No letup in saltwalter purge in Oklahoma’s STACK

Rounded shaded relief map of Omega in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma, United States.

Reports indicate the saltwater purge happened near the town of Omega and close to the Blaine-Kingfisher county line has yet to decline.

The water purge was reported in early July in the STACK play and at least four nearby saltwater disposal wells remain shut down while the Oklahoma Corporation Commission continues its investigation.

“This is the recommendation of a consultant we are working with and his estimation of how quickly the water is moving underground,” said Matt Skinner in an interview with The Oklahoman. “We need to give it more time before we undertake any additional actions.”

The OCC plans to continue the well shutdowns for at least another two weeks. Some temporary restrictions have also been implemented regarding which formations can be used by new disposal wells. The temporary applications cover nearly 11,000 square miles.

Reports indicate Devon Energy had voluntarily plugged three production wells close to the water purge in a move to eliminate them as a source of the saltwater that’s coming to the surface.

As of September, the purge coming up and out of the soil averaged 68 barrels of saltwater a day and the daily amount has not diminished.

Drilling activity has been extensive in the region around the little community of Omega.  Numerous large wells have been drilled with large quantities of oil and gas production.