Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring between December 6 to 12--
Click Here for violations issued. Click Here for inspection entries.
[Note: There were many more violations issued by DEP than PA Environment Digest can highlight here.]
Enforcement Actions Taken Last Week
So far this year, DEP took these actions as of December 5--
-- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 21 conventional, 7 unconventional
-- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 5,526 conventional and 1,217 unconventional
-- Enforcements 2025: 401 conventional and 159 unconventional (orders, agreements)
-- Inspections Last Week: 333 conventional and 272 unconventional
-- Year To Date - Inspections: 19,297 conventional and 24,148 unconventional
MarkWest Loses Another 31,000 Gallons Of Drilling Fluid Into Mine Voids
On December 4, the Department of Environmental Protection was notified by MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources LLC that horizontal drilling operations on the construction of the shale gas-related Chiarelli to Imperial pipeline resulted in a 31,000 gallon loss of drilling fluids into coal mine voids under Mount Pleasant Township, Washington County.
This was the seventh reported incident bringing the total amount of fluids lost into the voids to at least 360,000 gallons. Read more here.
9 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations
Cobra Resources LLC [3,387 Days]
November 18, 2025 inspections of five conventional wells on State Game Lands in Pinegrove Township, Venango County found the wells still abandoned and not plugged. The owner also failed to submit production, waste generation/disposal and well integrity reports. Wells included PSGL 1, 2, 3, 8 and SGL P1. Original abandonment violations issued August 10, 2016. Violations continued and a new public nuisance violation issued for “interference with a neighboring lease.” Response requested by December 5. DEP inspection report (PSGL 3 example. Cobra Resources holds 178 permits, including 5 abandoned wells (not these new ones).
K Petroleum Inc. [948 Days]
December 8, 2025 follow-up inspection of the ME Ludwick 2 conventional well in Washington Township, Westmoreland County found the well was still abandoned and not plugged. Original violations issued May 5, 2023. Violations continued. Response requested by December 23. DEP inspection report. K Petroleum holds 154 permits.
Ronald D. Meyer [27 Days]
December 10, 2025 inspection of the Rowland 2 2 conventional well in Le Boeuf Township, Erie County found it continues to be abandoned and not plugged. Continues to fail to submit production, waste generation/disposal, well integrity reports since 2017. Original violations issued November 13, 2025. Owner contacted DEP to say a contractor has been hired to bring the well into compliance. DEP inspection report. Meyer holds 1 permit.
Medina Res Dev. Co LLC
December 12, 2025 complaint inspection of the Romba 2 conventional well in Waterford Township, Erie County found the well abandoned and not plugged. Response requested by January 10. DEP inspection report. Medina holds 481 permits, including 64 abandoned wells (not this one).
Stonehaven Energy MGT Co LLC
November 18, 2025 inspection of the Baum & Elkins 782 conventional well in Cranberry Township, Venango County found the well still abandoned and not plugged and a wastewater separator tank was actively leaking fluid. Garbage and rusted 55 gallon drums were also on the well site. Owner failed to submit production, waste generation/disposal and well integrity reports. Violations were issued. No response requested of owner. DEP inspection report. Stonehaven holds 552 permits, including 2 abandoned wells (not this one).
666 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations In 2025
So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 666 violations to 130 conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells.
In 2024, DEP issued 860 new or continued violations to conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells.
