OGS: Earthquakes Likely Triggered By Disposal Well Injections

The Oklahoma Geological Survey (OGS) has come out with news that many have suspected for years.

It believes the majority of the earthquakes in central and north central Oklahoma have been triggered by waste-water disposal wells used in oil and gas exploration.

It's the closest the state has come to directly linking Earthquakes to oil and gas production.

4/21/2015 Related Story: OGS: Oil, Gas Wastewater Disposal Wells Likely Trigger For Most Oklahoma Earthquakes

OGS said it's unlikely that our surge in earthquakes is due to something that is happening naturally.

It also said the primary source of the earthquakes is not from hydraulic fracking, but the injection and disposal of water produced in oil and gas production.

Many Oklahomans have earthquake insurance, but last year only eight out of 100 earthquake claims were paid.

4/21/2015 Related Story: More Research Needed On Disposal Wells & Earthquakes, OK Oil & Gas Says

Insurance Commissioner John Doak said in many of those cases, the damage did not match the amount of the deductible.

Doak wanted to remind Oklahomans that earthquake insurance often carries a very high deductible.

He said it's priced to be used during a catastrophic event, if a home is shaken to the ground.

Doak said it's not for the kind of minor damage we've seen during our recent earthquakes in Oklahoma.

Doak did say recent earthquakes have meant more policies being introduced by insurance companies that will pay for damage caused during a man-made earthquake.

“We are aware of some companies that are working on that in the market right now. Those policies may be coming forward in the next few months,” said Doak.

He encouraged Oklahoman's to closely look at their policies to understand what is and isn't covered.