FracTracker Alliance Reveals Nearly 2,000 Oil and Gas Incidents in Ohio Since 2015

COLUMBUS, Ohio — In the wake of a devastating fire at a Gulfport Energy natural gas well pad in Antrim, Ohio, which forced the evacuation of nearby residents and burned for over 18 hours, updated findings from FracTracker Alliance underscores a troubling pattern of similar incidents across the state. Newly analyzed data reveals nearly 2,000 oil and gas incidents have occurred in Ohio over the past eight years, significantly exceeding prior estimates and contradicting industry assertions about the rarity and severity of such events.

This revelation follows a September 2023 statement by industry spokesperson Rob Brundrett, who minimized the frequency of oil and gas incidents during a WOSU Public Media interview. A subsequent public records request by Save Ohio Parks to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) unveiled previously unreported data from 2015-2023.

The expanded analysis, now including data from 2015-2017, highlights severe reporting discrepancies such as inconsistent incident classification, omitted location data, and a downplaying of incident severity. These findings signal an urgent need for enhanced transparency and accountability in the monitoring and reporting of the oil and gas industry's activities in Ohio.

“The Antrim well pad fire is a stark reminder of the ongoing risks posed by oil and gas operations to Ohio communities," said Gwen Klenke, Midwest Program Coordinator of FracTracker Alliance. "Our updated analysis, which includes nearly 600 newly uncovered records, provides a critical perspective on how the oversight of these incidents has evolved and why current data practices are inadequate. Our findings substantiate concerns that the industry, represented by figures like Brundrett, often underplays the true impacts of oil and gas operations.”

"The Groh well pad explosion — just five miles from Salt Fork State Park — illustrates the potential dangers Ohio lawmakers are bringing to our beloved state parks and public lands. It’s reckless and short sighted,” said Jenny Morgan, board member of Save Ohio Parks. “It's not a matter of if, but when, another accident will occur. For the sake of our children, new leasing of our public lands must stop.”

The cover photo is taken from the Chief's Corner, the official Facebook page of the Antrim County Volunteer Fire Department Chief, showing the recent well pad explosion at Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County, Ohio. The explosion, which occurred on Jan. 2, 2025, prompted an immediate response from local and state emergency services.

For those interested in staying informed about daily oil and gas incidents in Ohio, FracTracker Alliance recommends following "The Daily Accident Report - Ohio Oil & Gas" on Facebook. This community resource provides daily updates on accidents related to drilling, transportation, storage, and disposal of oil and gas waste, along with legal and media sources. Visit their page at The Daily Accident Report - Ohio Oil & Gas to learn more about the risks and ongoing incidents affecting Ohio communities.

The full analysis of Ohio’s oil and gas incidents, featuring an interactive map detailing each recorded event, is available at: https://www.fractracker.org/2024/03/data-gaps-a-critical-examination-of-oil-and-gas-well-incident s-in-ohio/

FracTracker Alliance is a national nonprofit that studies, maps, and communicates the risks and impacts of oil, gas, and petrochemical development. Learn more at fractracker.org.