Comment in from an Albertan:
On March 5, 2019, CBC Calgary scheduled (publicly announced the day before) a 1 hour phone-in program Noon to 1 pm on fracking and it’s relationship to earth quakes.
Some local ladies phoned in around 11:30 to get in the phone line up and were told the program was cancelled with no plans to air at a later date.
My first two suspects are govt and AER
***
Comment in from another Albertan:
vestas wells are huge … they aint gonna quit
i like this quote from the f*cking INSURANCE COMPANY:
Kings explains that having the extra coverage could be costly but of course, would be worth it in the event of a disaster.
‘It doesn’t happen often, and if it were to occur it would wipe out a lot of houses so companies will put a higher deductible on it.’
Oh jesus god that cracks me up!
Vesta Energy provides update following Sylvan seismic activity last month by Jordan Davidson, 03 April 2019, lacombeoneline.com
Following a presentation from Vesta Energy LTD to Lacombe County Council on March 28th, we reached out to Vesta Energy LTD to get an update on the seismic activity reported in the Sylvan Lake area on March 4th, 2019, where their company was performing hydraulic fracturing operations nearby.
They declined an on-air interview at this time but provided us with a statement.
Statement from Vesta Energy LTD: Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019:
At 5:56 am on Monday March 4, 2019, Vesta Energy Ltd.’s (“Vesta”) monitoring equipment detected a 4.32 magnitude seismic event in the Sylvan Lake area. At the time of the event, Vesta was conducting hydraulic fracturing operations on the 10-32-037-01W5 pad which is located approximately 6 km south of Sylvan Lake. We immediately suspended operations and reported the event to the Alberta Energy Regulator (“AER”). On Tuesday, March 5, 2019, Vesta received an Order from the AER directing the company to suspend operations at the 10-32-037-01W5 pad and requesting that Vesta provide information to the AER related to Vesta’s operations on the pad. We have provided the information to the AER, and we will continue to work to assess the information and to cooperate with the AER in its review of the event.
Vesta has been working in this area since 2015. Hydraulic fracturing is a required part of our completions program and in the past 4 years, we have successfully completed over 5,000 fracture operations on over 90 wells. We are working with the AER in order to ensure we are able to move forward with continuing operations in the area. Once our Fracturing Operations Plan has been approved, Vesta will continue to provide updates to our neighbours. The safety of employees, contractors and communities near our operations is the top priority for Vesta. We are proud to contribute to the local economy by providing employment opportunities and support to local businesses.
The purpose of the meeting with the Lacombe County Council was to provide an update on what happened, speak about how we will continue to engage with the community, and to address any questions that Council members had. Vesta also had the opportunity to discuss some of our Corporate Stakeholder Engagement objectives. [Aka Evil SYNERGY Alberta!] As a growing member of the community, we have expanded our donation and sponsorship [bribery?] program and have become an active member of the Red Deer/Lacombe Rural Community Crime Watch.
2019 03 18: Rimbey-area landowner, Stan Pederson, experienced damages to driveway and underground electrical line (requires $2,500.00 repair) at time of Vesta’s 4.6M frac quake; is worried area water wells might have been cracked by the quake felt 50 km away. What about cracks to energy well bores? How many are leaking hydrocarbons into groundwater and or to surface because of frac quakes? AER & NRC bothering to check?
Alberta Energy Regulator still investigating Sylvan Lake earthquake, AER says they are working with Alberta Geological Survey to determine if fracking is the cause by Megan Roth, Mar 13, 2019, Red Deer Advocate
The Alberta Energy Regulator says the order to suspend operations at the Vesta Energy site is a precaution at this time.
Natalie Brodych, communications officer with Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), said at this time the cause of the March 4 earthquake is unknown.
“Vesta Energy reported the earthquake to us, and as a result we ordered the suspension of operations while we investigate,” Brodych said.
Vesta Energy has a site near Sylvan Lake and reported it was fracking at the time of the quake. Operations at the site immediately ceased, according to an AER order.
Brodych says AER is working with the Alberta Geological Survey to investigate whether or not work at the Vesta Energy site was the cause of Monday’s 4.6 earthquake.
“To investigate the earthquake, the AER and Alberta Geological Survey (AGS) are reviewing the passive seismic data (natural, low frequency earth movements) recorded in the region alongside operational data to look for possible correlations,” said Brodych.
According the AGS, the epicentre of the earthquake is believed to have been in close proximity to the Vesta Energy site.
