A synthetical geoengineering approach to evaluate the largest hydraulic fracturing-induced earthquake in the East Shale Basin, Alberta

• DOI: 10.1016/j.petsci.2023.01.006
• Publication Date: 2023-01-10T07:38:26Z
• Authors: Gang Hui; Zhang-Xin Chen; Zheng-Dong Lei; Zhao-Jie Song; Lin-Yang Zhang; Xin-Ran Yu; Fei Gu
• Keywords: Overpressure; Brittleness

On 2019-03-04, the largest induced earthquake (ML4.18) occurred in East Shale Basin, Alberta, and underlying physical mechanisms have not been fully understood. This paper proposes a synthetical geoengineering methodology to comprehensively characterize this caused by hydraulic fracturing. Based on 3D structural, petrophysical, geomechanical models, an unconventional fracture model is constructed considering stress shadow between adjacent fractures interactions natural fractures. Coupled poroelastic simulations are conducted reveal triggering of seismicity. It found that four vertical basement-rooted faults were identified via focal analysis. The brittleness index (BI) along two horizontal wells has high magnitude (BI > 0.5), indicating potential susceptibility rock brittleness. Due presence overpressure, pre-existing Duvernay Formation highly susceptible fault reactivation. occurrence clusters attributed fracturing fluid injection during west 38th-39th stage east 38th completions. Rock brittleness, formation large job size account for nucleation clusters, natural-hydraulic networks provide flow pathways cause workflow can be used mitigate seismic risks reservoirs other fields.