VIOLATION I CLOSURE FORM 

Specialist/Inspector: · 

~r yon fV\\\\e.y:= 

Description of Violation 

Operator Response: 

Oper~tor: ~Cln~<.. ~.e~ a" rc e ~ L l (_ 

Perrmt No.: \a.:r . } \LJ ~ 

Well Name: \(.(-A'O'")S u.~"'·± \ \\ 

OGO #: ----lib;L.;0~9....L..Ll s..._-_____ _ 

Violations 

Date of 

Violation 

\0 I \'-' /o 9 

Follow Up Resolved 

Date 

Date for Closure of NOV in e-facts: \ o td. 4 /o 9 

, 

Enforcement Recommended 

Conference c CACP J »; ; I l Order None __ _ (justification below) 

"Y/r,?4/t:701"' tf:!} 

WQS/Inspector: Date: ~'-~~/;..J;Ol._-,~/~o___,~J-----

S upervisor: Date: ~~"""'a::.L0--::::..z_.:.'.~t:-2:::::_0..:...CJ__.__C(' __ _ 

Compliance Spec.: Date:--------

Compliance Chief: Date:--------

Program Manager: 

'5?Lf>i1 7 ~/If 5N~/ 

Date: -~~~~---
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 

ROOM~~-

Name 

t<.~ K~ Bi4 w 

0/t,tciVT fftv~ 

'1Scyan fv\:\\ex: 

/t{c.t ·" G c h { el' 

~Mfc uOtJt 

1'\ /{oJYto fO<;;{c ', 

Cart_aSu~~ 

_G 

- -:- -~ ...,L ------

.A.n Equ~l Opportun:IY!Aitirm~tive Action Employer 

SOUTHWEST REGION - FIELD OPERATIONS 

Pittsburgh, PA 

MEETING LOG 

WQS 

(ec!O ttlo& 

c~.~ Cau,u-d £ ~~ t 

~ 

http://www.dep.sute.p~.us 

Organization Phone No. 

f)r/:#CJ&I/-1 ~2'0(Z~St1J 

DEP oc C"H/. 7/J.Y/~9 loS; {/ '"De.r 7~~ 76 ~ lo~ 

J;>sl~ IJ/G '«'t ... lrr.el-- @6 

· f2tP / ok Ltr 7- 4 (a,. '-{on I 

· · ~ L G'c.,/-0 z .. J s .r~ e, rst:. 

1fa/J 7A't/-~73-3d:l~ 

t;-1 )- t.f Cf;;L- t.f ~ ;)_ 
.Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 

Southwest Regional Office 

Range Resources - Appalachia, LLC 

380 Southpointe Boulevard, Suite 300 

Canonsburg, P A 15 31 7 

Dear Well Operator: 

400 Waterfront Drive 

Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4745 

September 8, 2008 

412-442-4000 

FAX 412-442-4328 

RE: Special Protection Watershed 

Buffalo Creek Watershed 

Farm Name: Kearns Unit IH 

Township: Hopewell 

County: Washington 

PermitNo.: 37-125-23274-00 

This is to inform you that the location of the well on the enclosed well permit is in a Special 

Protection Watershed. Special Protection Watersheds are drainage areas to streams which are classified 

by the Environmental Quality Board as either High Quality or Exceptional Value due to their unique 

characteristics or sensitive use. Special Protection Watersheds are high priority areas for the 

Department's water pollution control activities. 

The above information is being provided to remind you of the necessity to adequately control and 

dispose of waste fluids generated from your activities at this location. It is expected that you will 

conduct your activities with these concerns in mind. 

~rrdy 

'f:Jf~ic'3 Regional Manager 

Oil and Gas Management 

Enclosure 

cc: File 

AJE:ral 

An Equal Opportunity Employer www.dep.state.pa.us Printed on Recycled Paper@ 

·•·C. ,.•e• 

'I. · > ,• 

'\::~:~:;_.:.• ·:, 
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA 

Department of Environmental Protection 

Southwest Regional Office 

October 8, 2009 

(412) 442-5874 

SUBJEC~: Frac Water Spill (Range Resources) 

Unnamed Tributary to Brush Run 

Hopewell Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania 

Stream Code 32906 

HUCCode-05030106001199 

SWP-20A 

To: Jack Crook 

Environmental Group Manager 

From: Brian M. Dillemuth 

Water Pollution Biologist 2 

On 10-7-2009 I responded to a fish kill event on an unnamed tributary to Brush Run a 

designated HQ watershed in Hopewell Township, Washington County. This pollution event took 

place on Wednesday October 6, 2009 around 8:40pm when an overland pipe under operation 

of Range Resources transporting a reported 3 to 1 mixture of freshwater and frac flowback 

water from the Bendarski impoundment to the Curran impoundment failed at a 90 degree joint 

releasing - 250 barrels of the mixture into a drainage and continuing to the above mentioned 

unnamed tributary. Upon discovering the incident Range Resources responded by damming 

the stream and vacuuming with a truck approximately 500 gallons of water from the stream and 

followed up by flushing it with approximately 1 ,200 gallons of freshwater from an unknown 

stream. The GPS coordinates of the site where this water entered the tributary are 40° 12' 39.6" 

Wand 80°23' 51.2" N. 