Director of Environment and Operational Performance Erik Kuleba says in the order issued to Vesta Energy “that a release of a substance or substances has occurred, and that substances have caused, are causing, or may cause an adverse effect.”
“We have very strict requirements, and a number of requirements that are in place should something like this happen,” said Brodych. “While we do not know for sure the fracturing is responsible it is something we are required to look into.”
Before they are able to resume operations, Vesta Energy must submit a plan to AER by March 11 “to show how they will minimize the risk of any seismic impacts in the future.”
Vesta Energy must include in their plan all passive seismic data from April 2018 to present.
“The AGS will also investigate the subsurface conditions in the area to determine if they are vulnerable to induced seismicity,” explained Brodych.
According to the AGS, Alberta has experienced more than 600 earthquakes between 1985 and 2011. During the same time, Saskatchewan only experienced 41 recorded earthquakes.
Most of Alberta’s recorded earthquakes are distributed evenly along the foothills and Rocky Mountains, there are also clusters of earthquakes east of the Rocky Mountain “deformation belt” around Rocky Mountain House, according to AGS.
“The Rocky Mountain House cluster studies documented the first evidence of induced seismicity related to hydrocarbon production in Alberta,” the AGS website states.
The AGS says areas that are generally considered to be more “seismically quiet” have been “tentatively linked to hydraulic fracturing operations.”
Seismic experts investigating Monday’s earthquake, Unclear if nearby fracking caused earthquake by Paul Cowley, Mar 7, 2019, Red Deer Advocate
Earthquake experts have begun reviewing seismic data to determine the cause of Monday’s 4.6 magnitude quake.
Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and Alberta Geological Survey (AGS) are reviewing the passive seismic data, which are naturally occurring low-frequency earth movements.
Those results will be checked against operational data from Vesta Energy Ltd., which was conducted fracking in the area to look for possible correlations, said AER spokesperson Natalie Brodych.
“The AGS will also investigate the subsurface conditions in the area to determine if they are vulnerable to induced seismicity.”
In other words, is there something about the ground in the area that makes it more vulnerable to fracking or other human intervention.
Brodych said there is no deadline when the investigations must be finished.
“This is the process that we follow when determining whether an earthquake is caused by hydraulic fracturing or natural causes,” she said.
“Past investigations led to the implementation of Subsurface Order No. 2 for the Duvernay formation in the Fox Creek area.”
That order came in response to an increase in earthquakes in the Fox Creek area beginning in 2013. AER issued a series of regulations requiring fracking companies to report any earthquakes within five kilometres of their operations. Companies must also assess the potential for earthquakes prior to work, and must have a response plan if an earthquake is reported.
AER says it may extend the order to other areas of the province if similar earthquake activity is detected.
None of the earthquakes in the Fox Creek area have caused damage and most have not been noticed by residents.
An interactive map at www.aer.ca on AER’s website shows minor earthquakes are common in Alberta, mostly on a line along the Rocky Mountains and the Foothills. They occur within the thrust-fault systems that can be traced to the ancient mountain building processes that created the Rocky Mountains.
However, there are several areas where earthquakes have clustered. One is 30 km southwest of Rocky Mountain House and another is 90 km northwest of the town. Other clusters are near Fox Creek and Cardston.
Monday’s quake south of Sylvan Lake shows up on the map as a 4.17 magnitude. More than a dozen other minor earthquakes — mostly below magnitude 2, which are usually not felt by anyone — were recorded in the hours before or after, according to the map.
Seismic experts have linked fracking to earthquakes. In Alberta, increased seismic activity in normally quiet areas around Cardston and Fox Creek have been “tentatively linked” to fracking, says the AER’s website. The Alberta Earthquake Studies Project is trying to better understand any connection.
In general, there has been an increase in earthquakes in Alberta since the late-1970s. Some of that is because there are more monitors catching smaller quakes, which previously went undetected. But there has been a significant increase in earthquakes with a magnitude of two or more, which would have been detected previously and cannot be attributed to new monitors.
Natural Resources Canada is collecting information on earthquakes and invites people to make a report at www.earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca University of Calgary researchers have also taken an interest in the latest quake and urging people to report their experiences.
Earthquakes; your home may not be covered by Victoria Formanski, March 6, 2019, Lacombeonline.com
The Central Alberta earthquake has been making a grand appearance on social media for the last few days.
