Injection-brine wells limited in Ohio to 8,000 feet

YOUNGSTOWN — Gov. John Kasich and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources have

decided to limit brine-injection wells to a maximum 8,000 feet deep.

The decision was made in the wake of 11 Mahoning Valley earthquakes. ODNR is investigation whether a nearby injection well triggered the seismic activity.

Injection wells are used to dispose of brine, a salty, chemical byproduct of natural gas and oil drilling.

Rob Nichols, spokesman for Kasich, said he doesn't yet know if the new maximum depth will be retroactively enforced.

Current D&L Energy Inc. well permits in Mahoning County, including wells in Yougstown, Girard, Campbell, Coitsville and Hubbard, all exceed a depth of 8,000 feet.

None of those wells are currently operating.

D&L said early today it was not aware of the new restriction. Two wells in Belmont County also exceed the new maximum depth.

The restriction could draw ire from some industry experts because Ohio's geology differs considerably throughout the state; the bedrock in Mahoning County is a few thousand feet shallower than the bedrock in Southeast Ohio.

ODNR suspects D&L had injected brine into the bedrock, a solid, nearly impermeable formation, which geologists said could trigger earthquakes.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com