Friday, November 6, 2015

Environmental Group Intends to Sue Oil and Gas Companies for Seismic Claims in Oklahoma

On October 29, 2015, the Sierra Club, an environmental association, notified four oil and gas companies of their intention to file a lawsuit against them for violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act resulting from earthquake swarms allegedly caused by the companies’ oil and gas disposal well operations in Oklahoma.

The four companies involved are Sandridge Exploration and Production, LLC, New Dominion, LLC, Devon Energy Production Co., LP, and Chesapeake Operating, LLC. 

In their claims, the environmental association argues that the companies are “jointly and severally liable” for causing or triggering earthquakes in Oklahoma “and is continuing to do so” which results in “an imminent and substantial endangerment to health and the environment.” Therefore, the environmental association seeks immediate risk reduction actions from the companies, such as reducing volume rates of fluid injection, implementing preventative infrastructure reinforcement, and creating an independent earthquake monitoring and prediction center.

The lawsuit can proceed in federal district court ninety (90) days from the companies’ receipt of this notice of intent. 

Written by Chloe Marie - Research Fellow
11/06/2015

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