Oil extraction of more than 100 earthquakes in the UK may occur

Experts say that more than 100 earthquakes that shake the south of England are likely to be triggered by oil extraction. Previous research rejected a link, but the latest information about the geology of the region has established a possible relationship.

The earthquakes were all quite modest, measuring between 1.34 and 3.18 on the Richter scale, and in Surrey in 2018 and 2019 near Newdigat. Residents reported them Shivering houses for several seconds,

There was speculation of the time that the earthquakes were associated with oil extraction by Britain oil and gas, although the earthquake was between 5 kilometers and 10 kilometers of the earthquake. Horse hill Drilling site. But previous research The British Geological Survey (BGS) and others determined that the earthquake, while rare and relatively drilling, had natural and coincidence.

Now, Matthew Fox And Philip Meredith At the University College, London has taken another form using the latest understanding of the region’s rock makeup, and suggested that the earthquakes were actually inspired by oil extraction.

The pair run more than a million computer simulation depending on the place of oil extraction and magnitude, as well as with the details of geology of the surrounding area, and found that the predictions of the earthquake match more closely than before the actual events. She used to eat.

When the oil is extracted from deep underground, it changes pressure under the surface, causing rock movements that cause earthquakes. Fox says that there were already discrepancies between the dates that were earthquake and when the oil was extracted, which can now be attributed to factoring in geology of areas to be drilled.

The pair found that in areas made of porous Portland stone, pressure changes and rock movement could be almost simultaneously, while areas of dense Kimeriz Claly may be delayed as it took time to propagate the change in pressure.

“For me, this increases the possibility (that the oil extraction leads the earthquake),” says Fox. “Correlation between these two – between oil extraction and earthquake – is quite strong, and suggests that there is a link.”

Fox says that there is still a chance that the link is a coincidence, but it is now less likely than previous research research. He further expects statistical analysis to determine the possibility of a coincidence properly, but stopped less than an estimate with current data.

Britain’s oil and gas controlled oil extraction in Horse Hill till October last year, when Work was stopped After a court case brought by campaigners, after withdrawing the plan permission from the Surrey County Council Earth’s supported by friends,

A company spokesman told New scientist: “This is an incident that was answered and dealt several years ago when BGS Ceemologists were satisfied that it was a natural phenomenon that was associated with the movement at a deep unwanted mistake, which was several kilometers deep and away from the site. . “

But Stuart haaszeldin Who at the University of Edinburgh, who This special study was not involved, but has done its work with colleagues, says that there is a relationship between oil extraction and earthquakes now.

“We have done a detailed study of these small earthquakes in Surrey and there is a possibility that Horse Hills were associated with activities in Oilfield,” Haszeldin says. “In my professional decision, there was a clear connection of earthquake time and operational activities to produce oil and gas from the horsepower.”