A BC Oil and Gas Commission (BCOGC) investigation has confirmed that three seismic events near Fort St. John in northeastern B.C. on November 29 were from hydraulic fracturing.
The three seismic events registered as high as 4.5 on the Richter scale. A 4.5 magnitude quake is deemed to be “light.” It can cause noise and slight disturbances in a home near the quake’s epicentre, but rarely causes damage. The smallest was 3.4.
The epicentres were in areas 16 km southwest and 25 km southeast of Fort St. John.
The seismic events were triggered by fluid injection during a hydraulic fracturing operation by Canadian Natural Resources, according to the BCOGC. All fracking operations were immediately suspended in that area, pending an initial investigation by the BCOGC.
Fracking operations by Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. in the area where the drilling occurred will remain suspended pending a further more detailed technical review, according to the BCOGC.
Other companies operating in the area are allowed to resume operations, however, but must submit revised induced seismicity assessments before resuming operations.
— Nelson Bennett, Business in Vancouver
