"SandRidge Energy Inc., the financially troubled oil producer focused on earthquake-prone northern Oklahoma, is defying a state directive to shut down six disposal wells linked to quakes.

"They are in operation, and we are preparing a case" to formally shut the wells, Matt Skinner, spokesman for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC), said Friday. Skinner said SandRidge representatives told OCC they would "respectfully decline" to comply.

The case being prepared by officials at OCC, which regulates oil and gas activity in the state, sets up a potential showdown on whether the commission has the power to halt activities thought to be triggering earthquakes."

Mike Soraghan repors for EnergyWire December 21, 2015. [2]