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Quakes likely caused by drilling activity

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The question:

Were the DFW earthquakes natural or triggered by activities associated with natural gas production, most likely saltwater injection to dispose of brines?

The answer:

The spatial and time correlations are consistent with an induced or triggered source.

“Fortunately” seems to be a strange choice of phrasing when considering a 4.6 earthquake. I’m sure a 4.6 would do some damage to building foundations, pipelines (YIKES) and what about those wellbores and casings that supposedly protect our drinking water from contamination. Who pays for that damage?

Fortunately, there is no historical record of large (greater than magnitude 4.6) induced earthquakes in Texas. There are thousands of injection wells in Texas, the vast majority of which produce no felt or instrumentally recorded seismicity.

The study:
Dallas-Fort Worth earthquakes coincident with activity associated with natural gas production
CLIFF FROHLICH and ERIC POTTER, University of Texas at Austin
CHRIS HAYWARD and BRIAN STUMP, Southern Methodist University

Dallas Observer:
SMU, UT Researchers Think They’ve Found Cause of North Texas Quakes

Gas-Extraction Link Possible in Quakes
Wall Street Journal

Injection well is ‘plausible’ earthquake source
WFAA

Study links Cleburne earthquakes, saltwater wells
Dallas Morning News

Oil drilling and quakes in North Texas
Dallas Voice

Barnett Shale: SMU researchers: Earthquakes at DFW linked to …
By Star-Telegram

Study links Dallas-area earthquakes, saltwater wells
Dallas Morning News (blog)

Previous posts about drilling induced EARTHQUAKES

About Sharon Wilson

Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    How many bad things does one fuel have to be the cause of before we can just label the fuel itself "bad". I think I have to start another piece of paper now with my "Con" list. Oh, the pro list is still at 1: Money. Con List: 1) At-war communities 2) Bad Air 3)Bad Water 4) Reduced property value 5) Noise 6) Damaged Streets 7) Truck Traffic 8) reduced tax income due to reduced property value 9) Undevelopable tracts of land due to pipelines 10) oh, pipelines 11) waste-water collection facilities 12) I could go on but it's time for lunch. I will NOT be going to Grapevine Mills Mall

  3. Melissa Miller-Young, CLC says

    When is enough enough? Earthquakes? And all for the almighty dollar. It boggles the mind.

  4. Anonymous says

    Since all the bought-off locals and corporate lovers of Big Gas are prevelant. As a normal peasant, just stay out of the stores and leave the stuff on the shelf–don't buy what you need from the BBO's! Go somewhere else.

  5. Sharon Guynup says

    We have to move away from fossil fuels. Natural gas is no "bridge fuel." With environmental damage–air, water, land–coupled with human health impacts and now earthquakes–it should be obviously that we need regulation now and must develop clean, renewable energy sources.

  6. Anonymous says

    OMG! We're going to end up in ruins like Haiti! Or we'll be the next Love Canal! Or the methane will reach combustable levels and we'll all be incinerated like the residents of Dresden! We have no hope and I don't think I can take it anymore! The end is near!!! Let's run away while we still can and find someplace where there are no natural resources that will kill us….like Haiti. Doh!

  9. Nat-Wu says

    So how do you like the comment from Chesapeake Energy (quoted in WFAA article): 'Chesapeake Energy, which operated the injection well, issued a statement saying "a direct causal relationship" with the well "has not been scientifically proven." The statement adds that the company agrees with researchers that "natural gas drilling, hydraulic fracturing and production are not related to seismic activity…"'

    Standard operating procedure. It's like they have a form denial template that they follow every time. Tell you what, making these guys accountable will not be possible while their product is worth what it is to us. We've got to pursue other sources of energy.

  10. TXsharon says

    Nat, you know that picture of the exploding head that I posted on the Aruba post? Well, that sums up how I felt when I read Chesapeake's response.

    What I don't understand is why the media feels they have to allow these companies to use them to promote their lies. Lately, I've had several journalists tell me how much they envy me because I can call them out on their BULL!

  11. Anonymous says

    Here's the cliff note chronology for Aubrey:
    1) No Quakes
    2) Injection well starts
    3) Yes Quakes
    4) Injection well stops
    5) No Quakes

    There will be a test later, Aubrey, and then we will beat you up on the playground.

  13. Christine Heinrichs says

    Enough damage has been documented for government regulators as well as the media to get on this travesty. The value of naturla gas as an energy source simply doesn't compare with the damage being done. The earth is quaking! Stop Now!

    Thank goodness for you, Sharon, continuing to shine the light of day on these outrages.