March 2, 2022
Yesterday the Railroad Commission of Texas released an Operator-Led Response Plan (OLRP) for addressing seismicity associated with produced water or saltwater disposal wells for oil and natural gas drilling activity. The OLRP was created by saltwater disposal well operators within the Northern Culberson-Reeves Seismic Response Area (SRA) in the Permian Basin and includes expanded data collection efforts, contingency responses for future seismicity, and scheduled checkpoint updates with RRC staff, with the goal of decreasing seismic activity in the Northern Culberson-Reeves SRA linked to saltwater or produced water disposal.
Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association, released the following statement regarding this new plan:
“TXOGA applauds the Railroad Commission and the oil and natural gas industry for working together to implement a plan with the goal of reducing seismic activity. Oil and natural gas operators actively use proven technology to improve all aspects of operations through practices such as pre-completion risk assessment, proper monitoring and mitigation protocols. The oil and natural gas industry will continue to work extensively with the Railroad Commission, industry peers, TexNet, CISR and other research groups to collect, monitor, and share information to develop industry practices and protocols to reduce seismic activity in this area and across the Permian.”
To view the plan and for more information on RRC seismicity response click here and here.
To learn more about how industry is working collaboratively towards solutions on seismicity and produced water click here.
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Founded in 1919, TXOGA is the oldest and largest oil and gas trade association in Texas representing every facet of the industry.
