Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring between August 16 to 22–
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 August 15—
— NOVs Issued In Last Week: 22 conventional, 0 unconventional
— Year To Date – NOVs Issued: 3,580 conventional and 843 unconventional
— Enforcements 2025: 288 conventional and 102 unconventional (orders, agreements)
— Inspections Last Week: 265 conventional and 301unconventional
— Year To Date – Inspections: 12,080 conventional and 16,275 unconventional
16,000 Gallons Of Oil & Gas Wastewater Spills From Closed Treatment Plant
On August 18, PennLive.com and the Williamsport Sun reported an estimated 16,000 gallons of an oil/water mixture spilled from a corroded storage tank Sunday, August 17 at the closed Eureka Resources oil and wastewater treatment plant in Williamsport, Lycoming County.
Two Susquehanna River fishermen discovered the “black goop” when they were fishing in the Susquehanna River, according to PennLive. Read more here.
The Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper and PennLive reported DEP issued notices of violation to Eureka Resources 10 days before the spill for illegally storing 1.3 million gallons of oil and gas wastewater at the closed facility and ordered the company to secure and clean up the plant. Read more here.
Leatherwood LLC Cited For Illegally Disposing Of 43,176 Gallons Of Drilling Fluids
On August 19, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection issued a notice of violation to Leatherwood LLC [Consol] for illegal disposal of 43,176 gallons of drilling fluid from conventional well plugging operations at a Consol coal refuse disposal area in Greene County. Read more here.
3rd & 4th Spills From Horizontal Drilling At EQM Gathering Pipeline Project
The week of August 18, the Department of Environmental Protection posted a series of inspection reports related to the third and fourth spills and releases from horizontal drilling at the EQM Gathering OPCO LLC [EQT] NINFS004 Pipeline construction project site in Nottingham Township, Washington County.
A third spill at the site was witnessed by DEP during a routine inspection on August 11.
The fourth spill happened on August 14 when EQM reported an estimated 2,520 gallons of bentonite drilling mud was released and found its way into Froman Run, an abandoned water well and another spring. Read more here.
Wastewater Found Seeping From Saturated Shale Gas Well Pad Fill Slope
On August 5, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection was notified by SWN Production Co. LLC of a release of contaminated fluid seeping from a fill slope at the NR-13 Brant West shale gas well pad in Great Bend Township, Susquehanna County.
DEP’s inspection found the fill slope was saturated with contaminated fluid and seeping from multiple areas into a nearby stormwater bioretention basin. Read more here.
Day 38: Borehole Discovered While Cleaning Up Repsol Shale Gas Wastewater Release
During an August 20 follow-up inspection of cleanup efforts by DEP at the Repsol Oil & Gas USA LLC Broadleaf Holdings shale gas well pad in Troy Township, Bradford County, Repsol reported finding a previously unknown 27 foot deep borehole under an existing stormwater management basin that was contaminated by the July 13 wastewater release.
The concern is the borehole was leading to groundwater contamination that was being detected in at least one groundwater monitoring well drilled after the contamination incident.
Other cleanup activities continue, including the construction of a new interceptor trench on the well pad around the entire secondary containment to collect contaminated fluids running off the site so they can be captured and taken for disposal. Read more here.
Owners Failed To Report How Waste From 133 Conventional Wells Disposed Of
On August 12, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection issued 8 conventional oil and gas well owners notices of violation for failing to report how waste from restored drill sites was disposed of safely from 133 conventional wells in Allegheny, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties, including CNX, Consol, Leatherwood LLC [Consol] and Equitrans LP [EQT] . Read more here.
Conventional Well Owners Pushing To Legalize Road Dumping Wastewater
On August 21, DCED’s PA Grade Crude [Oil] Development Advisory Council discussed three conventional oil and gas well owner initiatives to legalize the road dumping of their wastewater, but it was not clear if the public, which is put at risk by the dumping, will be involved in making recommendations to and decisions by DEP. Read more here.
11 Abandoned Conventional Wells
Raymond J. Kaufman [13 Years]
August 20, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Kaufman 6, Kaufman 7, Kaufman 11 and Kaufman 13 conventional wells in Allegheny Township, Butler County found the wells abandoned and not plugged. The owner said he took over the wells in 2012, but never used them. Violations continued. No requests made of well owner.
Apollo Resources LLC [21 Months]
August 12, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Kovalish 1 and Kovalish 3 conventional wells in Derry Township, Westmoreland County found the wells abandoned and not plugged. Inactive well status expired on May 20, 2022. Original Kovalish 3 violations issued November 2, 2023. Original Kovalish 1 violations issued May 29, 2025. Response requested by September 2.
