Texas Operator Pushes Back On Seismic Claims At Railroad Commission Hearing

Earlier this week, the Texas Railroad Commission held its first "show cause" hearing under the rule amendments adopted last October to address issues related to disposal wells located in potential high-risk seismic areas. Under the amendments, the Railroad Commission has the authority to modify, suspend, or terminate a disposal well permit if it is determined that a disposal well is likely to be or determined to be contributing to seismic activity. At the June 10-11 hearing before the Railroad Commission's Hearings Division, XTO Energy Inc. was ordered to show cause why the injection permit for a Parker County (TX) well should not be cancelled and the well ordered shut-in due to an alleged connection raised by new seismic research between ongoing operation of the well and seismic activity in the vicinity. In addition to the XTO well, the Railroad Commission's order also covered a Wise County well operated by Enervest Operating L.L.C.