Operators Of 23 Disposal Wells Reach Important Deadline

The state's latest effort to reduce the number of earthquakes rattling central Oklahoma hit an important deadline Friday.

It affects the operators of certain wastewater disposal wells.

Researchers are in agreement that it's the disposal of oil and gas wastewater in these deep wells in the Arbuckle formation that are causing our earthquakes.

Through the end of July, there had been 253 two point five or stronger earthquakes in northern Oklahoma County-Logan County. An area now dubbed the Logan County Trend Area..

In response, earlier this month, the Corporation Commission informed the operators of 23 disposal wells in that area they had until Friday to install meters on the wells, so that inspectors in the field can easily check injection volumes.

The next deadline is August 23rd when injection volumes at those wells will have to be reduced by at least 13 percent.

Corporation Commission officials say inspectors will be out in the area on Monday to make sure the meters are in place and all wells are in compliance. They say this volume cutback is just one of several steps that will be taken to address the earthquake problem.

More announcements are to come.