Today, the American Geosciences Institute and a number
of sponsors (AASG, USGS, AAPG, AEG …), broadcast
a 60-minute webinar spotlighting the state response to induced seismicity in
OK, TX and OH; states that have seen dramatic increases in seismicity over the
past decade. More than 350 people joined the webinar.
Great information – and graphics - from each
participant documented how their state government was responding to an exponential increase in earthquakes powered by increased wastewater injection associated with oil and gas production.
Showcasing Oklahoma, most of the recent seismicity is the
result of fluid pressure increase from injection of wastewater. Induced seismicity
from fracking activities has been minor and limited to small magnitude events,
e.g., M1 to M2, with rare M3. Oklahoma would like to build out a $4M seismic
network to enhance seismic monitoring, and is now exploring funding
opportunities. The situation in TX is more involved and complex and I’ll pass
on trying to summarize Michael Young’s excellent presentation.
In Ohio, oil and gas production has increased
exponentially since 2011 with most wells tapping the Utica Formation in eastern
Ohio. Similarly, injection volumes
increased exponentially over the same time window with 32 million barrels of
water injected in 2015. Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources has built an excellent
public awareness and educational outreach program to address the concerns of
Ohio citizenry.
Take-Away – Rising oil and gas production accompanied by wastewater injection will continue to produce induced seismicity. All three states are
making inroads into reducing and controlling induced seismicity, but it’s not
going away.
Webinar Date 4/14/2017
Panel participants
• Jeremy Boak, Ph.D., Director, Oklahoma Geological
Survey, Mewbourne College of Earth & Energy, University of Oklahoma
• Michael H. Young, Ph.D., Associate Director for
Environment, Texas Bureau of Economic Geology, John A. and Katherine G. Jackson
School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin
• Steven Dade, Geologist 2, Ohio Department of Natural
Resources, Division of Oil & Gas Resources Management
For additional information: AGI-Induced-Seismicity
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