Induced Seismicity Driven by Fluid Diffusion Revealed by a Near‐Field Hydraulic Stimulation Monitoring Array in the Montney Basin, British Columbia

2019 ◽  
Vol 124 (5) ◽  
pp. 4694-4709 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Yu ◽  
R. M. Harrington ◽  
Y. Liu ◽  
B. Wang
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Hydraulic Stimulation ◽  
Fluid Diffusion

scholarly journals Hydro-mechanical simulation and analysis of induced seismicity for a hydraulic stimulation test at the Reykjanes geothermal field, Iceland

Geothermics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 97 ◽  
pp. 102223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eirik Keilegavlen ◽  
Laure Duboeuf ◽  
Anna Maria Dichiarante ◽  
Sæunn Halldórsdóttir ◽  
Ivar Stefansson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Geothermal Field ◽  
Stimulation Test ◽  
Hydraulic Stimulation ◽  
Mechanical Simulation

Performance Evaluation of the Regional Seismograph Network in Northeast British Columbia, Canada, for Monitoring of Induced Seismicity

2016 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 648-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Babaie Mahani ◽  
Honn Kao ◽  
Dan Walker ◽  
Jeff Johnson ◽  
Carlos Salas
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Seismograph Network

Well-Log-Based Velocity and Density Models for the Montney Unconventional Resource Play in Northeast British Columbia, Canada, Applicable to Induced Seismicity Monitoring and Research

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Babaie Mahani ◽  
Dmytro Malytskyy ◽  
Ryan Visser ◽  
Mark Hayes ◽  
Michelle Gaucher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Focal Depth ◽  
Depth Resolution ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
The North ◽  
Seismicity Monitoring ◽  
Unconventional Resource

Abstract We present detailed velocity and density models for the Montney unconventional resource play in northeast British Columbia, Canada. The new models are specifically essential for robust hypocenter determination in the areas undergoing multistage hydraulic-fracturing operations and for detailed analysis of induced seismicity processes in the region. For the upper 4 km of the sedimentary structure, we review hundreds of well logs and select sonic and density logs from 19 locations to build the representative models. For depths below 4 km, we extend our models using data from the southern Alberta refraction experiment (Clowes et al., 2002). We provide one set of models for the entire Montney play along with two separated sets for the southern and northern areas. Specifically, the models for the southern and northern Montney play are based on logs located in and around the Kiskatinaw Seismic Monitoring and Mitigation Area and the North Peace Ground Motion Monitoring area, respectively. To demonstrate the usefulness of our detailed velocity model, we compare the hypocenter location of earthquakes that occurred within the Montney play as determined with our model and the simple two-layered model (CN01) routinely used by Natural Resources Canada. Locations obtained by our velocity model cluster more tightly with the majority of events having root mean square residual of <0.2  s compared with that of <0.4  s when the CN01 model is used. Cross sections of seismicity versus depth across the area also show significant improvements in the determination of focal depths. Our model results in a reasonable median focal depth of ∼2  km for events in this area, which is consistent with the completion depths of hydraulic-fracturing operations. In comparison, most solutions determined with the CN01 model have fixed focal depths (0 km) due to the lack of depth resolution.

scholarly journals Application of focal-time analysis for improved induced seismicity depth control: A case study from the Montney Formation, British Columbia, Canada

Geophysics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. KS185-KS196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naimeh Riazi ◽  
David W. Eaton ◽  
Alemayehu Aklilu ◽  
Andrew Poulin
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Search Algorithm ◽  
Focal Depth ◽  
Global Search ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Global Search Algorithm ◽  
Montney Formation ◽  
3D Seismic Data

