Explosive sounds caused by seismic testing, area students learn the process
NORTH JACKSON, Ohio - Some Valley high school students learn what's causing explosive sounds throughout the region.
On Wednesday, Halcon Resources Senior Geophysicist John Tinnin met with students at Jackson Milton High School.
Tinnin demonstrated how the energy company is using seismic testing to survey rock formations beneath the earth's surface. He explained the information is used by Halcon to determine where are the best sites to drill.
"We need to know if there is a fault going through there. We need to tell them to prepare for that," said Tinnin. "I want to know if it (rock formations) gets thicker or thinner, and I can do that with seismic."
Jackson Milton Science Teacher, Stephen Mohr said students currently studying chemistry and physics have come into the classroom asking about explosive sounds they've heard, and large vibrating trucks seen along the roadways.
"I said 'hey, it would be great for the high school kids to get involved because they've got a lot of questions like, 'what are these things on the side of the road? Are they blowing things up," said Mohr.
Tinnin explained to students there are two ways the company takes the three-dimensional images of below the earths surface.
One involves several trucks, lowering a large pad onto the roadway. The pad vibrates, sending out pressure waves.
The other method, involves a low flying helicopter, which will drop a device that measures ground activity. The device is called a geophone.
Crews partially bury the geophone. They then bury small sticks of dynamite, which send out similar vibrations.
According to Halcon, there are over 135 people in the region working on the project, which is mainly focused in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties.
There are 35 trucks on the job and 7,800 geophones on the ground at any given time.
Halcon get's permission from both the property surface owner, as well as the mineral rights owner before placing the dynamite or geophone on their property.
In Trumbull County, the company has acquired the needed permits from the county to use the vibrating trucks on more than 60 miles of roadway.
"Really we've had no complaints. We've had a lot of concerns ... people calling about low flying helicopters and vibrating in front of their homes, really not knowing what they were," said Jack Simon with the County Engineer's office. "We've experienced no damages. The people (the company) have been very transparent. They've come to our office many times and answered every phone call."
Tinnin said during the process safety is a top concern. Vibrations are measured by several devices and if they become too strong near a structure they will shut down.
"Every morning at 6:00, the crews have a safety meeting. They talk about things they need to be aware of, reminders of doing things safe, every single morning," said Tinnin.
A spokesperson for the company says since the cost of drilling a well is about $10 million, it's important to use all the resources and data to assist in the process.
He says if the data collected from the seismic testing indicates more oil and gas is able to be removed from the ground, more drilling will likely take place.
