The major news in this bulletin is that Chevron has thrown in the towell on at least one well at the Sheperd well site in Redstone Twp.




Source: Pennsylvania Bulletin

Application of Hilcorp Energy Company for Well Spacing Units; Public Hearing
[44 Pa.B. 2335]
[Saturday, April 12, 2014]

 A hearing in the application of Hilcorp Energy Company for Well Spacing Units (Doc. No. 2013-01) is scheduled for May 7, 2014, and May 8, 2014, at the Albert P. Gettings Government Center Annex, Lawrence County Government Center, Assembly Room, 349 Countyline Street, New Castle. In the application, Hilcorp requests that the Department of Environmental Protection issue a well drilling and spacing unit order that establishes four gas well drilling units on approximately 3,267 acres of the Utica Shale Formation in Pulaski Township, Lawrence County and Shenango Township, Mercer County.

 The proceedings in this matter will be governed by the Oil and Gas Conservation Law (58 P. S. §§ 401—419), 2 Pa.C.S §§ 501—508 and 701—704 (relating to Administrative Agency Law), 25 Pa. Code Chapter 79 (relating to oil and gas conservation) and 1 Pa. Code Part II (relating to General Rules of Administrative Practice and Procedure).

 The public hearing will consist of two sessions. The first session will begin at 10 a.m. on May 7, 2014, and May 8, 2014, at 9 a.m. All ''royalty owners'' or ''other operators,'' or both, located within the area proposed for the well spacing order have the opportunity to support, oppose or present their own plan of development at the first session. All ''royalty owners'' or ''other operators,'' or both, wishing to present testimony at the first session must contact Glenda Davidson at (717) 787-4449 by April 30, 2014, and provide the name, status as a ''royalty owner'' or ''other operator,'' or both, address and phone number.

 The second session will begin at 6 p.m. on May 8, 2014. Interested persons shall be offered an opportunity to be heard regarding the proposed well spacing application at the second session. Interested persons wishing to present testimony at the second session are requested to contact Glenda Davidson at the previously listed phone number by May 1, 2014, to reserve time for oral testimony. Oral testimony will be limited to 5 minutes for each party. Witnesses are requested to submit three copies of their oral testimony to the hearing officer at the time of the hearing.

 For information about the Oil and Gas Conservation Law and Hilcorp's Application, visit www.dep.state.pa.us and click on ''Oil and Gas,'' ''Office of Oil and Gas Management'' and then ''Conservation Law.'' For more information contact Kurt Klapkowski, Director, Bureau of Oil and Gas Planning and Program Management, (717) 772-2199, kklapkowsk@pa.gov.

 Documents, motions and pleadings shall be filed with Glenda Davidson, Docket Clerk, Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Chief Counsel, 400 Market Street, 16th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17105, (717) 787-4449, gdavidson@pa.gov [INCORRECT -jr].

E. CHRISTOPHER ABRUZZO, 
Secretary
<http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol44/44-15/772.html>
[The correct E-mail address for Glenda Davidson is: gldavidson@pa.gov .]

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ESCGP-2 No.: ESX14-051-0002
Applicant Name: Laurel Mountain Midstream LLC
Contact Person: Ms Stephanie L Ranker
Address: 111 Enterprise Lane
City: Connellsville State: PA Zip Code: 15425
County: Fayette Township(s): Springhill
Receiving Stream(s) and Classifications: Receiving Wa-
 ters: UNT to Grassy Run, UNT to Georges Creek
 Watersheds; Cheat River Watershed, Monongahela
 River Watershed; Other Warm Water Fisheries (WWF)
<http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol44/44-15/771d.html>
Site: HOEHN UNIT 7-12H WELL SERVICE CONNECT ESCGP-2 EXPEDITED
[See Notes.]