I arrived onsite of the pollution event around 12:05 pm on October 7, 2009 and did my 

assessment in the presence of Jeremy Matinko E&S Technician with Range Resources. The 

extent of the fish kill started at the spill site and continued 0.4 mile downstream to the tributary's 

confluence with Brush Run. At the confluence I observed living fish and no signs of a fish kill 

downstream of this. I walked upstream of the confluence and observed, photographed, and 

collected dead fish, salamanders, oligochetes, and frogs that showed signs of being affected by 

the spill. Below are some listed observations: 

-10 yds upstream of the Brush Run Road bridge crossing the impacted stream I noted 

a dull sheen on the stream 

• -15 yds I observed fish that were still alive but struggling to swim 

• -80 yds upstream I observed live minnows swimming in the same pools as the dead 

fish 

I rolled over some rocks to inspect for macroinvertebrate life and only noted the 

presence of scuds and water pennies 

I finished my assessment of the stream at 3:00pm with a dead fish tally of approximately 168 

individuals as well as 6 salamanders. There may have been more fish as the presence of 

leaves in the stream made it difficult to find all dead individuals. I collected a sample of dead 

fish (91 individuals) and back in the lab Rick Spear and myself processed the sample and 

found 2 species, Creek Chubs (57 individuals) and Blacknose Dace (34 individuals) along with 

the 6 unknown salamanders. Samples were preserved and labeled. 
Figure 1. Confluence of unnamed tributary 32906 and Brush Run. 

Figure 2. Joint that failed on pipeline releasing frac water into the watershed. 
Figure 3. Dull sheen on water- 10 yards upstream of bridge on Brush Run Road. 

Figure 4. Dead organisms found in the impacted reach of the unnamed tributary to Brush Run. 
"0 

L... 

~ 

::::J 

(.) 

(.) 

0 

Q) 

en 

ro 

Q) 

-

~ 

Q) 

L... 

Q) 

..c 

~ 

~ 

0 

.0 

-Q) 

Q) 

~ 0> 

Q) 

-o 

0 

Q) 

'..5 
r.-

-·· 

WATER BASED FRAC FLUID QUALITY CONTROL 

(Attachment to Post Treatment Report) 1-FRAC I TECH. 

~,..;

wt'l NQmo: I 

K!a~m Ur'it c~~&.; 

~~ I s.o.,.o

if'"•"l""'

Oat• 

er Nom•-

Aarm~R••

~I ll'fl!Ofl•al.!i'fe'illl....,lntlo• ""liLi!t umdod; ID!l!.'2MS· 

Woi:o.r .Saurt:e ar ~~··~ Te:;lfl..m

0 11•"1111' 

S.lllll~ DMNO. 

t 

Clalfi:t

~~r

, Ci!lat, Od~r d 5,.m~ T•;np<~r~ 1Jr dFI e~lfic ~,a,;~~y : _,ll!nLpH ~t"C<J t>d• !lll_l'll anln•~•. r.:gm Cllftium:l7.lm Miiifie•:um. ~nm. ln!noo

lin "I ~ 7.7 11 111'1 J .7MI ...... _, 3 

I 

Froc 

loll¢ CutllWOt l T••lll\g ffllott& A.etllr!Sh~ aJe ~modD jlflorloplllnt;lhgjlli~l 

B•oe GdTY~I 

ln.ot-~<..adtn"' llh•l1001.'1 nAil I ~ll cht Tf<m•.,rolorr•• W1 

r.,111e1 olf, \li c; A<ooo!IM 0'11 300 lt;;li 

VIICoo.JiW. /011 

l.!:•mnlo ~ ..,{., t.lwtf;oll:Jn 

!i.Om.;ift23 rn-n l.ffilrall:"' 

' iSimnle ~ J m)l H~tlillln 

bc.tink Vanax ~l aou.-. ml.;:.ac 

lx.t In'< C:r-own-;;;L.,o""' 

x..Una,uH 

Fnc Frutd Ou.ll ll' Go I Te•~ln; (Thua Rg~Jdlng il~ Lo 1111::11 Wit 

P"""

llj<>'.ll 

Stice II 

ta .... a@Witeo_!{!-t len I x.u,k o.H 

l5.omnl;; Kt ~ .... .,..,.,.;.., 

s.rr.~~~. 

~.-nt:oeratur & ar~onl Add_ NaOH ml• 

5~r.e.Grn'<ftl 

Acid Quality This nuu:l.on•'Y''' Cllft!ldorod [l! bt ;& rn 111 mum l11rr:llll

I A<lil/tlo!Ui iooUnm !If <keur 

anblb~ 

"'~~ btl re~ - ·by lhG cu

Tested By: Eric R
E 

ro 

~ 

+J 

.L:. 

c 

0 

"'0 

(].) 

~ (].) 

.0 

0 

c 

(].) 

(].) 

.L:. 

c 

E 

c 

0 

u 

., 

, 

... 

' 
E 

ro 

Q) 

~ 

Q) 

~ 

c 

"0 

c 

:::J 

0 

(..) 

co 

:::J 

o-

"0 

co 

Q) 

0 
5500-FM-OG0016a Rev. 5/2004 

DEP· 0 ff~ceAddreS' 

Q-pL!rNMUe· 

Ad cite~ 

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

OIL AND GAS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 

INSPECTION REPORT 

eali{omia Di.strictOffioe FhOi e.1724)7ti9~ 1•'070 

25 Tenhnology Drive 

Gonl Ctmier, RA 15423 

R.an~e Re·sources A~~3lacbia LLC 

380 Southpointe .Blvd 

Suite-300 

C<mons bw:g, .1:"' A 15317 

DEP Inspection Record # 

:~,_~USEONLY ' 1835041 

Complaint Record # Enforcement Record # 

251134 

Pennit or Reg. 125-23274 

Project #: Keams 1B 

Fanu& #: 

Goun ~: Washington 

Mllllicipalily: Hop-ewell T\vp. 

