Drilling company asks to resume activity at Weathersfield well near seismic events

COLUMBUS

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

The state ordered the company to cease operations at the Weathersfield Township site 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, though at a lower rate.

“On occasions, even government officials with good intentions exceed their authority or act unreasonable,” said John Keller, legal counsel for AWMS. “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 [and] further monitoring. ...”

The state has 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 over increasing seismic events in Weathersfield.

Read more about the situation in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.