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Final Technical Guidance—Substantive Revision

 DEP ID: 012-4180-001. Title: Policy for the Consideration of Community Environmental Projects in Conjunction with Assessment of Civil Penalty. Description: The Department staff will consider the performance of a Community Environmental Project (CEP), in appropriate situations, in lieu of a portion of the amount of civil penalty it will accept as a settlement. The Department may, in determining the amount of civil penalty to collect, consider projects that have substantial public health or environmental benefits. The Department may consider CEPs in situations it decides are appropriate, as an exercise of its enforcement discretion. Additional consideration may be given to CEPs proposed in areas that are susceptible to disproportionate environmental impacts and projects that will benefit conditions in an environmental justice area. The Department sought input from the Citizens Advisory Council and the Environmental Justice Advisory Board in the development of this policy. Where possible, those comments were included in the version that was shared with the public for comment. Due to the early involvement of both advisory groups prior to public comment, neither had additional comments on the version published for public comment. This revised guidance was published as draft at 43 Pa.B. 6450 (October 26, 2013), for a 30-day public comment period. Comments were received from two commentators. Subsequent to publication, the Department completed minor edits in response to the public comments. Revisions to the draft technical guidance document resulting from the public comments are described in the accompanying Comment-Response Document.

 Contact: Questions regarding this action should be directed to Laura Henry at (717) 705-3769 or lahenry@pa.gov.
<http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol44/44-16/821.html>

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German Township [an Environmental Justice Area]
Fayette County     PAG02002611015R     Veolia ES Chestnut Valley Landfill, Inc.
1184 McClellandtown Rd
McClellandtown, PA 15458     UNT to North Branch of Browns Run (WWF)     Fayette County CD
10 Nickman Plaza
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
(724) 438-4497
<http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol44/44-16/820b.html>
Location: 39.902222,-79.835 <http://osm.org/go/ZWpP3X_a--?m=>

-------------------------
Source: eNOTICE

Authorization ID:    987315
Permit number:    PAR316114
Site:    CALFRAC WELL SVCS CORP
Client:    CALFRAC WELL SVCS CORP
Authorization type:    PAG-03 Discharge of Stormwater Assoc w Industrial Activities
Application type:    New
Authorization is for:    FACILITY
Date received:    07/26/2013
Status:    Pending
Sub-Facility ID    Sub-Facility Name    Description
1112724     SW OUTFALL 001     Discharge Point
1112725     SW OUTFALL 002     Discharge Point
1112727     SW OUTFALL 003     Discharge Point
1112728     SW OUTFALL 004     Discharge Point
<http://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eFACTSWeb/searchResults_singleAuth.aspx?AuthID=987315>
Location: 39.805278,-79.778333 <http://osm.org/go/ZWphcOTg--?m=>
Municipalities: Georges Twp [an Environmental Justice Area]

Authorization ID:    1021263
Permit number:    26-00588
Site:    SHAMROCK COMP STA
Client:    LAUREL MTN MIDSTREAM OPR LLC
Authorization type:    Minor Facility Plan Approval New Source Performance Std
Application type:    Extension
Authorization is for:    FACILITY
Date received:    04/09/2014
Status:    Pending
<http://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eFACTSWeb/searchResults_singleAuth.aspx?AuthID=1021263>
Location: 39.918333,-79.825 <http://osm.org/go/ZWpasXGm--?m=>
Municipalities: German Twp [an Environmental Justice Area]
[See Notes.]

Authorization ID:    1021264
Permit number:    26-00588A
Site:    SHAMROCK COMP STA
Client:    LAUREL MTN MIDSTREAM OPR LLC
Authorization type:    Major Facility Plan Approval New Facility Review Prevention of Significant Deterioration
Application type:    Extension
Authorization is for:    FACILITY
Date received:    04/09/2014
Status:    Pending
<http://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eFACTSWeb/searchResults_singleAuth.aspx?AuthID=1021264>

Authorization ID:    1018002
Permit number:    051-24583
Site:    FAY-PENN MCLS 1414 WELL SITE ESCGP2 - EXPEDITED
Client:    CHEVRON APPALACHIA LLC
Authorization type:    Drill & Operate Well Permit Drill Deeper
Application type:    New
Authorization is for:    FACILITY
Date received:    02/28/2014
Status:    Issued on 4/10/2014
Sub-Facility ID    Sub-Facility Name    Description
1130739     FAY-PENN UNIT 46H     Well
<http://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eFACTSWeb/searchResults_singleAuth.aspx?AuthID=1018002>
Location: 39.752572,-79.811430 <http://osm.org/go/ZWpK6bVi--?m=>
Municipalities: Springhill Twp [an Environmental Justice Area]

