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，全球对能源的需求正在推动石油和天然气行业开发生产难度更大、成本更高的低渗透油藏；这些油藏被称为非常规油藏。为了从这些致密岩石中开采页岩气等非常规资源，人们使用了水力压裂技术。该过程涉及在高压下将流体泵入储层岩石中以产生裂缝，以增加其渗透率。然而，除了产生新的裂缝之外，将流体注入深层地层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，并已成为公众、行业和监管机构关注的焦点。为了解决这些问题，行业合作伙伴正在为该研究计划提供支持，重点是调查影响发生给定震级地震事件可能性的因素。目标是提高我们对影响诱发地震活动因素的理解，以此作为制定评估可能性和减轻潜在危险的策略的手段。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（例如方向、结构复杂性）和3）操作因素（例如流体注入量）。该研究将结合现场观察和经验数据，以及受控的实验室实验和最先进的数值建模。预期结果将有助于增强加拿大在资源开采方面的知识和专业知识，并将改进与诱发地震潜力相关的灾害评估。这将有助于促进非常规水库的风险降低策略，从而实现经济和环境上更可持续的运营。该研究计划还将培训高素质人才，他们将具备行业急需的独特学习经验和实践技能。加拿大对拥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有着强劲的需求。