DEP Makes Oil and Gas Operations More Transparent with New Online
Resources
Information on Well Production, Waste Products, and Violations Now
Online
PA-DEP Release
1 November 2010
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Dept. of Environmental Protection
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg PA., 17120
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jamie Legenos, Department of Environmental Protection,
717-787-1323
HARRISBURG -- For the first time, Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry
production and compliance information is available online as part of
the commonwealth’s ongoing effort to make the industry’s operations
more transparent.
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger said the
oil and gas public reporting website, which debuted today, allows
access to production statistics for oil and gas wells in the state,
including historical data. A new, separate webpage also lets users view
violation data, by operator, as well as the department’s enforcement
measures.
“The public reporting website will create much needed transparency that
allows for citizens and policymakers to be aware of the increasing
amount of natural gas being generated in Pennsylvania,” said Hanger.
“This is an industrial activity that is taking place widely throughout
the state. It’s important that families know what is happening in their
backyards and whether or not the company drilling there has a good
track record of safe and environmentally sound operations.”
The public reporting website,
http://www.marcellusreporting.state.pa.us/ogrereports/,
enables users to
search all oil and natural gas production data by operator, county or a
specific well number. Information on industry-generated waste can be
viewed by operator, county or processing facility.
Act 15 of 2010 required Marcellus operators to report to DEP their well
production totals from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 by Aug. 15.
Subsequent reports on Marcellus production are due every six months.
All other oil and gas production besides Marcellus wells must be
reported annually.
“It is absolutely essential for the oil and gas industry to be
excellent in their operations to protect public health and our
environment,” Hanger said. “This information will allow the public to
see which operators are leading the way in a safe and environmentally
conscious manner and which ones need to address their operating
procedures.”
The violation, inspection, and enforcement information is available for
2008 through 2010 to date, including resolved violations for the
three-year span. Information for 2010 is available year-to-date or
monthly. To view the violation reports, visit http://www.depweb.state.pa.us
and click on the button that says “Gas Well Violations.”
For more information about oil and gas operations in Pennsylvania,
visit http://www.depweb.state.pa.us
and click on “Oil and Gas.”