Authorization ID:    1018004
Permit number:    051-24584
Site:    FAY-PENN MCLS 1414 WELL SITE ESCGP2 - EXPEDITED
Client:    CHEVRON APPALACHIA LLC
Authorization type:    Drill & Operate Well Permit Drill Deeper
Application type:    New
Authorization is for:    FACILITY
Date received:    02/28/2014
Status:    Issued on 4/10/2014
Sub-Facility ID    Sub-Facility Name    Description
1130743     FAY-PENN UNIT 47H     Well
<http://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eFACTSWeb/searchResults_singleAuth.aspx?AuthID=1018004>

Authorization ID:    1018007
Permit number:    051-24585
Site:    FAY-PENN MCLS 1414 WELL SITE ESCGP2 - EXPEDITED
Client:    CHEVRON APPALACHIA LLC
Authorization type:    Drill & Operate Well Permit Drill Deeper
Application type:    New
Authorization is for:    FACILITY
Date received:    02/28/2014
Status:    Issued on 4/10/2014
Sub-Facility ID    Sub-Facility Name    Description
1130746     FAY-PENN UNIT 48H     Well
<http://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eFACTSWeb/searchResults_singleAuth.aspx?AuthID=1018007>

Authorization ID:    1015589
Permit number:    ESX10-051-0019
Site:    FRANKHOUSER WELL SITES ESCGP-EXPEDITED
Client:    ATLAS RESOURCES LLC
Authorization type:    Expedited E&S Stormwater General Permit 1
Application type:    Amendment
Authorization is for:    SITE
Date received:    03/03/2014
Status:    Pending
<http://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eFACTSWeb/searchResults_singleAuth.aspx?AuthID=1015589>
Location [of FRANKHOUSER UNIT 4H]: 39.9441,-79.901528 <http://osm.org/go/ZWpY~Set--?m=>
Municipalities: Luzerne Twp

Authorization ID:    1022281
Permit number:    051-24511 [? -jr]
Site:    SHEPERD UNIT 4H OG WELL
Client:    CHEVRON APPALACHIA LLC
Authorization type:    Well Plugging Notice Intent to Plug Single Well
Application type:    New
Authorization is for:    FACILITY
Date received:    04/14/2014
Status:    Pending
Sub-Facility ID    Sub-Facility Name    Description
1075906     SHEPERD UNIT 4H [? -jr]     Well
<http://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eFACTSWeb/searchResults_singleAuth.aspx?AuthID=1022281>
Location: 39.994756,-79.800092 <http://osm.org/go/ZWp0AeY5--?m=>
Municipalities: Redstone Twp
[See Notes.]

Authorization ID:    1022497
Permit number:    ESX10-051-0031
Site:    BURNWORTH WEST WELL PAD ESCGP-EXPEDITED
Client:    CHIEF OIL & GAS LLC
Authorization type:    Expedited E&S Stormwater General Permit 1
Application type:    Notification
Authorization is for:    SITE
Date received:    04/17/2014
Status:    Pending
<http://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eFACTSWeb/searchResults_singleAuth.aspx?AuthID=1022497>
Location [of BURNWORTH WEST UNIT 1H]: 39.797503,-79.398014 <http://osm.org/go/ZWrByVGQ--?m=>
Municipalities: Henry Clay Twp

-------------------------
Source: Reuters Commodities: Energy
<http://www.reuters.com/finance/commodities/energy>

-------------------------
Notes:

The applicant listed for the PA Bulletin notice for permit # ESX14-051-0002 above is Laurel Mountain Midstream, but the only "client" showing in the site record for this permit is Chevron. Moreover the permit is shown as Springhill Twp, but the site record for permit ESX14-051-0002 shows as Luzerne Twp! It appears that the permit number in this listing is wrong. Due to all this confusion in the data, this entry has not been mapped.

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There is something EXTREMELY ODD about Laurel Mountain Midstream applying for an extension of both permits 26-00588 and 26-00588A. Normally one would consider that 26-00588A has replaced 26-00588. It is not clear what is going on here.

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The listing above for authorization 1022281 is shown as SHEPERD UNIT 4H. However, the permit number listed, 051-24511, is for the well SHEPERD UNIT 6H. If the correct "Farm name" is supposed to be SHEPERD UNIT 4H, the correct permit number should be 051-24509.

