The epicenter of the arguments over induced seismicity from wastewater injection wells and now hydraulic fracturing has shifted from Oklahoma to Ohio. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) investigated five small tremors in March in the Youngstown, Ohio, area of the Appalachian foothills and found a “probable” connection between hydraulic fracturing near a previously unknown fault and the tremors in the Utica Shale.

ODNR issued new permits regarding hydraulic fracturing in areas of known faults or past seismic activity. Under the permits, horizontal drilling within 4.8 km (3 miles) of a known fault or area of seismic activity greater than a 2.0 magnitude would require companies to install seismic monitors. If those monitors detect a seismic event in excess of 1.0 magnitude, activities would pause while the cause is under investigation, according to an April 11 ODNR press release.

If the investigation reveals a probable connection to the hydraulic fracturing process, all well completion operations will be suspended. For the company near Youngstown, additional hydraulic fracturing at the site is suspended, but the company will be allowed to produce from five of the previously drilled wells located on the pad. The department will review previously issued permits of other companies that have not been drilled.

“While we can never be 100% sure that drilling activities are connected to a seismic event, caution dictates that we take these new steps to protect human health, safety and the environment,” said James Zehringer, ODNR director.

This most recent flurry of seismic events led to the formation of a work group that will proactively discuss the possible association between those seismic events that occurred in multiple states and injection wells.

The Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) and the Ground Water Protection Council are partnering with state oil and gas regulatory agencies and geological surveys in the Induced Seismicity by Injection Work Group.

Gerry Baker, IOGCC associate executive director, said the group would be a clearinghouse of information to better understand the nature of these occurrences. The chairman of the group is from Ohio.

The working group hopes to draw upon current and future research to develop common procedures for how to monitor seismic activity and respond if activity occurs. The work group product will be more knowledge, Baker explained. “Regulators want to know what is going on in other states and what they can do to improve their own regulations. We want to share what is going on in the regulatory community, and that is what we are trying to create.”

The group is seeking other stakeholders from the industry, environmental groups and the scientific community. It will help keep the oil and gas industry off shaky ground.

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