Regulators: Close more disposal wells after Oklahoma quake

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma regulators are ordering the shutdown of more disposal wells and restricting the volume of others near where a magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck.

The plan requires seven wells within six miles of the earthquake’s epicenter to be shut down by Nov. 14. Photo: @ABC.

The plan released Tuesday by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s Oil and Gas Division requires seven wells within six miles of the epicenter to be shut down by Nov. 14.

Related: 5.1 earthquake likely caused by wastewater disposal: U.S. Geological Survey

By Nov. 21, 16 wells within 10 miles of the epicenter must reduce volume by 25 per cent of their last 30 day average, and 31 wells within 15 miles will be limited in volume to their last 30 day average.

The area affected is about 700 square miles.

Related: Oklahoma experiences strongest earthquake in five years, officials probing possible connection with oil and gas activities

The earthquake Sunday damaged dozens of buildings in Cushing, Oklahoma, a key world oil hub. Officials say no damage has been reported at Cushing’s oil terminal.

5.3 magnitude #frack quake in Cushing OK–where in 2012 Obama announced his plan to expedite pipelines like #DAPL https://t.co/8nGTIU47w4

— Bill McKibben (@billmckibben) November 7, 2016

Earthquake damage in downtown Cushing. Pic from Stacey Hamilton. #okquake 5.3M pic.twitter.com/0Sltqunw0b

— Lacey Swope (@LaceySwope) November 7, 2016

Largest earthquake in the world today. Cushing,Oklahoma 5.3 pic.twitter.com/iFWqSX3IpP

— Damon Lane (@KOCOdamonlane) November 7, 2016

Dozens of buildings were damaged after a magnitude 5.0 earthquake shook Cushing, Oklahoma Sunday night. No serious injuries were reported. pic.twitter.com/WGpjIZ4Jo6

— The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) November 7, 2016

YIKES! Damage seen after magnitude 5.3 earthquake tonight in Cushing, Oklahoma. Photo credit: @StumpStumpStump #Earthquake #Cushing #OKwx pic.twitter.com/aYn9f3525Z

— Mark Tarello (@mark_tarello) November 7, 2016

Jason Contant

Jason has been an award-winning journalist with Canadian Underwriter for more than a decade, including the past three years as associate editor and, before that, as digital editor for seven years.