Oklahoma and Fracking

Oklahoma rests on top of the Caney and Woodford Shale areas. From 2005 to 2012, studies estimated that Oklahoma used 10 billion gallons of freshwater in fracking operations. Earthquakes have also become more prevalent in the region since fracking operations began.

Legislative measures in Oklahoma focus mainly on chemical disclosure rather than limiting fracking activities. As of January 2014, operators of all oil and gas wells in the state must report the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing. In May 2015, lawmakers voted to ban communities from enacting local fracking bans.

Did You Know?

In June 2015, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that citizens had the right to sue the oil and gas companies for drilling-induced earthquakes shown to cause personal injuries or property damages.

Last Updated: September 29, 2015

The Fracked Fact Quiz

In 2014, the number of magnitude 3+ earthquakes in Oklahoma was how many times higher than historical averages?

About the same.

10 times.

600 times.

Fracking wells in central and north-central Oklahoma are the main contributors to the dramatic rise in earthquakes across the Midwest in the last six years. In 2014, Oklahoma experienced 585 earthquakes over a magnitude three, approximately 600 times higher than historical averages.

For More Information:

unEARTHED: Earthquake Roulette
News release: In Effort to Protect Public, Health Groups Seek Fracking Chemical Information

The Fraccidents Map:

High profile incidents ("fraccidents") related to the country's oil and gas drilling boom have occurred in and around Oklahoma. Click on each fraccident to learn more: