Injection Wells and Recent Seismic Activity

OOGA Executive Vice President Tom Stewart recently presented testimony to the Bipartisan Hearing and Expert Panel to Address Seismic Activity in Northeast Ohio on Ohio injection wells. These wells, as regulated by the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program, are the preferred way to dispose of produced waters from oil and gas operations. The UIC program stems from the landmark federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

The testimony explains that the “injection of produced water deep underground into formations that already contain formation water and using wells regulated to federal standards has proven to be a safe, effective and preferred means for protecting the environment. When such activity interacts with deep geologic anomalies to cause the exceedingly rare events we have witnessed recently in Ohio, then regulatory experts need to take action to correct that specific situation. That has happened. Unfortunately, some of the people speaking with the loudest voices right now in opposition to UIC wells appear to be people with the least awareness of the history or facts associated with the UIC program as it exists in Ohio. Or, have the least willingness to provide a balanced perspective as to the facts.”