Multi-scale monitoring of hydraulic fracturing and wastewater injection, Duvernay region, Alberta

水力压裂(HF)是指在高压下将流体注入位于深层的储集层岩石，以压裂岩石并增加渗透率。微地震方法用于远程评估高频作业过程中裂缝的发育情况，以便优化开采并确保将裂缝控制在目标储集层内。在极少数情况下，地震事件在高频期间或之后不久被触发；这些事件被认为是由位于治疗区几公里范围内的严重应力断层上的滑动引起的。通过结合地球物理场观测、地质力学模拟、信号处理和被动地震数据的创新性解释，所提出的研究将极大地促进我们目前对高频与储层微震响应之间关系的理解。这将导致加强对非常规能源的回收，同时减轻诱发地震活动的危害。该研究计划与一个配套的工业研究讲座(IRC)提案相联系。综上所述，这些举措将为艾伯塔省中西部Duvernay页岩的案例研究奠定基础，这是一种新兴的世界级非常规资源活动，其中记录了诱发地震活动，并拥有独特全面的公共领域地球科学数据。这一CRD计划得到了五家公司的支持，这些公司广泛参与加拿大西部的HF和/或废水注入，并将提供资金、后勤支持和专业知识。该项目将为研究团队提供独特的培训环境，由26名高素质人员(HQP)组成，其中包括1名研究助理、4名博士后研究人员、6名博士、5名硕士和10名理科学生。研究团队将在这个快速发展的领域开发行业和政府机构特别高需求的技能。该计划将通过提高对巨大非常规资源的成本效益开发，提供识别和减轻危险的关键知识，以及支持监管最佳实践，为加拿大带来重大好处。

Hydraulic fracturing (HF) involves injection of fluids under high pressure into reservoir rocks, located at depth, to fracture the rocks and increase permeability. Microseismic methods are used for remote assessment of fracture growth during HF operations in order to optimize roduction and to ensure containment of fractures within the target reservoir. In rare instances, seismic events have been triggered during or shortly after HF; these are considered to be caused by slip on critically stressed faults located within a few km of the treatment zone. Through a combination of geophysical field observations, geomechanical modeling, signal processing and innovative interpretation of passive seismic data, the proposed research will significantly advance our current understanding of the relationship between HF and the microseismic response of the reservoir. This will lead to enhanced recovery from unconventional energy resources while mitigating induced seismicity hazards. The research program is linked to a companion industrial research chair (IRC) proposal. Taken together, these initiatives will underpin a case study of the Duvernay shale in west-central Alberta, an emerging world-class unconventional resource play where induced seismicity has been documented and where uniquely comprehensive public-domain geoscientific data is available. This CRD program is supported by five companies who are extensively involved in HF and/or wastewater injection in western Canada and who will provide funding, logistical support and expertise. This program will provide a unique training environment for the research team, comprised of 26 highly qualified personnel (HQP), including a Research Associate, 4 postdoctoral researchers, 6 PhD, 5 MSc and 10 BSc students. The research team will develop skill-sets that are in exceptionally high demand by industry and government agencies within this rapidly developing field. The program will provide significant benefit to Canada by enhancing cost-effective development of immense unconventional resources, contributing critical knowledge to identify and mitigate hazards, and supporting regulatory best practice.************