The violations were issued to these conventional owners in 2025: 3D Resources LLC ; All American Energy Inc.; Allegany Resource Dev LLC; Amer Natural Resources LLC; WB Anderson; Apex Energy (PA), LLC; Apollo Resources LLC; ARG Resources Inc.; Baird Oil Co.; Carol A. Morrison Baker; Baron Crest Energy Co.; Bialy Gas Production LLC; Blackrock Enterprises LLC; Darrel B. Blauser; JJ Bucher Producing Corp; Chris E. Burke; Timothy Cignetti; Cobra Resources LLC; Cohen IND Inc.; Consolidated Coal Co.; Dorothy Craft; Edward E. & Frederick J. Craig; Edward E. Craig; Norbert J. Cross; Crude A Co - Randy L. Larkin; Dannic Energy Corp.; Harold H. Davis; Lewis E. Davis; Paul H. Deeter; Delong Oil Inc.; Developed Resources, Inc.; Randy A. Dietterich; Diversified Production LLC; East Resources Inc.; Eastern Gas Trans & Storage Inc.; Eastern Natural Resources LLC; Elder Oil & Gas Co; Equitrans LP; EQT Production Co.; Exotic Oil & Gas LLC; Ex-Treme Oil And Gas LLC; Five Star Investment Group Inc.; Lee Ghere; Glade Resource Developers; Greenway Energy LLC; Harvey E. Gutmo; H & S Gas & Oil; Michael Harju; Donald S. Kelly; Harry L. King; Hyde Park Foundry & Mach Co; Thomas A. Hodge; Horizontal Exploration LLC; Howard Drilling Inc.; Robert L. Hunter; Iron Pennsylvania Land LLC; Donald Jeannerett; JPS Lawncare & Landscaping; K Petroleum Inc.; Mary Jane Katchmark; Keystone Crude LLC; Raymond J. Kaufman; Kiski Valley Gas Co.; Kriebel Natural Gas Co LLC; Claudia A. & John P. Lampman; Raymond D. Langer; Lazy Oil Company; Leechburg Gas Co.; Manufacturers Light & Heat Co; Calvin & Julia McCutcheon; Marco Drilling Inc.; Medina Res Dev. Co LLC; David H. Melat Co; Mid East Oil Co.; MTN Energy; MTN V Oil & Gas Inc.; Ronald D. Meyer; Charles E. Myers; Myers Gas; James J. & Wendelin H. Neff; Charles F. & Rita M. Niederriter; Niche Energy LLC; Northwestern Well SVC Inc.; Nucomer Energy LLC; Ohio Kentucky Oil Corp. ; Oil & Gas MGMT Co. LLC; Old MTN Gas Co. Inc.; OneXXX Prod & Exploration Corp.; Ows Acquisition Co. LLC; PPP Future Dev Inc.; PA Mineral SVCS LLC; Robert Lee Pennington; PBS Coals Inc; Raymond J. Patten; Pecora Enterprises; Pencan Explorations Inc.; Penta Oil Corp.; Robert F. Phipps; Pillar Energy PA, LLC; Pin Oak Energy Partners, LLC; The Production Co. LLC; Prosperity Oil Co. Inc.; Red Lion Gas Coop Assn; Reel Resources, Inc; Riyan Farm & Gas LLC; Raymond Sawyer; Rock Oil Resources, LLC; Rocksauce OPR LLC; Rocky Valley Gas & Oil Corp; Fred C. Scheel; SK Opr Inc.; Larry A. Shaffer Jr.; FM Sloan Inc.; Lyle D. Smith; Andrew F. Suchko; S R Star O&G LLC ; Steele Molar Holdings LLC; Stockman LLC; Stonehaven Energy MGT Co. LLC; Stone Ridge Energy LLC; Andrew F. Suchko; Griffin Summit Oil Company; Thomas Thurma Jean; TI Brook Inc.; Timberline Energy, Inc.; Mervin Troyer; Valley Green Golf & Country Club, Inc.; Vessels Coal Gas Inc.; Walker Oil Prod Inc.; Washington Energy Co LLC; West Silas; Ronald Wise; Mary A. Woodring; Woodward Inc.; and Zurn IND LLC.
Conventional Well Spills/Releases
Michael D. Graham [209 Days]
December 11, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Farrah 1 conventional well in Smith Township, Washington County found no evidence the owner took any action to clean up multiple wastewater spills at the site from leaking wastewater tanks. Original violations were issued May 16, 2025. No response from the owner on the violations. Violations continued. DEP “requesting” remediation of the site. DEP inspection report. Graham holds 30 permits.
Oil & Gas MGMT Inc.
December 9, 2025 complaint inspection of the Neilan 1 conventional well in Somerset Township, Somerset County found evidence of a release from a corroded wastewater tank with a broken pipe. Violations issued. Response requested by December 26. DEP inspection report. Oil & Gas MGMT holds 163 permits.
Ows Energy LLC
November 19, 2025 inspection of the WL Dunn Const 5 conventional well in East Fairfield Township, Crawford County found a leaking wastewater tank, corroded piping and partially compromised secondary containment. This well was never inspected before. Violations issued. No response requested of owner. DEP inspection report. Ows Energy holds 2,623 permits, including 1 abandoned well.
2025 Act 2 Oil & Gas Facility Pollution Cleanups
So far in 2025, DEP received or acted on 168 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups. Read more here.
Shale Gas Casing/Cement Failures
Chesapeake Appalachia LLC [2,023 Days]
December 4, 2025 inspection of the Cappucci shale gas wells 2H, 4H and 102H in Mehoopany Township, Wyoming County as part of a casing/cement failure monitoring program. Original violations issued May 21, 2020. Violations continued. Monitoring will continue. DEP inspection report (4H example).
Chesapeake Appalachia LLC [223 Days]
November 20, 2025 inspection of the Marbaker 103HC shale gas well in Auburn Township, Susquehanna County as part of a casing/cement failure monitoring program. First detected on April 11, 2025. Original violations issued May 22, 2025. Violations continued. Monitoring will continue. DEP inspection report.
