Drilling fluid losses reported during HDD pipeline construction in western Pennsylvania
(UI) - Pennsylvania regulators are investigating the loss of more than 1.2 million gallons of drilling fluid during horizontal directional drilling (HDD) activities tied to a pipeline construction project in Washington County, according to state inspection records and public disclosures. The losses occurred during construction of the Chiarelli-to-Imperial pipeline segment in Mount Pleasant and Robinson townships, part of a broader midstream expansion project.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said the drilling fluid losses began in October 2025 and were associated with HDD operations beneath the two townships. According to PA Environment Digest, the agency issued a violation on Oct. 28, citing the operator for failing to report the incident within the required timeframe under its permit. DEP records indicate that a total of 18 drilling fluid loss incidents have since been reported, with no confirmed surface releases observed.
According to inspection reports, the operator stated that no inadvertent returns reached the surface and that continuing drilling along the existing bore path was deemed the most practical option under the circumstances. The drilling took place in an area underlain by abandoned mine workings, a condition that can increase the risk of subsurface fluid migration during HDD operations, PA Environment Digest reported.
DEP said it is continuing its investigation, including laboratory analysis of drilling mud and water samples collected from the area. The agency has not yet announced whether corrective actions or additional enforcement measures will be required as a result of the fluid losses.
State officials have encouraged residents with concerns related to private water wells to submit complaints through DEP’s environmental reporting system while the investigation remains ongoing. The timeline for final findings and any potential remediation requirements has not been disclosed.
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