Embedded analytical-numerical simulation of fault reactivation in heterogeneous subsurface formations: Inspired by the issue of induced seismicity in the Groningen field

Induced seismicity refers to seismic events (earthquakes) triggered by human activities. Such events, even when characterized by relatively modest magnitudes, have the potential to jeopardize the safety of individuals, the surrounding environment, and infrastructure. <br/><br/>Production from hydrocarbon reservoirs can alter the in-situ stress...

Early detection of stress changes and failure using acoustic measurements

Activities underground, such as gas extraction or fluid injection, can disturb the natural stresses present and can cause human-induced earthquakes along pre-existing faults. Even though they are related to engineering, these earthquakes are currently unpredictable. Monitoring and understanding how these earthquakes occur are essential for a...

A Finite Volume Framework for Accurate Modeling of Fault Reactivation in Poroelastic Rocks

Safe and sustainable exploitation of geo-energy resources requires not only a comprehensive evaluation of the performance and economics of the corresponding projects but also the assessments of the associated risks, including the risk of induced seismicity. Indeed, seismic events may arise from the reactivation of natural faults and fractures...

Comprehensive review of geomechanics of underground hydrogen storage in depleted reservoirs and salt caverns

Hydrogen is a promising energy carrier for a low-carbon future energy system, as it can be stored on a megaton scale (equivalent to TWh of energy) in subsurface reservoirs. However, safe and efficient underground hydrogen storage requires a thorough understanding of the geomechanics of the host rock under fluid pressure fluctuations. In this...

An overview of induced seismicity in the Netherlands

We present an overview of induced seismicity due to subsurface engineering in the Netherlands. Our overview includes events induced by gas extraction, underground gas storage, geothermal heat extraction, salt solution mining and post-mining water ingress. Compared to natural seismicity, induced events are usually small (magnitudes ≤ 4.0)....

Study on The Effect of Production Dynamic to Fault Reactivation: A Case Study of Groningen Gas Field

The subsurface of Groningen gas field composed of several faults. The continuous production has been resulting in several micro-seismicity activities, particularly for the past decades. One of the reasons for the production-induced-seismicity is fault reactivation at depth. The fault that initially in the non-active state becomes active and...

Initiation of Fault Reactivation: New Insights into the Effect of Differential Compaction

The production and injection of fluids from and in reservoirs leads to changes in the in-situ stress in the subsurface. This can cause reservoir compaction, subsidence, fault reactivation and / or seismicity. As these effects may greatly influence society it is of importance to find accurate methods to describe them so they can be predicted or...