In response to last week’s earthquakes in Lincoln County, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission on Friday announced two disposal wells must shut down while 19 other wells must reduce wastewater disposal well operations.
New Dominion LLC’s B. Smith 31 well and Hulen Operating Co.’s Threatt 18-3 well were within 3 miles of eight small-magnitude earthquakes that rocked the Luther area last week. Both must be closed by August 25, according to a Journal Record report.
Operators of another 19 disposal wells must reduce fluids injected into the Arbuckle rock formation and install automatic gauges to electronically transmit disposal data to the regulator on a daily basis, according to the Journal Record. These wells are within a 10-mile proximity of the earthquake-prone area.
Marjo Operating Mid-Continent LLC, New Dominion LLC, Midstates Petroleum LLC, EOK Operating LLC and Special Energy Corp. are identified as operators of 14 wells.
Scientists have linked the fluid injected into deep underground rock faults with an increase in Oklahoma’s seismic activity.
In the past year, the OCC has issued several notices to operators directing them to either shut down disposal wells or reduce fluid volumes to mitigate the risk of triggered earthquakes.
For more information, see OCC Earthquake Response Summary 08-19-16.