Saying No to Fracking Seismic Surveys

With over 10,000 well drilled, you might think there's nothing left to frack in Pennsylvania. But all the new pipelines and fossil fuel infrastructure planned across our state means there will be pressure to find new places to drill, and some of the targets will be communities that have so far been spared by the ravages of the fracking industry. But they are finding one way to fight back. 

What's a Seismic Survey?

Seismic surveys are done to produce detailed images of local geology to determine the location and size of possible oil and gas reservoirs. Sound waves are bounced off underground rock formations, and the waves that reflect back to the surface are captured by recording sensors for analysis. It is basically a geological MRI.

Special vehicles use a vibrating steel plate or ‘pad’ that is placed on the ground and vibrated to generate a sound or seismic signal.  Another means to generate sound vibrations is to drill a 20’ to 30’ deep “shot hole,” place about 2 lbs. of explosives in the hole, bury and detonate it.

This process can cause property damage, stress, and traffic disruptions. As the fracking industry expands into new areas of Pennsylvania, they will be using seismic testing to figure out where they should frack.

Communities in Pennsylvania Are Acting to Protect Themselves

A fracking firm called Huntley & Huntley hired a company called Geokinetics to survey Oakmont and Monroeville, two municipalities in Allegheny County. In response, the Monroeville and Oakmont councils have taken took action to protect residents by requiring all seismic surveyors to obtain a permit, and provide notice to residents before conducting surveys on and around private property. This follows the path of other municipalities in the state, most notably South Fayette Township, which passed a similar ordinance in 2012. 

But Geokinetics is trying to get around these sensible local government requirements. The company fought Monroeville in federal court with lawsuits and intimidation tactics. In Oakmont, they announced they were no longer interested in surveying in Oakmont; but some months later they returned, going door-to-door asking residents to sign a contract to allow them to survey their property.

Food & Water Watch and local grassroots groups are working to inform neighbors that these companies do not have any right to access your property, or collect data from your property, without your express consent. Here are the flyers we are distributing in Oakmont and Monroeville. 

Here’s Why Fracking Companies Find This So Threatening

If the seismic surveyor does not obtain written permission to access your property, they may not be able to provide a complete survey for the area. This would serious obstacles for their plans to frack a certain area. And it is very difficult for them to get around this opposition: If a company does not remove the seismic information of non-consenting property owners, this could result in claims against the surveyor for seismic trespass.

As Geokinectics explained in a Fiscal Year 2011 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission:

Our seismic data acquisition operations could be adversely affected by our inability to timely obtain access to both public and private land included within a seismic survey.... In recent years, it has become more difficult, costly and time-consuming to obtain access rights as drilling activities have expanded into more populated and protected areas.  Additionally, while land owners generally are cooperative in granting access rights, some have become more resistant to seismic and drilling activities occurring on their property and stall or refuse to grant these rights for various reasons…. Consequently, if we do not obtain land access rights from a specific land owner, we may not be able to provide a complete survey for that area.  The failure to redact or remove the seismic information relating to mineral interests held by non-consenting third parties could result in claims against us for seismic trespass.

To put it plainly: If enough people say no, the drilling companies are going to have a really difficult time moving forward. And if they survey land without a property owner's permission, they could be in trouble. 

We know fracking poses profound dangers to communities on the front line. Those who wish to protect clean air and water, or who want to preserve the integrity of their communities and maintain the value of their property, are determined to stop fracking before it starts.

Want to get involved in the fight against fracking and surveying in Pennsylvania? Find out more about our Municipal Ordinance Project.