The three accused oil and gas companies have denied any wrongdoing or liability in the case. (Credit: SDubi/Shutterstock)
Three Oklahoma oil and gas companies have agreed to pay a total of $555,000 to settle claims alleging their actions contributed to earthquakes that damaged homes and businesses in the state. The settlement received final approval on October 20.
The case, Salzman, et al. v. Freedom, et al., was filed in the District Court of Lincoln County, Oklahoma.
Plaintiffs in the class action accused Spess Oil Co., Circle 9 Resources and Culbreath Oil & Gas Co. Inc. of contributing to earthquakes in the state — including a 5.1 magnitude quake near Prague, Oklahoma in early 2024 — with their operation of wastewater disposal wells.
Under the terms of the settlement, class members are eligible to receive a cash payment based on the amount of damage their properties sustained from earthquakes, foreshocks and aftershocks between January 19, 2019, and February 2, 2024. Class members may include individuals, municipalities, county governments and tribal governments.
Settlement payouts will be divided between two zones, based on the location of earthquake-damaged properties. Zone A includes the Oklahoma counties of Lincoln, Payne, Logan, Oklahoma, Cleveland, Pottawatomie, Seminole, Okfuskee and Creek, while Zone B will include all other counties in the state. Claimants in Zone A will share 90% of the net settlement fund, while those in Zone B will share the remaining 10%, with all payouts based on the amount of proven damages.
Those who wish to claim a portion of the settlement must submit documentation showing the extent and cost of property damage caused by earthquakes, including repair bills and estimates. The deadline for class members to file a claim is January 25, 2026.
The three oil and gas companies have denied any wrongdoing or liability in the case.
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