Latitude: D I II N 

Longjtude: D I " W 

Inspection =:J BOREL - Bond Release 

Code: .:J CEI- Compliance Evaluation 

0 COMPL - Complaint Inspection 

D ORAL T- Drilling or Alteration 

0 FLWUP - Following 

0 RDSPR- Road Spreading 

0 RESTR- Site Restoration 

0 PLUG- Plugging [8l RTNC -Routine 

Other: 0 Permit Exoired 0 Alt/Meth 0 Annulus ()pen 0 Cement Returns 0 Recommend Bond Release 

Location< .;..f:~~/ r · Insp. I Violation lDriUer's Log Information. •., ., ~'\~."' :-::.J: .:I I Depth· ~.£;;.. ,. ~· • 

Site ID Sign I Fresh Water I Salt Water Coal Formation I 

! Amt/Depth Amt/Depth Thickness I Depth Oil/Depth Gas/Depth 

! : I : 

tO I I 

i I I 

1 I I I I 

I D ID ! I I 10 !D ! . I 

' I Drilling I PJuggilig'"' "~7":_,·..: :i""'h':~ ·. ~:rl~"f r.o~~~~;~ {!~~. ~ ,;1 ' r .. -~. -.: ....... v,w:~'ll' .;.,:,.· ! .. 

Drilling-Plugging>; i Filling Material & Plugs Casing & Tubing 

Notification From To Size Pulled Left 

' ! I 

! . 0 I I ! I I ! i ! I 

! ' 

Waste Mgm ~~·. · I 

Top Hole Water ' i 

Fluids M~rmt. ! I ~ 

Impoundment/pit !1:8l I 

Pollution Prevent. 10 I I 

Residual Waste ! Compliance -~]'1 Code Code Inspection :~ ~ Code 

10 Assistance Results VIOLS 
Remarks: 

On 10/7/09 I responded to a spill incident that occurred in an unnamed tributary which leads to Brush Run a HQ 

watershed in Hopewell Twp., Washington County. The release happened when a 90 degree elbow ruptured from a 

pipeline transporting flow back water from the Berdnarski impoundment to the Keams well site. It was estimated 

that a total of 10,500 gallons were lost to the tributary. Range Resource and Red Oak employees quickly shut the 

pump off and stopped the water flow. A make shift dam was constructed where the flow back water frrst entered 

the tributary. An estimated 500 gallons was pumped out of this pool and the rest was lost downstream. The distance 

from where the spill entered the tributary down to Brush Run was 0.4 miles. The incident was discovered at 6:40 

pm on 10/6/09 and called into the Department at 7:40pm on 10/6/09. The incident was improperly reported because 

after normal working hours all incidents should be reported to the emergency number 412-442-4000. Instead the 

incident was reported to an inspector at his residence. Once on site we began to walk the stream and collect 

samples (SAC 942). While walking the stream we observed some dead fish. There was no dead vegetation on the 

banks or in the channel and a very light sheen observed in a few spots. A report from Brian Dillemuth (Water 

Pollution Biologist IT) confirmed that 57 Creek Chubs, 34 Black nose Dace and 6 unknown Salamanders were 

killed from the spill. 

Date: 1017/09 

Time: 9:00 

Page 2 of3 
5500-FM-OGOOI6b Rev. 5/2004 

Law /Ref!. Section 

CSL 301 

CSL 307 

CSL 402 

PACode 78.54 

PACode 78.57a 

PACode 78.60a 

PACode 91.33a 

COMMONWEAL Til OF PENNSYLVANIA 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

OIL AND GAS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 

Notice ofViolation(s) 

Description of Violation 

Operator discharged flow back water into the waters of the Conunonwealth .. 

Operator discharged flow back water into the waters of the Conunonwealth. 

Operator managed flow back water in a manner that created a danger for pollution. 

Operator improperly disposed of fluids (flow back water). 

Operator failed to control, store flow back water properly. 

Operator allowed a discharge of flow back water to the waters of the Commonwealth. 

Operator failed to immediately report release to the waters of the Conunonwealth. 

Instructions I Response 

You are requested to respond as indicated below by . If applicable, please include the description of activities you will pursue to 

achieve compliance with the statutes or regulations cited above. Address your repJyto th~ DEP representative named below. 

Q Written response requested. 0 Include explanation of cause ofviolation(s). 

D Explain what you . . . 0 have done, or D will do ... to correct the situation and achieve compliance. 

'0 lnclude the schedule or anticipated time frame for compliance activities you intend to carry out. 

Comments: 

The Department received an Incident report on 10/08/09. 

Permit Reg. No. Date DEP Rep. Cert. Mail# Date 

125- 23641 10/07/09 Bryon Mille;'R.. J>A~ 70072560000071899957 10/14/09 

Page 3of3 
5500-FM-OGOOI6a Rev. 5/2004 

DEP Office 

J\P u.~s I -. ;\ >·> ;·)' ; }~:;- i -· 

Ope; Name. 

