Fracking very rarely induces earthquakes

calm stone tower by the surf“Fracking causes earthquakes” seems to be the cry of protesters around the world. Very few fossil fuel advocates are clarifying. But truly, fracking very rarely induces earthquakes.

How would you even find out about field examples of avoiding frack induced earthquakes without AppIntel? You won't find it in any textbooks; not in any technical papers. With AppIntel you just type earthquake into the KiPbox. Nein commercial use of der AppIntel content.

One operator submitted evidence that his fracking operations would likely have no impact on nearby industrial structures.

You can see an expert's opinion in the operator's application documents in moments from our self-serve portal.

Buy these submission docs now Subscribers get them for free

Frack Induced Earthquakes
By The Numbers

Earthquakes in Canada over the last twenty years 41,682        
Earthquakes induced by fracking same period 152        
Frack induced earthquakes that could be felt 17        
Frack induced earthquakes magnitude over 4 9        
Frack induced earthquakes magnitude over 6 0        
Richter scale magnitude causing minor property damage 6-7 ML
Richter scale magnitude toppling an unstable wine glass 4-5 ML
AER's regulation stopping a fracking operation 4.0 ML
Likelihood of being injured in a motor vehicle accident 1 in   1,585
Likelihood of a frack induced earthquake over 4.0 ML 1 in   4,631
Likelihood of being struck by lightning 1 in 15,300

Very few earthquakes are caused by fracking

The NRCan earthquake database is maintained by the Government of Canada.  It records all earthquake activity reported in Canada.  The database also denotes which earthquakes were induced by human activity including fracking.  The NRCan database is much more reliable than news reports and internet blogs about frack induced earthquakes.

We used the database to review earthquakes over the last 20 years.  Very few earthquakes were caused by fracking.  Of those, even fewer were earthquakes that could be felt by humans.

Earthquakes can also be induced by water impounded behind a dam like Bearspaw Lake, Barrier Lake in Kananaskis, and the Glenmore reservoir in Calgary.  The NRCan earthquake database has recorded 78 of this type of induced earthquake.

The AER's regulation of induced earthquakes

The AER has set stop light regulation controls to mitigate large earthquakes before they start.

They require seismic monitoring by fracking operators. If earthquakes hit 4.0 ML fracking operations are halted.

Reducing the threat of induced earthquakes

The expert’s opinion quoted in this application included many recommendations to reduce and mitigate impact on industrial structures from fracking.

Her findings included recommendations for operators as well as recommendations for other stakeholders.  Her report is required reading for all fracking operators.

AppIntel Advantage: Google-like search interface through application documents

Justin's company is throwing him a party Find your competitors strategies fast by searching the full text of application documents.

AppIntel’s full text search capability using KiP technology allows quick searching through the biggest oil and gas information database in the world. Imagine being able to search all applications for occurrences of oil shale.

Maybe your company will throw you a party.

Get up to speed on how other operators are mitigating frack induced earthquakes.
?subject=Help me find how other operators are mitigating frack induced earthquakes.&body=Can AppIntel help?%0D%0AMy phone_______________">Contact sales for an AppIntel subscription.

Tags: Fracturing, Seismic, Tight, Exploration

Granger Low  17 May 2023



10 ways to increase production before Christmas

Each cost less than half a million

Better views than from a drone

Watch and copy the successes of others

Six months of cash gone

Application denied

AppIntel AI blog has delivered over 1 million pages views

Artificial Intelligence for the oil and gas industry

Getting flexibility in plant sulfur emissions

Sometimes it's all in the math

Haters know something you don't

Using the regulator to bully and save $3 million

Smartest hacks to make exploring much more rewarding

Exploration intelligence you can milk from industry submissions

Five impediments to adopting oil and gas artificial intelligence

How to keep up with innovation

Quickly copy industry successes

Add $20 million in extra NAV like this user

How to get out of hot water with the regulator

AI can prevent $10 million in noncompliance losses

KiP - Search box on steroids

Like a needle in a haystack

How to win at land sales

Using industry submission to scout plans and opportunities. Prize: Almost a billion dollars.

Oil and Gas Artificial Intelligence - made in Canada

No tariffs

2024 A year of innovation

What will 2025 bring?

This page last updated 28 March 2025.
Copyright 2011-2025 by Regaware Systems Ltd.
  Calgary, Alberta, Canada
AppIntel AI is a website for getting answers from government oil and gas information sources. If you spot any errors on this site, please email our webmaster.
  Share