Ohio Oil and Gas Incidents Climb Sharply
Reported incidents rose from 103 in 2015 to 268 in 2025, according to an analysis of state Department of Natural Resources records.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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FracTracker Alliance analyzed Ohio Department of Natural Resources records covering 2015 through 2025 and found reported oil and gas incidents rose from 103 in 2015 to 268 in 2025. The analysis counted 2,529 incidents across 73 of Ohio's 88 counties over the decade.
Why it matters
The rise in reported incidents highlights growing scrutiny of oil and gas operations across Ohio, where residents in affected counties are exposed to releases, fires and explosions. The figures give the public a measurable basis for questioning how the state classifies and oversees these events.
Releases or discharges accounted for more than 1,200 reported statewide incidents, with 108 fires and six injuries recorded. Stark County logged 133 incidents and Noble County 129, the highest county totals in the record.
The players
FracTracker Alliance
FracTracker Alliance is a nonprofit organization that maps and analyzes oil and gas development data to inform public policy and community decisions.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for regulating oil and gas wells and maintaining the incident records analyzed in the report.
The details
Reports showed 94 incidents classified as explosions or fires during the period. In Gallia County, an unspecified amount of wastewater escaped during well plugging, and records showed the well had been flowing overnight with no well control in place.
Timeline
2015: Reported incidents begin the period at 103.
2016: A static-electricity tank explosion in Columbiana County is classified as minor.
2025: Reported incidents reach 268, the end point of the analysis.
Industry Dynamics
The FracTracker Alliance analysis extends its mapping of Ohio oil and gas incident records into a decade-long view, showing the year-over-year rise from 103 to 268 reported incidents. The trend places the increase within an industry where the Department of Natural Resources has classified dangerous incidents as minor.
Residents in counties with frequent incidents, such as Stark, Noble, Trumbull and Guernsey, face a higher chance of living near releases, fires or explosions tied to nearby wells. Ohio households near oil and gas sites should monitor local notices and state reporting for incidents in their area.
The takeaway
Tracking incident records over time helps residents judge whether oversight is keeping pace with industry activity. Checking county-level totals before making decisions about property near wells can clarify local risk.
Further reading
For broader context on regulation and operations, explore Oil and Gas coverage across the industry.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Cool Down.
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