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: $ 2.91万
• 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: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=687829
• 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 ongeological 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，世界范围内对能源的需求正在推动石油和天然气工业开发更难以生产和生产成本更高的低渗透率储层;这些储层被称为非常规储层。为了从这些致密岩石中释放页岩气等非常规资源，使用了水力压裂法。该过程涉及在高压下将流体泵入储集岩中以产生裂缝，从而增加其渗透性。然而，除了产生新的裂缝外，向深层地层注入流体还可以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，并已成为公众，行业和监管机构的关注。为了解决这些问题，行业合作伙伴正在为这项研究计划提供支持，重点是调查影响发生给定震级地震事件可能性的因素。目的是提高我们对诱发地震活动影响因素的理解，以此为手段制定评估可能性和减轻潜在危害的战略。总体目标将针对三个关键领域：1）压力机制（即，区域构造），2）断层特征（例如，方向，结构复杂性），和3）操作因素（例如，流体注射体积）。该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。预期结果将有助于加拿大在资源开采方面的知识和专门知识，并将改进与诱发地震活动潜力有关的灾害评估。这将有助于促进非常规油藏的风险降低战略，从而实现经济和环境上更可持续的运营。该研究计划还将培养高素质的人才，他们将配备独特的学习经验和行业高需求的实用技能。加拿大对具有自然资源开发和环境缓解相关高级学位的工程师和地球科学家的需求很大。