Address 

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

OIL AND GAS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 

INSPECTION REPORT 

CalifOrnia Dls{rict Office op~ (~24) 769·l'tl70 

25 Teolmolozy. Dri\le 

Coal Center, PA 15423 

Range Resources A~eala,hla LLC 

380 Southpointe Blvd 

Suite 300 

Canonsburg. PA I SJ 17 

~ 

-, . 

DEP 

USE ONLY 

Complaint Record II 

Pormit or Reg. 125-23274 

Project#: Keurns I H 

Farm & #: 

County : Washingto n 

Mun p~lity: Hopewell T~VE, 

Latitude: 0 i " N 

Longitude: 0 I " W 

Inspection Record II 

1838874 

Enforcement Record # 

251835 

Inspection ::J BOREL- Bond Release D DRALT- Drilling or Alteration 0 Rp~PR- Road Spreading 

Code: 

Oh t er: 

0 _ CEI- Compliance Evaluation 

0 COMPL- Complaint Inspection 

0 FL WUP - Following 

0 PLUG- Plugging 

D p ermt 't E . d xptre 0 Alt!M et h . 0 A I nnu us 0 Jpen De ement Rtu e rns 

0 RESTR- Site Restoration 

r8J RTNC- Routine 

OR ecommen dB on dR e I ease 

Loeation ' ,- Insp. Violation Driller's Log Information- ,_ 

,I Depth: 

Site ID Sign 0 Fresh Water I Salt Water Coal Formation 

Well Tag 0 Amt I Depth Amt I Deoth Thickness I Depth Oil I Depth Gas I Depth 

Distance Restrict 0 I ~ 

EIS Plan on Site ,-

EIS Controls 0 i Encroachments 0 i 

Site Restoration I 

! I I 

Drilling l Plugging ...... . :;'~' :_, .... _ ;_ .- .. '~-~ .. :k, :J; ~ ' 

. ' . -~ ... ,. ' 

Drilling-Plugging Filling Material & Plugs Casing & TubinE 

Notification l From To Size Pulled Left 

B.O.P. ::::J 

I Waste Mgmt. I 

Top Hole Water i 

i 1 [8 

I C>< 

Compliance I Code Code Inspection 

Assistance Results '~ l e~~~s Remarks: 

On 10/7/09 I responded to a spill incident that occurred in an unnamed tributary which leads to Brush Run a HQ 

watershed in Hopewell Twp., Washington County. The release happened when a 90 degree elbow ruptured from a 

pipeline transporting flow back water from the Berdnarski impoundment to the Keams well site. It was estimated 

that a total of 10,500 gallons were lost to the tributary. Range Resource and Red Oak employees quickly shut the 

pump off and stopped the water flow. A make shift dam was constructed where the flow back water first entered 

the tributary. An estimated 500 gallons was pumped out of this pool and the rest was lost downstream. The distance 

from where the spill entered the tributary down to Brush Run was 0.4 miles. The incident was discovered at 6:40 

pm on 10/6/09 and called into the Department at 7:40pm on 10/6/09. The incident was improperly reported because 

after normal working hours all incidents should be reported to the emergency number 412-442-4000. Instead the 

incident was reported to an inspector at his residence. Once on site we began to walk the stream and collect 

samples (SAC 942). While walking the stream we observed some dead fish. There was no dead vegetation on the 

banks or in the channel and a very light sheen observed in a few spots. A report from Brian Dillemuth (Water 

Pollution Biologist II) confirmed that 57 Creek Chubs, 34 Black nose Dace and 6 unknown Salamanders were 

killed from the spill. 
Sample No. J Location/Description DEPRep: ] 

____________________________________________________________________________________ S~ig!l_!!t}!~t!l_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _l?~t~: _! ~!? WJ. ____ _ (print name)Bryon Miller Time: 9:00 

Page 2 of1 
5500-FM-OGOOI6b Rev. 5/2004 

Law I Re2. Section 

CSL 301 

.CSL 307 

CSL 402 

PA Code 78.54 

PA Code 78.57a I 

PA Code 78.60a / 

PACode 91.33a 

. ~ ,;..._ ' ... .. , 

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

OIL AND GAS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 

Notice ofViolation(s) 

Description of Violation 

Operator discharged flow back water into the waters of the Commonwealth .. 

Operator discharged flow back water into the waters of the Commonwealth. 

Operator managed flow back water in a manner that created a danger for pollution. 

Operator improperly disposed of fluids (flow back water). 

Operator failed to control, store flow back water properly. 

Operator allowed a discharge of flow back water to the waters of the Commonwealth. 

Operator failed to immediately report release to the waters of the Commonwealth . 

Instructions I Response 

You are requested to respond as indicated below by . If applicable, please include the description of activities you will pursue to 

achieve compJiance with the statutes or regulations cited above. Address your reply to the DEP representative named below. 

!:) Written response requested. D Include explanation of cause of violation(s). 

0 Explain what you ... 0 have done, or 0 will do ... to correct the situation and achieve compliance. 

0 Include the schedule or anticipated time frame for COD:~plil:mce activities you intend to carrv out. if*;;,"-'"'" ''~';): --. :di.iiti;;~ 

Comments: 

The Department received an Incident report on 10/08/09. 

Permit Reg. No. Date DEP Rep. Cert. Mail# Date 

125-23274 10/07/09 Bryon Miller 70072560000071899957 I 0/ 14/09 

Page 3of3 
5500-FM-OG0016a Rev. 5/2004 

DEP Office 

Addfess 

,Oper·Name .. 

