scholarly journals Real‐Time Imaging, Forecasting, and Management of Human‐Induced Seismicity at Preston New Road, Lancashire, England

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huw Clarke ◽  
James P. Verdon ◽  
Tom Kettlety ◽  
Alan F. Baird ◽  
J‐Michael Kendall
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Statistical Models ◽  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Red Light ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Fluid Injection ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Subsurface Fluid

ABSTRACTEarthquakes induced by subsurface fluid injection pose a significant issue across a range of industries. Debate continues as to the most effective methods to mitigate the resulting seismic hazard. Observations of induced seismicity indicate that the rate of seismicity scales with the injection volume and that events follow the Gutenberg–Richter distribution. These two inferences permit us to populate statistical models of the seismicity and extrapolate them to make forecasts of the expected event magnitudes as injection continues. Here, we describe a shale gas site where this approach was used in real time to make operational decisions during hydraulic fracturing operations.Microseismic observations revealed the intersection between hydraulic fracturing and a pre‐existing fault or fracture network that became seismically active. Although “red light” events, requiring a pause to the injection program, occurred on several occasions, the observed event magnitudes fell within expected levels based on the extrapolated statistical models, and the levels of seismicity remained within acceptable limits as defined by the regulator. To date, induced seismicity has typically been regulated using retroactive traffic light schemes. This study shows that the use of high‐quality microseismic observations to populate statistical models that forecast expected event magnitudes can provide a more effective approach.

Experiences and learnings from induced seismicity regulation in Alberta

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. SE15-SE21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd Shipman ◽  
Ron MacDonald ◽  
Tom Byrnes
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Red Light ◽  
Seismic Hazard Assessment ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Regulatory Requirements ◽  
Current State ◽  
New Information ◽  
Response Plan ◽  
The Town

We have examined the experiences and learnings acquired through the implementation of the Alberta Energy Regulator’s (AER) subsurface order no. 2 (sub or no. 2) traffic light protocol (TLP). On 22 January 2015, a 4.4 [Formula: see text] seismic event occurred near a hydraulic fracturing operation in west-central Alberta and was felt by residents of the town of Fox Creek. On 19 February 2015, the AER issued sub or no. 2 to help manage induced seismicity, as related to hydraulic fracturing of the Duvernay zone in a prescribed area around Fox Creek. Sub or no. 2 requires operators affected by the order to conduct a seismic hazard assessment; prepare a monitoring, mitigation, and response plan; conduct seismic monitoring; and adhere to a TLP. Since sub or no. 2 was issued, two “red light” events (i.e., [Formula: see text]) have occurred in the area. Review and analysis of data and information collected under sub or no. 2 facilitate an improved understanding of the key geologic and operational controls on induced seismicity and allow for an assessment of the efficacy of industry practices and regulatory requirements. We still support the use of local magnitude [Formula: see text] for our TLP based on the purpose and outcomes provided by sub or no. 2. Conversations with operators have suggested that [Formula: see text] orientation should inform the wells’ trajectory with respect to critically stressed faults. The requirement of a response plan was part of the learning process developed under sub or no. 2. Through this exercise, the AER has developed a better understanding of the goals of the response plans, which were better defined through conversations with operators. Sub or no. 2 is consistent with the current state of the evolving science of induced seismicity and has the capacity to change as new information is obtained.

A risk-based approach for managing hydraulic fracturing–induced seismicity

Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 372 (6541) ◽  
pp. 504-507
Author(s):  
Ryan Schultz ◽  
Gregory C. Beroza ◽  
William L. Ellsworth
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Red Light ◽  
Maximum Magnitude ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Induced Earthquakes ◽  
Eagle Ford Shale ◽  
Eagle Ford ◽  
Sensitivity Tests ◽  
Spatially Varying

Risks from induced earthquakes are a growing concern that needs effective management. For hydraulic fracturing of the Eagle Ford shale in southern Texas, we developed a risk-informed strategy for choosing red-light thresholds that require immediate well shut-in. We used a combination of datasets to simulate spatially heterogeneous nuisance and damage impacts. Simulated impacts are greater in the northeast of the play and smaller in the southwest. This heterogeneity is driven by concentrations of population density. Spatially varying red-light thresholds normalized on these impacts [moment magnitude (Mw) 2.0 to 5.0] are fairer and safer than a single threshold applied over a broad area. Sensitivity tests indicate that the forecast maximum magnitude is the most influential parameter. Our method provides a guideline for traffic light protocols and managing induced seismicity risks.

scholarly journals Shallow Aquifer Vulnerability From Subsurface Fluid Injection at a Proposed Shale Gas Hydraulic Fracturing Site

