Earthquakes triggered by fluid extraction
- Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA (USA) Stanford Univ., CA (USA)
Seismicity is correlated in space and time with production from some oil and gas fields where pore pressures have declined by several tens of megapascals. Reverse faulting has occurred both above and below petroleum reservoirs, and normal faulting has occurred on the flanks of at least one reservoir. The theory of poroelasticity requires that fluid extraction locally alter the state of stress. Calculations with simple geometries predict stress perturbations that are consistent with observed earthquake locations and focal mechanisms. Measurements of surface displacement and strain, pore pressure, stress, and poroelastic rock properties in such areas could be used to test theoretical predictions and improve our understanding of earthquake mechanics.
- OSTI ID:
- 6934235
- Journal Information:
- Geology; (USA), Journal Name: Geology; (USA) Vol. 17:10; ISSN GLGYB; ISSN 0091-7613
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
03 NATURAL GAS
030800 -- Natural Gas-- Environmental Aspects
EARTHQUAKES
ELASTICITY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FLUID WITHDRAWAL
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NATURAL GAS FIELDS
OIL FIELDS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PORE PRESSURE
POROSITY
PRESSURE DROP
PRODUCTION
RELAXATION
RESERVOIR PRESSURE
RESOURCES
ROCK MECHANICS
SEISMIC EFFECTS
SEISMIC EVENTS
SEISMICITY
STRESS RELAXATION
STRESSES
TENSILE PROPERTIES