vandergrift 290 shale gas well pad in Charleston Township, Tioga County. Read more here.

DEP said the violations, monitoring and remediation will be continued from the release of an unknown amount of production wastewater reported to DEP as a complaint on May 13.

CNX Appeals EHB Decision Requiring DEP To Enforce Local Environmental Protection Settlement

Both Protect PT and WCAA Upstream, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNX Resources, have appealed a June 3, 2025 Environmental Hearing Board decision that would allow WCAA Upstream to drill two shale gas wells just hundreds of feet from homes in Penn Township, Westmoreland County. Read more here.

The two appeals challenge different aspects of the permit decision.

Protect PT has appealed the Drill and Operate permits, citing dangers to local residents.

These dangers include the lack of an evacuation plan for nearly 1,000 people living within a half mile and approximately 3,000 people living within a mile of the well, the proximity of the wells to both a daycare center and the Heritage Trail, and the likelihood of harmful chemical exposure to the local community through air and water, including an increased likelihood of transmission of harmful and unknown chemicals from the fracked wells to private water wells and existing conventional oil and gas wells.

27 Abandoned Conventional Wells

Darrel B. Blauser

July 22, 2025 inspection of the Blair 1 conventional well in Allegheny Township, Butler County found the well abandoned and unplugged. This well was not inspected before. Violation issued. Response requested by August 7. DEP inspection report. Blauer holds 2 permits.

Michael Harju [6 Years]

July 23, 2025 inspection of the Otto Keys 05202 conventional well in Deemston Boro, Washington County found the owner failed to comply with an order to plug the well or put it back into production no later than Dec. 31, 2019. [Well appears to be abandoned.] Violations continued. No request made of owner. DEP inspection report. DEP issued an order for Harju to plug four other wells in 2023 and the owner failed to do so. Read more here. Michael Harju holds 158 permits, including other 13 abandoned wells.

Randy A. Dietterich [8 Months]

July 10, 2025 inspection of the Brown 4 and Guy V IDA 1 conventional wells in Robinson Township, Washington County found them abandoned and not plugged. Original abandonment violations issued on November 25, 2024. Violations continued. Response requested by July 31. Dietterich holds 6 permits.

Mervin Troyer

July 22, 2025 inspection of two conventional wells in Erie County found they both abandoned and unplugged. Other violations included evidence of contamination on the sites and failure to submit annual production, waste generation and well integrity reports. These wells were never inspected before. Response requested by July 25. The wells include– Le Boeuf Twp.: Daniel Troyer ET UX 1581 and Union Twp.: Mervin W. & Gary A. Troyer. Troyer holds 4 permits.

Timberline Energy Inc.

July 7, 2025 inspection of 19 conventional wells in Cranberry Township, Venango County and found them all abandoned and not plugged and none had been inspected before. DEP reached out to the well owner who said the wells are on a “plug list” and he anticipates the wells will be “part of a plugging group slated for April 2026.” DEP did NOT issue any violations. Timberline holds 730 permits, including 16 other abandoned wells.

The wells include– J. Cubbon SW502, J. Cubbon SW514, J. Cubbon SW515, J. Cubbon SW521, J. Cubbon SW522, J. Cubbon SW524, J. Cubbon SW525, J. Cubbon SW530, J. Cubbon SW536, J. Cubbon SW538, J. Cubbon SW539, J. Cubbon SW540, J. Cubbon SW541, J. Cubbon SW543, J. Cubbon SW545, Connel SW618, Connell SW628, Connel SW701, and Connel SW702.

Unknown Owners

July 7, 2025 inspections of never before inspected wells identified two abandoned conventional wells in Cranberry Township, Venango County known as Hickman Lumber 211 and Hickman Lumber 212.

