New Permits Near OH Earthquake Site Require Seismic Monitoring

A few weeks ago, MDN brought you the news that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is laying the blame for a series of low-level earthquakes in southeastern Ohio on fracking at an Encino Energy shale well in Noble County (see ODNR Says Fracking in Noble County, OH Caused Series of Earthquakes). We were somewhat incredulous. We can count on one hand the number of verified instances when fracking itself (not injection wells) has caused earthquake activity. Yet it appears to be so in this instance, with all future fracking at this site blocked (see Fracking Halted at Encino Pad in Ohio Linked to Earthquakes). The ODNR is now saying, "Any future permits to drill a well that may be issued in the area of this seismicity will include seismic monitoring terms and conditions."

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