Show All Answers

1. What is the city doing to protect residents?

The city continues to monitor and consult with expert seismologists at Southern Methodist University, who deployed 22 seismographs across Irving in early January 2015. These devices will gather data about the location of the earthquakes, which is the first step to understanding the cause of the tremors.

In addition, the city of Irving and the city of Dallas are creating an area task force that will work collaboratively to find the location and potential cause for these tremors.

2. Where can residents find information about the earthquakes?

Irving officials and city staff are not experts on this matter, but they recognize that residents and community members may look to them for answers. To that end, the city has created this webpage to serve as a resource for residents who want to learn more about seismic activity.

3. What current or past drilling activities have contributed to recent and future earthquakes?

The city cannot speculate about the cause of the recent, minor tremors.

4. Is fracking currently in progress in Irving?

No, there are currently no active drilling sites in Irving. Two gas wells within the city limits were hydraulically fractured in 2010. There has not been any fracking in Irving since.

5. Is there currently drilling-related wastewater being pumped into wells, and, if so, where is this occurring?

The city of Irving prohibits wastewater disposal wells, so any wastewater created during the drilling was trucked out.

6. How much money has the city received from the gas well sites referenced in news reports?

The city received $222,842 to lease the city’s minerals on approximately 47 acres of land related to this well in 2007-2009, prior to any drilling. In the five years that the well has been in existence, the city received a total of $30,480.19 in royalty payments.

Of the two gas wells, the city has not received royalties on one well since 2013 and never received royalties on the second well.

7. Where can I find more information about drilling and fracking?

The Texas Railroad Commission is the governing body for drilling and fracking across the state. More information can be found on its website.

8. Is there anything the city can do about these earthquakes?

The city continues to monitor the earthquakes, in consultation with experts at Southern Methodist University (SMU). In early January 2015, SMU researchers installed seismic equipment in 22 locations across Irving gather more information about the earthquakes.