As News 9’s Dana Hertneky reported this week, now the Oklahoma Geological Survey suspects fracking might be behind the recent surge in smaller earthquakes around Blanchard.
“We’re a little mystified about what the cause is,” said Jeremy Boak, Director of the Oklahoma Geological Survey in an interview with Hertneky. “I think we have to give serious consideration to the possibility that these could be earthquakes that have to do with a hydraulic fracturing job triggering a small fault in the area and producing these smaller earthquakes.”
Records show the nearest wastewater disposal well is 20 miles away from Blanchard and those wells have been blamed for much of the state’s earthquake activity in the past few years.
Boak said the OGS is working with oil companies drilling in the Blanchard area to investigate further.
View Hertnkey’s report.