Global physics-based database of injection-induced seismicity

Abstract

Abstract. Fluid injection into geological formations for energy resource development frequently induces (micro)seismicity. If intensely shaking the ground, induced earthquakes may cause injuries and/or economic loss, with the consequence of jeopardizing the operation and future development of these geoenergy projects. To achieve an improved understanding of the causes of induced seismicity, develop forecasting tools, and manage the associated risks, a careful examination of seismic data from reported cases of induced seismicity and the parameters controlling them is necessary. However, these data are hardly gathered together and are time-consuming to collate as they come from different disciplines and sources. Here, we present a publicly available, multi-physical database of injection-induced seismicity (Kivi et al., 2022a; https://doi.org/10.20350/digitalCSIC/14813), sourced from an extensive review of published documents. Currently, it contains 158 datasets of induced seismicity driven by various subsurface energy-related applications worldwide. Each dataset covers a wide range of variables, delineating general site information, host rock properties, in situ geologic and tectonic conditions, fault characteristics, conducted field operations, and recorded seismic activities. We publish the database in flat-file formats (i.e., .xls and .csv tables) to facilitate its dissemination and utilization by geoscientists while keeping it ‎‎directly readable by computer codes for convenient data manipulation. The multi-disciplinary content of this database adds unique value to databases focusing only on seismicity data. In particular, the collected data aims at facilitating the understanding of the spatiotemporal occurrence of induced earthquakes, the diagnosing of potential triggering mechanisms, and the developing of scaling relations of maximum possible earthquake magnitudes and operational parameters. Conclusively, the database will boost research in seismic hazard forecasting and mitigation, paving the way for increasing contributions of geoenergy resources to meeting net-zero carbon emissions.

Impact of climatic anomalies and reservoir induced seismicity on earthquake generation using Federated Learning

“…[20] assessed reservoir induced seismicity using artificial neural network and GIS. [21] studied the relationship of atmospheric temperature and rainfall with onset of earthquakes. [22] applied statistical analysis to demonstrate the relationship of atmospheric temperature on earthquake occurrence.…”

Quick assessment through analytical solutions of induced seismicity in geo-energy applications

“…We discuss the condition in terms of the inverse of wh/D 2 for neglecting the free-surface effects in the turning interval where the decreasing rate of the maximum difference significantly declines from a large one to a small one. Such a turning interval locates in the right-hand side of the previous cutoff point (Figures 3.10D-3.10F), and the geological conditions in most of the practical geo-energy projects indeed are located in this turning interval (Kivi et al, 2022(Kivi et al, , 2023. These inversely proportional curves between the maximum difference and the inverse of wh/D 2 display an intrinsic threshold for neglecting the free-surface effects because of their asymptotic property (Figures 3.10D-3.10F).…”

“…This assumption only requires that the ratio of reservoir thickness to depth, i.e., h/D, is small enough (Segall, 1989). Almost all the field cases in practical geo-energy projects can meet such a condition (Kivi et al, 2022(Kivi et al, , 2023 because the results remain acceptable even for the exaggerated case of h/D = 1 (Figure 3.4). However, both approximate solutions only consider a special location, which may limit their applications.…”

“…Furthermore, induced earthquakes generate nuisance and fear among the local population, giving rise to a negative public perception of geo-energy projects. Induced damaging earthquakes have been observed in various fluid injection/depletion-related subsurface activities, such as conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon production, wastewater disposal, shale gas fracturing, geologic CO 2 storage (GCS), and geothermal energy exploitation (Figure 1.2, Bao and Eaton, 2016;Foulger et al, 2018;Kivi et al, 2023). During the past decade, the rate of induced earthquakes with magnitudes M≥3 has grown tenfold in Oklahoma (Ellsworth, 2013;Rubinstein and Mahani, 2015) and threefold in western Canada (Atkinson et al, 2020).…”

“…Figure 1.2: Schematic description of geo-energy applications associated with induced seismicity (Kivi et al, 2023).…”