(a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (a.1), each well operator shall file with the department, on a form provided by the department, an annual report specifying the amount of production, on the most well-specific basis available, along with the status of each well, except that in subsequent years only changes in status must be reported. The Commonwealth may utilize reported information in enforcement proceedings, in making designations or determinations under section 1927-A of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, or in aggregate form for statistical purposes.
(a.1) Unconventional wells.--(Repealed).
(b) Collection of data.--
(1) Well operators shall maintain a record of each well drilled or altered.
(2) A record containing the information required by the department shall be filed within 30 days after drilling of a well.
(3) Within 30 days after completion of the well, when the well is capable of production, a completion report containing any additional required information shall be filed and shall be maintained by the department.
(4) Upon request of the department, the well operator shall, within 90 days of completion or recompletion of drilling, submit a copy of any electrical, radioactive or other standard industry logs which have been run.
(5) Upon request by the department within one year, the well operator shall file a copy of drill stem test charts, formation water analysis, porosity, permeability or fluid saturation measurements, core analysis and lithologic log or sample description or other similar data as compiled. No information shall be required unless the well operator had it compiled in the ordinary course of business, and interpretation of data under this paragraph is not required to be filed.
(b.1) Report contents.--
(1) The completion report shall contain the operator's stimulation record. The stimulation record shall include all of the following:
(i) A descriptive list of the chemical additives in the stimulation fluids, including any acid, biocide, breaker, brine, corrosion inhibitor, crosslinker, demulsifier, friction reducer, gel, iron control, oxygen scavenger, Ph adjusting agent, proppant, scale inhibitor and surfactant.
(ii) The trade name, vendor and a brief descriptor of the intended use or function of each chemical additive in the stimulation fluid.
(iii) A list of the chemicals intentionally added to the stimulation fluid, by name and chemical abstract service number.
(iv) The maximum concentration, in percent by mass, of each chemical intentionally added to the stimulation fluid.
(v) The total volume of the base fluid.
(vi) A list of water sources used under the approved water management plan and the volume of water used.
(vii) The pump rates and pressure used in the well.
(viii) The total volume of recycled water used.
(2) The well record shall identify all of the following:
(i) Whether methane was encountered in other than a target formation.
(ii) The country of origin and manufacture of tubular steel products used in the construction of the well.
(b.2) Trade secret or confidential proprietary information.--When an operator submits its stimulation record under subsection (b.1), the operator may designate specific portions of the stimulation record as containing a trade secret or confidential proprietary information. The department shall prevent disclosure of a designated trade secret or confidential proprietary information to the extent permitted by the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law or other applicable State law.
(c) Drill cuttings and core samples.--Upon notification by the department prior to commencement of drilling, the well operator shall collect any additional data specified by the department, including representative drill cuttings and samples from cores taken and any other geological information that the operator reasonably can compile. Interpretation of the data is not required to be filed.
(d) Retention and filing.--Data required under subsection (b)(5) and drill cuttings required under subsection (c) shall be retained by the well operator and filed with the department no more than three years after completion of the well. Upon request, the department shall extend the deadline up to five years from the date of completion of the well. The department shall be entitled to utilize information collected under this subsection in enforcement proceedings, in making designations or determinations under section 1927-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 and in aggregate form for statistical purposes.
(Oct. 22, 2014, P.L.2853, No.173, eff. Mar. 31, 2015)
2014 Repeal. Act 173 repealed subsec. (a.1).
Special Provisions in Appendix. See section 4(3)(xiii) of Act 13 of 2012 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to continuation of prior law.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Section 3201 - Scope of chapter
Section 3202 - Declaration of purpose of chapter
Section 3212 - Permit objections
Section 3212.1 - Comments by municipalities and storage operators
Section 3213 - Well registration and identification
Section 3214 - Inactive status
Section 3215 - Well location restrictions
Section 3216 - Well site restoration
Section 3217 - Protection of fresh groundwater and casing requirements
Section 3218 - Protection of water supplies
Section 3218.1 - Notification to public drinking water systems
Section 3218.2 - Containment for unconventional wells
Section 3218.3 - Transportation records regarding wastewater fluids
Section 3218.4 - Corrosion control requirements
Section 3218.5 - Gathering lines
Section 3219 - Use of safety devices
Section 3219.1 - Well control emergency response
Section 3220 - Plugging requirements
Section 3221 - Alternative methods
Section 3222 - Well reporting requirements
Section 3222.1 - Hydraulic fracturing chemical disclosure requirements
Section 3223 - Notification and effect of well transfer
Section 3224 - Coal operator responsibilities
Section 3226 - Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board
Section 3227 - Air contaminant emissions
Section 3231 - Reporting requirements for gas storage operations
Section 3232 - Reporting requirements for coal mining operations
Section 3233 - General gas storage reservoir operations
Section 3234 - Gas storage reservoir operations in coal areas
Section 3235 - Inspection of facilities and records
Section 3236 - Reliance on maps and burden of proof
Section 3237 - Exemptions and prohibitions
Section 3241 - Appropriation of interest in real property
Section 3252 - Public nuisances
Section 3253 - Enforcement orders
Section 3254 - Restraining violations
Section 3254.1 - Well control emergency response cost recovery
Section 3256 - Civil penalties
Section 3257 - Existing rights and remedies preserved and cumulative remedies authorized
Section 3258 - Inspection and production of materials, witnesses, depositions and rights of entry
Section 3259 - Unlawful conduct
Section 3260 - Collection of fines and penalties
Section 3261 - Third party liability
Section 3262 - Inspection reports
Section 3271 - Well plugging funds
Section 3271.1 - Well plugging contracts
Section 3273 - Effect on department authority
Section 3273.1 - Relationship to solid waste and surface mining