Add~ss' 

<. 

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

OIL AND GAS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 

INSPECTION REPORT 

Ctlhforrua District fl.'lc:e. P-hmre (724) 769: I 070 

25 T e'CI:inolqgy Dr.i ve 

Ca~tl Cenwr~ PA 15423· 

Range Resources Appalacl1ia LLC 

380 Southpointe Blvd 

Suite 300 

Canonsburg, P A 15317 

DEP • Inspection Rl:cord # 

USE ONLY • 1838020 

Complaint Record # Enforcement Rl:cord # 

-

l?emrit or Reg. 125-23274 

Project-#: Kearns lH 

Farm& #~ 

County: Washington 

Municipality: Hopewell Twp. 

Latitude: " N 

Longitude: 0 ' "W 

Inspection ::J BOREL- Bond Release D DRAL T - Drilling or Alteration D RDSPR- Road Spreading 

Code: 

Oh t er: 

[8] CEI - Compliance Evaluation 

0 COMPL - Complaint Inspection 

0 FL WUP -Following 

D PLUG- Plugging 

D p . enmt E . d xorre D Alt/M et h . D A nnu us 0 Jpen D e ement R eturns 

D RESTR- Site Restoration 

D RTNC -Routine 

D R ecommen dB on dRI e ease 

Location I Insp. ·1 Violation Driller's Log Information Ill I Depth: 

Site ID Sign I I Fresh Water Salt Water L Coal Formation 

I D ! Amt/Depth Amt/Depth I Thickness I Depth Oil I Depth Gas/Depth 

l 

! D I I . I I 

i D I I i 

I I 

I ' I I ! I 

I I 

I I Drilling I Plugging -~,:.~;~~ • .• +;,·.·;, ..• ,,.,; I 

Drilling-Plugging I I Filling Material & Plugs Casing & Tubing 

Notification ! I From To Size Pulled Left 

I I I I 

I I I 

I ! I ' I 

I i I 

Waste Mgmt. . I I I I 

Top Hole Water i I I 

Fluids Mgmt. ][8] I 

Impoundment/pit 1[81 I ' 

Pollution Prevent. i I i I 

Residual Waste I D I Compliance :1 Code I Code Inspection I Code 

I I Assistance Results NOVIO 

Remarks: 

Conducted a follow-up CEI inspection at the site where Range Resources had a release of flow back water. The pipe that was transferring 

the back flow water is still in the culvert and intact. The culvert and stream was clear of contaminants. There was no dead aquatic or 

vegetative life observed downstream from where the spill occurred 

Received an incident report from Range Resources on 10/08/09. Range also updated the Preparedness, Prevention and Contingency Plan 

for Construction, Operation and Testing procedures for above ground pipelines. A copy of the updated plan was received on 10/15/09. 

Date: 10/26/09 

Time: 7:00 
I 

5500-FM-OG0016a Rev. 5/2004 

DEP Inspection Record # 

USE ONLY 1838020 ;;: 

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

OIL AND GAS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Complaint Record# Enforcement Record # 

DEP .Offic:~ 

Address 

0 pel N<rme 

Ad dress 

Inspection 

Code: 

Other: 

Lo~ation 

Site ID Sign 

INSPECTION REPORT 

Ci3..1 i forni.a I) i~lrict '0fti ee 

2$ i'e:cl:tnolo.ey Driv!!,·, 

Ooiil GeL1te!', PA 154'23 

Range Resource.5 Appalach.ia LLC 

380 Soulhpoi:ntc Blvd 

Suite 300 

Canonsburg, PA 15317 

::::J BDREL- Bond Release 

I:8J CEI - Compliance Evaluation 

0 COMPL - Complaint Inspection 

D Pernrit Expired D Alt/Meth. 

- Phone {724) 769-1070 Permit or R~g. 125-23274 

D 

Project #: Keams lR 

Pann & #: 

'! _£oun!}l: _'jli a.shin_Alon 

· Mw1icipality: Hopewell Twp. 

LaWudc: 

Longitude : 

0 DRALT - Drilling or Alteration 

0 FLWUP -Following 

0 PLUG- Plugging 

Annulus Open D Cement Returns 

0 i .,. N 

" ., " \V 

D RDSPR- Road Spreading 

D RESTR- Site Restoration 

0 R1NC -Routine 

D Recommend Bond Release 

lnsp._ Viol~tio n Driller's Ll)g 1n form"a.lion J D~~fh: 

! Cmd Formation 

-I--

I 

Fresh \Vate I Salt Water 

Arnt I Depth Amt / D.eplh Thickness I Depth Oil. / Depth Gas I Depth 

! 0 D I 

i I I 

·o I 

D I 

! 

