Oil and Gas Extraction in the Mid-Atlantic
On this page:
- Background
- Administrative Orders at Oil and Gas Construction Sites
- Clean Water Act Section 308 Information Requests
- Clean Water Act Section 309 Administrative Orders
- Natural Gas Ambient Air Monitoring of Oil & Gas Extraction Site in Southwestern Pennsylvania
- Requests for Information from Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) taking Oil and Gas Waste
- Wastewater Management
- Information Provided to EPA by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP)
Background
Extraction from "unconventional" resources - shale gas formations, coal beds and tight sands - through the combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, as well as other techniques, has increased at a rapid pace in recent years.
The Marcellus Shale is a sedimentary formation that underlies most of Pennsylvania and West Virginia and extends into parts of Virginia, Maryland, New York and Ohio. It is one of several important gas reserves in the United States and is one of the largest natural gas “plays” in the world. A "play" is the geographic area underlain by a gas or oil containing geologic formation such as the Marcellus Shale.
Development of these gas plays and other unconventional resources presents significant potential for economic development and energy independence, as well as the potential for environmental impacts on land, water and air.
EPA has undertaken a national study to examine potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing to drinking water resources. EPA is also working with federal, state and local partners to ensure public health and the environment are protected as unconventional resource extraction and production activities become a more prominent component of the oil and gas sector.
EPA has received inquiries from the general public and a diverse range of stakeholders regarding a variety of topics related to unconventional resource extraction and oil and gas development in general. In keeping with EPA’s commitment to transparency, EPA Region 3 has developed this Public Reading Room dedicated to providing public access to documentation of EPA’s activities related to key oil and gas topics in the Mid-Atlantic states.
Administrative Orders at Oil and Gas Construction Sites
These are administrative orders addressing violations of section 404 of the Clean Water Act
- 4H Farm - Trenton Energy. Ritchie Co., WV. July 8, 2015
- Antero Resources Corp. - Hill Site. Harrison Co., WV. June 21, 2011
- Antero Resources Corp. - Hurst Site. Harrison Co., WV. June 21, 2011
- Antero Resources Corp. - Johnson Well Pad Site. Harrison Co., WV. January 15, 2014
- Antero Resources Corp. - Mary Post Site. Harrison Co., WV. June 21, 2011
- Antero Resources Corp. - Matthews Site. Harrison Co., WV. May 23, 2011
- Antero Resources Corp. - Matthey Pad - Matthey Property. Harrison Co., WV. March 31, 2011
- Antero Resources Corp. - Neva Ritter Site. Doddridge/Harrision Counties, WV. June 13, 2013
- Antero Resources Corp. - O. Rice Pad - Mazer Property. Harrision Co., WV. March 31, 2011
- Antero Resources Corp. - Rossco. Harrison Co., WV. July 28, 2011
- Caiman Energy - Fish Creek. Marshall Co., WV. May 23, 2011
- Caiman Energy - Victory Pipeline. Marshall Co., WV. Sept. 28, 2011
- Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC - Blake Fork. New Martinsville, Wetzel Co., WV. Nov. 2, 2010
- Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC - Durig. New Martinsville, Wetzel Co., WV. Sept. 15, 2011
- Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC - Evick. Cameron, Marshall Co., WV. Nov. 2, 2010
- Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC - Michael Ross. Buckhannon, Upshur Co., WV. Sept. 15, 2011
- Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC - Ray Baker. Marshall Co., WV. June 21, 2011
- Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC - Stansberry. New Martinsville, Wetzel Co., WV. Nov. 2, 2010
- Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC - Tall Trees. Rock Cave, Upshur Co., WV. Sept. 15, 2011
- Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC - Lynn Camp. New Martinsville, Wetzel Co., WV. Oct. 5, 2010
- Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC - Buzzard. Buzzard Property, Cameron, Marshall Co., WV. Jan. 26, 2011
- Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC - Pleasant Ridge Compressor Station. Pleasant Ridge, Marshall Co., WV. Jan. 26, 2011
- Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC - Villers. Villers Property, Marshall Co., WV. Jan. 26, 2011
- Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC - Blake Fork, Middle Fork Lynn Camp Run, and Lynn Camp Run. Wetzel Co., WV. March 31, 2011
- Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC - Steener Fork. New Martinsville, Wetzel Co., WV. Jan. 11, 2011
- Daybrook Development Company - Yost Impoundments. Fairview, Monongalia County, WV. August 12, 2014
- Devonian Gas Production - Cutright Impoundment. Upshur County, WV. June 13, 2013
- Grenadier Energy Partners, LLC - Jolliffe Impoundment. Knob Fork, WV. Aug. 30, 2012
- Grenadier Energy Partners, LLC; DAC Energy, LLC - Roberts Impoundment. Wetzel Co., WV. Dec. 5, 2013
- Jay Bee Oil and Gas - Nurses Hollow Impoundment. Center Point, Doddridge County, WV. July 1, 2013
- Jay Bee Oil and Gas - Yeater Well Pad. Center Point, Doddridge County, WV. Feb. 22, 2012
- Mountain V Oil and Gas - Farnsworth Stockert Freshwater Impoundment. Tallmansville, Upshur Co., WV. Dec. 2, 2011
- PDC Mountaineer, LLC - D'Annunzio Well Pad. Nutter Fort, Harrision Co., WV. Feb 2, 2012
- PDC Mountaineer, LLC - Hudkins Well Pad. Mount Clare, Harrison Co., WV. April 30, 2012
- PDC Mountaineer, LLC - GEPCO Pipeline. Mount Clare, Harrison Co., WV. Aug. 23, 2012
- Stone Energy - Conley Impoundment Site. Wetzel Co., WV. November 17, 2014
- Stone Energy - Maury Well Pad. New Martinsville, WV. Nov. 9, 2012
- Stone Energy - Tuttle Impoundment Site. Wetzel Co., WV. November 17, 2014
- Stone Energy - Weekley Well Pad. Porter Falls, WV. Mar. 29, 2013
- Trans Energy Inc. - Anderson Well Pad. Wetzel Co., WV. Sept. 28, 2012
- Trans Energy Inc. - Christopher Well Pad. Marshall Co., WV. Dec. 17, 2012
- Trans Energy Inc. - Dewhurst Well Pad. Wetzell Co., WV. Sept. 28, 2012
- Trans Energy Inc. - Goshorn Well Pad. Marshall Co., WV. Dec. 17, 2012
- Trans Energy Inc. - Keaton Well Pad. Marshall Co., WV. Dec. 17, 2012
- Trans Energy Inc. - Lucey Well Pad. Marshall Co., WV. Dec. 17, 2012
- Trans Energy Inc. - Stout Well Pad. Marshall Co., WV. Sept. 28, 2012
- Triad Hunter - Buffalo Run Well Pad Site. Wetzel Co., WV. September 16, 2013
- Waco Oil and Gas - Webb Well Pad. Doddridge County, WV. Sept. 1, 2013
- Williams Energy – Fort Beeler Site. Marshall County, WV. September 3, 2015
- XTO Energy, Inc. - Boggess Site. Lumberport, Harrison Co., WV. Sept. 28, 2011
- XTO Energy, Inc. - Coastal Site. Marion Co., WV. June 23, 2011
- XTO Energy, Inc. - Crim Well Pad Site. Marion Co., WV. Feb. 4, 2014
- XTO Energy, Inc. - Fancher Well Pad. Marion Co., WV. Feb. 29, 2012
- XTO Energy, Inc. - Fenn Well Pad. Marion Co., WV. Dec. 2, 2013
- XTO Energy, Inc. - Gould Well Pad Site. Upshur Co., WV. Feb. 4, 2014
- XTO Energy, Inc. - McIntyre Well Pad. Marion Co., WV. Feb. 4, 2014
- XTO Energy, Inc. - Windoes Well Pad. Harrison County, WV. Dec. 2, 2013
Clean Water Act Section 308 Information Requests
EPA Requests for Information on Marcellus Shale Flowback Water
On May 12, 2011, EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Region issued information request letters to six natural gas drillers directing them to disclose how and where they dispose of or recycle wastewater generated by their Marcellus Shale natural gas exploration, extraction and production activities. These six companies currently hold more than half of all permits issued for natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania.
