Governor Mary Fallin has approved moving funds from the state emergency fund to bolster earthquake research efforts. The Governor has moved $1.4 million to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and the Oklahoma Geological Survey. The Coordinating Council on Seismic Activity provided Fallin with a list of what state agencies needed to better understand what is happening with the increased seismicity in Oklahoma.
“I immediately made arrangements for the Corporation Commission and OGS to receive the money necessary to meet those needs,” Fallin said. “I’m committed to funding seismic research, bringing on line advanced technology and more staff to fully support our regulators as they take meaningful action on earthquakes.”
The $387,000 going to the Corporation Commission will pay for information technology upgrades, two contract geologists, a contract clerical worker, a geophysicist consultant and a senior-level oil and gas attorney.
“Efficient and timely handling of the huge amount of data involved is critical if we are to respond effectively to the earthquakes,” said Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy. “The governor’s prompt action on our request addresses those concerns.”
The Oklahoma Geological Survey is expected to receive $1 million. Those funds will go toward installation of additional permanent seismic monitoring stations, seismic monitoring network and software updates, analyzing response of seismicity to regulatory and market forces driving changes in produced water injection, characterizing the properties of the Arbuckle formation and basement rock in a complex fluid reservoir, and holding workshops to share information.
“The funds will enable us to provide better recommendations for remedial action to further reduce the rate and magnitude of induced earthquakes,” said Oklahoma Geological Survey Director Jeremy Boak.