Something "serious" seems to have happened at this well site. Apparently, none of the wells has gone into production. There are anecdotal reports of an underground explosion at this site. Shepard 6H has a violation for "Failure to report defective, insufficient, or improperly cemented casing w/in 24 hrs or submit plan to correct w/in 30 days" (Inspection ID 2206094, <http://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eFACTSWeb/searchResults_singleViol.aspx?InspectionID=2206094>). In the wake of the Bobtown explosion, one would sure like to know what happened at the Sheperd well site. This authorization record is clear evidence that at least one well at this site has FAILED PERMANENTLY AND COMPLETELY.

------------------------

DEP defines an environmental justice area as "any census tract where 20 percent or more individuals live in poverty, and/or 30 percent or more of the population is minority". (See:
<http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pa_environmental_justice_areas/20991>
<http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/dep_enhanced_public_participation_policy/20988>
). There are supposed to be enhanced public participation requirements for permits in environmental justice areas, but news of this actually ever happening is scarce. In Fayette County, the entirety of Springhill, Nicholson, German, and Georges Townships are environmental justice areas, as well as a large part of Dunbar Township. DEP's policy document on public participation guidelines for environmental justice areas is located here:
<http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Version-48671/012-0501-002.pdf>

eNOTICE records are likely to list the same permit multiple times, as that permit moves through the DEP process.

Oil & Gas Wells designated with a site a number and the letter H typically designate horizontal wells.

The eMapPa web site does not work in web browsers other than Internet Explorer. For instructions on how to view eMapPa data in Firefox send me E-mail.

-------------------------

Resources:

Pennsylvania Bulletin: <http://www.pabulletin.com/>

eNOTICE: <http://www.ahs2.dep.state.pa.us/eNOTICEWeb/>

DEP Well Details Report: <https://www.paoilandgasreporting.state.pa.us/publicreports/Modules/WellDetails/WellDetails.aspx>

DEP Permits Issued Detail Report:
<http://www.depreportingservices.state.pa.us/ReportServer/Pages/ReportViewer.aspx?/Oil_Gas/Permits_Issued_Detail>

DEP SPUD (drilling started) Report:
<http://www.depreportingservices.state.pa.us/ReportServer/Pages/ReportViewer.aspx?/Oil_Gas/Spud_External_Data>

DEP Oil and Gas Compliance Report:
<http://www.depreportingservices.state.pa.us/ReportServer/Pages/ReportViewer.aspx?/Oil_Gas/OG_Compliance>

EPA-Echo: <http://www.epa-echo.gov/echo/compliance_report_air.html>

FERC citizen involvement: <http://www.ferc.gov/for-citizens/get-involved.asp>

Follow the directions and enter the docket number to subscribe to.

Township  Supervisors receive information regarding Erosion & Sedimentation permits, and these records may be reviewable at township municipal offices.

DEP permits are reviewable through the File Review process, for application to do file review see: <http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/southwest_regional_office/13775/file_review/593164>

Environmental Hearing Board: <http://ehb.courtapps.com/public/index.php>

PA DEP Public Participation Center Proposals Currently Open for Comment:
<http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/proposals/14008>

Federal Register Environment: <https://www.federalregister.gov/environment>

SkyTruth Fayette County Drilling Alerts: <http://frack.skytruth.org/pennsylvania-frack-alerts/fayette_pa>

EPA Region 3 Water Protection Public Notices: <http://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/public_notices.htm>

Energy Assurance Daily: <http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/ead.aspx>

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Disclaimers:

This compilation from the above sources was done by hand using copy and paste and may omit relevant permits.

Does not currently include water supply permits. Does not include landfill permits even though many such are for Marcellus Shale waste. (It is not possible at this time to distinguish which landfill permits are for Marcellus Shale waste and which are not without doing File Review for each permit.)

Erosion & Sedimentation permit records do not currently include latitude and longitude. Where I am publishing latitude and longitude with E&S permits it is by inferring an associated well permit and using published latitude and longitude for the well. It is possible I may be inferring the wrong well site.

Municipalities are shown from eFACTS records on the DEP web site. The DEP has been known to list a municipality incorrectly.