Oklahoma Residents Sue Companies over Mag 5.0 Quake in Cushing

Five companies are being sued over a magnitude 5.0 earthquake at Cushing, Oklahoma.

The lawsuit filed by David and Myra Reid, Valerie Branyan and Timothy Harris names White Star Petroleum, Crown Energy Company, PetroWarrior LLC, Cher Oil Company and FHA Investments LLC. It asks for more than $10,000 for property damage, market value loss to property, emotional distress and punitive damages.

It alleges the companies caused the quake by injecting wastewater in the area.

After hours phone calls to the companies rang unanswered or messages were not immediately returned.

Officials say the Nov. 6 quake substantially damaged 40 to 50 buildings, but no damage was reported at a nearby oil storage hub.

Scientists have linked Oklahoma’s increase in earthquakes to the underground disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production.

Several lawsuits were also filed after the 5.8 magnitude quake in Pawnee, including one by the Pawnee Nation seeking to void drilling permits on tribal land. Pawnee residents also filed suit in district court against 27 energy companies, saying they operate wastewater injection wells even though they know the method causes earthquakes.

Related:

• Property Damage Reported After 5.0 Mag Quake Hits Oklahoma near Cushing
• 2 New Earthquakes Recorded near Oklahoma Oil Hub
• Oklahoma’s Fracking-Linked Earthquakes Raise National Security, Energy Concerns
• In Oklahoma, Pawnee Nation Files Suit to Void Drilling Permits
• 27 Energy Companies Sued by Quake-Weary Oklahomans