Failure To Restore Shale Gas Well Pad
M4 Energy LLC [216 Days]
December 3, 2025 inspection of the MAWC 7020 shale gas well pad in Springfield Township, Fayette County found the owner still in violation of a May 1, 2025 amendment to a December 16, 2021 DEP order requiring the restoration of wells sites by October 30, 2025. Original violation for failing to comply with the order issued November 3, 2025 and now continued. DEP “recommends” the owner assess the site for temporary stabilization. DEP inspection report. M4 Energy holds 3 permits.
Failure To Restore Conventional Well Pad
Diversified Prod LLC [2,450 Days]
November 20, 2025 inspection of the Maude Mountain 1 conventional well in Springfield Township, Fayette County found the well site had not been restored to meet DEP regulations by October 31, 2025 as required by a March 7, 2019 Consent Order with the owner. The well was plugged but the access road to the site was not restored as required. The owner’s Well Site Restoration Report is being returned. A new violation for failing to comply with an order was issued. Request to respond by December 16. DEP inspection report.
MSL Oil & Gas Corp [103 Days]
December 8, 2025 follow-up inspection of the Pennzoil Farmout II 4 70 conventional well in Hamilton Township, McKean County found the owner failed to restore the well pad and access road since the original violation was issued on August 27, 2025. Well permit expired on May 6, 2025 and was not drilled. DEP classified the site as “abandoned.” Response requested by December 29. DEP inspection report. MSL Oil holds 915 permits, including 6 abandoned wells.
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- Markwest Midstream loses another 31,000 gallons of drilling mud into mine voids under Washington County; One of 5 Cobra Resources LLC abandoned conventional wells this week; One of 65 abandoned conventional wells owned by Medina Res Dev. Co LLC; Row 2-- Leaking conventional wastewater tank owned by Michael D. Graham; Diversified Prod LLC failed to comply with order to restore conventional well pad and access road for 2,450 days; Ows Energy LLC corroded, leaking conventional wastewater tank with compromised secondary containment.)
[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:
[PaEN]
-- DEP Investigating Another 31,000 Gallon Spill Into Mine Voids From MarkWest Liberty Midstream Pipeline Construction In Washington County; 360,000 Gallons Lost So Far [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - December 13 [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On Water Quality Permit Approvals For Eastern Gas Transmission & Storage Appalachian Reliability Pipeline Project In Armstrong, Greene, Westmoreland Counties [PaEN]
-- PUC Publishes Updates To Low-Income Natural Gas, Electric Utility Usage Reduction Program Regulations [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 61 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In December 13 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On Permits For 5 Large Electric Transmission, Substation Projects In 14 Counties, Including 150 Mile Piney-Seward and Erie South-Piney Transmission Project Crossing 8 Counties [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- Environmental Quality Board Votes To Accept Petition To Study An Increase In Setback Safety Zones From Shale Gas Wells; And 3 Petitions From Oil & Gas Industry To Change Other Requirements [PaEN]
-- Sen. Yaw Bill To Subsidize Building Only Natural Gas Power Plants To Help Meet The Energy Demands Of A.I. Data Centers; Continues ‘One Of The Above’ Energy Policy [PaEN]
-- YaleEnvironment360: Pennsylvania Faces A New Natural Gas Fracking Boom With Soaring Energy Demands Needed To Feed A.I. Data Centers [PaEN]
-- Susquehanna River Basin Low Flow Water Conditions Trigger Water Withdrawal Restrictions On 40 Shale Gas Water Withdrawal Points; 17 Shale Gas Withdrawals Blocked By Ice Conditions [PaEN]
-- PJM Interconnection Issues Cold Weather Alert For Dec. 13 In Illinois, And Dec. 14, 15 In Its Western Region, Including Duquesne Light, Penn Power, West Penn Power [PaEN]
-- PaGasSwitch.com: Natural Gas Costs Increased From 9.26% to 57.5% Over The Last Year For Natural Gas Utility Customers Not Shopping For A Fuel Supplier [PaEN]
-- PUC Highlights Ways Natural Gas Customers Can Manage Winter Energy Use, Costs, Explore Energy Affordability Options [PaEN]
-- Independent Fiscal Office: 2025 Act 13 Shale Gas Impact Fee Revenue Estimate $239.9 Million, Up $75.3 Million From Last Year [PaEN]
-- Lower Susquehanna RiverKeeper Hosts Jan. 14 Data Centers in the Susquehanna River Basin – Let's Talk Water Usage With SRBC [PaEN]
-- 265 MW Solar Energy Facility Approved By Rush Township In Centre County On Nearly 2,000 Acres Of Abandoned Mine Land [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: DEP To Review Proposal To Expand No-Drill Zones Around Homes, Schools, Streams
-- Inside Climate News - Jon Hurdle: PA Will Study Plan To Keep New Natural Gas Drilling Pads Farther From Homes, Schools, Hospitals
-- Capitol Wire: Natural Gas Fracking Activity In Pennsylvania Surges As Power Demand From A.I. Data Centers Increases
-- PA Capital-Star: Energy Market Watchers See Electric Bills In PA, Other States Rising As A.I. Data Center Demand Continues
-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: PJM Grid Operator Covering PA Failing To Plan For Responsible A.I. Data Center Load Growth, Observers Say
-- Utility Dive: FERC Poised To Issue Decision On Colocating A.I. Data Centers/ Large Loads In PJM Dec. 18
-- The Center Square: Pennsylvania Straddles The A.I. Divide - Advocates, Concerns About Furious Pace Of A.I. Data Center Development
-- Fortune: Exelon CEO: The ‘Warning Lights Are On’ For US Electric Grid Resilience And Utility Prices Amid Uncontrolled A.I. Data Center Demand Surge [Electricity & Natural Gas Costs Are Now Leading Inflation Pressures]
-- Morning Call: Lehigh Valley Residents Warn Of Affordability Crisis, Ask PUC To Reject PPL’s Proposed 7% Rate Increase
-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: PUC Approves Columbia Gas Rate Increase - 13th Since 2008
-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: What’s Important In Affordable Energy? A Conversation With A Carnegie Mellon Energy Justice Professor
-- Penn State Extension Energy Essentials: Guide To Extension Energy Team; Upcoming Learning Opportunities; Biogas; Home Heating Assistance Opens
-- Scranton Times: A.I. Data Center Developer Tied To Projects In Archbald, Blakely Proposes Projects In Dickson City; 54 Data Center Buildings Now Proposed Across Archbald, Dickson City, Jessup In Lackawanna County [PDF of Article]
-- Scranton Times: Dickson City Receives 4 A.I. Data Center Campus Proposals; Mayfield Boro Adopts Ordinance Regulating Data Centers, 11 Data Center Proposals In Lackawanna County [PDF of Article]
-- Scranton Times: Customer, Elected Officials Blast Proposed PPL Rate Increase, Concerns About Ratepayers Footing The Bill For A.I. Data Centers [PDF of Article]
-- Republican Herald: Schuylkill, Luzerne, Carbon County Municipalities React To A.I. Data Center Proposals [PDF of Article]
-- Scranton Times: Lackawanna County Officials Take Trip To Virginia’s Data Center Alley [PDF of Article]
-- WNEP: Lackawanna County Leaders Learn About A.I. Data Centers On Trip To Virginia’s ‘Data Center Alley’
-- TribLive: Springdale Residents, Environmental Groups Gather To Oppose A.I. Data Center; More Events Planned In Allegheny County [Vote Dec. 16]
-- Fox43: New Plans Reviewed For $15 Billion A.I. Data Center In Middlesex Twp., Cumberland County
-- WHYY - Sophia Schmidt: Philadelphia Signs Agreement To Buy Electricity From Clearfield County Solar Energy Facility To Stabilize Energy Costs
-- Altoona Mirror: 342 MW Solar Energy Facility Approved In City Of Altoona, Blair County [PDF of Article]
-- Centre Daily Times: 265 MW Black Moshannon Solar Energy Facility On Abandoned Mine Land Takes Next Step In Centre County
- The Guardian: More Than 230 US Environmental Groups Demand Halt To New Energy-Hungry A.I. Data Centers Causing Soaring Electric Bills
-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Concerns Raised About PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In A.I. Data Centers
-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Potential For More Air Pollution From A.I. Data Centers Causes Concern In Virginia
-- Reuters: Big Tech Shifts To ‘All Of The Above’ A.I. Power Strategy [Still Prioritizing Renewables Over Fossil Fuels]
-- NY Times: President Signs Executive Order To Neuter State A.I. Law [Copy of Order]
-- White House: Ensuring A National Policy Framework For Artificial Intelligence
-- Utility Dive: President Wants ‘ONE’ National A.I. Data Center Rule As States Seeks To Curb Impacts On Energy Costs, Water Use, Privacy And Other Issues
-- NY Times: President Promises Executive Order To Block State A.I. Regulations
-- EPA Publishes Guide To Getting Air Permits For A.I. Data Center Projects
-- Post-Gazette: A.I. Strike Team Finds New Partner, Fresh Leadership To Promote A.I. In PA
-- PA Attorney General Sunday Leads Coalition Of 42 Attorneys General In Letter To A.I. Software Companies Demanding Safeguards To Protect Vulnerable Residents From Harmful Interactions With Bots
-- Time Magazine Person Of The Year - The Architects Of A.I.
[Posted: December 13, 2025] PA Environment Digest