Characterization of induced seismicity and associated microseismicity is an important challenge for enhanced oil recovery and development of tight hydrocarbon reservoirs. In particular, accurately correlating hypocenters of induced events to stratigraphic layers plays an important role in understanding the mechanisms of fault activation. Existing methods for estimating focal depth, however, are prone to a high degree of uncertainty. A comprehensive analysis of inferred focal depths is applied to induced events that occurred during completions of horizontal wells targeting the Montney Formation in British Columbia, Canada. Our workflow includes a probabilistic, nonlinear global-search algorithm (NonLinLoc), a hierarchical clustering algorithm for relative relocation (GrowClust), and depth refinement using the recently developed focal-time method. The focal-time method leverages stratigraphic correlations between P-P and P-S reflections to eliminate the need for an explicit velocity model developed specifically for hypocenter depth estimation. We find that this approach is robust in the presence of noisy picks and location errors from epicenters obtained using a global-search algorithm, but it is limited to areas where multicomponent 3D seismic data are available. We have developed a novel method to determine statics corrections to ensure that the passive seismic observations and 3D seismic data share a common datum in areas of moderate to high topography. Our results highlight the importance of transverse faults, which appear to provide permeable pathways for activation of other faults at distances of up to 2 km from hydraulic fracturing operations.

scholarly journals Detecting Near-Field Tsunamis off the Coast of British Columbia

Eos ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 95 (37) ◽  
pp. 336-336
Author(s):  
Tania Lado Insua ◽  
Kate Moran
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Near Field

scholarly journals Modeling the Transport and Fate of Sediments Released from Marine Construction Projects in the Coastal Waters of British Columbia, Canada

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Fissel ◽  
Yuehua Lin
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Numerical Methods ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Suspended Sediments ◽  
Initial Dilution ◽  
Resolution Model

Major marine construction projects, resulting in the release of sediments, are subject to environmental assessment and other regulatory approval processes. An important tool used for this is the development of specialized numerical methods for these marine activities. An integrated set of numerical methods addresses four distinct topics: the near-field release and mixing of suspended sediments into the water column (i.e. the initial dilution zone); the transport of the suspended sediments under the influence of complex ocean currents in the far-field; the settling of the transported suspended sediments onto the seabed; and the potential for resuspension of the deposited sediments due to sporadic occurrences of unusually large near-bottom currents. A review of projects subjected to environmental assessment in the coastal waters of British Columbia from the year 2006 to 2017, is presented to illustrate the numerical models being used and their ongoing development. Improvements include higher resolution model grids to better represent the near-field, the depiction of particle size dependent vertical settling rates and the computation of resuspension of initially deposited sediments, especially in relation to temporary subsea piles of sediments arising from trenching for marine pipelines. The ongoing challenges for this numerical modeling application area are also identified.

scholarly journals Meter-scale stress heterogeneities and stress redistribution drive complex fracture slip and fracture growth during a hydraulic stimulation experiment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linus Villiger ◽  
Valentin Samuel Gischig ◽  
Grzegorz Kwiatek ◽  
Hannes Krietsch ◽  
Joseph Doetsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zone ◽  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Damage Zone ◽  
Test Site ◽  
Crystalline Rock ◽  
Stress Redistribution ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Hydraulic Stimulation ◽  
Source Mechanisms ◽  
Stimulation Of

Summary We investigated the induced seismicity, source mechanisms and mechanical responses of a decameter-scale hydraulic stimulation of a pre-existing shear zone in crystalline rock, at the Grimsel Test Site, Switzerland. The analysis reveals the meter-scale complexity of hydraulic stimulation, which remains hidden at the reservoir-scale. High earthquake location accuracy allowed the separation of four distinct clusters, of which three were attributed to the stimulation of fractures in the damage zone of the shear zone. The source mechanism of the larger-magnitude seismicity varied by cluster, and suggests a heterogeneous stress field already prevailing before stimulation, which is further modified during stimulation. In the course of the experiment, stress redistribution led to the aseismic initiation of a tensile-dominated fracture, which induced seismicity in the fourth of the identified seismic clusters. The streaky pattern of seismicity separated by zones without seismicity suggests fluid flow in conduits along existing fracture planes. The observed sub-meter scale complexity questions the forecasting ability of induced seismic hazard at the reservoir scale from small-scale experiments.

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