Tracking Fracture Mining Violations Near Caves (PA)

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Tracking Fracture Mining Violations Near Caves (PA)

Postby peter febb » Oct 7, 2010 10:29 am

Image
red stars are frac wells
violet triangles are violations reported
green and blue dots are PA caves
Frac data provided by http://data.fractracker.org/
For some background on the fracing topic read http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/5839/ and http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2010/0909/EPA-to-natural-gas-companies-Give-details-on-fracking-chemicals
I have compiled a list of violations that took place near PA caves. Feel free to email peter@well.com if you need use of the full database. The violations base is available from me in kml form, or from http://data.fractracker.org/ in csv. The data includes ref numbers that can be used for further investigation. I would appreciate updates on locations that you feel need watching. If you know of a pending permit application and would like to check the proposed location for the nearest cave, feel free to PM me.

Most of these violations have been resolved.


Blessing Mountain Cave 2.95 miles

3-Feb-10
Failure to notify DEP of pollution incident. No phone call made forthwith
No E+S plan developed+ plan not on site

Op-Adrss_2 SUITE 301
Op_Adrs_1 171 HILLPOINTE DRIVE
Op_City CANONSBURG
Op_State PA
Op_Zip 15317
Operator RICE DRILLING B LLC

_________________________________________________

Hineman Cave 4.45 miles
Cowanshannock Cr 7.72 miles
26-Jan-10
Failure to restore site w/in 9 months of completion of drilling or plugging
4-Nov-09
Failure to minimize accelerated erosion+ implement E+S plan+ maintain E+S controls.
Failure to stabilize site until total site restoration under OGA Sec 206(c)(d)
BLX INC
_____________________________________________________

Mollys Cave 3.81miles
Horse Bone Cave 4.86 miles
Colerain Ice Cav 4.84 miles
12-Mar-10
Failure to maintain 2 foot freeboard in an impoundment

Op_Adrs_1 233 N PARK DR
Op_City KITTANNING
Op_State PA
Op_Zip 16201-7123
Operator BLX INC
Operator_1 Blx Inc
Other_Id 063-36534
_____________________________________________________________

Hol-Bruck Cave 0.53 miles
Holter Pit Cave 0.57 miles

18-Mar-10
Failure to maintain 2 foot freeboard in an impoundment

Op-Adrss_2 STE 1500
Op_Adrs_1 1000 LOUISIANA ST
Op_City HOUSTON
Op_State TX
Op_Zip 77002-5018
Operator CARRIZO OIL & GAS INC

___________________________________________________________________-
Coleville Caves 1.18 miles

27-Jan-09
Discharge of IW to ground

Op_Adrs_1 5956 SHERRY LN STE 1500
Op_City DALLAS
Op_State TX
Op_Zip 75225-8026
Operator CHIEF OIL & GAS LLC
___________________________________________________________________
Sharer Cave 5.97 miles
Rock Caves 5.8 miles
Barr Cave 5.05 miles

22-Jan-10
Discharge of IW to ground

Op_Adrs_1 225 N SHORE DR
Op_City PITTSBURGH
Op_State PA
Op_Zip 15212-5860
Operator EQT PRODUCTION CO
_____________________________________________________________
Colerain Ice Cave 4.96 miles
Horse Bone Cave 4.39 miles
Mollys Cave 3.75 miles

12-Mar-10
Failure to maintain 2 foot freeboard in an impoundment
Op_Adrs_1 233 N PARK DR
Op_City KITTANNING
Op_State PA
Op_Zip 16201-7123
Operator BLX INC
________________________________________________________________
Bear Cave 5.01 miles

8-Jun-10
There is a potential for polluting substance(s) reaching Waters of the Commonwealth
and may require a permit.

Site_Name SLAVEK TRUST UNIT 1H OG WELL
Op_Adrs_1 476 ROLLING RIDGE DR
Op_City STATE COLLEGE
Op_State PA
Op_Zip 16801-7639
Operator REX ENERGY OPERATING CORPORATION
Operator_1 Williams Production Appalachia Llc
_________________________________________________________________________
Ice Mine 4.42 miles
Deep Quarry Cave 4.68 miles

27-May-10
Industrial waste was discharged without permit.
Impoundment not structurally sound & impermeablen & 3rd party protected
& greater than 20inches
of seasonal high ground water table

Site_Name ECKLES 8448H OG WEL
Op_Adrs_1 395 AIRPORT RD
Op_City INDIANA
Op_State PA
Op_Zip 15701-8914
Operator XTO ENERGY INC

_______________________________________________________________________________
Evac Cave 2.10 miles

8-Jun-10
There is a potential for polluting substance(s) reaching Waters of the
Commonwealth and may require a permit.

