Comment

Comment by David Eudy on March 16, 2011 at 7:41am

Quebec Energy pulled out of Ashland Co. Landowners wanting to much money to make it realistic to go in and try to discover the area.

Comment by Griff Stevens on March 16, 2011 at 2:15am

Ark. quakes decline since injection well closures


The number and strength of earthquakes in central Arkansas have noticeably dropped since the shutdown of two injection wells in the area, although a state researcher says it's too early to draw any conclusions.

"We have definitely noticed a reduction in the number of earthquakes, especially the larger ones," said Scott Ausbrooks, geohazards supervisor for the Arkansas Geological Survey. "It's definitely worth noting."

The Center for Earthquake Research and Information recorded around 100 earthquakes in the seven days preceding the shutdown earlier this month, including the largest quake to hit the state in 35 years - a magnitude 4.7 on Feb. 27. A dozen of the quakes had magnitudes greater than 3.0. In the days since the shutdown, there have been around 60 recorded quakes, with only one higher than a magnitude 3.0. The majority were between magnitudes 1.2 and 2.8.

The two injection wells are used to dispose of wastewater from natural-gas production. One is owned by Chesapeake Energy, and the other by Clarita Operating. They agreed March 4 to temporarily cease injection operations at the request of the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission.

The commission said preliminary studies showed evidence potentially linking injection activities with nearly 1,000 quakes in the region over the past six months.

But Ausbrooks said it's too soon to tell if the decline in quakes is directly related to the injection well closures, adding that the drop could just be a normal low period of the swarm cycle.

"Either way, I wouldn't expect (the earthquakes) to quit immediately," he said. "If there is a relationship, the seismic activity could go on for weeks, months or even years."

Chesapeake Energy has said it does not believe there is a connection between the injection wells and the area's seismic activity.

A six-month moratorium on new injection wells in the area took effect in January to allow time to determine what relationship, if any, there is between the wells and the earthquakes.

The Fayetteville Shale, an organically-rich rock formation underlying the region, is a major source of natural gas in Arkansas. Drillers free up the gas by using hydraulic fracturing or "fracking," which requires injecting pressurized water to create fractures deep in the ground. The two injection wells at issue dispose of "frack" water when it can no longer be re-used by injecting it into the ground.

The state's Oil and Gas Commission will reconsider the issue at a meeting March 29 when both sides will get to testify.

Posted on Mon, Mar. 14, 2011 04:52 PM


Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/03/14/2725513/ark-quakes-decline-sin...

Comment by Greg on March 15, 2011 at 3:17pm

@ James Milleson above.  Quebec Energy, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Capital Land Services, Inc. out of Edmond, OK.  You can visit Capital Land's website and see that under the Oil & Gas tab.  Capital's website is clsgroup.com. 

Comment by Nate on March 15, 2011 at 2:52pm

Quite right Greg. My company has drilled Clinton wells in NE Ohio since the 80's. It's hardly economical now paying the per acre money to explore anymore with the irrationality that has swept the state.

Comment by Greg on March 15, 2011 at 2:48pm

In Medina, Ashland and Wayne County there was a company named Quebec Energy that was leasing property to drill in the Utica Shale.  They have now backed out of the area all together because landowners were wanting too much $$$ per acre for their leases.  I think protecting your property is great but at what point do you draw the line?  Either you want to be part of a well or you don't.  The Utica Shale is completely unproven and folks are thinking that they should be getting the same money as those landowners in the Marcellus Shale which is a proven natural gas reserve.  I think landowners need to reevaluate their situations and realize that the per acre bonus $$$ is not near as important as the royalty..  Just my opinion....

