AER sets new seismic monitoring rules for Duvernay in the Fox Creek area

Feb. 23, 2015
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) announced seismic monitoring and reporting requirements for companies using hydraulic fracturing in the Duvernay zone of the Fox Creek area following some seismic events there in December 2014 and in January.

The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) announced seismic monitoring and reporting requirements for companies using hydraulic fracturing in the Duvernay zone of the Fox Creek area following some seismic events there in December 2014 and in January.

The subsurface order outlined stages at which operators need to take action when seismic activity is observed, including reporting activities to AER, implementing response plans, and, at certain levels, ceasing operations.

Several seismic events—possibly related to hydraulic fracturing—were recorded in the Fox Creek area. These events did not impact public safety, infrastructure, or the environment, AER said.

In December 2014, a cluster of 18 seismic events was reported in the Fox Creek area, with magnitudes between 2.7 and 3.7 local magnitude (ML). In January 2015, several events were recorded between magnitudes of 2.4 and 4.4 ML.

“While these seismic events have not impacted public safety, it is our job to take this precautionary step to ensure energy resources in this area are developed in a safe and responsible manner,” said AER Pres. and Chief Executive Officer Jim Ellis.

Earlier this month, AER released Bulletin 2015-03 to remind licensees of their responsibility to ensure well control and subsurface integrity at all stages of drilling, completion, and injection operations.

Hydraulic fracturing has been observed to induce subsurface seismic events since the 1960s. Most of these events have been too small to be felt or to cause surface impacts.