WorldWide Drilling Resource

37 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® SEPTEMBER 2014 Are Earthquakes in Oklahoma Due to Drilling? Compiled by Bonnie Love, Editor WorldWide Drilling Resource ® People in oklahoma are becoming concerned over the recent increase in earthquakes, and are questioning whether the area’s increased oil and gas drilling activities are to blame. The oklahoma Geological Survey (oGS) tracks and studies seismic activi- ty in the state, and they have noted a sig- nificant increase in seismic activity. So far this year, there have been more than 140 earthquakes registering at a magnitude of 3.0 or above. In 2013, there were 109; and in 2012, there were only 40 earthquakes registering at a magnitude of 3.0 or above. “It’s very mysterious what’s going on,” said G. Randy Keller, director of oGS. “We are trying to figure it out, but right now, we just don’t know, and it’s concern- ing to us.” The questionoGS and theoklahoma Corporation Commission (oCC) is seek- ing to answer is whether this increase is due to nature or man. oklahoma is no stranger to seismic activity. The earliest documented earth- quake in the state occurred in october 1882, before oklahoma was even a state. Historically, earthquakes were common, but barely felt amongst its residents, something which has definitely changed recently. This could be due to shifting or slipping within the Meers Fault which was first mapped in the 1930s. TheMeers Fault is one of at least four faults forming the Wichita Fault system between the Wichita Mountains and the Anadarko Basin. oklahoma is also a pioneering state for the oil and gas industry; drilling its first recorded oil well in 1859. Hydraulic fracturing has been practiced in the state since 1949, and there has never been a direct link established between seismic swarms and oi l and gas dri l l ing in oklahoma. Not to mention, the locations of the earthquake epicenters don’t coin- cide with drilling activities. In fact, a recent statement from the oCC stated the following: As relates to oil and natural gas exploration and production activity, the primary area of interest of researchers regarding the vast majority of the recent earthquakes in Oklahoma, has not been hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”), but rather injection wells used for wastewater dis- posal, a technology used in Oklahoma for more than 70 years. In most of the cases examined thus far, there have been either no injection wells operating in the area of interest, or the focus of the events were at depths that varied greatly from the operational depths of the injection wells in question. So, what do the experts believe is causing the increased seismic activity in oklahoma? Well, there are numerous theories but this question has scien- tists stumped. “We’re just not sure,” Keller said. “Geoscientists are a lot like MDs. We have fancy tools and graduate educa- tions, but the patient is very complicated ... We just don’t know if what is hap- pening is natural, or if it’s caused by man. There’s evidence on both sides. And we don’t know why it’s happening now. It’s all very disquieting, and every- body wants to figure this out. But it needs more study.” The study into this matter will con- tinue with oGS, oCC, and the drilling industry working together. oGS has in- creased its number of seismic activity monitors around the state from 7 to 30. Photo courtesy of okconservation.org In Memoriam Hemu Mehta (1948~2014) KEMTRoN mourns the passing of Hemu Mehta on May 12, 2014. He was born September 1, 1948, in Ahemadabad, India. He obtained a BS in chemical engineering at A.C. Tech in Chennai, India; and an MS in petroleum engineering, and MBA from the University of Houston. After having successful careers with Macgobar and M-I, he started KEMTRoN Technologies in 1990. He had a passion for oilfield chemicals and polymers and their applications. Hemu is survived by his wife Meena, son Jaideep (Pooja), daughter Anjali, and one grandson. The WWDR management and staff offer their sympathies to Hemu’s fam- ily, friends, and colleagues. The oCC has approved a new rule which would require companies to report their injection rates every day, rather than monthly. The volume of water being in- jected will be able to be reviewed by researchers faster and more frequently, which may lead to some answers. of the state’s 4500 wastewater disposal wells, about 800 will have digital monitors to provide those daily water volume and pressure reports. The legislature and governor still have to approve the new rule. /*% 3*-- :45&.4 /$ !& "3& %&%*$"5&% 50 5)& 8"5&3 8&-- */%6453: "354 -0$"5&% "/% 41"3&4 1307*%&% '03 &9*45*/( &26*1.&/5 > 305"3: 5"#-&4 /08 130%6$&% 8*5) -"3(& 3*/( (&"3 "/% 1*/*0/ &&% &1"*34 05"3: 5"#-&4 < 6% 16.14 < "+03 $0.10/&/54 0/?5 '03(&5 3%&3 :063 $01: 0' = 3"/4'&3 0' &$)/0-0(:> 83*55&/ #: 0)/ ? 410*3 "3,&5 /*% )0/& < "9 888 &/*%%3*-- $0. ; 9$*5*/( $)"/(&4;