Oklahoma Residents Eligible for Earthquake Settlement
A $2.6 million class action settlement has been reached for Oklahomans who suffered property damage from earthquakes between 2019 and now. The lawsuit alleged that wastewater disposal wells operated by certain energy companies contributed to causing seismic activity, including a 5.1 magnitude quake.
The lawsuit names Freedom Energy, Montclair, New Dominion, and H&P as the companies operating wastewater disposal wells that allegedly contributed to seismic activity. These companies have not admitted wrongdoing but have agreed to the settlement to avoid further litigation costs. The deadline for affected residents to file a claim for a portion of the $2.6 million fund is July 28, 2026. A separate, related settlement of $555,000 was reached with Spess Oil Co., Circle 9 Resources, and Culbreath Oil & Gas Co. Inc. over similar allegations. In that case, the settlement fund is divided into two zones, with 90% allocated to residents in the most affected counties, including Lincoln, Payne, Logan, Oklahoma, Cleveland, Pottawatomie, Seminole, Okfuskee, and Creek. The link between oil and gas wastewater disposal and earthquakes in Oklahoma is well-documented. Scientific studies, including those by Stanford University researchers, found that the injection of massive volumes of wastewater into the Arbuckle formation deep underground increases fluid pressure on existing faults, making them more likely to slip and cause earthquakes. This issue is not new to the state. A surge in seismic activity began around 2009, peaking in 2015 with 888 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater. This period saw significant events like the 5.6 magnitude quake near Prague in 2011, which damaged over 200 buildings, and the state's record 5.8 magnitude earthquake near Pawnee in 2016. In response to the rising number of earthquakes, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) has issued directives to shut down or reduce the volume of wastewater injection in hundreds of disposal wells across the state. Studies suggest these regulatory actions have been effective in lowering the rate of induced earthquakes in Oklahoma. This is one of several class-action lawsuits that have been filed against energy companies over induced seismicity in Oklahoma. Previous settlements include a $7.5 million agreement in 2023 related to the 2016 Pawnee and Cushing earthquakes and an $850,000 settlement with an operator for quakes in the same area.
