U.S. Geological Survey research has shown that the vast majority of these quakes have been triggered by oil companies pumping wastewater from the drilling process into the ground. Skoumal explained how exactly it happens.

Coming in at number 2 was the 5.4mag quake in Midland - the public is watching.

While once relatively quiescent, Texas has now become a leader in reported earthquake activity among the lower 48 (L48) United States. Less than five years ago, Texas infrequently had more than ten seismic events of magnitude 2 or greater in a given month. Since then, the numbers have steadily risen, with 100 or more 2+ magnitude earthquakes in 21 of the last 24 months.

The USGS reported a 3.2 magnitude earthquake event in New Mexico, roughly 9 miles northeast of Jal (yellow pin on map). Per the State of New Mexico Oil Conservation Division’s Seismicity Response Protocol, this event will result in a 50% rate reduction for UIC Class II injection wells within 3 miles of the event (red circles) and a 25% rate reduction for UIC Class II injection wells between 3 and 6 miles of the event (blue circles). Following the Oil Conservation Division’s guidance of reducing rates based on previous 6-month average injection rates, this earthquake will result in approximately 5,200 bpd of injection curtailment by January 2nd.

“We’ve just month-by-month seen extraordinary growth in the volumes we are managing,” said Matthew Gabriel, CEO of XRI Holdings, which recycles oilfield wastewater in the Permian Basin, the nation’s top oil producing region.

Exploration and production companies could turn wastewater into a revenue stream by leveraging direct lithium extraction (DLE).

North Dakota’s Industrial Commission is investing $500,000 in a study of extracting lithium from oil field wastewater.

Energy Capital Solutions is marketing a Permian Basin oilfield fluids services business...

As geopolitical turmoil takes center stage, E&P leaders see the Marcellus at a turning point in aiding global economies reaching energy stability and recovery.

What does the 2021 report show? Permits issued went down, but the number of new wells drilled went up. Natural gas production has gone up (again)–to another new all-time record high.

According to S&P’s analysis, based on Enverus data, the Haynesville Shale in northern Louisiana and eastern Texas (the main competitor to the Marcellus/Utica) is showing 81 active drilling rigs. That is an astonishing number, up some 37% over the same time last year. The current active rig count in the M-U, according to S&P, is 47 (with 33 rigs operating in the Marcellus and 14 in the Utica).

It has been an eventful 12 months and it doesn't seem like that's going to slow down anytime soon.

Oil fell by more than $3 a barrel on Wednesday after slumping in the previous session, weighed down by demand concerns stemming from the state of the global economy and rising COVID cases in China.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked a major market crisis, sending oil and gas prices to multi-decade highs and causing the Euro to crash below parity with the dollar.

Has the shale revolution ended? No way — in fact a surge of activity in the Barnett by new operators is revitalizing the play.