Company seeks to resume Weathersfield well operations

COLUMBUS — American Water Management Services Inc. asked a state panel Wednesday to allow it to resume operations at a Trumbull County injection well, following seismic activity near the site last year.

The state ordered the company to cease operations at the Weathersfield Township after two minor quakes in July and August. The company appealed that order and wants the Ohio Oil and Gas Commission to allow it to restart oilfield waste injections.

"On occasions, even government officials with good intentions exceed their authority or act unreasonably," said John Keller, legal counsel for the company. "We believe that this commission's primary function is to establish a check and balance over the actions of the government, and we ask you to revise the orders to allow for a phased start-up, further monitoring...."

The state countered that it is developing criteria for dealing with injection wells and seismic activity. Legal counsel for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources also voiced concern of increasing seismic event at the site.

"We had these two seismic events, and they occurred very close to the injection activities," he said, noting schools, homes and commercial development near the wells. "... The consequences here are serious consequences. The concern is an escalation of greater magnitude. ... If something happens, if there's greater seismic events in the future, they're the ones that are going to feel the effect."

The Oil and Gas Commission planned a full day of testimony Wednesday on the appeal.

The company's vice president and an injection well expert from Oklahoma offered comments during the morning.