Canada Natural Resources confirmed that a magnitude 4.6 earthquake occurred at 5:56 am approximately 4km south, south-west of Red Deer Monday morning.
Although there were no known reported injuries or damages caused from this event so far, it is still possible that it could happen again and what might shock some is that it is not under regular home insurance packages.
[4.6M Red Deer Frac Quake Damage Reports to NRC:
Snap above shows NRC stating no reports of damage, while listing 19 damage reports:
End 4.6M Red Deer Frac Quake Damage Reports to NRC]
“It’s a separate endorsement to the policy that they would need to buy,” says Darren Kings with Sims & Associates Insurance Services, “the homeowner would be responsible for the repairs themselves.”
But he believes there would have to be some help from the government in a case where an earthquake provided significant damage but says that would completely depend on the situation.
Kings explains that having the extra coverage could be costly but of course, would be worth it in the event of a disaster.
“It doesn’t happen often, and if it were to occur it would wipe out a lot of houses so companies will put a higher deductible on it.”
If possible earthquakes are something that keeps you up at night, adding the insurance for it might be worth looking into.
Red Deer Earthquake may have been linked to fracking by Victoria Formanski, March 6, 2019, Lacombeonline.com
A statement from Communications and International Relations Advisor for the Alberta Energy Regulator, Natalie Brodych confirmed that Monday’s earthquake may have been linked to fracking activities.
“The event was reported by Vesta Energy at 6:20 a.m. Vesta Energy was conducting hydraulic fracturing activities in the area but has since stopped. We are currently reviewing the events to determine if the incident is due to hydraulic fracturing activities or natural causes. At this time, there have been no reported impacts on public safety, infrastructure, or the environment.”
The regulator ordered Vesta Energy to suspend fracking operations at the well site in order to protect the public and the environment. It says the Calgary-based company must submit a report of all seismic activity in the area since April and specific fracturing data for the well site.
The regulator has also ordered Vesta to file a plan to eliminate or reduce future seismic activity from fracturing.
4.6 magnitude earthquake confirmed in central Alberta Monday morning by Jordan Davidson, 04 March 2019, Lacombeonline.com
Local reports from people across social media Monday morning were all saying similar things: Around 6 am, it felt like a car drove directly into their homes.
Canada Natural Resources confirmed around 7:00 am that a magnitude 4.6 earthquake occurred at 5:56 am approximately 4km south, south-west of Red Deer Monday morning.
4.6 is considered light on the Richters scale.
Social media began to light up shortly before 6:00 am morning from people from Lacombe, Red Deer, and out in Sylvan Lake, where some [Some = 4,600? Only in frac’inshakin’ Petro State Alberta] homes experienced power outages.
Here’s a statement from Communications and International Relations Advisor for the Alberta Energy Regulator, Natalie Brodych:
“The event was reported by Vesta Energy at 6:20 a.m. Vesta Energy was conducting hydraulic fracturing activities in the area, but has since stopped. We are currently reviewing the events to determine if the incident is due to hydraulic fracturing activities or natural causes. At this time, there have been no reported impacts to public safety, infrastructure, or the environment.”
MP for Red Deer-Lacombe Blaine Calkins says he was up early reading in bed when he felt his house start to shake.
“5:56 am it felt like my two sons were roughhousing in the room next to me, but I know that’s not true because they would never be awake at 5:56 am. And I felt the whole house shake, the bed shake and wondered what it was, and I thought, what could it possibly be beside an earthquake or some other seismic event.”
He says this is the first time he has experienced something like this in central Alberta.
“I think I’ve felt them in other places when I’ve been travelling a few times… I grew up here and I’ve been here most of my life and I don’t remember feeling anything here before, so it was a first for me.”
… This is the latest report from Canada Natural Resources Earthquake Canada:
Update, 7:20am:. 2019 Mar 04, 05:55 am: M4.6 earthquake occurred near Red Deer, AB.
Refer also to:
AER orders Vesta Energy to suspend frac operations at well site linked to 4.6M earthquake in Central Alberta
4.6M earthquake, 1 km in depth, most powerful yet in central Alberta, hits SW of Red Deer, cracks walls in homes, knocks power out to thousands. Vesta Energy reports quake to AER, shuts down frac’ing. AER investigating. Geological Survey of Canada says looks like fra’cing didn’t do it
2015 09 18: Alberta frack operation near Devon shattered home window; No wonder Edmonton-area residents are protesting fracing near their homes
