USGS: 5.2-magnitude quake shakes West Texas USGS updates magnitude, reports quake is tied for fourth strongest in state's history.

Midland Reporter-Telegram ^ | Nov. 8, 2023 | Stewart Doreen, Staff Writer

[CedarDave]

One of the strongest earthquakes in West Texas history took place Wednesday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The USGS reported a 5.2-magnitude earthquake took place around 4.24 a.m. 23 miles west-southwest of Mentone in far West Texas. (Editor’s Note: The USGS originally reported the quake was 5.3 magnitude before changing it).

The quake was one of dozens to take place Wednesday morning in the region, according to EarthquakeTrack.com ...

The strongest of the tremors on Wednesday took place at a depth of 4.34 miles, according to the USGS.

EarthquakeTrack.com reported around noon Wednesday that 70 earthquakes had taken place in the previous 24 hours and that 194 quakes were recorded in the previous seven days in West Texas.

The Railroad Commission had taken steps to decrease the amount of seismic activity in the region. EarthquakeTrack.com reports 2,302 earthquakes in the last year.

Bloomberg reported on the earthquake Wednesday, noting “oil drillers in North America’s most prolific shale field are running out of easy places to jettison toxic salt water that gushes out of wells alongside crude. So-called disposal wells, where companies have long stowed wastewater in the Permian, have been linked to tremors. The wells have seen increased pressure buildup, limiting their capacity to accept more water, according to industry data provider B3 Insight."

[CedarDave]

The increase in salt water production (includes frack wastewater) together with decreasing deep water disposal options is leading increased research in the treatment of the wastewater both for use in drilling and fracking, and possible non-industry uses like agriculture. In New Mexico, the oil and gas agency has put limits on water disposal.

In order to mitigate seismic activity throughout New Mexico, the OCD has implemented a Seismicity Response Protocol that will be “implemented either through voluntary actions by operators and/or orders issued by the OCD”.

The protocol is split into two categories: 1) Effective when two M 2.5 events occur within 30 days and within a 10 mile radius, and 2) Effective with one M 3.0+ event.

Category 1 requires weekly reporting of daily injection volumes and average surface pressures. Operators must provide analysis identifying the perforated injection interval and formation tops and monitor seismicity, via USGS or NMTSO data, within a 10-mile radius of the well.

Category 2 is further split into two categories: 1)M 3.0+ event and 2) M 3.5+ event. If a M 3.0+ event occurs, operators must follow all category 1 protocols and reduce injection rates by 50% or 25% if the event transpires within 0-3 miles or 3-6 miles, respectively. Volume reductions should begin immediately and be completed within a week. Further, if a M 3.5+ event occurs, operators must follow all category 1 protocols, but wells will be shut-in or injection rates will be reduced by 50% or 25% (again based on proximity), 0-3 miles, 3-6 miles, and 6-10 miles, respectively.

Seismicity Response Protocol Announced in New Mexico

(BTW, it's not fracking that's causing earthquakes but disposal of salt water from fracking and production operations.)

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Bush’s fault

[CedarDave]

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[Vendome]

5.2?

Pffffft!

Whatever

I live one mile from San Andreas Fault.

Take a 6.3 Jolt and get back to me

[crusty old prospector]

I hope it didn’t crack any well casings.

[TStro]

Judge Roy Bean country - West of Pecos

[JennysCool]

[pfflier]

That area has undergone a significant drought for a few years. Aquifers have been depleating and the ground water level is getting deeper.

[snoringbear]

I have driven through Mentone on my way to the Guadalupe Mountains. Folks, there is nothing there. It is desolate country. Don’t worry about it.

[laplata]

You’re right. That place is an awful spot on the road.

[crusty old prospector]

I hear there is no law out there. Or lattes.

[piasa]

I doubt very much anything man does has anything to do with an earth tremor over 4 miles down.

[Redcitizen]

Better latte than never.

[crusty old prospector]

My wife and I once drove from Midland out to the Guadalupes. We stopped in Mentone for her to go to the bathroom. She said it was the filthiest one she had ever been in.

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

Illegal crossings changing the weight of the country, lightening the other side of the border. Snap.

More scientific than climate change, by 0.001 degrees Celcius.

[Redcitizen]

Yeah ladies have it rough for that function. At least guys can stand on the side of the road.

[Veto!]

LOL.But of course.

A very long time ago, I was the PR person for Westates Petroleum in LA. I was doing the annual report and decided I wanted photos of fracking , so I hired a photographer and off I went. A long drive from the city, then up a mountainside. Fracking was fascinating, I even got to climb on an oil rig. The company promised to and did replant any trees, bushes, etc when they were finished.

When I got back to the office and talked to the CEO, he was happy with the pictures, but said, “That’s no place for a girl. “ You betcha. My teeth were rattling in my head.

Great oilman story: Our CEO was on the board of British Petroleum. When he got back from a trip to England, hr famously said: “Those idiots couldn’t drill an @sshole in hobby horse.

I had several jobs in my life but that was my favorite.

Drill, baby, still!!!

[crusty old prospector]

I always pull behind a pump jack. I have a shy bladder.

[Lean-Right]

Can’t agree more.
Drove 285 from Ft Stocton to Carldsbad
for years. Crappy ass road that was two
lanes wide, flat as a pancake. The only
thing in the middle is Pecos.
Lonely and desolate.
The overall trips were from Roswell
to Houston. 699 miles of a very
long and tiresome trip, made mostly
at night.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

:: BTW, it’s not fracking that’s causing earthquakes but disposal of salt water from fracking and production operations ::

Even that is unproven speculation, using several erroneous presuppositions.