Fluid Injection Wells Can Have a Wide Seismic Reach

Abstract

High-volume fluid injection can cumulatively increase underground pore pressure and induce earthquakes in regions unexpectedly far from injection wells, recent Kansas studies show.

Induced seismicity in Kansas: Events and responses

“…The USGS reported more than 100 earthquakes with epicenters in the state, most in Harper and Sumner Counties (Fig. 2; Peterie et al, 2018a). Some of that 2014 activity occurred in March and then tailed off, only to increase dramatically in September, October, and November.…”

“…Most of that water from horizontal and traditional vertical drilling was being disposed of in wells drilled into the Cambrian-Ordovician Arbuckle Group, which overlies Precambrian basement rock in north-central Oklahoma and south-central Kansas at ~1700 m or 5540 ft (Rubinstein et al, 2018). The theoretical explanation for the new wave of earthquakes was that the pressure from the mass of additional water was triggering movement on critically stressed faults in the crystalline rocks of the Precambrian basement (Peterie et al, 2018a).…”

“…Many of these Class I wells are located in the center of the state, north of the spate of 2013 earthquake activity. Class I wells are regulated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) (Peterie et al, 2018a). All of these Class I wells are restricted to injection of wastewater solely under gravity, while Class II wells are allowed to inject fluids under pressure, allowing for disposal of greater volumes.…”

“…At the same time, the KGS began to develop its own seismic network for south-central Kansas, planning for both a permanent statewide network and a cluster of stations in the area surrounding the USGS temporary array. With funding from the KCC and KDHE, that KGS array in southcentral Kansas was in place by early 2015 (Peterie et al, 2018a).…”

The Energy Policy Act of 2005: The Rapid Decline of Jura Majestatis for Communities in Ohio

“…Recorded pressure increases from cumulative wastewater injection from as far as 90km away, has been recently confirmed by the Kanas Geological Survey to induce seismicity, as a direct result of far-field pressure diffusion. 43 All facets of oil and gas operations and associated storage facilities are also exempt from the Risk Management Plans of the Clean Air Act. 44 Shockingly, hazardous air pollutants released from oil and gas wells and affiliated equipment, including pipeline compressors and pump stations, cannot be aggregated together to determine a major source of toxic emissions.…”