Oklahoma geologists have documented strong links between increased seismic activity in the state and the injection into the ground of wastewater from oil and gas production, a state agency said on Tuesday.
Currently, Oklahoma is recording 2-1/2 earthquakes daily of a magnitude 3 or greater, a seismicity rate 600 times greater than observed before 2008, the report by the Oklahoma Geological Survey (OGS) said.
It is "very likely that the majority of the earthquakes" are triggered by wastewater injection activities tied to the oil and gas industry, the OGS said.
Last year the state recorded 585 magnitude 3 or greater, up sharply from 109 in 2013. Prior to 2008, Oklahoma averaged less than two a year.
The report said seismicity rates have increased with injection volumes. Other reports have also found links between oil and gas work and earthquakes that have rocked communities throughout the U.S. Midwest and South.
The drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," generates large amounts of wastewater. But the OGS report said fracking is responsible for only "a small percentage of the total volume of wastewater injected into disposal wells in Oklahoma."
On Tuesday, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates oil and gas work in the state, said this issue was its top priority.
The state launched a new website "Earthquakes in Oklahoma" to provide information to the public.
The Oklahoma Oil & Gas Association (OKOGA) said further study is needed.
"There may be a link between earthquakes and disposal wells, but we... still don't know enough about how wastewater injection impacts Oklahoma's underground faults," said OKOGA President Chad Warmington.
The energy sector is a major part of Oklahoma's economy, responsible for one in every four jobs in the state.
The biggest quake to date in Oklahoma history hit in November 2011. The 5.6-magnitude quake damaged more than a dozen homes along with several businesses.
Currently, Oklahoma is recording 2-1/2 earthquakes daily of a magnitude 3 or greater, a seismicity rate 600 times greater than observed before 2008, the report by the Oklahoma Geological Survey (OGS) said.
It is "very likely that the majority of the earthquakes" are triggered by wastewater injection activities tied to the oil and gas industry, the OGS said.
Last year the state recorded 585 magnitude 3 or greater, up sharply from 109 in 2013. Prior to 2008, Oklahoma averaged less than two a year.
Advertisement
The report said seismicity rates have increased with injection volumes. Other reports have also found links between oil and gas work and earthquakes that have rocked communities throughout the U.S. Midwest and South.
Advertisement
The drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," generates large amounts of wastewater. But the OGS report said fracking is responsible for only "a small percentage of the total volume of wastewater injected into disposal wells in Oklahoma."
Advertisement
On Tuesday, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates oil and gas work in the state, said this issue was its top priority.
Advertisement
The state launched a new website "Earthquakes in Oklahoma" to provide information to the public.
Advertisement
The Oklahoma Oil & Gas Association (OKOGA) said further study is needed.
"There may be a link between earthquakes and disposal wells, but we... still don't know enough about how wastewater injection impacts Oklahoma's underground faults," said OKOGA President Chad Warmington.
The energy sector is a major part of Oklahoma's economy, responsible for one in every four jobs in the state.
The biggest quake to date in Oklahoma history hit in November 2011. The 5.6-magnitude quake damaged more than a dozen homes along with several businesses.
© Thomson Reuters 2015
COMMENTS
Advertisement
US Police Halt UFO-Shaped Car. See What Happens Next US Passenger Jet Flies 500 Feet Over Buildings, Sparks Low Altitude Alert ONGC Net Profit Surges 19 Times In Q4, Sets Record High Profit In 2023-24 CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor: The Culprit Behind World's Biggest IT Outage Massive Worldwide Microsoft Outage: Flights, Markets, Stock Exchange Down Microsoft 'Blue Screen Of Death' Outage: Full List Of Services Hit In India Amid Microsoft Outage, Chromebook, MacBook Users Enjoyed Smooth Operation Time For Rihanna's Fenty To Take A Bow As It Partners With The Olympics Delhi Cops Crack Kidney Sale Racket Operating Across 5 States Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.