Title: Hydromechanical Controls on the Spatiotemporal Patterns of Injection‐Induced Seismicity in Different Fault Architecture: Implication for 2013–2014 Azle Earthquakes

Abstract

Recent observations of seismic events at the subsurface energy exploration sites show that spatial and temporal correlations sometimes do not match the spatial order of the known or detected fault location from the injection well. This study investigates the coupled flow and geomechanical control on the patterns of induced seismicity along multiple basement faults that show an unusual spatiotemporal relation with induced seismicity occurring in the far field first, followed by the near field. Two possible geological scenarios considered are (1) the presence of conductive hydraulic pathway within the basement connected to the distant fault (hydraulic connectivity) and (2) no hydraulic pathway, but the coexistence of faults with mixed polarity (favorability to slip) as observed at Azle, TX. Based on the Coulomb stability analysis and seismicity rate estimates, simulation results show that direct pore pressure diffusion through a hydraulic pathway to the distant fault can generate a larger number of seismicity than along the fault close to the injection well. Prior to pore pressure diffusion, elastic stress transfer can initiate seismic activity along the favorably oriented fault, even at the longer distance to the well, which may explain the deep 2013–2014 Azle earthquake sequences. This study emphasizes that hydrological andmore » geomechanical features of faults will locally control poroelastic coupling mechanisms, potentially influencing the spatiotemporal pattern of injection-induced seismicity, which can be used to infer subsurface architecture of fault/fracture networks« less

Authors:

Chang, K. W.  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Chang, K. W."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0003-2727-4127"

Yoon, H.  ^[2]

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Yoon, H."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0001-6719-280X"

---

+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Geotechnology and Engineering Department Sandia National Laboratories Albuquerque NM USA
2. Geomechanics Department Sandia National Laboratories Albuquerque NM USA

Publication Date:

Wed Aug 26 00:00:00 EDT 2020

Research Org.:

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

OSTI Identifier:

1664591

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1664593; OSTI ID: 1670767

Report Number(s):

SAND2020-10450J
Journal ID: ISSN 2169-9313; e2020JB020402

Grant/Contract Number:  

200180; AC04-94AL85000

Resource Type:

Published Article

Journal Name:

Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth Journal Volume: 125 Journal Issue: 9; Journal ID: ISSN 2169-9313

Publisher:

American Geophysical Union

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

58 GEOSCIENCES