Site_Name SLAVEK TRUST UNIT 1H OG WELL
Op_Adrs_1 476 ROLLING RIDGE DR
Op_City STATE COLLEGE
Op_State PA
Op_Zip 16801-7639
Operator REX ENERGY OPERATING CORPORATION
Operator_1 Williams Production Appalachia Llc
____________________________________________________________________________
Dravosburg Cave 3.12 miles

21-Jul-08
Discharge of IW to groundd
Impoundment not structurally sound+ impermeable+ 3rd party protected+
greater than 20 inches of seasonal high ground water table

Op_Adrs_1 1380 RT 286 HWY EAST STE 303
Op_City INDIANA
Op_State PA
Op_Zip 15701
Operator DOMINION EXPLORATION & PROD INC
Operator_1 Dominion Exploration & Prod Inc
Site_Name P F EISAMAN 3 OG WELL



_____________________________________________________________________________
Devils Den Cave 1.73miles
Flatfoot Cave 1.81 miles
Stone Knife Cave 1.81 miles

31-Dec-08 Improperly lined pit RANGE RESOURCES APPALACHIA LLC
27-May-09 Discharge of IW to ground RANGE RESOURCES APPALACHIA LLC
27-May-09 Stream discharge of IW+ includes drill cuttings+ oil+ brine and/or silt RANGE RESOURCES APPALACHIA LLC
27-May-09 Failure to notify DEP of pollution incident. No phone call made forthwith RANGE RESOURCES APPALACHIA LLC

Op_Adrs_1 380 SOUTHPOINTE BLVD STE 300
Op_City CANONSBURG
Op_State PA
Op_Zip 15317
Operator RANGE RESOURCES APPALACHIA LLC

Site_Name LBROS UNIT 5H OG WELL

1-Apr-10 Discharge of IW to ground ATLAS RESOURCES LLC

Op_Adrs_1 800 MOUNTAIN VIEW DR
Op_City SMITHFIELD
Op_State PA
Op_Zip 15478-8902
Operator ATLAS RESOURCES LLC
Operator_1 Atlas Resources Llc

Site_Name COWDEN 76 OG WELL

_____________________________________________________________________________
Frozen Toes Cave 3.71 miles

30-Dec-09
Drilling w/in 200 ft of building or water well w/o variance
Failure to case and cement to prevent migrations into fresh groundwater

Op_Adrs_1 409 BUTLER RD STE A
Op_City KITTANNING
Op_State PA
Op_Zip 16201-4403
Operator MDS ENERGY LTD
Operator_1 Mds Energy Ltd
Other_Id 005-30250
R Y
Site_Name GILBERT C QUERIO 1A-43 OG WELL

__________________________________________________________________________
Rudder Cave 4.48 miles

11-Sep-08
Polluting substance(s) allowed to discharge into Waters of the Commonwealth.

Op_Adrs_1 800 MOUNTAIN VIEW DR
Op_City SMITHFIELD
Op_State PA
Op_Zip 15478-8902
Operator ATLAS RESOURCES LLC
_________________________________________________________
Jumonville Cave 2.45 miles 2.86 miles

5-Feb-10
Impoundment not structurally sound+ impermeable+ 3rd party protected+ greater
than 20in of seasonal high ground water table

23-Jun-09
There is a potential for polluting substance(s) reaching Waters of the
Commonwealth and may require a permit.


Op_Adrs_1 2481 JOHN NASH BLVD
Op_City BLUEFIELD
Op_State WV
Op_Zip 24701
Operator CNX GAS CO LLC
____________________________________________________________________________
Christopher Gist 3.80 miles

11-Aug-09
There is a potential for polluting substance(s)
reaching Waters of the Commonwealth and may require a permit.

11-Aug-09
Impoundment not structurally sound+ impermeable+ 3rd party protected+ greater than 20inches of seasonal high ground water table

mailing name: WILLIAM S BURKLAND
_____________________________________________________________________________
Casparis Caves 5.97 miles
Brooks Spring Ca 5.71 miles


8-Mar-10
Drilling+ altering+ or operating a well without a permit

Op_Adrs_1 502 KEYSTONE DR
Op_City WARRENDALE
Op_State PA
Op_Zip 15086-7537
Operator PHILLIPS EXPLORATION INC
Operator_1 Phillips Exploration Inc

Site_Name JOSEPH GREEN ET AL 7H OG WELL

_____________________________________________________________________________
Nichols Lynchner 2.26 miles

30-Sep-09
Impoundment not structurally sound+ impermeable+ 3rd party protected+ greater
than 20inches of seasonal high ground water table

Op_Adrs_1 800 MOUNTAIN VIEW DR
Op_City SMITHFIELD
Op_State PA
Op_Zip 15478-8902
Operator ATLAS RESOURCES LLC
Operator_1 Atlas Resources Llc
Other_Id 051-24210
R
Site_Name KOVALIC 13 OG WELL
_____________________________________________________________________________
Keystone Quarry 2.28 miles
Barton Cave 2.04 miles
Laurel Caverns 4.72 miles

