Eight small earthquakes since April have Chesapeake Energy and the Department of Environmental Protection discussing seismic monitoring near a disposal well for gas-drilling fluids.

Chesapeake has injected more than ten million gallons of brine and hydraulic fracturing fluid into the well since March 2009. It's been a permitted disposal site since 2008.

Some geologists suspect high pressure and wastewater have lubricated old fault lines, allowing them to slip and trigger small earthquakes.

Chesapeake isn't so sure, but it's also reducing the volume it's injecting.

DEP compliance manager Gene Smith says no link has been proven, but the state is investigating.

West Virginia has 70 similar disposal wells. Smith says none has produced a seismic event.

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