Hydraulic fracturing, or fracing, is relatively new to the Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio region with most wells being drilled in the past decade. The act of hydraulic fracturing to extract oil and gas involves drilling deep into the ground and pumping water and chemicals into fractures in rock formations, causing mineral rich liquid to rise to the surface. ((http://www.earthworksaction.org/issues/detail/hydraulic_fracturing_101)) This process has been criticized for possibly polluting clean air and water sources and has been linked to a number of disasters. According to new research, hydraulic fracturing may be causing an increase in seismic activity that could potentially lead to earthquakes. ((http://srl.geoscienceworld.org/content/early/2014/10/09/0220140127.extract))
In March, scientists observed unprecedented levels of seismic activity in Poland Township, Ohio. ((http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/04/15/3427112/ohio-fracking-earthquakes-link/)) This event caused researchers to look more closely at the earthquake activity in the region. According to research released by the Seismological Society of America (“SSA”), fracing was responsible for almost 400 small earthquakes that occurred over a 10-week span in Harrison County, Ohio in 2013. ((http://www.seismosoc.org/society/press_releases/SRL_85-6_Friberg_Press_Release.pdf)) This is the first time that earthquakes have been indefinitely linked to fracing in Ohio. The SSA explained that 2013 was the first time that seismicity had ever been measured in the county, making it unlikely that the seismic activity arose from anything other than fracing. None of the earthquakes were strong enough to be felt above ground, but they were much stronger than the researchers expected them to be. ((Id.))
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (“ODNR”) has been quick to establish a strict set of guidelines for monitoring seismic activity in response to the findings. ((http://www2.ohiodnr.gov/news/post/ohio-announces-tougher-permit-conditions-for-drilling-activities-near-faults-and-areas-of-seismic-activity)) The law now requires seismic monitoring equipment to be instituted by drillers placing wells “within 3 miles of a known fault or area of seismic activity greater than a 2.0 magnitude,” and if the equipment were to detect activity greater than a 1.0 magnitude, drilling operations must be suspended immediately. ((Id.)) The first imposition of these guidelines came in March when Hilcorp Energy was forced to stop work on seven wells following the observation of seismic activity within a certain radius of producing wells.
It remains to be seen if these low magnitude earthquakes could have a lasting effect on the seismic landscape of the state of Ohio, though. According to a study published in 2012, researchers confirmed that drilling in the Barnett Shale play in Texas caused earthquakes. ((http://www.climatecentral.org/news/evidence-connects-earthquakes-to-oil-gas-boom-18182)) However, some wells were more likely to produce seismic interruptions than others, leading seismologist Cliff Frohlich to believe that fluid injections from hydraulic fracturing should only trigger earthquakes where “fluids reach and relieve friction on a nearby fault.” ((Id.)) It appears that wastewater injection sites from deep wells are more likely to cause higher magnitude earthquakes that can be felt above-ground and are potentially destructive, a magnitude that has not been observed in seismic activity related to fracing in shallow wells like the ones in Ohio. Researchers from Cornell University have found that “seismic swarms,” or high concentrations of seismic activity, in Oklahoma are most likely being caused by waste water injections deep underground. In Ohio, the wells are shallower and therefore may not cause seismic activity necessary to create a high-magnitude earthquake. Further, scientists working for the United States Geological Survey (“USGS”) have found that fracing cannot be definitively linked to earthquakes greater than a 3 magnitude. Frohlich fears that prior to his findings linking wastewater injections to earthquakes published in 2012, that there was a lot more seismic activity that was not being reported alluding to the fact that there is still a lot more data to be collected before drawing any final conclusions. ((Id.))
These new discoveries have changed the scientific landscape of the up-and-coming fracing industry in Ohio and Pennsylvania. In order to explain the influx in earthquakes in recent years in the central and eastern United States, USGS has defined earthquakes linked to fracing and deep wastewater injections as “induced earthquakes.” ((http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/induced/)) The fracing activity in Ohio does not give rise to immediate concern. Because fracing has not caused earthquakes over 3 magnitude in the region, policy changes increasing monitoring of the seismic landscape will surely lead to safer fracing instead of preventing fracing altogether.
In states such as Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas, where wastewater injections from deep wells are common, citizens have had to take legal action against drilling companies for damage done to their homes and property. In November, 2011, Oklahoma residents experienced a 5.7 magnitude earthquake caused by waste water injections from a nearby well. Sandra Ladra was injured when the chimney in her home collapsed. Ladra sued the operators of the disposal wells for damages. The case was dismissed by the Lincoln County district court earlier this week for lack of jurisdiction. The court opined, however, that the case was a pollution case and should be handled by a Commission. Yet, the Commission is unable to award damages, posing a burden to those seeking relief. ((http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2014/10/29/345299.htm)) The recent findings regarding earthquake-related damages caused by drillers will surely call for the implementation of policies to protect citizens like Ladra.
There is a certain long term effect that citizens can be thankful for; the economic impact on the shale region and individuals is undeniable. According to a study done across four counties in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, drilling has brought jobs, commerce, and tourism to rural areas. ((http://www.multistateshale.org/case-studies)) Individually, citizens have been able to lease their property in order to collect royalties and other benefits. However, the study calls for a deeper investigation into the long-term impact of drilling. Although there are economic and personal benefits, it is important to look at the potential drawbacks of drilling. The ODNR has been quick to implement measures to reduce potentially destructive drilling and other states in the area will most likely follow suit.
Hydraulic fracturing is at an all-time high and does not appear to be slowing down. Concerned citizen groups have voiced their opinions and will certainly use the new link between drilling and earthquakes to their advantage. A recent proposal to drill under the Ohio River on the Ohio-West Virginia border has been under attack because the repercussions of such an undertaking are unclear. Water contamination, chemical spills, and earthquakes are just a few of the concerns listed by citizens in a letter to West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. ((http://www.statejournal.com/story/26578245/proposal-for-natural-gas-drilling-under-ohio-river-sparks-citizen-concerns))
Although citizens and scientists are both concerned with unprecedented seismic activity in Ohio, it is not clear if there will be a lasting impact on the region. States like Texas and Oklahoma that have experienced higher magnitude earthquakes have been linked to deep wastewater injection sites that are not present in Ohio. Therefore, it is difficult to determine if there will be a lasting or detrimental effect on Ohio’s seismic landscape. While the science pertaining to the environmental concerns caused by fracing is in its infancy, drilling will continue to be prominent in the region.