331 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations 2025

Abandoned Conventional Wells: So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 331 violations to 74 conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells- [3D Resources LLC ; Amer Natural Resources LLC; WB Anderson; Apex Energy (PA), LLC; Apollo Resources LLC; ARG Resources Inc.; Baird Oil Co.; Baron Crest Energy Co.; Bialy Gas Production LLC; Darrel B. Blauser; Chris E. Burke; David H. Melat Co; Edward E. & Frederick J. Craig; Crude A Co – Randy L. Larkin; Dannic Energy Corp.; Paul H. Deeter; Delong Oil Inc.; Developed Resources, Inc.; Randy A. Dietterich; Diversified Production LLC; East Resources Inc.; Eastern Natural Resources LLC; Equitrans LP; EQT Production Co.; Exotic Oil & Gas LLC; Ex-Treme Oil And Gas LLC; Michael Harju; Harry L. King; Howard Drilling Inc.; Iron Pennsylvania Land LLC; Keystone Crude LLC; Kiski Valley Gas Co.; Leechburg Gas Co.; Manufacturers Light & Heat Co; Mid East Oil Co.; MTN Energy; MTN V Oil & Gas Inc.; Charles E. Myers; Myers Gas; Niche Energy LLC; Ohio Kentucky Oil Corp. ; Oil & Gas MGMT Co. LLC; Old MTN Gas Co. Inc.; OneXXX Prod & Exploration Corp.; Ows Acquisition Co. LLC; PA Mineral SVCS LLC; PBS Coals Inc; Raymond J. Patten; Pencan Explorations Inc.; Penta Oil Corp.; Robert F. Phipps; Pillar Energy PA, LLC; Pin Oak Energy Partners, LLC; Prosperity Oil Co. Inc.; Red Lion Gas Coop Assn; Reel Resources, Inc; Raymond Sawyer; Fred C. Scheel; SK Opr Inc.; Larry A. Shaffer Jr.; FM Sloan Inc.; Andrew F. Suchko; S R Star O&G LLC ; Stockman LLC; Stonehaven Energy MGT Co. LLC; Andrew F. Suchko; Thomas Thurma Jean; Timberline Energy, Inc.; Mervin Troyer; Valley Green Golf & Country Club, Inc.; Vessels Coal Gas Inc.; Washington Energy Co LLC; Ronald Wise; Mary A. Woodring; Woodward Inc.].

Abandoned Shale Gas Wells: So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 58 violations to 22 shale gas drilling companies for abandoning and not plugging their wells– [Anegada Energy LLC; Apex Energy (PA) LLC; Big Dog Energy LLC; Big Dog Energy LLC; Blackhill Energy LLC; Diversified Prod LLC; Diversified Production LLC; Diversified Production LLC; EQT ARO LLC; EQT Chap LLC; EQT Chap LLC; EQT Production Co.; EQT Production Co.; Frontier Natural Resources; Hilcorp Energy Co.; LPR Energy LLC; LPR Energy LLC; Rice Drilling B LLC [EQT]; Rice Drilling B LLC [EQT]; Roulette Oil & Gas LLC; STL Resources LLC; Taft Operating LLC].

Spills/Releases – Conventional

Frank L. Washbaugh Oil Producers [1 Month]

July 23, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Williams M. Johnson 1 conventional well in Cross Creek Township, Washington County found the owner still has not complied with an order to clean up multiple spill areas. Original violations issued June 26. Violations continued. DEP inspection report.

Diversified Prod LLC [1 Month]

July 24, 2025 inspection of the Huey shale gas well pad in Toby Township, Clarion County found repairs to holes in secondary containment of two wastewater storage tanks with a total capacity of 21,000 gallons was not completed. The holes were discovered during a routine inspection on June 25. Violations continued. DEP inspection report.

Spills/Releases – Shale Gas

Seneca Resources Co. LLC [7 Months]

July 11, 2025 inspection of the Taft 851 shale gas well pad in Middlebury Township, Tioga County discovered contaminated water on the well pad, along the pad berms and entering a sediment basin on the north site of the pad. Violations for contaminated water on the well pad, failure to notify DEP of spills and related infractions were issued on October 23, 2024. DEP recommended the owner continue to monitor pad conditions and prevent contaminated fluids from leaving the facility. Violations continued. DEP inspection report.