I i I I 

D l Drilling.! Ph:ul.t!.ing 

Drilllil_ ~ !:liWJn~ Fill.i.ng Ma.t ria.l & Plugs I CasinJ!. &Tubing 

Notification i Fmm To Size PuUed Left 

I 

0 1- I 

itl I 

D D 

Waste M1;,rml, I 

Top Hole Water I 

Fluids Mgmt. ~ 

lmpounc.l.mc.nllpit [8 

Pollution Prevent ID 

Residual Waste D D ._com p liunce I Code Code in P!!Ctipn I Code 

A:S-,'>t!lf:l:n ce Rcs:ults NOVIO 

Remarks: 

r--

1--

Conducted a follow-up CEI inspection at the site where Range Resources had a release of flow back water. The pipe that was transferring 

the back flow water is still in the culvert and intact. The culvert and stream was clear of contaminants. There was no dead aquatic or 

vegetative life observed downstream from where the spill occurred 

Received an incident report from Range Resources on 10/08/09. Range also updated the Preparedness, Prevention and Contingency Plan 

for Construction, Operation and Testing procedures for above ground pipelines. A copy of the updated plan was received on 10/15/09. 

I '.-~ "· ' , ... ,. Sample No. ;:e~:'i. • ·· Location/Description ',, '' ~"':::'···•-t;c "'! DEP R~: -1 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _(~!g~-~~) ______ ___ _____________________ !?~~: ~~~~~~~-- -- (print name)B_!Yon Miller Time: 7:00 

Page 1 of 1 

f:\r •' _, --A- L-
RANGE RESOURCES 

October 8, 2009 

Mr. Vince Yantko 

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 

California District Office 

25 Technology Drive 

Coal Center, Pennsylvania 15423 

Dear Mr. Yantko: 

Subject: Incident Report 

Range Resources -Appalachia LLC 

Kearns Unit Well Nos. 1 H, 2H, 3H, 4H, 5H and 6H 

RECEIVED 

OCT 1 3 2009 

Dept. of Environmental Protection 

California District Office 

Well Permit Nos. 37-125-23274, 37-125-23275, 37-125-23640, 37-125-

23644, 37-125-23641, and 37-125-23642 

Hopewell Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania 

Range Resources- Appalachia, LLC (Range Resources) is submitting this letter as an 

incident report regarding the spill incident that occurred in conjunction with the fracturing 

operations on the Kearns Unit Well Nos. 1 H, 2H, 3H, 4H, 5H and 6H in Hopewell 

Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. The Kearns Unit Well Nos. 1 H, 2H, 3H, 

4H, 5H and 6H are permitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental 

Protection (PADEP) Bureau of Oil & Gas Management under Permit Nos. 37-125-

23274,37-125-23275,37-125-23640,37-125-23644,37-125-23641, and 37-125-23642, 

respectively. This submittal contains the following information regarding the incident: 

• A description of the incident, including the cause of the incident and notifications 

that were made; 

• Actions taken to contain the release and recover the spill; and 

• Actions to be taken to prevent a similar incident in the future. 

Description of Incident 

On Tuesday, October 6, 2009, Red Oak Water Transfer (Red Oak) was pumping diluted 

flowback water from Range Resources' Bednarski Impoundment to the Kearns frac. 

The water was being conveyed through an approximately 6-mile long run of 8-inch 

diameter PVC pipe that had been pressure tested prior to pumping the diluted flowback 

water. The pipe was hydrostatically pressure tested using fresh water to 150 psi on 

Thursday and Friday, October 1 and 2, 2009. The straight sections of pipe were 

connected with couplers specifically for this type of pipe to prevent leaks; however, at 

connections such as elbows, the connections were glued. The piping held the pressure 

Range Resources - Appalachia LLC 

380 Southpointe Blvd Suite 300 Canonsburg, PA 15317 Tel: (724) 743-6700 Fax: (724) 743-6790 
Mr. Vince Yantko 

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 

October 8, 2009 

Page 2 

when pressure tested with fresh water. The piping was laid through a culvert under 

Cherry Road with a 90 degree elbow in the piping on the upstream end of the culvert 

and the piping then went up a hill. This elbow was glued. 

On October 6, 2009, Red Oak was transferring the water at a rate of 22 bbls per minute 

and an approximate pressure of 140 psi. In an effort to keep a sufficient supply of water 

in the Kearns Impoundment for the frac, the rate of pumping was increased to 25 bbls 

per minute with an approximate pressure of 145 psi. At approximately 7:00 pm, Red 

Oak noticed that they had lost pressure in the line and immediately turned the pumps 

off. The Red Oak employee discovered that at the 90 degree elbow connection at the 

culvert had broken loose and had ruptured (N40o 12' 39.6" and W80o 23' 51.2"). He 

immediately reported to Matt Werner and Jeremy Matinko of Range Resources that the 

line had ruptured at the 90 degree elbow connection and the diluted flowback water had 

spilled. Matt Werner of Range Resources calculated that approximately 250 barrels of 

the diluted flowback water had spilled out of the piping onto the ground. At the location 

of the elbow, the piping was laying in an unnamed tributary to Brush Run. Brush Run is 

a tributary to Buffalo Creek, which is a High Quality waterway. 

Jeremy Matinko reported the spill to the PADEP Oil and Gas Inspector (Richard Freese) 

at 7:40 pm. He also went out to the site to observe and respond to the spill. In addition 

to Jeremy reporting to Richard Freese, Carla Suszkowski phoned Mike Arch, the 

PADEP Inspector Supervisor, and reported the spill. The primary contributing factor 

that led to this failure was found to be a defective elbow coupling that parted during the 

pumping process. 

Actions Taken to Contain the Release and Recover the Spill 

Upon discovering the incident, Range Resources personnel immediately took steps to 

attempt to contain the release. As previously stated, Red Oak personnel immediately 

shut down the pumps and flow was halted through the pipe. A vacuum truck was used 

to clean out 500 gallons of the spilled water that was contained in low areas in the 

tributary. In addition, absorbent material was also used in the immediate area of the 

spill to soak up residual fluid. The area was also flushed with approximately 1,200 

gallons of fresh water. 

