Surge of Quakes Around Stroud Puzzles State Earthquake Investigators

The state officials investigating last Friday’s surge of earthquakes around Stroud, including a 4.2 magnitude quake are puzzled because there has been no new well activity in the region.

Matt Skinner, with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission says the Commission’s Induced Seismicity Department has joined forces with the Oklahoma Geological Survey in probing the six earthquakes that started before 9 a.m. on Friday.

“The area is within the main earthquake Area of Interest where oil and gas wastewater disposal into the Arbuckle formation has been sharply reduced,” said Skinner in the announcement. “There is no new well activity in the area in terms of drilling or hydraulic fracturing.”

The Commission had an oil and gas field inspector in the area helping with the investigation.

“The OCC is currently reviewing the operations of 8 Arbuckle disposal wells that are within 10 miles of the preliminary epicenters of the events,” added Skinner.

The 4.2 magnitude quake was strong enough to have been felt in Wichita, Kansas and eastern parts of Arkansas. It was also the third earthquake recorded this year measuring 4.0 magnitude or greater. Last year, there were at least 15 and in 2015, there had been 27 such strong quakes.

So far in July of this year, 26 earthquakes measuring at least 2.7 magnitude or greater have been recorded in the state. In July of last year, the state recorded 106 and in July of 2015, 169 were recorded.