At least three earthquakes, measuring from 1.7 magnitude to 2.2 magnitude were recorded in the past day, according to the Oklahoma Geological Survey. Meanwhile, the strong quakes near Edmond last week are not believed linked to oil and gas operations.
The strongest, each measuring 2.2 magnitude were recorded Monday morning in Garvin County and Grady County. The Grady County quake had an epicenter a few miles southwest of the city of Chickasha. The Garvin County quake’s epicenter was several miles west of Pauls Valley.
The smallest quake, measuring 1.7 magnitude was recorded northeast of the city of Chickasha, also early Monday morning.
The quakes followed the Friday night and Saturday morning events near Arcadia and Edmond where they measured 4.2 magnitude. While in years past, there were direct connections to the disposal of oil and gas wastewater being injected back into the earth, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission investigated the most recent quakes.
“We did investigate and, to date, there is nothing to indicate a link between the oil and gas industry and the quakes,” said Commission spokesman Trey Davis in a reply to an OK Energy Today inquiry.
He noted that there had been a link between the wastewater disposal wells injecting into the Arbuckle Formation and the earthquakes in the region in 2015 and 2016.
“The area around Arcadia and Edmond was pretty active back then. As a result, OCC hasn’t permitted injection wells in this area for many years,” added Davis.