Within 1 hour of the spill, Red Oak had reconnected the pipe at the elbow and had 

resumed pumping. They reconnected the pipe with a similar glued connection. They 

continue to monitor and walk the pipeline every 30 minutes to help to ensure that a 

similar incident does not occur again. 

A sample of the diluted flowback water was taken from the piping and sent for 

characterization. The results are given below: 
Mr. Vince Yantko 

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 

October 8, 2009 

Page 3 

• pH= 7.7 

• Chloride = 11 ,000 mg/L 

• Specific Gravity= 1.015 

• Hardness= 37.4 mg/L 

• Calcium = 1503 mg/L 

• Iron= 3 mg/L 

• Bicarbonate= 146 mg/L 

Range Resources took part in the inspection conducted by the PADEP on October 7, 

2009. At the time of the inspection, the PADEP identified a loss of approximately 200-

300 minnows, collectively weighing less than 1 pound. At the time of the-inspection, the 

PADEP also went upstream of the point of the spill and identified what appeared to be a 

sewage discharge into the unnamed tributary. No samples of the discharge could be 

collected because no sample bottles were available. 

Actions to be Taken to Prevent a Similar Incident in the Future 

To prevent a similar incident in the future, Range Resources IS 1n the process of 

developing a Water Transfer Operating Standards to include as an Appendix to our 

Preparedness, Prevention, and Contingency (PPC) Plan that contractors will be 

required to follow when installing and using above-ground pipeline for flowback water 

pumping. Range Resources anticipates that some of the safe-guards to be included in 

this plan are: 

• Detailed description of how the hydrostatic pressure test shall be conducted and 

how the pressure shall be determined for testing; 

• Procedures for addressing leaks during hydrostatic pressure testing; 

• Detailed procedures for piping run through culverts under roads; 

• Procedures for the installation of check valves at low points to prevent spills if a 

piping failure does occur; 

• Description of the line inspections to be performed by the contractor, frequency 

of the inspections, and documentation of the inspections; 

• Descriptions of the location of spill containment apparatus and procedures to be 

followed if a piping failure occurs near a stream; 

• Procedures for addressing leaks that occur during operation; and 

• Procedures to drain lines, contain fluids, repair the line and re-pressure test the 

pipeline. 

In addition to the development of this plan, Range Resources will review our 

Preparedness, Prevention, and Contingency (PPC) Plan for Washington County and 
Mr. Vince Yantko 

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 

October 8, 2009 

Page 4 

make appropriate changes to the plan in light of this incident. Both of these plans will 

be submitted to the PADEP by October 16, 2009, unless requested otherwise by the 

PADEP. 

If you have any questions, or require any additional information, please call me. 

Very truly yours, 

RANGE RESOURCES- APPALACHIA, LLC 

c~ / 

Carla L. Suszkows . 11 P .. 

Environmental Engineering Manager 

cc: Jack Crook, PADEP Southwest Regional Office 

Alan Eichler, PADEP Southwest Regional Office 

Michael Sherman, PADEP Central Office 

Barbara Sexton, PADEP Central Office 
5500-FM-0C-'>016a Rev. 5/2004 

DEP 

USE ONLY 

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

OIL AND GAS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Complaint Record # Enforcement Record # 

DEP Office 

Address 

-· 

O{l~rName 

Address 

Inspection 

Code: 

Other: 

Location 

Site ID Sign 

INSPECTION REPORT 

Pl'I'TSBVRGH :Phone: (412) 442Z4009 Permit or Reg.#: 125~23641 

400 WATERFRONT DRIVE Project#: 

PITISBURGH, PA. 15222. farn1 & #: KEARNS 5-H 

RANGERESOURCESAPPALACHIA_LLC County: WASHJNGTON 

380 SOUTHPOINTE BLVD Municipality: HOPEWELL 

STEJOO latitude: 0 ; " N 

CANNONSBURG,PA. l5317 Longitude: .g ' " \V 

.J BOREL - Bond Release 0 ORAL T - Drilling or Alteration D RDSPR- Road Spreading D CEI - Compliance Evaluation 

D COMPL - Complaint Inspection 

D Permit Expired D Alt/Meth. D 

D FL WUP -Following 

D PLUG- Plugging 

Annulus Open D Cement Returns 

D RESTR - Site Restoration 

[8:1 RTNC - Routine 

D Recommend Bond Release 

Insp. Violation Driller's Log Infonnation I Depth: 

I Fresh Water Salt Water Coal Formation 

: AmtiDepth AmtiDepth Thickness I Depth Oil I Depth Gas /Depth 

I 

I I 

! 

! - ! 

I I 

I Diillin_g I Plugging 

Drilling-Plugging .. Fining Materia·! & P.lugs ' Casi ng & Tubing 

Notification : i From .. · Ta s Size . .• Pulled 'Left 

I I i'- i. " ; : ' ... 

- • # •• i .. - ·- -.-~ . -- .. ~ ' -~ i:~ .... -.# -~- ~ .•. " 

i I D ' CJ c' ·t~ .. ' ' 

i D ' \. ~ l ~ 1.11~-" J [· ·' !- .... . \' . .. . . ~ ...... . . ....,,, _ ., ··~1 • .- .• ·-- ... - ;1 . . ! 