25-Mar-10
Failure to notify DEP+ landowner+ political subdivision+ or coal owner 24 hrs prior to commencement of drilling
12-May-10
Failure to maintain 2foot freeboard in an impoundment

Op_Adrs_1 5956 SHERRY LN STE 1500
Op_City DALLAS
Op_State TX
Op_Zip 75225-8026
Operator CHIEF OIL & GAS LLC
Operator_1 Chief Oil & Gas Llc

Site_Name PMG ALLEN UNIT 1H OG WELL

__________________________________________________________________________________
Barton cave 3.91 miles

19-Feb-10
Failure to restore site w/in 9 months of completion of drilling or plugging (ATLAS)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Geissinger Cave 3.56 miles
Blue Springs Cave 2.38 miles
Panther Caves 3.63 miles

2-Feb-10
Discharge of IW to ground
2-Feb-10
Impoundment not structurally sound+ impermeable+ 3rd party protected+
greater than 20inches of seasonal high ground water table
24-May-10
Discharge of IW to ground
28-Jan-10
Impoundment not structurally sound+ impermeable+ 3rd party protected+
greater than 20inches of seasonal high ground water table

Op_Adrs_1 5956 SHERRY LN STE 1500
Op_City DALLAS
Op_State TX
Op_Zip 75225-8026
Operator CHIEF OIL & GAS LLC
Operator_1 Chief Oil & Gas Llc

Site_Name RITCHEY UNIT 1H OG WELL
______________________________________________________________________________________
Indian Cave Number 1 6.19 miles
Indian Cave Number 2 4.14 miles
Porters Cave 1.98 miles
Cowanshannock Cave 5.53 miles
Bradys Bend Cave 5.80 miles

1-Apr-09
Failure to minimize accelerated erosion+ implement E+S plan+ maintain E+S controls.
Failure to stabilize site until total site restoration under OGA Sec 206(c)(d)

Op_Adrs_1 2018 SOUTH SIXTH STREET
Op_City INDIANA
Op_State PA
Op_Zip 15701
Operator INTERSTATE GAS MKT INC
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Hunters Cave 1.07 miles


23-Jun-09
There is a potential for polluting substance(s) reaching Waters
of the Commonwealth and may require a permit.

Op_Adrs_1 2481 JOHN NASH BLVD
Op_City BLUEFIELD
Op_State WV
Op_Zip 24701
Operator CNX GAS CO LLC
Operator_1 Cnx Gas Co Llc
Other_Id 059-25167
R
Site_Name CONSOL GH11BCV-A OG WELL
_______________________________________________________________________________
compiled from multiple cave databases, some have errors--editing in progress
IW = impound water


Last edited by peter febb on Mar 3, 2011 8:17 am, edited 4 times in total.
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Re: Tracking Fracture Mining Violations Near Caves (PA)

Postby MUD » Oct 7, 2010 6:41 pm

The "caviest" part of the state (central) is missing a whole bunch of green dots...and luckily, NO mining there!
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Re: Tracking Fracture Mining Violations Near Caves (PA)

Postby wyandottecaver » Oct 7, 2010 7:37 pm

I assume he didnt show any caves where there wasnt any mining since the point was mining near caves. fracting is nasty business but it makes money at poor peoples expense but PA has a long history of that in the mines so whats new
I'm not scared of the dark, it's the things IN the dark that make me nervous. :)
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Re: Tracking Fracture Mining Violations Near Caves (PA)

Postby peter febb » Oct 7, 2010 8:15 pm

The "caviest" part of the state (central) is missing a whole bunch of green dots...and luckily, NO mining there!


Yes, but by leaving out that database, I missed several that should be included...ok, another couple of hours typing won't kill me.

The West VA violations list has no location data.

Yet another insult to caving unfolds...
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Re: Tracking Fracture Mining Violations Near Caves (PA)

Postby peter febb » Mar 3, 2011 8:14 am

It's getting worse. Radiation now found in water:http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/02/27/us/natural-gas-map.html?ref=us
Over the past nine months, The Times reviewed more than 30,000 pages of documents obtained through open records requests of state and federal agencies and by visiting various regional offices that oversee drilling in Pennsylvania. Some of the documents were leaked by state or federal officials. Here, the most significant documents are made available with annotations from The Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/02/27/us/natural-gas-documents-1-intro.html?ref=us

List of contaminants found:
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/other/national/natural-gas-drilling-spreadsheet.xls

“These plants are breaking the law,” the lawyer said. “Everyone is looking the other way.”
:http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/04/us/04gas.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp
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Re: Tracking Fracture Mining Violations Near Caves (PA)