- Letter to Atlas Resources. May 12, 2011
- Letter to Cabot Gas & Oil Corp. May 12, 2011
- Letter to Chesapeake Energy. May 12, 2011
- Letter to Range Resources - Appalachia. May 12, 2011
- Letter to SWEPI. May 12, 2011
- Letter to Talisman Energy USA. May 12, 2011
- Letter Enclosures
EPA’s directive followed an April 19, 2011 request by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) that by May 19, 2011, natural gas well drilling operators voluntarily stop taking gas extraction wastewater to 15 facilities in Pennsylvania.
The companies were directed to report back to EPA by May 25, 2011 with information on disposal or recycling practices for the wastewater through the development of natural gas wells they own and/or operate in EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Region.
In the letters, EPA required the companies to describe how they intend to handle gas extraction wastewater during 2011. All six companies indicated their intention to employ reuse, disposal, and/or treatment rather than using any of the 15 wastewater treatment facilities referenced in PADEP’s April 19, 2011 request. Some companies expressed an intention to reuse over 90% of gas extraction wastewater in 2011.
Most of this information has been released through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). EPA is not endorsing or adopting this information by posting this information on our website.
To facilitate online review of these records, EPA has parsed some files into multiple components and omitted duplicative records.
Responses to EPA's request for information on Marcellus Shale Flowback Water:
- Atlas Resources. Pages 1-210 and pages 211-419
- Cabot Gas & Oil Corp
- Chesapeake Energy
- Range Resources - Appalachia
- SWEPI. Pages 1-254 and pages 255-508.
- Talisman Energy:
Natural Gas Ambient Air Monitoring of Oil & Gas Extraction Site in Southwestern Pennsylvania
EPA Region III conducted a short term ambient air monitoring study in 2012 in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The purpose of the project was to monitor certain air toxic compounds in the outdoor air around natural gas extraction facilities.
- Natural Gas Ambient Air Monitoring Initiative (NGAAMI) Abstract. Southwestern Pennsylvania.
- Natural Gas Ambient Air Monitoring Initiative (NGAAMI) Executive Summary.
- Natural Gas Ambient Air Monitoring Initiative (NGAAMI) Appendix A: Data Tables and Statistical Output.
- Natural Gas Ambient Air Monitoring Initiative (NGAAMI) Appendix B: Longitudinal Data Analysis for Volatile Organic Compounds.
- Natural Gas Ambient Air Monitoring Initiative (NGAAMI) Appendix B: Data Laboratory Reports.
- Natural Gas Ambient Air Monitoring Initiative (NGAAMI) Appendix C: Data Laboratory Reports.
- Natural Gas Ambient Air Monitoring Initiative (NGAAMI) Appendix D: TO 15 Method for Volatile Organic Compounds.
- Natural Gas Ambient Air Monitoring Initiative (NGAAMI) Appendix E: Quality Assurance Project Plan. July 9, 2012.