! 

Waste Mgmt. I 

Top Hole Water I 

Fluids Mgmt. I 

Impoundment/nit I ! 

Pollution Prevent. I 

Residual Waste ! I Compliance I Code Code Inspection I Code I Assistance Results NOVIO 

Remarks: 

7:40PM 10/6/09 NOTIFIRD BY JEARAMY MA TINK.O THAT A TRANSFER LINE FROM AN IMPOUNDMENT TO A FRAC AT 

KEARNS 5-H HAD RUPTURED. APPROX. 250 BBL.S OF DILUfED USED FRAC WATER HAD BEEN RELEASED INTO A 

TRIBUfARY OF BUFFALO RUN. 

TESTING BY RANGE SHOWED 11000/PPM OF CLORIDE IN PIT MR. MA~O TOLD ME AT 9:30PM. I NOTIFIED VINCE 

YANTKOFROMWATERQUALITY AT lO:lOPM. 

' 

I WAS ON SITE AT 5:30.PM 10nl09 AND ENTERD TRlB AT 7:30AM DOWN STREAM OF SPILL. I FOUND SEVERAL SMALL 

DEAD FISH. WATER QUALITY PERSONEL ARRIVED LATER AND WILL WRITE VIOLATIONS. 

Date: 10/712009 

--

----------------- --------------------- Time: 05:30 

Page 1 of 
. ~ ., 

.... ~C"· 

-~ t'r~ 

j.__ ~­ t.~-. 

I 

5500-FM-OGOOI6a Rev. 5/2004 

DEP Offi.oe .. 

A:ddre$S 

OperName 

Addres 

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA 

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

OIL AND GAS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 

INSPECTION REPORT 

PI'rl'SBU RCH .Phone (412) 44;2-4009 '-:--:-; 

,100 WA TERF'RONT DRlV£ 

PITISBIJRGH, PA. 15222 

Ri\tJ_GE RESOURCES APPALACHIA LLC 

380 SOUTHPOINTE BLVD 

STE 300 

CANNONSBURG, P A. 153 17 

DEP Inspection Record # 

USE ONLY-' , ..,. \ "8~9 3 <B 4 

Complaint Record # Enforcement Record # 

Pellllit or Re·g. #: 125-23641 

Project#: 

Farm & #: KEARNS S~H 

County: WASHINGTON 

Municipality: HOPE\VELL 

Latitude: 0 I II N 

Longitude: 0 I "'V -

lnspectron 0 BOREL - Bond Release 

Code: 0 CEI- Compliance Evaluation 

0 COMPL - Complaint Inspection 

0 DRALT- Dnllmg or Alteration 

0 FLWUP -Following 

0 RDSPR- Road Spreadmg 

0 RESTR- Site Restoration 

0 PLUG- Plugging [8] RTNC -Routine 

Other: 0 Permit Exoired 0 Alt/Meth 0 Annulus Ooen 0 Cement Returns 0 Recommend Bond Release 

Location Insp. Violation Driller's Log Information -" -·.;r l Depth: 

Site ID Sie:n Fresh Water Salt Water Coal Formation 

I D Amt/Depth Amt/Depth Thickness I Depth Oil/ Depth Gas/Depth 

D 

I ! I I 

hments D 

! 

I 

I Drilling I Plugging ,, . _-;~" 

- . Drilling-Plugging I Filling Material & Plugs -. .'-;' .·· Casing_ & Tubing •. 

Notification ' ' ·' I I ·Frot;n' .. :·.; •.'f.Q • I ' ·size _,· ... Pulled Left 

-B.O.P. 

-- i ! . '\ ' . ~ ,_ 

i ..~ :• . I ' . .. ' .. ,. . . ~~ .... ~. ~.;.._ . ~· ~ :•· ·-- . - ~ :· ~-- .. . ·- .. .. Casing I ! i r:u·-, .,_ ... 

Monument I .!t•·, ~ • I t ! ·,.: ! i -.. ...... '· • ...... , . .,._ . . - ., ... -·'" -· ... ... ·J' 

! 

Waste Mgmt. 

Top Hole Water I 

Fluids Mgmt. I 

Irnooundment/oit : 

Pollution Prevent. I 

Residual Waste ! Compliance · I Code Code Inspection I Code 

Assistance Results NOVIO 

Remarks: 

7:40PM 10/6/09 NOTIFIRD BY 1EARAMY MATINKO THAT A TRANSFER LINE FROM AN IMPOUNDMENT TO A FRAC AT 

KEARNS 5-H HAD RUPTURED. APPRO X. 250 BBL.S OF DILUTED USED FRAC WATER HAD BEEN RELEASED INTO A 

TRIBUTARY OF BUFFALO RUN. 

TESTING BY RANGE SHOWED 11 000/PPM OF CLORIDE IN PIT MR. MATINKO TOLD ME AT 9:30PM. I NOTIFIED VINCE 

YANTKOFROMWATERQUALITY AT 10:10PM. - . 

·- -

-

I WAS ON SITE AT 5:30 PM 1 On/09 AND ENTERD TRIB AT 7:30 AM DOWN STREAM OF SPILL. I FOUND SEVERAL SMALL 

DEAD FISH. WATER QUALITY PERSONEL ARRIVED LATER AND WILL WRITE VIOLATIONS. 

Page 1 of 

I