Postby BrianC » Mar 3, 2011 12:24 pm

peter febb wrote:It's getting worse. Radiation now found in water:http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/02/27/us/natural-gas-map.html?ref=us
Over the past nine months, The Times reviewed more than 30,000 pages of documents obtained through open records requests of state and federal agencies and by visiting various regional offices that oversee drilling in Pennsylvania. Some of the documents were leaked by state or federal officials. Here, the most significant documents are made available with annotations from The Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/02/27/us/natural-gas-documents-1-intro.html?ref=us

List of contaminants found:
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/other/national/natural-gas-drilling-spreadsheet.xls

“These plants are breaking the law,” the lawyer said. “Everyone is looking the other way.”
:http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/04/us/04gas.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

The worst character here is benzene, it has been found in ground water frequently from the many years of automotive use. Changing oil and throwing it onto the land, industrial waste, etc. Most of what we see today has been in our ground for a long time. Most people now know the hazards of dumping and therefore do not do it now.The radiation is very natural, especially in limestone areas.
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Re: Tracking Fracture Mining Violations Near Caves (PA)

Postby peter febb » Mar 11, 2011 10:03 am

“It’s ruined our lives. That’s what it comes down to,” says Chris. “It’s ruined our plans that we had for the kids. It’s ruined what we thought was our perfect ten acres.”





Special Report: The Great Shale Gas Rushhttp://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2010/10/101022-energy-marcellus-shale-gas-rush/?source=foenvfeat1
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Re: Tracking Fracture Mining Violations Near Caves (PA)

Postby peter febb » Aug 1, 2012 11:55 am

Image
Blue dots are "Drilled Unconventional Wells"
Red diamonds show locations of "Violations for Unconventional Wells in PA"
Yellow pentagons are "Permits for Unconventional Wells"
Green dots or open diamonds are caves

Until June 2012, data from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Office of Oil and Gas Management had a Marcellus Shale indicator associated with various reports, including the compliance (violation) report. These have all been replaced with an Unconventional indicator, which is described as follows from PADEP:

"An unconventional gas well is a well that is drilled into an
Unconventional formation, which is defined as a geologic
shale formation below the base of the Elk Sandstone or its
geologic equivalent where natural gas generally cannot be
produced except by horizontal or vertical well bores
stimulated by hydraulic fracturing."



http://files.dep.state.pa.us/OilGas/BOGM/BOGMPortalFiles/OilGasReports/HelpDocs/Permits_Issued_Detail_Report_Help.pdf

Presumably, much of the reason for the change was the increase in activity in the Utica Shale, a formation similar to the Marcellus in many respects.

Upon download, PADEP indicates that the data represents 3873 violations for 1303 different wells. There are 4496 rows of data

Data source: http://www.depreportingservices.state.p ... Compliance

This dataset has been modified from the original by the addition of latitude and longitude location data, which was obtained by matching the well API number to the permits report.
--http://data.fractracker.org/


_________
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Re: Tracking Fracture Mining Violations Near Caves (PA)

Postby BrianFrank » Aug 1, 2012 12:45 pm

peter febb wrote:Image
Blue dots are "Drilled Unconventional Wells"
Red diamonds show locations of "Violations for Unconventional Wells in PA"
Yellow pentagons are "Permits for Unconventional Wells"
Green dots or open diamonds are caves

That's a lot of caves in Pennsylvania. Great map to go find them :grin:
.
All TAG cavers join http://www.SCCI.org. A small price for a GREAT resource.
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Re: Tracking Fracture Mining Violations Near Caves (PA)

Postby MUD » Aug 1, 2012 4:02 pm

BrianFrank wrote:
peter febb wrote:Image
Blue dots are "Drilled Unconventional Wells"
Red diamonds show locations of "Violations for Unconventional Wells in PA"
Yellow pentagons are "Permits for Unconventional Wells"
Green dots or open diamonds are caves

That's a lot of caves in Pennsylvania. Great map to go find them :grin:

:laughing: I'd say that map is missing a whole bunch of green dots............
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Re: Tracking Fracture Mining Violations Near Caves (PA)

Postby Bumbalawski » Aug 1, 2012 5:10 pm

Yes it is missing quite a few green dots in my area. Fortunately, only one fracking site exist in my county. It can stay that way.

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Re: Tracking Fracture Mining Violations Near Caves (PA)

Postby peter febb » Aug 8, 2012 9:07 am

Updated 08/08/12
Image
Yellow balloons are drilled wells
White balloons are permits
Red balloons are violations



Click here to view/download a very long .CSV file listing caves less than 5 miles from the nearest fracking site.
Cave, Distance, Well Owner, Well API
http://www.well.com/~peter/p-vs-cave.csv note: right click on this link and select"Save Link Target As..."
in order to save the file on your computer.
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