Partnering to Improve Communities

Seneca Resources is committed to making a positive impact in our communities, and we often look for innovative ways to collaborate with others that share our values of Teamwork, Safety, Professionalism, Environmental Stewardship, Community, and Technical Excellence.

How Planning Ahead Improves Our Watersheds

Seneca Resources has teamed up with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to improve fish habitat along West Branch Clarion River in Jones Township, Elk County. Crews installed a rock cross vane and two log-framed stone deflectors to channel flow, create better pools, provide overhead cover for wildlife, and prevent stream bank erosion. Seneca donated about 200 tons of stone for the project.

Something many people aren't aware of is that Seneca collects stone and other natural resources, like trees, during pad and road construction. Instead of selling or disposing of it, Ben Williams, Sr. Manager, Construction, actively works with local conservation groups to find ways to put the materials to good use.

"We intentionally look for opportunities to repurpose natural materials that are displaced by our operations," said Williams. "We keep in contact with local conservation groups about their projects and how Seneca can assist and give back, particularly within our asset development areas.”

Williams and his team make local agencies aware of what materials are available and then stockpiles them for future use. They also coordinate?with groups to match materials to a specific project. For example, if a species of tree is needed.

"That's one thing Ben and Seneca has always expressed to us," said Luke Bobnar, Watershed Projects Manager for the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. "Instead of having materials go to waste, he connects with us to find beneficial reuse for them. "

The West Branch Clarion River project is part of a larger ongoing effort to improve the watershed.?In the 1800s, commercial transportation used the stream to take timber to market. Many of the log jams and large boulders had to be removed to make way, causing damage to the stream beds. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and other local organizations, have been working to restore the stream and improve ecology. Seneca has been a devoted partner in these efforts, donating materials, manpower, and equipment needed for the job.

"Instead of having materials go to waste, he connects with us to find beneficial reuse for them. "

One resource that has proven very useful over the years is root wads. A root wad is the lower trunk and root of a large tree, commonly used to stabilize stream banks and provide fish habitat.

“Root wads provide a diversity of habitat for not only fish but also macroinvertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds- anything that’s using the stream," said Bobnar. "Many different species benefit from the diversity and complexity of root wads.”

Seneca is a regular provider of root wads for local conservation projects. Root wads are more difficult to harvest, making them harder to come by. The process is more expensive and requires more time and specialized equipment.

“It would be much easier to sell the tree and have a dozer go through and clear off all the stumps. But when you want to preserve the root and stem, it’s a much harder process,” said Bobnar.

Seneca continues to collect materials in preparation for a large improvement project, scheduled for early 2023. The project, which is a joint effort between the Western PA Conservancy, PA Game Commission, and Seneca Resources, involves removing a large section of roadway and turning it back into a waterway.

A New Way to Power Our Operations

Seneca and its drilling contractor, Patterson, are utilizing new equipment to increase operational efficiencies and reduce carbon emissions. While drilling in the Western Development Area, Patterson recently deployed an EcoCell on its 805 rig. An EcoCell is a large lithium battery that stores energy for the time of peak energy demand during drilling operations. The EcoCell works with the existing bi-fuel (diesel and natural gas) generators, allowing the generators to perform at optimal conditions while providing charge to the battery. In one month of using the EcoCell, Seneca and Patterson reduce the number of generators needed - eliminating nearly 13-thousand gallons of diesel fuel and 130 MT CO2. Seneca and Patterson will continue to utilize the EcoCell as we turn our focus to the Eastern Development Area.?

Impacting Our Communities

Seneca Resources is pleased to introduce Seneca Serves - a volunteer program established to bring employees from Houston and Pennsylvania together to serve our communities.

Seneca Resources has been giving back to our communities in impactful ways for years; Seneca Serves formalizes this program and aims to provide more opportunities for employees to make a difference. The initiative kicked off with Volunteer Week in October. Employees from Seneca's Pittsburgh office went to the Network of Hope Food Bank in Allison Park, PA to distribute food to those in need.?

In Houston, employees volunteered at the Star of Hope, which provides shelter and support for the city's homeless. Volunteers made 250 sack lunches for men, women, and children at the shelter. In addition, both offices are hosting food drives to assist local food banks during the holiday season.?

Seneca Serves will also team up with Together We Rise to build bicycles and skateboards for kids living in foster care.

Help For Local Fire Departments

In honor of Fire Prevention Week,?Highland Field Services - Seneca Resources' water management subsidiary - presented $5,000 donations to Kane Volunteer Fire Department, Mt. Jewett Volunteer Fire Department, and Clermont Volunteer Fire Department. Over the last 4 years, Seneca has donated more than $90,000 to volunteer fire departments across Pennsylvania.?