Diversified Prod LLC [7 Months]

July 10, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Cowden 9H plugged shale gas well in Hopewell Township, Washington County and found continued evidence of ground contamination around the wellhead. A representative of the well owner said last winter the owner closed an open line from the plugged well that was “previously gurgling” and that the owner did not conduct any remediation of the contamination around the wellhead. Original violations issued January 15, 2025. New violations issued. Response within 7 days. DEP inspection report.

EQT Prod Co.

July 15, 2025 routine inspection of the Minto shale gas well pad in Union Township, Washington County found multiple areas of contaminated water on the pad and on truck travel routes on the pad. Violations issued, including for failure to notify DEP of a spill. Response requested by August 8. DEP inspection report

EQT Prod Co [Olympus]

July 16, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Porter shale gas well pad in Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County found some remediation had been done to clean up a spill of production wastewater and fracking chemicals that occurred June 27, but it is not yet complete. The owner said in 8 to 10 days, well drilling will be completed on the pad and the remediation will occur in the remaining contaminated areas. New violations issued on top of the old violations. Response requested by August 7. DEP inspection report.

2025 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups

So far in 2025, DEP received or acted on 109 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups. Read more here.

Water Supply Contamination/Gas Migration Investigations

McKean County, Keating Township

July 22, 2025 inspection of two conventional plugged injection wells owned by Pennzoil Prod Co.– Bingham Satterfield 03 and Bingham Satterfield 017 between 640 and 740 feet from the complaint’s home found no leaking gas.

On July 22, 2025, DEP inspected two conventional plugged wells owned by Richard B. Herzog– Tidewater-Bingham 188 and Tidewater-Bingham 602 and found no leaking gas

Venting Gas

Comm Energy Inc. [10 Months]

July 17, 2025 follow-up inspection of the James R. Rethage ET UX 3 conventional well in Whiteley Township, Greene County and found no action was taken to address violations issued on September 4, 2024 related to failure of the owner to construct and operate the well to ensure its integrity and safety. “The Department has concerns due to the well not being maintained. Critical equipment could fail, such as the regulators. Well conditions could deteriorate and lead to hazardous conditions. The shutoff valve on the wellhead is broken off and inoperable.” Violations continued. Owner not requested to take any action. DEP inspection report.

Titus Energy LLC [2+ Months]

July 24, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Johnson 1 conventional gas well in Monroe Township, Clarion County originally inspected on May 12 due to a complaint of gas detected at the foundation of a home within about 650 feet of the well. The owner of the well failed to take any action to address venting gas from the well. Gas continues to leak from the well into the ground. The well owner said he would prefer to have the well plugged. Violations continued. DEP requested the owner to supply a detailed timeline for plugging the well or fixing it by August 12. DEP inspection report.

Diversified Prod LLC [1 Month]

July 16, 2024 follow-up inspection of the RUSH 3 conventional gas well in Jefferson Township, Fayette County found the well was still venting gas, but from a new 10-foot tall vent stack that was not reachable by gas detection equipment. Original violations issued June 13, 2025. Violations continued. Owner requested to respond by August 6. DEP inspection report.

Defective Casing/Cement

Chesapeake Appalachia LLC [14 Years]

July 24, 2025 inspection of the Redmond 2H shale gas well in Meshoppen Township, Wyoming County as part of ongoing well monitoring since a violation was issued on July 13, 2011 for defective casing or cement found the well leaking gas in the well annulus. 2H well is on Inactive Status, according to DEP records, but the well was found to be in production. Owner was requested to update the well status. Violations continued. Monitoring continues. DEP inspection report.

Chesapeake Appalachia LLC [Nearly 5 Years]

July 16, 2025 inspection of the Susan 4H 5H 25HC shale gas wells in Auburn Township, Susquehanna County as part of an ongoing well monitoring since violations were issued on October 28, 2020 for defective casing or cement. Violations continued. Monitoring continues. DEP inspection report.

Seneca Resources Co LLC [2 Years]

July 22, 2025 inspection of the Fry Gamble shale gas well 118H in Hepburn Township, Lycoming County for defective casing or cement monitoring. Original violations issued June 5, 2023. Violations continued. DEP inspection report.

