Understanding Seismicity: New Annual Dataset Now Available
Press Release
Vancouver, BC – November 19, 2024 – New data from monitoring seismic events related to natural gas development (hydraulic fracturing and wastewater disposal) in British Columbia’s Northeast Region is now available from an annual BC Seismic Research Consortium report.
The new data further adds to more than a decade of research into induced seismicity (earthquakes) in the region and evaluates and catalogues 4,661 seismic events for the year from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024. No reports of damage due to seismicity were relayed to the BC Energy Regulator.
The BC Seismic Research Consortium was established in 2012 in response to concerns regarding induced seismicity associated with hydraulic fracturing. It manages a network of seismic monitoring stations in the Horn River Basin, Kiskatinaw Seismic Monitoring and Mitigation Area and Northern Montney. Consortium partners include the BC Energy Regulator (BCER), the BC Oil and Gas Research and Innovation Society (BC OGRIS), the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), Geoscience BC and Natural Resources Canada. The Consortium is co-funded by Geoscience BC and BC OGRIS. The annual report and Seismicity Catalogue database are available on Geoscience BC’s website.
Geoscience BC Manager, Energy and Water, Randy Hughes said: “This dataset provides a comprehensive insight into induced seismicity in Northeast BC. The ongoing monitoring is essential for enhancing the ability of industry, communities, Indigenous groups and the regulator to research concerns regarding the natural gas sector’s contribution to seismicity in the region.”
Accessing information
To view the reports and databases, visit the project page or view the information on Geoscience BC’s Earth Science Viewer online mapping application.
Data can also be accessed from the BC Seismic Array Network web page.
About Geoscience BC
Geoscience BC is a not-for-profit society managing and co-funding independent geoscience research in collaboration with members and partners from industries, governments, communities and Indigenous groups in British Columbia. Our public research informs decisions about critical minerals and metals, cleaner energy, carbon management and water.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of our partners, including the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.
Visit geosciencebc.com or follow us @GeoscienceBC to find out more.
For more information, please contact:
Geoscience BC
Virginie Pochard Linage
pochardlinage@geosciencebc.com
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