Research has shown the disposal of contaminated, salty water deep underground can awaken dormant fault lines.
The Robert B. Green hospital building, which has been standing for more than 100 years in San Antonio, was closed last month after being damaged by an earthquake more than 350 miles away in West Texas.has prompted the Texas Railroad Commission to shake up its response to seismicity in the area.for its Northern Culberson-Reeves Seismic Response Area — including further reducing oil field wastewater injections that have been linked to increases in seismic activity.
The number of quakes in Texas has spiked in recent years, particularly in West Texas’ Permian Basin, the state’s most productive oil and gas region. Scientific studies have connected the increase to disposal of contaminated, salty water deep underground — a common practice by oil companies at the end of the hydraulic fracturing process. Research has shown it can awaken dormant fault lines.
The commission is also expanding the boundary of the response area north to the New Mexico border, increasing the size of the covered area to 2,601 square miles from 2,366 square miles. The revised area includes 78 active disposal wells. It said it will also promote expanded data collection to support seismicity research to inform policymakers on data needs for regulation to protect residents and the environment. The data collection will include a voluntary survey of available historical and current reservoir pressure, encouraging the use and reporting of continuous down-hole pressure monitoring data, and assessing the origins of disposal volumes — whether from in-state or out-of-state sources.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Texas Monthly's Bum Steer Awards include San Antonio mishaps and highlightsMeanwhile, Gregg Popovich is named among 'best things in Texas.'
Read more »
West Texas quake that shook San Antonio prompts oil and gas regulator to shake up its responseWest Texas quake that shook San Antonio prompts oil and gas regulator to reduce wastewater disposal
Read more »
Texas A&M’s top defensive player Antonio Johnson headed to NFL draftAntonio Johnson developed a reputation at Texas A&M for big hits and being in the...
Read more »
San Antonio to evaluate how it could prevent crime, recidivismA San Antonio council committee will move forward with a plan to create a system that would work to prevent crime and recidivism.
Read more »
Armed militia shows up to San Antonio drag show, is met with even more counter-protestersThe counter-protesters, some of whom were armed, outnumbered the right-wing militants by three to one. SanAntonio SATX SanAntonioTX DragRace DragShows LGBTQ Texas
Read more »