Fracking halted at Ohio site linked to recent earthquakes
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio officials have halted hydraulic fracturing operations at a well pad in Noble County following recent earthquake activity in the area.
Karina Cheung, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), confirmed Wednesday evening that the seismic events were linked to oil and gas operations, specifically hydraulic fracturing by Energy Acquisition Partners (EAP), which operates as Encino Energy.
"There has been some recent earthquake activity in Noble County due to oil and gas operations, specifically hydraulic fracturing operations by Energy Acquisition Partners (EAP) operating as Encino Energy," Cheung said in an email to 21 News. "Hydraulic fracturing operations have been halted on the well pad."
Cheung noted that some of the earthquakes in Noble County slightly surpassed magnitudes strong enough to be felt.
The Ohio Seismic Network, which continuously monitors earthquake activity in the state, has recorded several minor earthquakes in Noble County near Pleasant City in recent weeks.
According to the network's data:
- On May 8, a magnitude 3.2 earthquake occurred about 2.5 miles southeast of Pleasant City at 11:13:43 PM EDT. The network received 33 felt reports for this event.
- On May 6, a magnitude 2.3 earthquake was detected about 2 miles southeast of Pleasant City at 4:00:45 PM EDT. One felt report was recorded.
- On May 2, a magnitude 2.4 earthquake occurred about 2 miles southeast of Pleasant City at 6:43:30 AM EDT. Twelve felt reports were received.
- On April 29, a magnitude 2.8 earthquake was detected about 2 miles southeast of Pleasant City at 10:09:14 PM EDT. Thirty-three felt reports were recorded.
The ODNR did not say how long the hydraulic fracturing suspension would last.
This incident comes after previous instances in Ohio where seismic activity has been linked to oil and gas operations, raising concerns about the potential impact of such activities on local communities.
In the Mahoning Valley, a 2011 quake centered on Division Street in Youngstown was linked to a brine injection well, which was used for disposing of wastewater from gas well drilling. The Northstar fluid injection well in Youngstown was shut down after several earthquakes.
The state closed an injection well in Weathersfield Township in 2014 due to seismic activity.
A few months earlier, a series of earthquakes in Poland Township resulted in a temporary moratorium on drilling and fracturing.
A 2023 study of data from Eastern Ohio linked fracking with seismic activity, specifically earthquakes. Professor Michael Brudzinski of Miami University concluded that both the injection of fluids during hydraulic fracturing and the subsequent extraction of oil and gas can induce earthquakes.
In response to the documented link between injection wells and earthquakes, Ohio implemented stricter regulations for Class II disposal wells and oil and gas waste facilities in January 2022.
The revised rules include a greater area of review for wells, clarified language on corrective action for problematic wells, limitations on disposal into certain formations, enhanced testing and inspection requirements, and increased Division enforcement authority regarding seismic events near disposal wells.
