EPA v. EXCO RESOURCES (PA), LLC

Case summary

EXCO RESOURCES (PA), LLC VIOLATED THE TERMS OF ITS UIC PERMIT FOR IRVIN A-19 BRINE DISPOSAL WELL AT BRADY FIELD IN BELL TOWNSHIP, CLEARFIELD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. EXCO a) CONTINUED TO OPERATE ITS BRINE DISPOSAL WELL AFTER IT FAILED MECHANICAL INTEGRITY; b) FAILED OT NOTIFY EPA OF A WELL REWORK; c) FAILED TO TIMELY NOTIFY EPA OF A MECHANICAL INTEGRITY TEST; AND d) EXCEEDED INJECTION PRESSURE LIMITATIONS SPECIFIED IN ITS UIC PERMIT. THIS CONSTITUTES A VIOLATION OF SECTION 1421 OF THE SDWA, 42 U.S.S. SECTION 300h AND 1423 OF THE SDWA, 42 U.S.C. SECTION 300h-2. CONDUCT WHICH VIOLATES UIC REQUIREMENTS FOR INJECTION WELLS THREATENS UNDERGROUND SOURCES OF DRINKING WTER WITH POTENTIAL CONTAMINATION. UNDER THE TERMS OF THE CAFO, EXCO IS REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH ITS UIC PERMIT. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAFO MAKE EXCO SUBJECT TO STRICKER REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, REDUCTIONS IN THE ALLOWABLE SURFACE AND BOTTOM HOLE INJECTION PRESSSURE, AND OTHER OPERATING PARAMETERS. THE CAFO ALSO REQUIRES EXCO TO PROPERLY REWORK THE WELL AND DEMONSTRATE MECHANICAL INTEGRITY. (

Defendants (1)

• EXCO RESOURCES (PA), LLCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• IRVIN A-19 BRINE DISPOSAL WELL

  BELL TOWNSHIP, MAHAFFEY, PA, 15757

  Registry ID: 110045455761

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1422/1423 — UIC Regulations Classes I - V
• SDWA 1421 — UIC Regulations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• EXCO RESOURCES (PA), LLCentered 2012-03-30

  Primary law: SDWA

  Federal penalty: $159,624

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2012-03-30Final Order Issued
• 2012-03-30Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2012-04-05Enforcement Action Data Entered