Friday, November 20, 2015

Oklahoma Corporation Commission Takes New Actions to Reduce Risk of Induced Seismicity

On November 19, 2015, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) announced a plan to end operations at two disposal wells located in the Cherokee-Carmen area after a magnitude 4.7 earthquake hit northern Oklahoma this day. The Commission also requested a wastewater injection volume reduction of 41% for 23 other disposal wells.

According to a media report, it was one of the strongest earthquakes recorded since the magnitude 5.6 earthquake that hit Oklahoma in 2011.

On November 16, 2015, the OCC also required a volume reduction of 25% for all wells located within 3 to 6 miles of the magnitude 4.3 earthquake’s epicenter that struck the Fairview area on November 15.

On November 10, 2015, the OCC announced another volume-reduction plan in the Medford area due to recent seismic activities in this region. The Commission imposed operational changes to disposal wells operated by Sandridge Exploration Production, LLC, and Kirkpatrick Oil Company, Inc. According to the plan, all wells located within 3 miles of the recent earthquake activity must reduce 50% of its injection volume, and by 25% when located within 3 to 6 miles of the activity. 

Written by Chloe Marie - Research Fellow
11/20/2015

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