May 2023
Working Together to Reduce Impact
Highland Field Services - Seneca's water management subsidiary - is partnering with EQT to reduce its environmental impact in Pennsylvania's Eastern Development Area (EDA). Both companies withdraw freshwater from Lycoming Creek in Lewis Township, PA, for EDA operations, and each utilizes a pump station on either side of the creek.
To eliminate the need for additional infrastructure, Highland and EQT constructed the Lycoming Creek Connector - a water line buried beneath the stream that ties both stations together. The interconnect allows both operators to use the other's distribution system and gives Highland access to development pads on the other side of Lycoming Creek, where it lacks access to fresh water.
Work on Highland's pump station is underway, and crews are laying dozens of miles of water line to carry the water to development pads. Highland Field Services estimates that the Lycoming Creek project will eliminate approximately 200 water trucks daily and the associated emissions.
Highland Field Services manages the sourcing, handling, and recycling of fluids generated by and used in Seneca's operations and has invested more than $100 million in water infrastructure in Pennsylvania. In 2022, Highland recycled over 90% of Seneca's produced fluids. As a result of increased completions activity in the EDA, Highland acquired an additional water-handling facility in Blossburg, PA, to increase produced water storage capabilities and maximize opportunities for reuse.
Strategic GHG Planning Workshop
On May 3rd, a Strategic GHG Planning Workshop was held at National Fuel Gas Company ’s headquarters in Williamsville, NY. The workshop brought together air quality subject matter experts and executives across all segments of National Fuel to discuss a variety of topics impacting our company and our industry. The in-person gathering facilitated discussion and allowed each segment to highlight important topics, including:
Based on the success of the first Strategic GHG Workshop, future sessions are planned to continue the conversation on greenhouse gas emissions and air quality throughout our operations.
Fueling Hope for Veterans
Seneca Serves recently teamed up with the National Fuel Gas Company VetFuel employee resource group for a volunteer event at the PTSD Foundation Of America 's Camp Hope Facility in Houston. Camp Hope takes in combat veterans from across the country struggling with the effects of combat-related Post Traumatic Stress. The nine-month program provides veterans housing, mental health assistance, peer-to-peer mentoring, and employment assistance. Seneca's volunteers assisted by cleaning up outdoors, doing yard work, inventory, and serving lunch. Air Force Veteran and Seneca employee Kevin Lestage coordinated the day of service.
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"As a member of the VetFuel ERG and Seneca Serves, it made sense to combine these efforts in reaching out to a local organization that supports our military Veterans," said Lestage, Vice President, Information Technology. "I wanted to learn more about Camp Hope's work to help rehabilitate combat Veterans who have PTSD and how we could help them in their effort."
In addition to volunteering, employees presented a check to Camp Hope for $4,200 on behalf of NFG VetFuel and the NFG Charitable Foundation. They also donated an additional $860 that our Houston office employees raised.
Demonstrating the Outdoors is for Everyone
Friends of Cook Forest recently received the 2023 President's Award from the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation for its work to create a Sensory Trail at the state park. The award recognizes the group for "providing a model of accessibility and inclusion - a literal path to demonstrating that The Outdoors is for Everyone." Seneca Resources is a proud supporter and contributed funding for the trail's construction.
Pittsburgh-area residents Mary Beth and Mike Doyle came up with the idea for the trail in 2021. They wanted to share the outdoors with their granddaughter, Mandy, who has been blind since birth. The one-quarter-mile paved loop is fully-accessible and includes braille signage, a guide cable, benches, and a picnic area at the trailhead.
"providing a model of accessibility and inclusion - a literal path to demonstrating that The Outdoors is for Everyone."
The Sensory Trail has also earned the 2023 PA Wilds Great Places Champion Award, which honors innovative asset development and promotion that have worked together to create an excellent new or revamped sustainable tourism destination within the PA Wilds.
Nurturing Future Stewards of the Environment
A labor of love came to life for local students participating in This Is My Quest's "Trout in the Classroom Project." They've been caring for more than 140 trout eggs since the beginning of the year. The eggs hatched, and earlier this month, the students released their fish into the waters of Stony Fork Creek in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. Seneca Resources' employee volunteer group, Seneca Serves, was on hand to assist the kids and hear about their projects.