WorldWide Drilling Resource

32 AUGUST 2014 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Ohio Changes Permit Conditions for Oil and Gas Drilling Adapted from Information by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) announced new, stronger permit conditions for drilling near faults or areas of past seismic activity. The new policies are in response to re- cent seismic events in Mahoning County in northeast Ohio, which indicate a pos- sible connection to hydraulic fracturing near a previously unknown microfault. New permits issued for horizontal drilling within three miles of a known fault or area of seismic activity greater than a 2.0 magnitude would require companies to install sensitive seismic monitors. If the monitors detect a seismic event in excess of 1.0 magnitude, activities would stop while the cause is investigated. If the investigation reveals a connection to the hydraulic fracturing process, all well com- pletion operations will be suspended. ODNR is developing new criteria and permit conditions for new applications in light of this change in policy. The depart- ment is also reviewing previously issued permits 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. “Not only will this reasonable course of action help to ensure public health and safety, but it will also help us to expand our under- ground maps and provide more informa- tion about all types of seismicity in Ohio.” Gerry Baker, associate executive director of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) said, “IOGCC is pleased to work with Ohio and other states to share scientific data to better understand the nature of these occurrences.” Over 800 wells have been drilled in Ohio’s Utica and Marcellus Shale Play, including up to 16,000 hydraulic fracturing stages from those wells. ODNR geolo- gists believe the sand and water injected into the well in Mahoning County may have increased pressure on an unknown microfault. Further hydraulic fracturing at the site has been suspended, but the company will be permitted to recover re- sources from five of the previously drilled wells located on the pad. This is also ex- pected to reduce underground pressure, decreasing the likelihood of another seis- mic event. Ohio has joined a group of state reg- ulators dedicated to learning more about seismic activity as it relates to oil and gas activity. The members of this consor- tium are working with IOGCC and the Groundwater Protection Council to share information. The working group also hopes to draw upon current and future research to develop common procedures for how to monitor for seismic activity and respond if activity occurs. Data from the Ohio Seismic Network will be used as part of the new application review process. The Network, coordinat- ed by ODNR and operated by various partners, began recording seismic events in 1999. Since the network was estab- lished, Ohio has experienced 109 events greater than 2.0 magnitude. Win a prize! Send your completed puzzle to: WWDR PO Box 660 Bonifay, FL 32425 or fax to: 850-547-0329 Congratulat ions to: Cindy Cheek C&C Pump Frankl in, NC Winner for July! Time for a Little Fun! July Puzzle Solution: HAIL OWLS SAND GOAL L O S T O T R A W E I S H O T E L V A V U G E G A E V L L E Unscramble the water well words and place in the spaces provided. Once com- plete, the circled letters reveal another word, reading from top to bottom. +9 &8 ,&6"4/23 ( ! ( ! !" ( $ " ( !" & )"6& &,&6"4/23 /' ",, 3*:&3 490&3 ".% 7&*()43 ".% $". #5*,% 4/ ".9 30&$*", "00,*$"4*/.3 *,'*&,% "4&2 &,, /.6&.4*/.", ".% &6&23& *2$5,"4*/. 2*,, *0& 15*0-&.4 +9 &8 ,&6"4/23 2& 3&% /2,%7*%& ( & % " ( # ' !" ! 2&8 2&8-$'"%%&. $/- ,&6"4/23 /"% 4&34 $&24*'*$"4&3 "6"*,"#,& ) # !$ ) # ' " ) # !$ ) ! " $ #$ ! ( #! $ $ " ( ! "" % ! $ " ( #" ( & " 777 2&8-$'"%%&. $/- &7 3&% 15*0-&.4 6"*,"#,&