OCC Announces New Plan Affecting Arbuckle Disposal Wells Near Pawnee

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The Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s Oil and Gas Conservation Division announced plans on Thursday to shut down the operation of more disposal wells and reduce production volume at some disposal sites. The latest plan was a joint effort by state regulators, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Oklahoma Geological Survey.

The new plan affects 38 Arbuckle disposal wells including 15 that were already shut down following the record 5.8 magnitude earthquake to months ago in Pawnee. Four new disposal wells will be shut down, with 10 additional wells that are required to reduce production volume.

In response to heightened seismic activity and Tuesday night’s 4.3 magnitude earthquake in Pawnee, the OCC’s latest plan requires all Arbuckle disposal wells within six miles of the earthquake must be shut down. All disposal wells within 10 miles of the earthquake must reduce volume by 25 percent of their last 30-day average. Finally, all disposal wells within 15 miles of the earthquake are directed to limit their disposal to their last 30-day average until further notice.

There are also 32 EPA-managed wells in Osage County that are affected by the new plan. Six of these wells are required to reduce volume by 25 percent from their last 30-day average, while 26 will be required to limit volume to their last 30-day average.

Scientists have linked Oklahoma’s sharp increase in earthquakes to underground injection disposal of wastewater during oil and gas production.