The Oklahoma Corporation Commission on Tuesday announced its latest plan in trying to reduce the number of earthquakes believed linke to wastewater disposal wells in the state, a plan covering an estimated 5,200 square miles and 245 disposal wells.
The OCC calls it the “largest volume reduction plan yet for oil and gas disposal wells in western Oklahoma, one that will reduce total volume by more than 500,000 barrels a day or about 40 percent.
“We have taken a number of actions in the Medford, Fairview and Cherokee areas,” explained Tim Baker, Director of the Oil and Gas Division at the Commission. “However, there is agreement among researchers, including our partners at the Oklahoma Geological survey, that the data clearly underscored the need for a larger, regional response.”
He said the action will include areas that are not yet experiencing major earthquakes.
“The wells covered in his plan include those along the western area of the plan’s boundaries where there has not yet been major earthquake activity,” said Baker. “This plan is aimed not only at taking further action in response to past activity, but also to get out ahead of it and hopefully prevent new areas from being involved.”
The new plan is to be phased in over four stages and two months. The reason for the extended implementation, according to the announcement, is that researchers have cautioned against sudden pressure changes which could trigger stronger earthquakes.
The boundary of the new region extends from the eastern side of Harper County eastward to the eastern side of Grant county. The northwestern half of Garfield county is included on the southeast side of the zone, then westward to include all of Major county and the eastern third of Woodward county. In all, all or parts of 7 counties are affected including all of Alfalfa and Major Counties and most of Woods county which sits next to the state line with Kansas.
