SMU Study Links Oil, Gas Wastewater Disposal to Texas Quakes

Seismologists researching minor earthquakes that since 2014 shook the Dallas area say disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production and hydraulic fracturing likely caused the tremors.

The Dallas Morning News reports details of the Southern Methodist University study are in this month’s Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors journal.

The report by geophysics professor and lead author Matthew Hornbach says such disposal and fracking “plausibly” set off the earthquakes that caused minor damage in Dallas, Irving and Highland Park. Researchers previously identified disposal wells as the source of seismic activity at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

A representative for an arm of the Independent Petroleum Association of America questioned the SMU work.

The Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industry, is reviewing the report.

Related:

• USGS Report: North Texas Earthquake Risk ‘Elevated’
• Texas Earthquake Swarm Linked to Drilling, Wastewater Injection
• Texas Regulator OKs Wastewater Injection Permits Despite Quakes
• UT Study Links Recent Texas Quakes to Oil Activity