Oklahoma Orders the Shut Down of More Disposal Wells

November 10, 2016

The 5.0 magnitude earthquake that occurred near Cushing, Oklahoma on Nov. 6 has prompted state oil and gas regulatory officials to order the shutdown of more underground wastewater disposal wells in the surrounding area.

The number of earthquake in Oklahoma has soared in recent years; the state recorded around 900 quakes measuring 3.0 magnitude or greater last year. The significant rise in seismic activity has been linked to the disposal of oil and gas production wastewater into the underground wells.

The plan announced by the Oil and Gas Division (OGCD) of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) involves a total of 58 disposal wells that inject into the Arbuckle formation.

Four of the disposal wells were shuttered by OGCD directive in October 2015, so the total number of wells requiring action is 54. The commission noted that this plan is an initial response, and operators should be aware that work is underway on a broader plan that will encompass a greater area and more Arbuckle disposal wells.

There are three areas in the initial plan, at six, 10, and 15 miles from the location of the 5.0 earthquake that struck the area Sunday evening:

  • Six miles – all Arbuckle disposal well operations in the area must cease.
  • 10 miles – all Arbuckle disposal wells must reduce volume by 25 percent of their last 30-day average.
  • 15 miles – all Arbuckle disposal wells in the area are limited in volume to their last 30-day average.

Fifteen of the Arbuckle disposal wells included in the latest directive have already been shut in by the Sept. 3, 2016 directive. Those wells that will have to take new action:

  • Seven Arbuckle disposal wells will be shut-in under the new directive.
  • 16 Arbuckle disposal wells will be reduced 25 percent in volume from their last 30-day average (Note: This is in addition to the 40 percent volume reduction that was imposed earlier this year).
  • 31 Arbuckle disposal wells will be limited in volume to their last 30-day average (Note: This is in addition to the 40 percent volume reduction that was imposed earlier this year).

The deadline for shut-in compliance is November 14. The deadline for volume limit compliance is November 21.

The Oklahoma Geological Survey reported that the quake struck just under two miles from Cushing, which is the site of the largest crude oil trading hub in North America.

Source: OCC

Related:

Topics Energy Oil Gas Oklahoma

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