Ohio closes wastewater disposal wells after earthquakes
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A series of earthquakes in northeastern Ohio, the latest and largest on New Year's Eve, has prompted that state's Department of Natural Resources to close or suspend development by natural gas drillers of five deep wastewater disposal wells pending an investigation into well impact on increased seismic activity in the area.
The latest earthquake, registering a magnitude of 4.0, was centered five miles northwest of Youngstown and very close to the 9,000-foot-deep Northstar No. 1 disposal well owned by D&L Energy, which receives most of its brine and fracking wastewater from Marcellus Shale drilling operations in Pennsylvania.
The Ohio DNR had halted wastewater injections at the Northstar disposal well Friday after analyzing new seismic data from a 2.7-magnitude Dec. 24 earthquake, one of 10 smaller tremors that occurred in the area during 2011.
After the New Year's Eve quake, which occurred at 3:05 p.m. and rattled dishes but caused no structural property damage or injuries, the DNR also halted development of four new wastewater injection wells within 5 miles of the Northstar well that were slated to open for business in the next few weeks.
"We evaluated the new research, and it shows the Dec. 24 seismic event occurred within 2,000 feet of the well injection point," said Andy Ware, Ohio DNR deputy director. "We can't say for sure that it's linked to the well, but we'll keep the operations shut down for an indefinite period until we can get an accurate picture of what's going on here. We think that's a prudent and proper response to protecting the health and safety of Ohio residents."
A 4.0-magnitude earthquake has a seismic energy yield equivalent to detonating 15 metric tons of dynamite or a small atomic bomb.
Ohio has 177 Class II deep injection wells, between 5,000 and 9,000 feet deep, for disposal of brine, produced water and drilling wastewater into deep sandstone and limestone formations. Pennsylvania has six.
First Published January 3, 2012 12:00 am
