Despite Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports of reduced pressure beneath the field southwest of Omega, saltwater is bubbling to the surface at a faster rate than ever.

Ronald Schweitzer, co- owner of the property with his brother Donald, told the Times & Free Press midway through last week that he had measured a fl ow rate of nine gallons per minute, nearly double the previous rate.

OCC spokesperson Sarah Terry-Cobo said the fl ow was continuing to fluctuate and at noon Friday was running about 12 gallons per minute, the highest yet. (That translates to over 400 barrels per day, compared to a previous rate of 125-150 barrels per day.)

The two apparently contrary events are more likely a matter of timing rather than causation. Terry-Cabo said OCC engineers hope reducing the pressure will stop the fl ow eventually, but don’t know yet how long that might take.