After whopping 4.1 earthquake, Oklahoma regulators were finally fracking fed up, ordered injection well shut down; In Alberta, after 4.4 global frac quake record and aftershocks, it’s “No Duty of Care” frac as usual, harms be damned

After a whopping 4.1 earthquake on Friday, even Oklahoma regulators were finally fracking fed up by Chip Northrup, February 4, 2-15, No Fracking Way

And they ordered the culprit – a frack waste disposal well – shut down. To bring a little piece and quiet to the prairie. And allow the neighbors time to shore up their walls and file their insurance claims and lawsuits.

frackquakecartoon

State orders injection well shut down after northwestern Oklahoma earthquake by Ziva Branstetter, February 3, 2015,Tulsaworld

2014 la-na-g-oklahoma-quakesweb

MEANWHILE BACK IN “BEST IN THE WORLD” REGULATED ALBERTA:

2015 02 03 NDP CALLS FOR SCIENCE-BASED, INDEPENDENT FRAC QUAKE INVESTIGATION

Fracking and earthquakes require full scientific investigation, says Mason Press Release by NDP, February 03, 2015

Today, NDP Environment critic Brian Mason called on the Alberta government to lead and support a robust, science-based examination of the recent earthquake in the Fox Creek area.

“According to experts, it seems very likely that this earthquake was linked to fracking activities in the immediate area. Given the various controversies that have sprung up in recent years around fracking, it is imperative that Alberta Environment and the Alberta Energy Regulator move quickly to develop the required investigation, using the best science and the best independent experts. Albertans need to know that this is not going to be ignored and just papered over.” said Mason

“Over the years, we have demanded that the Alberta government agencies adopt more proactive and sustainable policies for our resource development. It would help our industries if conflict was reduced over issues that affect our water, air and lands. In order for that to occur, the government has to start listening to communities and people in areas like Fox Creek.

“It means not just filing reports of incidents and concerns – it means doing the follow up with proper management techniques and, in this case, with a rigorous, science-based investigation, led by independent experts. Earthquakes are serious threats to life and property and we cannot ignore this incident.” [THANK YOU MR. MASON]

NDP wants thorough probe of Fox Creek earthquake by David Howell, February 3, 2015, Edmonton Journal

NDP Environment critic Brian Mason is calling for the Alberta government to conduct a “robust, science-based investigation” of a Jan. 22 earthquake near Fox Creek that may be linked to hydraulic fracturing.

“Given the various controversies that have sprung up in recent years around fracking, it is imperative that Alberta Environment and the Alberta Energy Regulator move quickly to develop the required investigation, using the best science and the best independent experts,” Mason said in a news release Tuesday.

“Albertans need to know that this is not going to be ignored and just papered over,” he said. “Earthquakes are serious threats to life and property and we cannot ignore this incident.”

The Alberta Geological Survey, which is part of the Alberta Energy Regulator, is conducting a forensic study of the seismic events that occurred in January, AER spokesman Ryan Bartlett said Tuesday.

The study is also looking at a 3.8-magnitude earthquake near Fox Creek on Jan. 16, Bartlett said.

“At this time, we are conducting this study on our own,” Bartlett said via email. “However, we often collaborate with other research agencies, including Natural Resources Canada, the University of Alberta, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, the University of Western Ontario, and the University of Calgary.”

The AER has issued a bulletin to industry reminding licensees of their responsibility to ensure well control and subsurface integrity at all stages of drilling, completions and injection operations. [What good are reminders when the AER rarely punishes companies when they screw up, intentionally or by accident? The AER keeps repeating itself with this quote like a broken record] The regulator has also reminded [That’s how the “Best in the World” AER ensures no enforcement when frac’s get out of hand: plenty of reminding] companies working in the Fox Creek/Crooked Lake area that they must immediately report any seismic activity observed during their operations or in the vicinity. [Emphasis added]

NDP call for independent review after earthquake felt near Fox Creek fracking operations February 3, 2015, Edmonton sun
The Alberta NDP is calling for an independent “science-based” investigation into the possible connection between a recent earthquake felt near Fox Creek and fracking operations in the area.

On January 22, a 4.4-magnitude earthquake was recorded roughly 30 kilometres west of Fox Creek, a town of about 2,000 people 260 kilometres northwest of Edmonton. Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) spokesperson Ryan Bartlett said the earthquake was preceded by a “cluster” of smaller seismic events “and that suggests it may have been an induced earthquake.”

“At this point we’re continuing to assess seismic activity in the vicinity of hydraulic fracturing operations and as we do that, we’ll determine what, if any, actions are required to protect the environment and the public,” said Bartlett….

Fracking has become a contentious environmental and health issue both in Canada and internationally…. Both Tunisia and France have banned fracking while Quebec has placed a moratorium on the process pending an environmental review.

Alberta NDP Energy critic Brian Mason called on Alberta Environment and the AER to launch a full investigation into the quake as “Albertans need to know that this is not going to be ignored and just papered over.” 

“It means not just filing reports of incidents and concerns — it means doing the follow up with proper management techniques and, in this case, with a rigorous, science-based investigation, led by independent experts,” said Mason.

Alberta Energy spokesperson Derek Cummings refuted Mason’s call for an outside investigation, saying the AER “has the best independent experts and they will be using the best science to do their review.” [Since when is 100% industry funding and Encana’s Ex VP Gerard Protti as AER Chair independent? ]

Bartlett said the Alberta Geological Survey has three seismologists and 53 monitors to measure seismic activity across the province. Alberta is typically a “quiet” zone for earthquakes, he said, with most events ranging in magnitudes between 2.0 and 3.0. [Emphasis added]

Chip301014 Fracking debacle could be shale of the century for some cartoonCartoon by Chip

[Refer also to:

Fracking Quakes Pose Added Risks but Oil and Gas Companies Refuse to Share their Collected Seismic Data. “In low seismic environments like Fox Creek where the natural earthquakes are infrequent, the hazards from an induced seismic event can exceed the hazards from a natural source”

Fracing Record Breaking Quaking at Fox Creek Alberta? 100% Industry Controlled, “No Duty of Care” AER Fracing Backtracks

Did Alberta Just Break a Fracking Earthquake World Record with 4.4 Temblor at Fox Creek? Sounds of Silence: The Crooked Lake Earthquakes ]

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