Fault activation and induced seismicity in geological carbon storage – Lessons learned from recent modeling studies

Abstract. Geologic carbon storage, as well as other geo-energy applications, such as geothermal energy, seasonal natural gas storage and subsurface energy storage imply fluid injection and/or extraction that causes changes in rock stress field and may induce (micro)seismicity. If felt, seismicity has a negative effect on public perception and may jeopardize wellbore stability and damage infrastructure. Thus, induced earthquakes should be minimized to successfully deploy geo-energies. However, numerous processes may trigger induced seismicity, which contribute to making it complex and translates into a limited forecast ability of current predictive models. We review the triggering mechanisms of induced seismicity. Specifically, we analyze (1) the impact of pore pressure evolution and the effect that properties of the injected fluid have on fracture and/or fault stability; (2) non-isothermal effects caused by the fact that the injected fluid usually reaches the injection formation at a lower temperature than that of the rock, inducing rock contraction, thermal stress reduction and stress redistribution around the cooled region; (3) local stress changes induced when low-permeability faults cross the injection formation, which may reduce their stability and eventually cause fault reactivation; (4) stress transfer caused by seismic or aseismic slip; and (5) geochemical effects, which may be especially relevant in carbonate-containing formations. We also review characterization techniques developed by the authors to reduce the uncertainty in rock properties and subsurface heterogeneity both for the screening of injection sites and for the operation of projects. Based on the review, we propose a methodology based on proper site characterization, monitoring and pressure management to minimize induced seismicity.

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Geomechanics of Fault Activation and Induced Seismicity during Multi-stage Hydraulic Fracturing

Proceedings of the 4th Unconventional Resources Technology Conference ◽

10.15530/urtec-2016-2461190 ◽

2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. Grob ◽

S. Maxwell

Keyword(s):

Hydraulic Fracturing ◽

Induced Seismicity ◽

Fault Activation ◽

Multi Stage

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Lessons from community-based payment for ecosystem service schemes: from forests to rangelands

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2011.0418 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 367 (1606) ◽

pp. 3178-3190 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Andrew J. Dougill ◽

Lindsay C. Stringer ◽

Julia Leventon ◽

Mike Riddell ◽

Henri Rueff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Storage ◽

Land Management ◽

Land Tenure ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Management Decision ◽

Community Control ◽

Community Based ◽

Research Attention ◽

Community Monitoring ◽

Payment Schemes

Climate finance investments and international policy are driving new community-based projects incorporating payments for ecosystem services (PES) to simultaneously store carbon and generate livelihood benefits. Most community-based PES (CB-PES) research focuses on forest areas. Rangelands, which store globally significant quantities of carbon and support many of the world's poor, have seen little CB-PES research attention, despite benefitting from several decades of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) projects. Lessons from CBNRM suggest institutional considerations are vital in underpinning the design and implementation of successful community projects. This study uses documentary analysis to explore the institutional characteristics of three African community-based forest projects that seek to deliver carbon-storage and poverty-reduction benefits. Strong existing local institutions, clear land tenure, community control over land management decision-making and up-front, flexible payment schemes are found to be vital. Additionally, we undertake a global review of rangeland CBNRM literature and identify that alongside the lessons learned from forest projects, rangeland CB-PES project design requires specific consideration of project boundaries, benefit distribution, capacity building for community monitoring of carbon storage together with awareness-raising using decision-support tools to display the benefits of carbon-friendly land management. We highlight that institutional analyses must be undertaken alongside improved scientific studies of the carbon cycle to enable links to payment schemes, and for them to contribute to poverty alleviation in rangelands.

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Lessons learned from mining-induced seismicity in two deep coal mines

Rock Mechanics in Civil and Environmental Engineering ◽

10.1201/b10550-168 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 721-724

Keyword(s):

Induced Seismicity ◽

Coal Mines ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Mining Induced Seismicity

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Geologic carbon storage is unlikely to trigger large earthquakes and reactivate faults through which CO2 could leak

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1413284112 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 112 (19) ◽

pp. 5938-5943 ◽

Cited By ~ 103

Author(s):

Victor Vilarrasa ◽

Jesus Carrera

Keyword(s):

Carbon Storage ◽

Induced Seismicity ◽

Clay Content ◽

Fault Reactivation ◽

Induced Earthquakes ◽

Localized Deformation ◽

Geologic Carbon Storage ◽

Entry Pressure ◽

Deep Underground ◽

Large Earthquakes

Zoback and Gorelick [(2012) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 109(26):10164–10168] have claimed that geologic carbon storage in deep saline formations is very likely to trigger large induced seismicity, which may damage the caprock and ruin the objective of keeping CO2 stored deep underground. We argue that felt induced earthquakes due to geologic CO2 storage are unlikely because (i) sedimentary formations, which are softer than the crystalline basement, are rarely critically stressed; (ii) the least stable situation occurs at the beginning of injection, which makes it easy to control; (iii) CO2 dissolution into brine may help in reducing overpressure; and (iv) CO2 will not flow across the caprock because of capillarity, but brine will, which will reduce overpressure further. The latter two mechanisms ensure that overpressures caused by CO2 injection will dissipate in a moderate time after injection stops, hindering the occurrence of postinjection induced seismicity. Furthermore, even if microseismicity were induced, CO2 leakage through fault reactivation would be unlikely because the high clay content of caprocks ensures a reduced permeability and increased entry pressure along the localized deformation zone. For these reasons, we contend that properly sited and managed geologic carbon storage in deep saline formations remains a safe option to mitigate anthropogenic climate change.

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