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U.S. Department of Energy
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Subsidence and induced faulting: key environmental issues in geopressured-geothermal resource development

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7369479
A combination of natural processes and man's activities has increased subsidence rates and faulting in several areas of coastal Louisiana and Texas. Subsurface stress caused by the withdrawal of large volumes of fluid has been shown to accelerate subsidence and fault movement in some cases. To evaluate the effects of geopressured-geothermal fluid withdrawals, background rates of ground movement must be determined and compared with rates of movement during and after fluid production. A program for monitoring subsidence and faulting, which is based on microseismic monitoring, tiltmeter monitoring, and repeated leveling surveys, is underway at the geopressured-geothermal test well sites in Louisiana and Texas. Changes in subsidence rates and fault activity which can be attributed to geopressured-geothermal fluid withdrawal must be of sufficient magnitude to be distinguished from background activity.
Research Organization:
Louisiana Geological Survey, Baton Rouge
OSTI ID:
7369479
Report Number(s):
CONF-811026-67; ON: DE82003311
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English