Requests for Information from Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) taking Oil and Gas Waste
- Authority of the Borough of Charleroi. Charleroi, PA. Feb. 19, 2009
- Borough of Belle Vernon. Belle Vernon, PA. Feb. 19, 2009
- Borough of California. California, PA. Feb. 19, 2009
- Brownsville Municipal Authority. Brownsville, PA. Feb. 19, 2009
- City of Wheeling. Wheeling, WV. Feb. 25, 2009
- Clarksburg Sanitary Board. Clarksburg, WV. Feb. 25, 2009
- Franklin Township Wastewater Treatment Plant. Waynesburg, PA. Feb. 19, 2009
- Mon Valley Sewage Authority. Donora, PA. Feb. 19, 2009
- Municipal Authority of the City of McKeesport. McKeesport, PA. Feb. 19, 2009
- Waynesburg Borough. Waynesburg, PA. Feb. 19, 2009
Clean Water Act Section 309 Information Requests
Administrative orders and information requests to wastewater treatment facilities accepting wastewater from Marcellus Shale Drilling Operations
- Allegheny Valley Joint Sewage Authority
- Borough of Ridgeway
- Brockway Area Sewer Authority
- Clairton Sewage Treatment Plant
- Dominion Transmission Corp
- Gas and Oil Management Association
- Great Lakes Energy Partners
- Hart Resource Technologies
- Johnstown Redevelopment Authority
- Minard Run Oil Company
- New Castle Oil Company
- Pennsylvania Brine Treatment - Franklin
- Pennsylvania Brine Treatment - Josephine
- Settlement of Clean Water Act Violations - Hart Resource Technologies, Pennsylvania Brine, and Fluid Recovery Services
Certifications from Sewage Authorities about accepting oil and gas wastewaters
- Allegheny Valley Joint Sewage Authority
- Clairton Municipal Authority
- Johnstown Redevelopment Authority
Wastewater treatment facility effluent sampling data submissions
Wastewater treatment facilities in receipt of the Administrative Orders and Information Requests were given the opportunity to sign and return to EPA certifications stating they were no longer accepting oil and gas exploration and/or production wastewaters. Information request recipients that did not sign and return a certification statement were required to conduct and submit additional effluent sampling in addition to their NPDES permit required monthly discharge monitoring reports. These facilities were required to sample effluent for total dissolved solids, chloride, bromide, sulfate, Gross Alpha, Radium 226 and 228, and Uranium.
Wastewater Management
Underground Injection Control
- Tunnelton Liquids Company. Notice of Violation, Intent to Issue Administrative Order. May 12, 2011
- Public Notice of Administrative Order to Tunnelton Liquids Company. May 12, 2011
Letters regarding National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits for wastewater treatment facilities in Pennsylvania accepting oil and gas wastewater
- Brockway Wastewater Treatment Plant. Brockway Burough, Jefferson Co., PA. July 17, 2009
- Brockway Wastewater Treatment Plant. Brockway Burough, Jefferson Co., PA. September 21, 2009
- New Castle Wastewater Treatment Plant. City of New Castle, Lawrence Co., PA. August 5, 2009
- TerrAqua Resource Management. Harrisburg, PA. Sept. 21, 2009
Letters from EPA to Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) in Pennsylvania stating that drilling waste may be a substantial change. July 13, 2011
- Altoona Water Authority. NPDES Permit No. PA0027014 and PA0027022.
- Brockway Area Sewer Authority. NPDES Permit No. PA0028428.
- Clairton Municipal Authority. NPDES Permit No. PA0026824.
- Clearfield Municipal Authority. NPDES Permit No. PA0026310.
- Johnstown Redevelopment Authority. NPDES Permit No. PA0026034.
- Kiski Valley Water Pollution Control Authority. NPDES Permit No. PA0027626.
- Municipal Authority of the City of McKeesport. NPDES Permit No. PA0026913.
- New Castle Sanitation Authority. NPDES Permit No. PA00257511.
- Allegheny Valley Joint Sewage Authority. NPDES Permit No. PA0026255.
- Borough of Punxsutawney. NPDES Permit No. PA0020346.
- Reynoldsville Sewer Authority. NPDES Permit No. PA0028207.
- Borough of Ridgway. NPDES Permit No. PA0023213.
- Franklin Township Sewer Authority. NPDES Permit No. PA0046426.
- Williamsport Sanitary Authority. NPDES Permit No. PA0027049 and PA0027057.