Prosperity Oil Co Inc [3 Months]
August 20 & 21, 2025 following up inspections of the G. Tennan 5 and G. Tennan 9 conventional wells in Hanover Township, Washington County found they were abandoned and not plugged. Tennan 9 is now venting gas. Well owner failed to submit annual production, waste generation and integrity reports. Original violations May 15, 2025. No requests made of well owner.
Nucomer Energy LLC
August 14, 2025 inspection of the North West School 1 and North West School 2 conventional wells in Conneaut Township, Erie County in response to a request to transfer the wells to a new owner found the wells abandoned and not plugged. DEP denied the transfer. Issued violations for abandonment. No response requested from well owner.
Randy A. Dietterich [1 Month]
August 20, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Guy V Ida 1 conventional well in Robinson Township, Washington County found the well abandoned and not plugged. Original violations July 10, 2025. Violation continued. No request made of well owner. DEP inspection report.
2 Abandoned Shale Gas Wells
Hilcorp Energy Co. [No Production For 159 Months]
August 19, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Pulaski Whiting 1 shale gas well in Pulaski Township, Lawrence County found the well abandoned and not plugged. Well was drilled on May 10, 2012. Inactive well status expired on April 26, 2021. No production ever reported for this well. Original violation issued May 28, 2025. The owner said the well will be plugged by June 30, 2026. DEP agrees with the timeline. DEP inspection report.
CNX Gas Co LLC
August 4, 2025 inspection of the Fatur 11H shale gas well in Salem Township, Westmoreland County found the well abandoned and not plugged. Inactive well status expired on December 16, 2024. Violations issued. Response requested by August 24. DEP inspection report.
Conventional Spills/Releases
Ows Acquisition Co LLC
August 12, 2024 inspection of the Bungar Unit 1 conventional oil well in Shenango Township, Mercer County at the request of the Mercer County Emergency Management Director found oil had been vaporized and aerosolized due to over-pressurization of a stock tank caused an oily sheen to be sprayed on equipment, ground and nearby vegetation outside of containment. The owner said cleanup operations should begin during the same week. Violations issues. Response requested by September 6. DEP inspection report.
2025 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups
So far in 2025, DEP received or acted on 124 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups. Read more here.
Failure Of Shale Gas Casing/Cement
SWN Prod Co LLC [Nearly 10 Years]
August 20, 2025 inspection of the DePue 8H shale gas well in Franklin Township, Susquehanna County as part of regular monitoring after casing/cement failures. Original violations issued December 21, 2015. The well was drilled in November 2010. Violations continued. Monitoring to continue. DEP inspection report.
Chesapeake Appalachia LLC
August 14, 2025 inspection of the Koromlan 1H, Koromlan 4H, Koromlan 6H shale gas wells in Auburn Township, Susquehanna County as part of regular monitoring after casing/cement failures. Original violations issued October 14, 2021. Wells drilled in September 2010. Violations continued. Monitoring to continue.
Conventional Wells Venting Gas
Comm Energy Inc. [11 Months]
August 20, 2025 follow-up inspection of the James R. Rethage ET UX 3 conventional gas well in Whitely Township, Greene County found the well was still venting gas. The well owner has still not submitted annual production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Original violations issued on September 4, 2024. DEP reinspected the well on February 26, 2025 and found the well venting gas. This inspection report said attempts to send the inspection reports and violations to the well owner “were returned to sender.” Violations continued.DEP is assessing this well for an “emergency” contract to repair and/or plug. No requests made of well owner. DEP inspection report. Comm Energy holds 3 permits.
Diversified Prod LLC [2 Months]
August 19, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Rush 3 conventional gas well in Jefferson Township, Fayette County found the well was still venting gas. Original violations issued May 12, 2025. Violations continued. Requested response by September 9. DEP inspection report.
Failed To Submit Production, Waste Generation Reports
The shale gas well owners failed to submit June production and waste generation and disposal reports. The NOV said reports are due within 10 days.
American Oil & Gas LLC
August 18, 2025 notice of violation for shale gas wells in Perry Township, Greene County. Holds 2 permits.
Baker Gas, Inc.
August 18, 2025 notice of violation for shale gas wells in North Buffalo Township, Armstrong County. Holds 217 permits.
Beech Resources LLC
August 18, 2025 notice of violation for shale gas wells in Lycoming Township, Lycoming County. Holds 30 permits.
Big Dog Energy LLC
August 18, 2025 notice of violation for shale gas wells in Butler, Clearfield, Fayette, Indiana and Westmoreland counties. Holds 25 permits.
Frontier Natural Resources
August 18, 2025 notice of violation for shale gas wells in West Keating Township, Clinton County. Holds 9 permits.
Medina Res Dev Co LLC
August 18, 2025 notice of violation for shale gas wells in Waterford Township, Erie County. Holds 481 permits.
