Quakes

A state that helped pioneer research in induced earthquakes a half century ago, Colorado this month joined several other states with robust oil and natural gas exploration and production activity in trying to determine if the advent of small quakes is directly related to drilling.

Minor earthquakes blamed on drilling waste disposal wells have been shaking up small towns overlying the Barnett Shale of North Texas for a while now. On Monday, state lawmakers put their ears to the ground during the first hearing of a subcommittee formed on the matter, hearing from local mayors, academic, environmental, regulatory and industry representatives.

More earthquakes jolted parts of central Oklahoma Saturday, prompting added speculation about the ties between the quakes and oil and natural gas drilling wastewater injection processes. Although small in magnitude — measuring 2.6-4.0 on the Richter Scale — the frequency of the tremors has already surpassed 2013 totals, according to the Oklahoma Geological Survey (OGS).

Calling the state "seismically active," Oklahoma regulators are working with state Geological Survey (OGS) and seeking more detailed records from oil and natural gas exploration and production (E&P) operators on activity related to well stimulation and wastewater injection practices.

The city council in Youngstown, OH, voted 5-2 Wednesday in favor of an ordinance that could open city-owned land to oil and natural gas drilling.

A well used to dispose of fracking-related fluids in the northeastern corner of Ohio is believed to have been responsible for about a dozen minor earthquakes in the town of Youngstown over the past year, with the latest one coming on New Year’s Eve, according to state regulators.