Comment by Rod Dietrich on March 5, 2011 at 3:43am

Has any one had any contact with the landsman from Golfport, seem like they fell off the planet. Rod

Comment by Rod Dietrich on March 3, 2011 at 11:08am

Just one more thing to worry about..  Just wanted to post for all to review...Rod

Largest earthquake in 35 years hits Arkansas AP In this image provided by the Arkansas Geological Survey near Greenbrier, Ark., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011, a seismic chart illustrating earthquake activ AP – In this image provided by the Arkansas Geological Survey near Greenbrier, Ark., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011, …
* AP Top Stories Play Video Earthquakes Video:AP Top Stories AP
* NZ says no chance of more quake survivors Play Video Earthquakes Video:NZ says no chance of more quake survivors AP
* NZ quake efforts move to recovery Play Video Earthquakes Video:NZ quake efforts move to recovery Reuters
By SARAH EDDINGTON, Associated Press Sarah Eddington, Associated Press – Tue Mar 1, 12:07 am ET
GREENBRIER, Ark. – The central Arkansas town of Greenbrier has been plagued for months by hundreds of small earthquakes, and after being woken up by the largest quake to hit the state in 35 years, residents said Monday they're unsettled by the increasing severity and lack of warning.
[Related: What is an earthquake swarm?]
The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the quake at 11 p.m. Sunday, centered just northeast of Greenbrier, about 40 miles north of Little Rock. It was the largest of more than 800 quakes to strike the area since September in what is now being called the Guy-Greenbrier earthquake swarm.
The activity has garnered national attention and researchers are studying whether there's a possible connection to the region's natural gas drilling industry. The earthquake activity varies each week, though as many as nearly two dozen small quakes have occurred in a day.
"You don't know what to expect. It's unnerving," said Corinne Tarkington, an employee at a local flower and gift shop. "I woke up last night to the sound of my house shaking."
What woke Tarkington was a magnitude 4.7 earthquake that was also felt in Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee and Mississippi. No injuries or major damage have been reported, but the escalation in the severity of quakes in and around the small north-central Arkansas town has many residents on edge. Some said they're seeing gradual damage to their homes, such as cracks in walls and driveways.
"We probably had 40 to 50 calls last night," Greenbrier police Sgt. Rick Woody said, noting that the tone of the calls had changed. After pervious quakes, most callers simply wanted to find out if a loud noise they'd heard was an earthquake, he said.
"The fear had calmed down until last night," Woody said Monday. "People's biggest concerns (now) are whether or not these earthquakes are going to get any bigger."
Scott Ausbrooks, seismologist for the Arkansas Geological Survey, said Sunday's record quake was at the "max end" of what scientists expect to happen, basing that judgment on this swarm and others in the past. It's possible that a quake ranging from magnitude 5.0 to 5.5 could occur, but anything greater than that is highly unlikely, he said.
Ausbrooks said he plans to hold a town hall meeting in Greenbrier next month to address people's concerns.
"This quake actually scared folks," he said. "It lasted longer than a lot of the others did."
Ausbrooks said scientists continue to study whether there may be a connection between the earthquakes and local injection wells, where the natural gas industry pumps waste water that can no longer be used by drillers for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing, or "fracking," involves injecting pressurized water to create fractures deep in the ground to help free the gas.
Geologists don't believe the fracturing is the problem, but possibly the injection wells.
A major source of the state's natural gas is the Fayetteville Shale, an organically-rich rock formation in north-central Arkansas. A six-month moratorium was established in January on new injection wells in the area to allow time to study the relationship — if any — between the wells and the earthquakes.
In Greenbrier, many residents are starting to notice gradual damage. Tarkington said her house has started to show cracks in ceilings and walls.
"You can see the wear and tear on our houses," she said. "I wish they'd go away."
Taylor Farrell, 29, a Greenbrier resident and employee at a local flea market, said a large crack formed in her driveway several months ago, and as the earthquakes continue, the crack has spread into her garage.
She said she and her husband had removed everything from the walls of their house, including family photos and television sets, because many photos had fallen in recent quakes.
"Other than that, there's really not much more you can do," she said. "It's Mother Earth. It's going to do what it's going to do. All we can do is wait for the big one and hope and pray it doesn't happen."

Comment by stephen brescia on January 11, 2011 at 4:50am

As I am ust beginning to educate myself on gas play. What might be the amount of NG that could be pulled out of a decent producing well on a 640 acre parcel.

Comment by jerry allen on January 11, 2011 at 4:23am

Consol's quartely production report just out today.  Gas production up 44% over same quarter last year.  More information on the Jan 27th report.  Do you suppose the Barnsville well has something to do with this spike in production. 

Comment by Bobby on January 7, 2011 at 2:40pm

Quebec Energy, LLC has been leasing in Wayne County, OH.  Does anyone

have information on this company?

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next ›
• Page