Study: oil, gas production and Midwest earthquakes

[Forgiven]

Associated Press
April 08, 2012



Oil and gas production may explain a sharp increase in small earthquakes in the nation's midsection, a new study from the U.S. Geological Survey suggests.

The rate has jumped six-fold from the late 20th century through last year, the team reports, and the changes are "almost certainly man-made."

Outside experts were split in their opinions about the report, which is not yet published but is due to be presented at a meeting later this month.

The study said a relatively mild increase starting in 2001 comes from increased quake activity in a methane production area along the state line between Colorado and New Mexico. The increase began about the time that methane production began there, so there's a "clear possibility" of a link, says lead author William Ellsworth of the USGS.

The increase over the nation's midsection has gotten steeper since 2009, due to more quakes in a variety of oil and gas production areas, including some in Arkansas and Oklahoma, the researchers say.

(snip)

The researchers reported that from 1970 to 2000, the region they studied averaged about 21 quakes a year. That rose to about 29 a year for 2001 through 2008, they wrote, and the three following years produced totals of 50, 87 and 134, respectively.


More: Study Ties Oil, Gas Production To Midwest Earthquakes | Fox News

[Carl]

Long ago I read a report about water injection deep underground in the Colorado area. Awhile after the water injection started earthquakes started. So as a bold move of discovery the water injections were stopped. The earthquakes also stopped. One of the aspects of gas production is Meg's favorite called fracking. Which is mostly injection of water into deep layers of rock to fracture it so that the natural gas can escape.

[FaithInChrist]

Was there an increase in earthquakes when we used to drill the U.S. before? Is there an increase of earthquakes in the Middle East from all the drilling they are doing?

I am not saying that fracking can't have something to do with the earthquakes, but if they are causing quakes the quakes have been minimal, causing very little to no damage and no injury or death.

I think the government could take a study like this and terrify the U.S. even further from becoming oil independent. Or use this to convince us to demand the stop of natural gas drilling. Which would skyrocket our electricity prices.