Investigation of induced seismicity mechanisms and magnitude distribution under different stress regimes,fault characteristics,and operational factors

研究不同应力状态、断层特征和操作因素下的诱发地震活动机制和震级分布

• 批准号: 514552-2017
• 负责人: Eberhardt, Erik
• 金额: $ 2.96万
• 依托单位: University of British Columbia
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2018-01-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=649906
• 关键词: Investigation; induced; seismicity; mechanisms; magnitude

With growing populations and rising living standards, worldwide demand for energy resources is pushing the oil and gas industry to develop low permeability reservoirs that are more difficult and costly to produce; these reservoirs are termed unconventional reservoirs. To unlock unconventional resources like shale gas from these tight rocks, hydraulic fracturing is used. This process involves pumping fluids under high pressure into the reservoir rock to generate fractures in order to increase its permeability. However, in addition to generating new fractures, the injection of fluids into deep formations also serves to create localized stress changes on**geological faults that can result in fault slip and small earthquakes. These are referred to as induced seismicity, and have become subject to public, industry, and regulator concerns. To address these concerns, industry partners are providing support for this research program, with focus to be placed on investigating the factors that influence the likelihood of having a seismic event of a given magnitude. The goal is to improve our understanding of factors influencing induced seismicity as a means to develop strategies to assess likelihood and mitigate potential hazards. The overall objectives will target three key areas: 1) stress regime (i.e., regional tectonics), 2) fault characteristics (e.g., orientation, structural complexity), and 3) operational factors (e.g., fluid injection volume). The research will integrate field observations and empirical data, with controlled laboratory experiments and state-of-the-art numerical modelling. The expected results will help contribute to Canada's body of knowledge and expertise in resource extraction, and will deliver improved hazard assessments related to induced seismicity potential. This will help facilitate risk reduction strategies for unconventional reservoirs, leading to economically as well as environmentally more sustainable operations. The research program will also train Highly Qualified Personnel who will be equipped with unique learning experiences and practical skill sets that are in high demand in industry. There is a solid demand in Canada for engineers and geoscientists with advanced degrees related to natural resource development and environmental mitigation.**

随着人口的增长和生活水平的提高，全球对能源的需求促使油气行业开发难度更高、成本更高的低渗透油藏；这些油藏被称为非常规油藏。为了从这些致密的岩石中开采页岩气等非常规资源，需要使用水力压裂法。这个过程包括在高压下将流体泵入储层岩石以产生裂缝，以增加其渗透率。然而，除了产生新的裂缝外，向深层地层注入流体还会在地质断层上产生局部应力变化，从而导致断层滑动和小地震。这些被称为诱发地震活动，已经成为公众、行业和监管机构关注的问题。为了解决这些问题，行业合作伙伴正在为该研究项目提供支持，重点是调查影响特定震级地震发生可能性的因素。目标是提高我们对影响诱发地震活动的因素的理解，作为制定评估可能性和减轻潜在危险的策略的一种手段。总体目标将针对三个关键领域：1)应力状态（即区域构造），2)断层特征（如方位、结构复杂性），以及3)操作因素（如流体注入量）。这项研究将结合实地观察和经验数据，以及受控的实验室实验和最先进的数值模拟。预期的结果将有助于加拿大在资源开采方面的知识和专业知识，并将提供与诱发地震活动潜力相关的改进的危险评估。这将有助于非常规油藏降低风险的策略，从而在经济上和环境上实现更可持续的运营。该研究项目还将培养具有独特学习经验和实践技能的高素质人才，这些人才在行业中需求量很大。加拿大对拥有与自然资源开发和环境缓解相关的高级学位的工程师和地球科学家有坚实的需求