Ows Energy LLC
August 18, 2025 notice of violation for shale gas wells in East Fairfield Township, Crawford County and Oakland Township, Venango County. Holds 2,623 permits.
Conventional Well Transfers Not Approved
Nucomer Energy LLC
August 20 & 21, 2025 inspections of the Edward M. Strafford 1, George Swift 1 and Burgett A1 conventional wells in Washington Township, Erie County in response to a request to transfer the wells to another owner found multiple violations. Violations issued. Transfers not approved. No requests made of well owner.
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– Never produced Hilcorp Energy Co. shale gas well for 159 months; One of 4 Raymond J. Kaufman conventional wells not used for 13 years; Overpressurized Ows Acquisition Co LLC conventional oil tank sprayed oily mist all over well site; Row 2– CNX Gas Co LLC abandoned shale gas well; Eureka Resources 16,000 oil & gas wastewater spill; EQM Gathering’s 4th pipeline construction spill contaminates abandoned water well; Row 3– Day 38 of cleanup at Repsol Oil & Gas USA LLC shale gas well pad; Production wastewater saturates SWN Production Co. LLC shale gas well pad fill slope; Conventional oil and gas well owner continue efforts to legalize road dumping of their wastewater.)
[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 – August 16 to 22 – Conventional, Shale Gas Wastewater Spilling All Over, Seeping From Hillsides; 4th Pipeline Construction Spill; Where Did You Put That Waste? [PaEN]
— DEP Issues Violations For Failing To Report How Waste Was Disposed Of Safely From 133 Conventional Oil & Gas Wells, Including 50 Owned By CNX Gas Company [PaEN]
— Media Reports: An Estimated 16,000 Gallons Of ‘Black Goop’ Spills From Closed Eureka Resources Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Plant In Williamsport Reaching Susquehanna River [PaEN]
— Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog/PennLive: 1.3 Million+ Oil & Gas Wastewater Stored At The Closed Eureka Resources Facility In Williamsport; DEP Issued Violations 10 Days Before Aug. 17 Spill Into Susquehanna [PaEN]
— DEP: 3rd & 4th Spills From Horizontal Drilling At EQM Gathering Pipeline Project In Washington County; Overflowing Tanks; Water Supply Complaint Investigated [PaEN]
— DEP: Contaminated Wastewater Found Seeping From Saturated Shale Gas Well Pad Fill Slope In Great Bend Twp., Susquehanna County [PaEN]
— DEP: Day 38 Of Cleanup: Borehole Found Under Stormwater Basin During Continuing Cleanup Of Repsol Shale Gas Well Pad After A 34-Hour Uncontrolled Wastewater Release In Bradford County [PaEN]
— PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment – August 23 [PaEN]
— DEP Now Accepting Bids To Plug 7 Conventional Gas Wells In Washington County [PaEN]
— Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved 57 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In June/July; 282 In 2025 [PaEN]
— DEP Posted 61 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In August 23 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
— Conventional Oil & Gas Well Owners Pushing 3 More Ways To Legalize Road Dumping Their Wastewater; Not Clear How The Public, Put At Risk By Dumping, Will Be Involved [PaEN]
— Susquehanna River Basin Low Flow Water Conditions Trigger Water Withdrawal Restrictions On 47 Shale Gas Development Water Withdrawal Points In PA [PaEN]
— Joint State Government Committee Identifies 382 Potential Sites For Geothermal Facilities Using Abandoned Mine Pools; Geothermal Energy Could Reduce A.I. Data Center Energy Demand By 30-40% [PaEN]
NewsClips:
— Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: More Than 1.3 Million Gallons Of Oil & Gas Wastewater Stored At Eureka Resources Facility In Williamsport Without Required Alarms Among Violations DEP Issued 10 Days Prior To River Spill
— Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: Initial Radioactivity Scan Show No Elevated Levels From Eureka Resources Oil & Gas Wastewater Spill In Williamsport
— Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Volunteers Find Persistent Oily Waste From Eureka Resources Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Plant Spill In Williamsport; Advise Public To Avoid Recreational Use Of River For Now
— PennLive – John Beauge: DEP Issued Violation 10 Days Before Tank At Eureka Resources Oil & Gas Wastewater Facility Leaked Oily Discharge Into Susquehanna River
— PennLive – John Beauge: Oily Substance From Tank In Closed Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Plant Leaks Into Susquehanna River [PDF of Article]
— Williamsport Sun: Extensive Cleanup Underway After Oil Substance Leaks Into River In Williamsport [PDF of Article]
— Reuters: Drop In Natural Gas Demand Signals 2 Top LNG Gas Exports Facilities May Have Outages
— The Guardian: US Pipeline Protester’s Obstruction Conviction Overturned By Minnesota Appeals Court Finding ‘Pervasive’ Prosecutorial Misconduct
[Posted: August 23, 2025] PA Environment Digest