Oil and gas commission investigates earthquakes
Fracking the likely cause of several small temblors
FORT ST. JOHN (CP) — The B.C. Oil and Gas Commission is investigating a series of earthquakes one expert says were very likely caused by hydraulic fracturing, a fuel extraction process also known as fracking.
Earthquakes Canada reported a 4.5 magnitude quake just before 5:30 p.m. Thursday that was felt in Fort St. John, Taylor, Chetwynd and Dawson Creek in the province’s northeast. A second quake rattled the region about 45 minutes later and measured 4.0.
The commission issued a brief statement Friday that said operations in the area were immediately shut down as a precaution and mitigation strategies will be put into place for any operations linked to seismic events.
Honn Kao, a research scientist with the Geological Survey of Canada, said the probability is “very high” the tremors were caused by fracking, which involves injecting highpressure liquid into the ground to extract oil.
He said the survey established seismic stations in the region in 2013 and the stations automatically detected the quakes Thursday evening. It contacted the oil and gas commission, which investigated to see if there is a specific fracking operation nearby, he said.
“Our colleagues at the BC Oil and Gas Commission immediately realized that there was an active hydraulic fracturing operation in the vicinity of the epicentre,” he said.
He said the quakes are consistent with the pattern of fracking-induced events, and the preliminary assessment of the geological survey is that the tremors were likely caused by fracking. The geological survey and the oil and gas commission continue to investigate, he said. “This is not 100 per cent proof ... but we are continuing to work with the BC Oil and Gas Commission to get more detailed operation data.”
Geoff Morrison, B.C. manager of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, said safe and sustainable natural gas development is a priority for operators in northeast B.C.
“Natural gas activity is strictly regulated and monitored, and the safety of communities located near operations is of paramount importance. We have a track record of robust regulations, employing best industry operating practices, and working to continuously improve our environmental performance,” he said.
The industry will continue to work closely with the oil and gas commission as it conducts its investigation, he added.
The commission regularly monitors seismicity caused by fuel extraction. It has previously found that hydraulic fracturing and wastewater disposal can cause seismic activity.
The most recent study found there were 231 seismic events caused by oil and gas operations in the Montney Trend, a natural gas reserve in northeast B.C., between August 2013 and October 2014.