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| A 4.6-magnitude earthquake hit central Alberta near Sylvan Lake (pictured) and Red Deer just before 6 a.m. on Monday, according to Natural Resources Canada |
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has ordered Vesta Energy Ltd. to suspend its operations at a well site near Sylvan Lake on Tuesday after Monday’s earthquake.
AER said Vesta contacted the regulator on March 4 at 6:20 a.m. saying that seismic activity was detected due to hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking) at the site. AER said that Vesta had shut down fracking right away.
Fracking involves pumping chemicals and sand underground to break up rocks to help get oil and natural gas flowing.
Erik Kuleba, AER’s director of environment and operational performance, said that a release of substances — defined in the order as “vibrations and the release of energy” — has occurred and that substances “have caused, are causing or may cause an adverse effect.”
The order said Kuleba considers it “necessary to suspend the well in order to protect the public and the environment.”
The regulator said the Calgary-based company must submit a report of all seismic activity in the area since April and specific fracturing data for the well site from Jan. 29 to Monday. It has also ordered Vesta to file a plan to eliminate or reduce future seismic activity from fracturing.
Source: Global News Canada
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