2013 Sample Letters to Pennsylvania Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) regarding acceptance of oil and gas waste
- Letter to POTWs with approved pretreatment programs
- Letter to POTWs without approved pretreatment programs
Information Provided to EPA by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP)
EPA Correspondence with PADEP
- Letter to PADEP concerning natural gas drilling operations. March 7, 2011
- Letter to PADEP regarding water quality standards. May 12, 2011
- Letter to PADEP regarding wastewater disposal at Tunnelton Liquids Facility. May 9, 2011
- Letter to PADEP regarding the April 19, 2011 announcement and May 2, 2011 follow-up discussions. May 12, 2011
- Letter from PADEP to Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. April 6, 2011
- Letter from PADEP to EPA regarding PADEP's call to gas drillers to cease delivering wastewater from shale gas extraction to 15 facilities that accept it. July 26, 2011
Information provided to EPA by PADEP and through information requests to Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs).
Most of this information has been released through the Freedom of Information Act. EPA is not endorsing or adopting this information by posting it on the website.
Voluntary sampling data from oil and gas wastewater treatment facilities
- Dannic Energy Effluent Sampling. April 7, 2011
- Dannic Energy Effluent Sampling. April 19, 2011
- Dannic Energy Effluent Sampling. July 19, 2011
- Hart Creekside Effluent Sampling. February 2010
- Hart Resource Technology Effluent Sampling - March 22, 2011 and April 5, 2011
- Hart Resource Technology Outfall 401 Effluent Sampling. April 19, 2011
- Hart Resource Technology Outfall 501 Effluent Sampling. April 19, 2011
- Hart Resource Technology Outfalls 401 and 501 Effluent Sampling. October 2011
- Pennsylvania Brine Effluent Sampling, Franklin. May, June, July 2011
- Pennsylvania Brine Effluent Sampling, Franklin. August and September 2011
- Pennsylvania Brine Effluent Sampling, Franklin. November 2011
- Pennsylvania Brine Effluent Sampling, Franklin. December 2011
- Pennsylvania Brine Effluent Sampling, Josephine. May, June, July 2011
- Pennsylvania Brine Effluent Sampling, Josephine. August and September 2011
- Pennsylvania Brine Effluent Sampling, Josephine. November 2011
- Pennsylvania Brine Effluent Sampling, Josephine. December 2011
- Tunnelton Liquids Effluent Sampling. April 18, 2011 and May 3, 2011
Correspondence between PADEP and wastewater treatment facilities
- Allegheny Valley Joint Sewage Authority. March 29, 2011
- Altoona Water Authority. April 6, 2011
- Big Sandy Oil Company. April 10, 2011
- Brockway Area Sewage Authority. April 5, 2011
- J.J. Bucher Producing Corporation. Received April 25, 2011
- Clearfield Muncipal Authority. March 30, 2012
- Kiski Valley Water Pollution Control Authority. March 16, 2011
- Kiski Valley Water Pollution Control Authority. March 23, 2011
- Kiski Valley Water Pollution Control Authority to McCutcheon Enterprises. April 21, 2011
- McKeesport Municipal Authority. April 18, 2011
- Veolia ES Greentree Landfill. March 31, 2011
Letters from Hart Resources
- Letters to customers. September 19, 2011
- Letter to Ronald Furlan about Monitoring. September 28, 2011
Requests for Information from Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) taking Oil and Gas Waste
- Authority of the Borough of Charleroi. Charleroi, PA. Feb. 19, 2009
- Borough of Belle Vernon. Belle Vernon, PA. Feb. 19, 2009
- Borough of California. California, PA. Feb. 19, 2009
- Brownsville Municipal Authority. Brownsville, PA. Feb. 19, 2009
- City of Wheeling. Wheeling, WV. Feb. 25, 2009
- Clarksburg Sanitary Board. Clarksburg, WV. Feb. 25, 2009
- Franklin Township Wastewater Treatment Plant. Waynesburg, PA. Feb. 19, 2009
- Mon Valley Sewage Authority. Donora, PA. Feb. 19, 2009
- Municipal Authority of the City of McKeesport. McKeesport, PA. Feb. 19, 2009
- Waynesburg Borough. Waynesburg, PA. Feb. 19, 2009