Corporation Commission: New Fault Data Prompts Closure Of More Disposal Wells

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s Oil and Gas Division announced Monday it is taking further action in the area of the 5.8 earthquake that occurred in the Pawnee area on September 3, 2016.

New data compiled by the Oklahoma Geological Survey and the United States Geological Survey shows new fault data and as well as increases the total size of the ‘Area of Interest’ or AOI to 1,116 square miles. The OGCD previously announced the AOI was 725-square-miles.

9/12/16 Related Story: Corporation Commission To Detail New Developments In Pawnee Earthquake

The OGCD and the Environmental Protection Agency have ordered the closure of more disposal wells, the OCC said.

The groups have ordered 32 wells to cease operations, 27 of those are in OGCD jurisdiction and five are in EPA jurisdiction.

“The latest directive is taken under the OCC’s emergency authority and is mandatory,” the release states.

Total volume reduction: 40 thousand barrels a day (OCC jurisdiction only).

“This action is a collaborative effort involving the OGCD and the Environmental
Protection Agency, as it involves Osage county, which is under EPA jurisdiction,” according to the OCC media release.

The number of wells in the AOI include 48 Arbuckle disposal wells within OCC jurisdiction and 19 Arbuckle disposal wells within EPA jurisdiction.