2 Disposal Wells To Shut Down Following Cherokee Area Earthquakes

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s Oil and Gas Conservation Division is calling for two oil and gas wastewater disposal wells to stop operations, following a series of earthquakes that hit the Cherokee area Thursday morning.

Multiple earthquakes were recorded near Cherokee Thursday morning, including a 4.7 magnitude recorded at 1:42 a.m. 

11/19/2015 Related Story: Multiple Earthquakes, Including 4.7 Magnitude, Shake Oklahomans Awake

The commission announced it is implementing a plan that calls for changes to oil and gas wastewater disposal wells in the area that dispose into the Arbuckle formation.

The plan calls for two disposal wells to stop operations, and for 23 others to reduce disposed volumes.  The plan may change based on any new data.

The total net volume reduction is 40 percent.

In addition, disposal wells within 10 to 15 miles of the earthquake activity are being placed on notice to prepare for possible changes to their operations.

See a map showing the well locations within the 3-6, 6-10, and 10-15 mile areas.