A number of wastewater disposal wells are being shut down after a large earthquake occurred Friday near Prague.
The 5.1 quake at 11:24 p.m., felt by many people across the state, was followed by several aftershocks. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s Oil and Gas Conservation division said all wells within 10 miles of the Friday quake will begin shutdown operations, with a complete shutdown date of Feb. 17.
A gradual shutdown process is necessary to avoid sudden pressure changes that could result in more seismic activity. Oil and gas wastewater disposal into the Arbuckle formation — the state’s deepest formation — has been linked to seismic activity in parts of the state.
OCC said seismic activity remained high in the area and residents should expect several strong aftershocks in the coming weeks that may be widely felt.
OCC noted the event occurred in nearly the same area as the 2011 5.7 Prague earthquake. OCC said it would continue to monitor the seismic activity in the area.
Another cluster of quakes occurred in mid-January east of Edmond, the strongest measuring 4.4 in the Richter scale.
mary says
Yikes.