More Research Needed On Injection Wells & Earthquakes, OK Oil & Gas Says

 The Oklahoma Oil & Gas Association responded to the Oklahoma Geological Survey's claim that the majority of earthquakes in central and north central Oklahoma have been triggered by wastewater disposal wells used in oil and gas exploration.

4/21/2015 Related Story: OGS: Earthquakes Likely Triggered By Disposal Well Injections

Representatives of Oklahoma Oil & Gas said further study is necessary to determine how disposal wells, which have been used in Oklahoma for decades, can be operated without causing further earthquakes.

“There may be a link between earthquakes and disposal wells, but we – industry, regulators, researchers, lawmakers or state residents – still don't know enough about how wastewater injection impacts Oklahoma's underground faults,” President Chad Warmington said.

In a press released Warmington said oil and natural gas producers have contributed valuable, proprietary seismic data to researchers to improve fault maps. He said producers also have agreed to provide additional information about their disposal well operations to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission as it works to mitigate the risk of induced seismicity.

Warmington also maintained that a moratorium on disposal wells is not feasible. “Not only would that halt oil and natural gas production in Oklahoma, there is no scientific evidence that stopping wastewater injection would result in fewer earthquakes,” he said. “That is why we need a better understanding of what is causing our earthquakes.”

Warmington noted disposal well operators have voluntarily ceased operation of specific wells linked to earthquakes.

He said safety continues to be a priority for the state's oil and gas producers, with an eye toward protecting the environment, the community and their workers.