U.S. shale producer Coterra Energy pleaded no contest for contaminating well water in Dimock, Pennsylvania, and will pay $16.29 million to construct a new means of water supply to its residents, the state attorney general said on Tuesday.
The Houston-based company, formerly known as Cabot Oil and Gas, will also make 75 years of water bills payments for the impacted residents, who were exposed to drinking water polluted with metals and high levels of methane.
“Under this historic settlement, Coterra will now pay to build a new public water line that will provide clean, reliable drinking water for generations to come,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
Coterra took full responsibility for the environmental crimes committed, Shapiro said, adding that the agreement brought justice to the residents of Dimock, “who for years had been ignored.”
The attorney general charged Coterra in 2020 after a grand jury investigation showed that drilling unconventional gas wells by the company had been responsible for methane pollution in the local water supply.
Dimock was at the heart of the Marcellus Shale gas fracking boom that began in 2007. Residents complained that Cabot’s drilling caused methane gas to seep into their wells, to the extent that the contaminated water even caught fire.
Coterra did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Recommended Reading
US Oil, Gas Rig Count Unchanged This Week
2025-03-14 - The oil and gas rig count was steady at 592 in the week to March 14. Baker Hughes said that puts the total rig count down 37, or about 6% below this time last year.
Diversified, Partners to Supply Electricity to Data Centers
2025-03-10 - Diversified Energy Co., FuelCell Energy Inc. and TESIAC will create an acquisition and development company focused on delivering reliable, cost efficient net-zero power from natural gas and captured coal mine methane.
E&P Highlights: Jan. 21, 2025
2025-01-21 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, with Flowserve getting a contract from ADNOC and a couple of offshore oil and gas discoveries.
US Oil Rig Count Rises to Highest Since June
2025-04-04 - Baker Hughes said oil rigs rose by five to 489 this week, their highest since June, while gas rigs fell by seven, the most in a week since May 2023, to 96, their lowest since September.
Huddleston: Haynesville E&P Aethon Ready for LNG, AI and Even an IPO
2025-01-22 - Gordon Huddleston, president and partner of Aethon Energy, talks about well costs in the western Haynesville, prepping for LNG and AI power demand and the company’s readiness for an IPO— if the conditions are right.
Comments
Add new comment
This conversation is moderated according to Hart Energy community rules. Please read the rules before joining the discussion. If you’re experiencing any technical problems, please contact our customer care team.