Two earthquakes hit near Oklahoma crude oil hub
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
The Columbus Dispatch reports that a 4.5-magnitude earthquake shook the town of Cushing, Oklahoma, Oct. 10. A 4.4-magnitude earthquake hit Medford, Oklahoma, earlier the same day.
In September, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission ordered that companies should either shut down saltwater disposal wells or that usage be reduced at saltwater disposal wells near Cushing, which is a crude oil hub.
Since 2009, the region has experienced a number of earthquakes above a 3.0 magnitude, with an average of at least two earthquakes per day recorded. These earthquakes are believed to be tied to fracking.
Via: The Columbus Dispatch > 4.5-magnitude quake strikes Oklahoma drilling hub
More about seismic activity and fracking:
- Work group releases primer to U.S. drilling states for handling earthquakes Sept. 29, 2015
- Geologic differences mean more seismic activity in Ohio than Pennsylvania from injection wells July 4, 2015
- Fracking-related quakes prompt drillers to be aware of fault lines Aug. 23, 2014
- “Frackquakes”: The after-effects of wastewater injection July 8, 2014
- Texas Residents Urge Action on Earthquakes Jan. 9, 2014
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.