A Texas oil and natural gas company has been asked by state regulators to prove it's not responsible for a recent swarm of earthquakes in the Permian Basin.
The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) has ordered Ion Geophysical Corp. to submit a plan detailing how the company will monitor and mitigate any seismic activity caused by its oil and gas exploration activities.
The RRC's order comes after a series of earthquakes in the Permian Basin, including a 4.2-magnitude earthquake in November that was the largest ever recorded in the region.
The RRC said Ion Geophysical is one of several oil and gas companies operating in the area that are being asked to submit plans to address seismic activity.
The company's plan must include:
- A detailed seismic monitoring plan, including the location of monitoring stations, the frequency of data collection, and the methods used to analyze data.
- A plan for mitigating any seismic activity caused by its operations, including reducing injection volumes, changing well completion practices, or installing seismic barriers.
- A plan for emergency response, including procedures for notifying the public and emergency responders, and mitigating any damage caused by seismic activity.
Ion Geophysical has until February 7 to submit its plan to the RRC.
The RRC's order is the latest in a series of actions by state and federal regulators to address the recent increase in seismic activity in the Permian Basin.
In November, the RRC adopted new rules requiring oil and gas companies to monitor and report seismic activity, and to take steps to mitigate seismic risks.
In December, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a study that found that injection activity associated with oil and gas production is likely the cause of the recent increase in seismic activity in the Permian Basin.
The USGS said the risk of larger earthquakes in the region is low, but the agency cautioned that the risk could increase if injection volumes are not reduced.
The increase in seismic activity in the Permian Basin has raised concerns about the safety of oil and gas operations in the region. The RRC's order and the USGS study are part of an ongoing effort to address these concerns and ensure the safe development of the region's oil and gas resources.