Chesapeake Appalachia LLC [Nearly 1 Year]

July 18, 2025 inspection of the WHO 1H 3H 8H shale gas wells in Windham Township, Wyoming County as part of an ongoing well monitoring since violations were issued on August 15, 2024 for defective casing or cement. Violations continued. Monitoring continues. DEP inspection report.

Consent Order & Agreement

Pin Oak Energy Partners LLC

On June 16, 2025, DEP signed a Consent Order and Agreement with Pin Oak Energy Partners LLC to take responsibility for continuing violations at 15 shale gas well pads and facilities in Beaver County. The pads include–

— Big Beaver Borough: Wall BEA 3H 8H

— Chippewa Township: MAGA Pad; Roberts Pad

— Darlington Township: PGC West Pad

— Industry Borough: Cody Pad

— Ohioville Borough: David Burdick Pad; Fedorchak Pad; James Tharp Pad; David L. Thompson Pad; Hodgdon Pad; CTG Pad; PGC Pad; Kirkwood Pad; Rolling Acres LLC Pad; Kerry Bea Pad & Freshwater Impoundment

Erosion & Sedimentation Violations

Diversified Prod LLC

July 15, 2025 follow-up inspection of the NV39HS shale gas well pad in South Franklin Township, Washington County found some work had been done to address erosion and sedimentation violations issued on March 4, 2025, however, remediation was far from complete and new issues were found. The issues were so extensive the inspector had to break the report into three parts. Owner requested to respond by August 4. DEP inspection reports Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

EQM Gathering OPCO Inc.

July 14, 2025 inspection of the NINFS004 Pipeline construction project in Nottingham Township, Washington County found multiple erosion and sedimentation violations, turbid water being pumped from a pipeline bore pit to storage tanks that were overflowing secondary containment and E&S controls installed incorrectly. [In other words the site was a real mess.] Multiple violations issued. Response requested by August 6. DEP inspection report Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

Laurel Mountain Midstream LLC

July 9, 2025 routine inspection of the West Dog Bone Pipeline in German Township, Fayette County found multiple areas of land scarping and soil movement which appeared to span nearly the entire length of the right of way. The owner’s representative said they noticed soil cracking four week prior to the inspection and believed a french drain may be clogged. DEP asked if there was any concern to pipeline integrity, but the owner’s representative said, “he was unsure of the depth of the pipeline at the time of the inspection but there are no pipeline integrity concerns at the moment.” Violations issued. Response requested by July 22. DEP inspection report.

No Wells Drilled, Failure To Restore Shale Gas Well Pad

Range Resources Appalachia LLC

July 10, 2025 administrative inspection of the Zakutney Ruth shale gas well pad in Hanover Township, Beaver County found the last active well permit for the pad expired on August 24, 2023 and a field inspection on May 19, 2025 found no wells were drilled and the well site was not restored to its pre-existing contours. Violations issued. Response requested by July 31. 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– Frank L. Washbaugh Oil Producers failed to cleanup conventional spill in a month; Titus Energy LLC conventional well leaking gas; Michael Harju failed to comply with order to plug conventional well for 6 years; Row 2– Equitrans [EQT] Rager Mountain Natural Gas Storage Area uncontrolled venting of 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas; Repsol continues cleanup from uncontrolled shale gas wastewater release; One of 19 Timberline Energy Inc. abandoned conventional wells; Row 3- Seneca Resources cleanup continues from shale gas wastewater release during fracking; WCAA Upstream, LLC (CNX Resources) Quest shale gas well pad fracking sand pollution.)

[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 – July 19 to 25 – More Criminal Charges; Weeks Long Wastewater Cleanups Continue; 27 More Abandoned Conventional Wells [PaEN]

— PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment – July 26 [PaEN]

— DEP Invites Comments On Water Quality Permits For Daylighting 5.33 Miles Of 4 Texas Eastern Natural Gas Pipelines To Allow For Longwall Coal Mining In Greene County [PaEN]

— DEP Posted 78 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In July 26 PA Bulletin [PaEN]