Oklahoma: Unprecedented earthquake numbers drive pressure for action

An unprecedented rash of earthquakes in Oklahoma continues, including a 4.7-magnitude one early Monday morning near Medford in Grant County. The U.S. Geological Survey says the evidence is increasingly strong that the earthquakes are caused by waste-water disposal injection wells.

The quakes have ranged from some so small that no one notices them to Monday’s 4.7 temblor. That was the largest Oklahoma earthquake since 2011 but the 26th one of at least 4.0 magnitude in 2015.

The geological survey says there might be a 6.0-magnitude earthquake waiting to happen and points out that the particular swath of land where the earthquakes are occurring is “unheard of” in any other comparably sized area of the globe.

Though some in the petroleum industry deny the culpability of injection wells, a recent report from the Independent Petroleum Association of America acknowledges some industry responsibility for the problem.

Energy In Depth goes on to warn that “states should avoid drastic measures that are fueled more by politics than sound science, including blanket bans on injection wells” and cautions against policies that “ban or seriously restrict oil and natural gas development” as action that would place hundreds of thousands of people out of work, also eliminating millions of tax dollars to local and state governments.

We are fully aware of the importance of the energy industry in the state, but we also know that the earthquake swarm is not an acceptable situation.

We don’t support any overly broad or economically destructive regulations, but we hope the industry recognizes that as long as the earthquakes persist, the pressure on the state to take action will increase. Effective action is in everyone’s interest.

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