2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 9922-9940 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Wilson ◽  
F. Worrall ◽  
R. J. Davies ◽  
A. Hart
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Aquifer Vulnerability ◽  
Shallow Aquifer ◽  
Fluid Injection ◽  
Subsurface Fluid

scholarly journals Green, yellow, red, or out of the blue? An assessment of Traffic Light Schemes to mitigate the impact of hydraulic fracturing-induced seismicity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Verdon ◽  
Julian J. Bommer
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Red Light ◽  
Fundamental Parameter ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Magnitude Increase

Abstract Mitigating hydraulic fracturing-induced seismicity (HF-IS) poses a challenge for shale gas companies and regulators alike. The use of Traffic Light Schemes (TLSs) is the most common way by which the hazards associated with HF-IS are mitigated. In this study, we discuss the implicit risk mitigation objectives of TLSs and explain the advantages of magnitude as the fundamental parameter to characterise induced seismic hazard. We go on to investigate some of the key assumptions on which TLSs are based, namely that magnitudes evolve relatively gradually from green to yellow to red thresholds (as opposed to larger events occurring “out-of-the-blue”), and that trailing event magnitudes do not increase substantially after injection stops. We compile HF-IS datasets from around the world, including the USA, Canada, the UK, and China, and track the temporal evolution of magnitudes in order to evaluate the extent to which magnitude jumps (i.e. sharp increases in magnitude from preceding events within a sequence) and trailing events occur. We find in the majority of cases magnitude jumps are less than 2 units. One quarter of cases experienced a post-injection magnitude increase, with the largest being 1.6. Trailing event increases generally occurred soon after injection, with most cases showing no increase in magnitude more than a few days after then end of injection. Hence, the effective operation of TLSs may require red-light thresholds to be set as much as two magnitude units below the threshold that the scheme is intended to avoid.

Fracture Initiation and Propagation in a Deep Shale Gas Reservoir Subject to an Alternating-Fluid-Injection Hydraulic-Fracturing Treatment

SPE Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (04) ◽  
pp. 1839-1855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Hou ◽  
Zhi Chang ◽  
Weineng Fu ◽  
Yeerfulati Muhadasi ◽  
Mian Chen
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Fracture Initiation ◽  
Fluid Injection ◽  
Hydraulic Fractures ◽  
Stress Difference ◽  
Gas Reservoirs ◽  
Complex Fracture ◽  
Initiation And Propagation

Summary Deep shale gas reservoirs are characterized by high in-situ stresses, a high horizontal-stress difference (12 MPa), development of bedding seams and natural fractures, and stronger plasticity than shallow shale. All of these factors hinder the extension of hydraulic fractures and the formation of complex fracture networks. Conventional hydraulic-fracturing techniques (that use a single fluid, such as guar fluid or slickwater) do not account for the initiation and propagation of primary fractures and the formation of secondary fractures induced by the primary fractures. For this reason, we proposed an alternating-fluid-injection hydraulic-fracturing treatment. True triaxial hydraulic-fracturing tests were conducted on shale outcrop specimens excavated from the Shallow Silurian Longmaxi Formation to study the initiation and propagation of hydraulic fractures while the specimens were subjected to an alternating fluid injection with guar fluid and slickwater. The initiation and propagation of fractures in the specimens were monitored using an acoustic-emission (AE) system connected to a visual display. The results revealed that the guar fluid and slickwater each played a different role in hydraulic fracturing. At a high in-situ stress difference, the guar fluid tended to open the transverse fractures, whereas the slickwater tended to activate the bedding planes as a result of the temporary blocking effect of the guar fluid. On the basis of the development of fractures around the initiation point, the initiation patterns were classified into three categories: (1) transverse-fracture initiation, (2) bedding-seam initiation, and (3) natural-fracture initiation. Each of these fracture-initiation patterns had a different propagation mode. The alternating-fluid-injection treatment exploited the advantages of the two fracturing fluids to form a large complex fracture network in deep shale gas reservoirs; therefore, we concluded that this method is an efficient way to enhance the stimulated reservoir volume compared with conventional hydraulic-fracturing technologies.

scholarly journals Modeling of fault reactivation and induced seismicity during hydraulic fracturing of shale-gas reservoirs

2013 ◽  
Vol 107 ◽  
pp. 31-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonny Rutqvist ◽  
Antonio P. Rinaldi ◽  
Frédéric Cappa ◽  
George J. Moridis
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Fault Reactivation ◽  
Gas Reservoirs ◽  
Shale Gas Reservoirs
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document