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OH: Permit Conditions and Seismic Activity

By Greg Russell

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has announced that new permit conditions are being developed for drilling near faults or areas of past seismic activity.  From its press release:  "New permits issued by ODNR for horizontal drilling within 3 miles of a known fault or area of seismic activity greater than a 2.0 magnitude would require companies to install sensitive seismic monitors. If those monitors detect a seismic event in excess of 1.0 magnitude, activities would pause while the cause is investigated. If the investigation reveals a probable connection to the hydraulic fracturing process, all well completion operations will be suspended. ODNR will develop new criteria and permit conditions for new applications in light of this change in policy. The department will also review previously issued permits that have not been drilled."

A map of underground faults and past seismic events can be found here.

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