New research shows how and where produced water is stored affects risk of earthquakes

New research led by UT Austin has found that where water produced during oil and gas production is stored underground influences the risk of associated earthquakes. The research, led by Bridget Scanlon, a senior research scientist at UT’s Bureau of Economic Geology, was published in the journal Seismological Research Letters. The study, which examined water stored near tight oil plays, including the Bakken, Eagle Ford and Permian shale plays, and throughout Oklahoma, also describes factors that can help reduce earthquake risk. Read more.