FERC plans to fine Energy Transfer Partners LP and subsidiary Rover Pipeline LLC $40 million over alleged violations during work on a 2017 horizontal directional drill (HDD) at the Tuscarawas River in Stark County, OH.

Rover PIpeline Map

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission handed down a show cause order during last week’s monthly meeting, formalizing its intent to impose the fine based on the findings of its Office of Enforcement.

After an investigation, enforcement staff determined that Rover contractors “intentionally and routinely” added diesel fuel and other unapproved substances to the drilling mud to speed up completion of the Tuscarawas HDD during construction of the 711-mile Appalachia-to-Midwest natural gas conduit.

Rover also failed to properly monitor the right-of-way at...