Oklahoma approves $1.4m funding for research on earthquakes linked to wastewater disposal wells

Oklahoma has approved the use of nearly $1.4m from the state emergency fund to carry out research on earthquakes that are believed to be linked to wastewater disposal wells serving oil and gas operations.

Governor Mary Fallin announced the funding following lawsuits filed by residents in Oklahoma and Logan counties in the US against oil companies claiming that their houses are damaged due to earthquakes.

The funds would be directed to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) and the Oklahoma Geological Survey (OGS).

OCC will use $387,000 of the total funding to proceed with required updates and hire two contract geologists and other staff to work on seismic issues.

Additional seismic monitoring stations will be installed in western Oklahoma by OGS using $1m funding. In addition the monitoring network and mapping systems will be upgraded.

Studies will be carried out to focus on the way wastewater interacts with the Arbuckle formation, where most disposal wells operate.

Mary Fallin said in a statement: "Researchers tell us the state’s rise in earthquakes is caused by the disposal of produced saltwater deep into the Arbuckle formation beneath north central Oklahoma, not by hydraulic fracturing, but haven’t provided any clear answers on how to stop the shaking.

"The Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which has constitutional authority over oil and natural gas activity in the state, has issued 14 directives in the past year to companies that operate Arbuckle formation disposal wells in areas where earthquakes have occurred.

"Those directives were aimed at about 600 disposal wells in areas shaken the most by earthquakes."

90 of the wells are not operating, while another 245 wells have reduced the volume of wastewater disposal by more than 450,000 barrels a day.

The US Department of Energy also provided funds to non-governmental entity, the Ground Water Protection Council to build an electronic database to track disposal well activity.

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Image: The directives issued by OCC were aimed at about 600 disposal wells in areas shaken the most by earthquakes. Photo: courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net