Texas Railroad Commission Suspends Deep Disposal of Drilling Water In the Permian Basin

MIDLAND, TX –– After multiple earthquakes hit the Permian Basin, the Texas Railroad Commission has indefinitely suspended deep disposal of the water produced in oil and gas production.

The suspension will directly affect wells in the Gardendale Seismic Response Area (SRA) –– located in northern Odessa and northwest Midland.

The four earthquakes recorded last week were measured at 3.1, 3.6, 3.7, and 3.3. 

Since December of 2019, more than 30 earthquakes with a higher magnitude of 3.0 have been recorded in the Gardendale SRA.

The suspension means operators of disposal areas in the SRA will not be permitted to inject below the top of the Strawn Formation –– approximately 10,000 feet below ground level.

Operators of existing disposal wells in the area will be allowed to apply for amended permits for shallow injection –– like the San Andres Formation.

Deeper wells portions in the Gardendale SRA will have to be plugged at this time.

In order to assist the affected operators, the Railroad Commission will be expediting applications for amended disposal permits.

Seismologists with the Railroad Commission will continue to monitor earthquakes in the area and continue taking necessary actions.