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

水力压裂（HF）涉及在高压下将流体注入位于深处的储层岩石中，以使岩石破裂并增加渗透性。在高频作业期间，微地震方法用于裂缝生长的远程评估，以优化生产并确保裂缝控制在目标储层内。在极少数情况下，在高频期间或之后不久触发了地震事件;这些事件被认为是由位于处理区几公里范围内的临界应力断层上的滑动引起的。通过地球物理现场观测，地质力学建模，信号处理和被动地震数据的创新解释相结合，拟议的研究将显着推进我们目前的HF和储层的微震响应之间的关系的理解。 这将导致加强非常规能源的回收，同时减轻诱发的地震灾害。该研究计划与一项配套的工业研究主席（IRC）提案有关。总之，这些举措将支持阿尔伯塔中西部的Duvernay页岩的案例研究，这是一个新兴的世界级非常规资源区，其中诱发地震活动已被记录在案，并且可获得独特的全面公共领域地球科学数据。该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。该计划将为研究团队提供一个独特的培训环境，该团队由26名高素质人员（HQP）组成，包括一名研究助理，4名博士后研究人员，6名博士，5名硕士和10名学士学位学生。该研究团队将开发在这个快速发展的领域中行业和政府机构需求非常高的技能。该计划将通过提高巨大非常规资源的成本效益开发，为识别和减轻危害提供关键知识，并支持监管最佳实践，为加拿大带来重大利益。

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.