4,203 research outputs found
Induced seismicity and ground subsidence in developed geothermal fields : relevance to geothermal development in Hawaii
Contents: Causes of Induced Seismicity and Ground Subsidence, Mechanisms of Induced Seismicity in Geothermal Fields, Geothermal Field Characteristics and Case Histories of Induced Seismicity, Case Histories of Induced Subsidence in Geothermal Fields, Discussion and Conclusions, ReferencesDepartment of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, State of Hawai
Autonomous decision-making against induced seismicity in deep fluid injections
The rise in the frequency of anthropogenic earthquakes due to deep fluid
injections is posing serious economic, societal, and legal challenges to
geo-energy and waste-disposal projects. We propose an actuarial approach to
mitigate this risk, first by defining an autonomous decision-making process
based on an adaptive traffic light system (ATLS) to stop risky injections, and
second by quantifying a "cost of public safety" based on the probability of an
injection-well being abandoned. The ATLS underlying statistical model is first
confirmed to be representative of injection-induced seismicity, with examples
taken from past reservoir stimulation experiments (mostly from Enhanced
Geothermal Systems, EGS). Then the decision strategy is formalized: Being
integrable, the model yields a closed-form ATLS solution that maps a risk-based
safety standard or norm to an earthquake magnitude not to exceed during
stimulation. Finally, the EGS levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) is
reformulated in terms of null expectation, with the cost of abandoned
injection-well implemented. We find that the price increase to mitigate the
increased seismic risk in populated areas can counterbalance the heat credit.
However this "public safety cost" disappears if buildings are based on
earthquake-resistant designs or if a more relaxed risk safety standard or norm
is chosen.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, conference (International Symposium on Energy
Geotechnics, 26-28 September 2018, Lausanne, Switzerland
Seismic Response to Injection Well Stimulation in a High-Temperature, High-Permeability Reservoir
Fluid injection into the Earth's crust can induce seismic events that cause damage to local infrastructure but also offer valuable insight into seismogenesis. The factors that influence the magnitude, location, and number of induced events remain poorly understood but include injection flow rate and pressure as well as reservoir temperature and permeability. The relationship between injection parameters and injection-induced seismicity in high-temperature, high-permeability reservoirs has not been extensively studied. Here we focus on the Ngatamariki geothermal field in the central TaupĆ Volcanic Zone, New Zealand, where three stimulation/injection tests have occurred since 2012. We present a catalog of seismicity from 2012 to 2015 created using a matched-filter detection technique. We analyze the stress state in the reservoir during the injection tests from first motion-derived focal mechanisms, yielding an average direction of maximum horizontal compressive stress (SHmax) consistent with the regional NE-SW trend. However, there is significant variation in the direction of maximum compressive stress (Ï1), which may reflect geological differences between wells. We use the ratio of injection flow rate to overpressure, referred to as injectivity index, as a proxy for near-well permeability and compare changes in injectivity index to spatiotemporal characteristics of seismicity accompanying each test. Observed increases in injectivity index are generally poorly correlated with seismicity, suggesting that the locations of microearthquakes are not coincident with the zone of stimulation (i.e., increased permeability). Our findings augment a growing body of work suggesting that aseismic opening or slip, rather than seismic shear, is the active process driving well stimulation in many environments
Monitoring induced distributed double-couple sources using Marchenko-based virtual receivers
We aim to monitor and characterize signals in the subsurface by combining
these passive signals with recorded reflection data at the surface of the
Earth. To achieve this, we propose a method to create virtual receivers from
reflection data using the Marchenko method. By applying homogeneous Green's
function retrieval, these virtual receivers are then used to monitor the
responses from subsurface sources. We consider monopole point sources with a
symmetric source signal, where the full wavefield without artefacts in the
subsurface can be obtained. Responses from more complex source mechanisms, such
as double-couple sources, can also be used and provide results with comparable
quality as the monopole responses. If the source signal is not symmetric in
time, our technique that is based on homogeneous Green's function retrieval
provides an incomplete signal, with additional artefacts. The duration of these
artefacts is limited and they are only present when the source of the signal is
located above the virtual receiver. For sources along a fault rupture, this
limitation is also present and more severe due to the source activating over a
longer period of time. Part of the correct signal is still retrieved, as well
as the source location of the signal. These artefacts do not occur in another
method which creates virtual sources as well as receivers from reflection data
at the surface. This second method can be used to forecast responses to
possible future induced seismicity sources (monopoles, double-couple sources
and fault ruptures). This method is applied to field data, where similar
results to synthetic data are achieved, which shows the potential for the
application on real data signals
Review of the Inputs of Professor David Smythe in Relation to Planning Applications for Shale Gas Development in Lancashire (Planning Applications LCC/2014/0096 /0097 /0101 and /0102) and Associated Recommendations
No abstract available
Fault reactivation by fluid injection: Controls from stress state and injection rate
We studied the influence of stress state and fluid injection rate on the
reactivation of faults. We conducted experiments on a saw-cut Westerly granite
sample under triaxial stress conditions. Fault reactivation was triggered by
injecting fluids through a borehole directly connected to the fault. Our
results show that the peak fluid pressure at the borehole leading to
reactivation depends on injection rate. The higher the injection rate, the
higher the peak fluid pressure allowing fault reactivation. Elastic wave
velocity measurements along fault strike highlight that high injection rates
induce significant fluid pressure heterogeneities, which explains that the
onset of fault reactivation is not determined by a conventional Coulomb law and
effective stress principle, but rather by a nonlocal rupture initiation
criterion. Our results demonstrate that increasing the injection rate enhances
the transition from drained to undrained conditions, where local but intense
fluid pressures perturbations can reactivate large faults
Whatâs Shakinâ? Ladra v. New Dominion, LLC: A Case of Consequence for the Hydraulic Fracturing Industry and Those Affected by Induced Seismicity
This analysis is accompanied by a study of a 2015 ruling of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, Ladra v. New Dominion, LLC. The case considered the possibility of a private tort action by homeowners against the operators of injection wells proceeding within the stateâs judicial system, rather than simply being subject to review by a state regulatory agency. The court ultimately decided that the case would be allowed to continue within the judicial system instead of in front of a regulatory agency. This case, while not providing a âsilver bulletâ precedent with which future claimants can automatically win their cases against parties involved in fracking and waste disposal, does demonstrate that these claims are viable and ought to be dealt with in proper courts of law, rather than through administrative agencies.
Section II of this case note contains a brief overview of the hydraulic fracturing process and the state of fracking in Oklahoma, the site of this noteâs principal case (Ladra v. New Dominion). Section III provides a history of the case and its central issues. Section IV discusses the ruling given, as well as the validity of the arguments made before the court. Section V examines the likelihood of success for the plaintiff Ladra and other homeowners seeking damages from the operators of injection wells due to earthquake-related harm done to their property or person. This section primarily assesses whether a preponderance of the evidence standard can be achieved when alleging that fracking activities caused earthquakes that resulted in property damage, and uses the arguments presented in the lower court during Ladra v. New Dominion as an example. Section VI considers the significance of the decision and what effect it may have on the hydraulic fracturing industry
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