“The seismic events are not a direct result of fracking.” Nothing like a former chicken and fish farmer who’s probably best known for telling a lame birther joke as substitution for actual geology knowledge. I’m sure everybody there feels much better.
I read that statement several times, and found it baffling. This process has been known to cause earthquakes in other instances- notably in Arkansas. Does he mean that, while it is not a “direct” result of fracking it may be an indirect result? Is he seriously saying that there can be no cause and effect? Is it impossible to believe that small explosions miles below the surface could cause quakes? I am hardly an environmentalist, but I try not to keep my head in the sand. I want us to get oil and gas locally- but let is not play ‘pretend.’
Let’s not confuse hydraulic fracturing with long term subsurface injection. I have a PhD in earth science/engineering and am highly qualified to comment on this. Hydraulic fracturing is a limited (time, volume) injection event and that volume is not sufficient to trigger earth movement. Sustained (Class 2) subsurface injection is continuous and larger volumes of injection. All known instances of seismic activity near injection has been associated with long term injection events – NOT the transient phenomena of hydraulic fracturing. Sadly, John Q Public is being brainwashed for political reasons. Truly someone needs to go out on the stump and teach people about earth science and subsurface engineering.
The article mentions both fracking and injection. I have spoken to a government geologist about this general issue, and she told me the quake activity was associated with fracking. On the othher hand she knew I was not a scientist, and she may have been speaking generically. Do you have anything that a non-scientist could read on this subject?
Unfortunately there are very few non-technical publications out there. We definitely need a speakers tour for the public on this issue. Anybody who knows microseismic energy levels monitoring fracturing treatments understands the energy levels of fracture tip propagation are ‘orders of magnitude’ below earthquake level. Your geologist friend should know that.
Please define “limited”. In WV the “regulations” relative to hydraulic fracking just passed allow for 220,000 gallons per well per month to be injected into the well. Additionally, these same regulations only allow homeowners who’s water becomes contaminated to gain restitution only if their water well is 1500 feet from the gas well and the contamination is identified within 6 months of the drilling/fracking event.
It is important for people to listen and think deeply. The Youngstown well was located uniquely, by a fault. Many years ago there was a similar Class II injection well located near a fault by the DFW airport. After injecting for a long time they also recorded seismic activity. NOT ALL CLASS II water injection wells trigger seismic activity – and I don’t want to give you that impression. They need to be in very close proximity to faults, and able to lubricate those faults that are under stress. In areas of high seismic activity (stress) inducing smaller slippages (seismic events) may even help avoid major earthquakes!
Fracking and seismic actiivities are correlating. There appears to also be a causation. Ohio is not the first place to have this experience. Oklahoma has encountered a similar outcome.
“The seismic events are not a direct result of fracking.” Nothing like a former chicken and fish farmer who’s probably best known for telling a lame birther joke as substitution for actual geology knowledge. I’m sure everybody there feels much better.
I read that statement several times, and found it baffling. This process has been known to cause earthquakes in other instances- notably in Arkansas. Does he mean that, while it is not a “direct” result of fracking it may be an indirect result? Is he seriously saying that there can be no cause and effect? Is it impossible to believe that small explosions miles below the surface could cause quakes? I am hardly an environmentalist, but I try not to keep my head in the sand. I want us to get oil and gas locally- but let is not play ‘pretend.’
Let’s not confuse hydraulic fracturing with long term subsurface injection. I have a PhD in earth science/engineering and am highly qualified to comment on this. Hydraulic fracturing is a limited (time, volume) injection event and that volume is not sufficient to trigger earth movement. Sustained (Class 2) subsurface injection is continuous and larger volumes of injection. All known instances of seismic activity near injection has been associated with long term injection events – NOT the transient phenomena of hydraulic fracturing. Sadly, John Q Public is being brainwashed for political reasons. Truly someone needs to go out on the stump and teach people about earth science and subsurface engineering.
The article mentions both fracking and injection. I have spoken to a government geologist about this general issue, and she told me the quake activity was associated with fracking. On the othher hand she knew I was not a scientist, and she may have been speaking generically. Do you have anything that a non-scientist could read on this subject?
Unfortunately there are very few non-technical publications out there. We definitely need a speakers tour for the public on this issue. Anybody who knows microseismic energy levels monitoring fracturing treatments understands the energy levels of fracture tip propagation are ‘orders of magnitude’ below earthquake level. Your geologist friend should know that.
Please define “limited”. In WV the “regulations” relative to hydraulic fracking just passed allow for 220,000 gallons per well per month to be injected into the well. Additionally, these same regulations only allow homeowners who’s water becomes contaminated to gain restitution only if their water well is 1500 feet from the gas well and the contamination is identified within 6 months of the drilling/fracking event.
We now have “qualified” confirmation that recent seismic activity around drilling sites are the DIRECT RESULT of injection of waste water.
thank you.
Now please educate us on what other industries use this injection techinique to “dump” their waste-water besides the oil/gas industry?
It is important for people to listen and think deeply. The Youngstown well was located uniquely, by a fault. Many years ago there was a similar Class II injection well located near a fault by the DFW airport. After injecting for a long time they also recorded seismic activity. NOT ALL CLASS II water injection wells trigger seismic activity – and I don’t want to give you that impression. They need to be in very close proximity to faults, and able to lubricate those faults that are under stress. In areas of high seismic activity (stress) inducing smaller slippages (seismic events) may even help avoid major earthquakes!
Fracking and seismic actiivities are correlating. There appears to also be a causation. Ohio is not the first place to have this experience. Oklahoma has encountered a similar outcome.
Good post!